Week 9 SEC & Big Ten Recap: Florida Beats Georgia, Michigan Holds Off Minnesota
#11 Florida 27, Georgia 3
The Gators (7-1, 5-1 SEC) are one conference victory away from clinching the SEC East after defeating the Bulldogs (5-3, 3-3 SEC) in Jacksonville Saturday. Florida’s standout defense held Georgia to 223 total yards, with only 69 rushing yards, and racked up four interceptions. The Gators’ offense totaled 413 yards, with WR Antonio Callaway registering 110 yards and one score. RB Kelvin Taylor delivered another big game at EverBank field — the stadium his father, former NFL RB Fred Taylor, played in for 11 seasons — rushing for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Georgia QB Faton Bauta made his first start Saturday, completing 15 of 33 passes for 154 yards in the loss.
#15 Michigan 29, Minnesota 26
The Wolverines (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) took back the oldest rivalry trophy in college football Saturday after they outlasted the Golden Gophers (4-4, 1-3 Big Ten). Minnesota interim coach Tracy Claeys opted against a tying field goal and went for the win with the ball inside the one-yard line. The quarterback keeper was stopped by a stout Michigan defensive line and the Little Brown Jug went back to Ann Arbor. QB Mitch Leidner delivered a career-high 317 yards and one touchdown for the Golden Gophers. Wolverine QB Jake Rudock was 13 of 21 for 140 yards and a score before he was injured late in the third quarter.
Texas A&M 35, South Carolina 28
Texas A&M (6-2, 3-2 SEC) upended the Gamecocks (3-5, 1-5 SEC), as freshman QB Kyler Murray made his first start for the Aggies. Murray completed 20-of-28 passes for 223 yards and one touchdown and added another 156 yards and a score on the ground. South Carolina scored all four touchdowns on the ground, including two by senior RB Brandon Wilds. Aggies’ sophomore Donovan Wilson picked off Perry Orth twice in the contest, taking one interception 60 yards for the score.
#19 Ole Miss 27, Auburn 19
The Rebels (7-2, 4-1 SEC) topped the Tigers (4-4, 1-4 SEC) at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday. Laquon Treadwell, the SEC’s leader in receiving yards and touchdowns, registered 114 yards and one touchdown, as well as completing a 21-yard pass for the Rebels. Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly had his sixth 300+ yard game of the season, completing 33-of-51 passes for 381 yards and two scores. Auburn’s offense totaled 427 yards, with WR Ricardo Louis accounting for 137 yards and one touchdown.
Other games from the weekend:
#10 Iowa (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) defeated Maryland (2-6, 0-4 Big Ten), 31-15.
Kentucky (4-4, 2-4 SEC) fell to Tennessee (4-4, 2-3 SEC), 52-21.
Penn State (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) defeated Illinois (4-4, 1-3 Big Ten), 39-0.
Wisconsin (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) defeated Rutgers (3-5, 1-4 Big Ten), 48-10.
Vanderbilt (3-5, 1-3 SEC) fell to Houston, 34-0.
Purdue (2-6, 1-3 Big Ten) defeated Nebraska (3-6, 1-4 Big Ten), 55-45.
Arkansas (4-4, 2-2 SEC) defeated Tennessee-Martin, 63-28.