GAINESVILLE — Chauncey Gardner wasn't fooled.
He saw UAB snap the ball. He saw the quarterback throw a screen. He saw the receiver fire a second pass downfield.
Then a crowd of 84,649 saw the sophomore safety high-point the trick-play pass to earn his second interception in two weeks.
Gardner's pick was part of a four-takeaway day for the Gators as they cruised to a 36-7 win over UAB (7-4) Saturday in the Swamp. One week after seeping a season-worst 469 yards of offense to South Carolina, Florida's defense had its best performance of the year, holding the Blazers to 180 total yards. It was an expected win for UF (4-6), coming against a Conference USA team that some metrics place last in Division I-A in strength of schedule. But it was a confidence booster nonetheless for an underwhelming defensive unit (ranked 53rd in total yards allowed).
Florida's defense bullied the Blazers through four quarters, totaling three sacks, eight tackles for loss, two recovered fumbles and two interceptions.
"That was SEC and NFL talent that we went up against today," UAB's Darious Williams said.
The Gators began the game with dominant play along the defensive line. A run defense that had given up at least 220 yards in each of its past three games held the Blazers to just three yards on the ground.
"They stopped the run, which I was shocked at," UAB coach Bill Clark said.
Whenever the Blazers' offense put a few plays together, Florida was quick to force turnovers.
After Florida recovered its first fumble of the season last week on a muffed punt against the Gamecocks, the Gators' defense recovered its first two fumbles of the year.
"Every week we work on turnovers more than any place I've ever been," UF interim coach Randy Shannon said. "Trying to create turnovers, stripping the ball and turnover circuit every day."
With their defense re-ignited, the Gators hope to force a few more takeaways next Saturday against Florida State, a team that ranks bottom five in Division I-A in turnover margin. Shannon is confident the Gators can earn their first win over the Seminoles since 2012 if they do their jobs on defense and don't let emotions of a rivalry game get to them.
"We can't make this a feelings situation where it's personal because it's Florida-Florida State," Shannon said. "It's got to be about us as a football team representing this Gator Nation, doing the things we need to get done."