Mertz's 3 TDs, career day rallies Florida to 41-39 victory over South Caroilna
— Florida coach Billy Napier found quarterback Graham Mertz and receiver Ricky Pearsall, both transfers, after the game and hugged them hard.
NCAA - Football
FINAL
Florida Gators
41
South Carolina Gamecocks
39
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLA | 10 | 14 | 3 | 14 | 41 |
| SC | 14 | 7 | 3 | 15 | 39 |
Williams-Brice Stadium · 79,247 att.
Match Report
Last five matches
| Date | Opp | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/31/26 | @ Georgia Bulldogs | L 8-27 | NCAAF |
| 10/17/26 | @ Texas Longhorns | W 27-24 | NCAAF |
| 10/10/26 | vs South Carolina Gamecocks | L 19-38 | NCAAF |
| 10/3/26 | @ Missouri Tigers | L 17-45 | NCAAF |
| 9/26/26 | vs Ole Miss Rebels | W 52-28 | NCAAF |
| Full Schedule | |||
Play by Play
-
Safety 0:04 41-39
Team Safety
-
Touchdown 0:47 41-37
Ricky Pearsall 21 Yd pass from Graham Mertz (Trey Smack Kick)
-
Touchdown 4:40 34-37
Arlis Boardingham 4 Yd pass from Graham Mertz (Trey Smack Kick)
-
Touchdown 9:11 27-37
Joshua Simon 33 Yd pass from Spencer Rattler (Two-Point Run Conversion Failed)
-
Touchdown 14:55 27-31
Juju McDowell 3 Yd pass from Spencer Rattler (Mitch Jeter Kick)
-
Field Goal 7:24 27-24
Trey Smack 54 Yd Field Goal
-
Field Goal 10:26 24-24
Mitch Jeter 27 Yd Field Goal
-
Field Goal 0:03 24-21
Trey Smack 28 Yd Field Goal
-
Touchdown 4:57 21-21
Mario Anderson 20 Yd pass from Spencer Rattler (Mitch Jeter Kick)
-
Touchdown 8:13 21-14
Kahleil Jackson 7 Yd pass from Graham Mertz (Trevor Etienne Pass to Hayden Hansen for Two-Point Conversion)
-
Field Goal 13:39 13-14
Trey Smack 44 Yd Field Goal
-
Touchdown 2:02 10-14
Juju McDowell 17 Yd Run (Mitch Jeter Kick)
-
Field Goal 4:08 10-7
Trey Smack 48 Yd Field Goal
-
Touchdown 7:49 7-7
Trey Knox 6 Yd pass from Spencer Rattler (Mitch Jeter Kick)
-
Touchdown 10:47 7-0
Trevor Etienne 3 Yd Run (Trey Smack Kick)
-
FLA 0:04
4 plays, -31 yards, 0:16 · SAFETY
-
Safety 0:04 41-39
Team Safety
-
SC 0:20
3 plays, 11 yards, 0:27 · Interception
-
FLA 0:47
9 plays, 75 yards, 1:56 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 0:47 41-37
Ricky Pearsall 21 Yd pass from Graham Mertz (Trey Smack Kick)
-
SC 2:43
4 plays, 20 yards, 1:53 · Punt
-
FLA 4:40
14 plays, 75 yards, 4:31 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 4:40 34-37
Arlis Boardingham 4 Yd pass from Graham Mertz (Trey Smack Kick)
-
SC 9:11
5 plays, 69 yards, 2:21 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 9:11 27-37
Joshua Simon 33 Yd pass from Spencer Rattler (Two-Point Run Conversion Failed)
-
FLA 11:32
6 plays, 45 yards, 3:23 · Missed FG
-
SC 14:55
10 plays, 72 yards, 3:42 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 14:55 27-31
Juju McDowell 3 Yd pass from Spencer Rattler (Mitch Jeter Kick)
-
FLA 3:37
4 plays, 8 yards, 2:09 · Punt
-
SC 5:46
3 plays, 4 yards, 1:38 · Punt
-
FLA 7:24
6 plays, 39 yards, 3:02 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 7:24 27-24
Trey Smack 54 Yd Field Goal
-
SC 10:26
10 plays, 66 yards, 4:34 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 10:26 24-24
Mitch Jeter 27 Yd Field Goal
-
SC
1 play, -2 yards, 0:02 · End of Half
-
FLA 0:03
5 plays, 45 yards, 1:21 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 0:03 24-21
Trey Smack 28 Yd Field Goal
-
SC 1:24
5 plays, 6 yards, 1:07 · Punt
-
FLA 2:31
6 plays, 21 yards, 2:26 · Punt
-
SC 4:57
6 plays, 75 yards, 3:16 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 4:57 21-21
Mario Anderson 20 Yd pass from Spencer Rattler (Mitch Jeter Kick)
-
FLA 8:13
5 plays, 82 yards, 2:23 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 8:13 21-14
Kahleil Jackson 7 Yd pass from Graham Mertz (Trevor Etienne Pass to Hayden Hansen for Two-Point Conversion)
-
SC 10:36
5 plays, 2 yards, 2:59 · Punt
-
FLA 13:39
10 plays, 49 yards, 3:23 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 13:39 13-14
Trey Smack 44 Yd Field Goal
-
SC 2:02
5 plays, 75 yards, 2:06 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 2:02 10-14
Juju McDowell 17 Yd Run (Mitch Jeter Kick)
-
FLA 4:08
8 plays, 45 yards, 3:41 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 4:08 10-7
Trey Smack 48 Yd Field Goal
-
SC 7:49
7 plays, 75 yards, 2:58 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 7:49 7-7
Trey Knox 6 Yd pass from Spencer Rattler (Mitch Jeter Kick)
-
FLA 10:47
9 plays, 66 yards, 4:07 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 10:47 7-0
Trevor Etienne 3 Yd Run (Trey Smack Kick)
Showing the last 39 of 39 events.
Team Stats
FLA
SC
28
1st Downs
23
4-15
3rd down efficiency
5-10
3-4
4th down efficiency
0-0
494
Total Yards
465
423
Passing
313
30/48
Comp/Att
23/30
8.8
Yards per pass
10.4
71
Rushing
152
33
Rushing Attempts
33
2.2
Yards per rush
4.6
6-48
Penalties
9-82
0
Turnovers
2
0
Fumbles lost
1
0
Interceptions thrown
1
32:48
Possession
27:12
Highlights
00:45
Graham Mertz finds Ricky Pearsall for a go-ahead TD for Florida
Watch on ESPN
00:59
Trevor Etienne fights his way into the end zone for a Florida TD
Watch on ESPN
00:33
Spencer Rattler finds a wide-open Trey Knox for a South Carolina TD
Watch on ESPN
01:10
Nyck Harbor's big-time catch sets up a South Carolina TD
Watch on ESPN
NCAAF News
All news
News
Sources: BYU RB LJ Martin to return, play vs. No. 3 Utah
BYU star running back LJ Martin, who hasn't played since Oct. 3 due to an ankle injury, will play in the Cougars' game against No. 3 Utah, sources told ESPN.
Video
How Miami mom Linda Fletcher is traveling with her son, Hurricanes this season
How Miami mom Linda Fletcher is traveling with her son, Hurricanes this season
ESPN
What Notre Dame is using to build its offensive supporting cast around CJ Carr
With a star QB, the Irish are turning to an unlikely group of contributors. They face their stiffest test this week.
News
Arizona grabs onside kick, hits late FG to pull out TCU win
Arizona recovers an onside kick to set up a 37-yard field goal with under a minute to go as the Wildcats stunned TCU 29-28.