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Florida State at Florida: 5 things you might have missed

 
Published Nov. 29, 2015

GAINESVILLE — Some of the most notable stories from Saturday night's rivalry game between No. 10 Florida and No. 14 Florida State started showing up before kickoff. Here are a few things you might have missed:

1. The Gators were without one of their top offensive weapons, but were aided by a bolstered defensive line. UF announced before the game that WR Demarcus Robinson was suspended for a violation of team rules. The 6-foot-1 junior entered Saturday as the Gators' leader in receptions (47) and yards (505) and has also caught two touchdown passes and earned eight starts. It was unclear whether he will be available in next week's SEC championship game against Alabama. Junior Chris Thompson started in Robinson's place. UF was also without Cam Dillard (leg), who had started every game at center. Trip Thurman took his place. The Gators did, however, get some reinforcements on defense. DL Joey Ivie (Pasco High) returned to the starting lineup after missing the previous three games with injuries and recorded UF's first tackle. DT Jon Bullard also started with his knee in a brace, though coach Jim McElwain called him "probably out" earlier last week.

2. Floirida State TE Jeremy Kerr picked a great time to have the biggest game of his career. Coach Jimbo Fisher spoke highly of the St. Petersburg High product during fall camp. The 6-foot-6, 266-pound redshirt sophomore played all 14 games last year as a backup and on special teams but hadn't recorded a catch — until Saturday. When QB Sean Maguire rolled right on fourth and goal from the 1, Maguire threw the ball across his body toward Kerr in double coverage. Kerr came down with his first career catch for the score. Kerr played in a Wing-T offense at St. Petersburg and had only one TD catch in his final two seasons there but was regarded as a strong blocker.

3. Gators RB Kelvin Taylor showed flashes of his dad and outplayed FSU star Dalvin Cook in the first half. UF honored former Gators great Fred Taylor — Kelvin's father — during one break early in the first quarter. On the next play, Kelvin Taylor ripped off a 20-yard rush and the game's initial first down. Taylor was UF's chief source of offense through the first two quarters. He had 79 of the Gators' 122 yards; UF averaged 5.6 yards per play when he touched the ball and 1.6 when he didn't. UF's defense contained his counterpart, Cook, in the first half, when had only 25 yards on eight carries. But Cook picked it up and wound up with 183 rushing yards and two scores for the game.

4. Special teams mattered, especially in a game featuring two strong defenses. FSU caught its first big break when Jesus Wilson muffed a punt early in the second quarter. But the officials called a kick catch interference on UF, wiping out the Gators' recovery in FSU territory. Instead, the Seminoles kept the ball and scored on Roberto Aguayo's 45-yard field goal. With four first-half points, Aguayo moved into second place in FSU history with 394 points, behind only Dustin Hopkins. Both punters were impressive, averaging at least 46 yards in the first half. The rest of the Gators' kicking game continued to struggle. Austin Hardin missed a 51-yard field goal at the end of the first half. It was his fourth miss in his last six attempts.

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5. FSU's star freshmen continue to shine. DE Josh Sweat led the Seminoles with five first-half tackles. He swallowed up UF's Treon Harris on one quarterback draw and pressured Harris on another pass attempt. S Derwin James plowed over UF senior RT Mason Halter to force Harris to scramble on another throw late in the second quarter. He had four tackles in the first half.

Contact Matt Baker at mbaker@tampabay.com. Follow @MBakerTBTimes.