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The Gators are 1-10 in their last 11 away games, dating to the 2021 season.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – It was Florida's most impressive performance of the 2022 season, the program's first under Coach Billy Napier.

One of the best South Carolina teams in years came to town in mid-November and was promptly flattened. The Gators scored on their first four drives and eliminated any threat of second-half drama by forcing turnovers on the Gamecocks' first three possessions out of the locker room. Florida won 38-6 and appeared to be building something. Then came the loss at Vanderbilt a week later that kicked in a three-game slide to end the season and, ultimately, just the third losing record for the program in more than four decades.

Conversely, after the humiliating defeat, the Gamecocks went the other way. The next week, USC obliterated fifth-ranked Tennessee 63-58, then shocked No. 8 Clemson 31-30 on the road – snapping a 40-game home win streak for the Tigers – for just their second win in that rivalry series since 2013. The Gamecocks ended the year with a shootout loss to Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl, but finished 23rd in the final Associated Press poll.

So what to make of Saturday's date between the Gators (4-2, 2-1) and Gamecocks (2-3, 1-2) at Williams-Brice Stadium? Both teams are elbowing each other for middling status in the Southeastern Conference East Division, but unlike last year – when the teams exited the "Swamp" with identical records of 6-3 overall and 3-4 in league play – it's earlier in the season and the direction of both is yet to be determined.

This one will a go a long way in those determinations.

[Read senior writer Scott Carter's comprehensive "Opening Kickoff" setup here]

South Carolina's three losses in 2023 have all come against ranked teams (No. 21 North Carolina at Charlotte, at No. 1 Georgia, at No. 21 Tennessee) and by double-digits. The Gamecocks actually led the two-time national-champion Bulldogs 14-3 at the break, but were outscored 21-0 in the second half. Their two wins were against Furman and Mississippi State, but the Gamecocks are certainly capable with Spencer Rattler (1,411 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT) and an offense that ranks eighth in the league at just under 400 yards per game. South Carolina is still without standout receiver Antwane "Juice" Wells, who injured his foot against Georgia and has not played since. The Florida defense ranks third in the SEC (286.2 yards per game), but is just two weeks removed from that 329 rushing-yard debacle and 33-14 loss at Kentucky.

Defensively, USC rates next-to-last in the conference and a woeful 121st in the country in surrendering 442.8 yards per game, including 301.4 through the air.

Those numbers should be enticing for UF quarterback Graham Mertz (80 percent, 1,474 yards, 9 TD, 2 INT), whose unit is coming off a 495-yard outburst and 38-14 home victory against Vanderbilt. The Gators rushed for 215 yards against the Commodores, with junior Montrell Johnson Jr. carrying 18 times for 135 yards and a score, while sophomore Trevor Etienne sat out with an upper body injury. Etienne, who busted an 85-yard touchdown in the rout of the Gamecocks last season, is cleared to play this week.

The last time Florida played at South Carolina, the Gators were crushed 40-17 in 2021, a result that amped up the death watch on then-Coach Dan Mullen. It marked the fourth loss in the previous six trips to Williams-Brice and is part of a Florida road run of 10 losses in the last 11 road games (and 13 of the last 14 away from the "Swamp"). UF is 1-7 on the road in two seasons under Napier.

Is this the week of a redirect?

Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on SEC Network, with Taylor Zarzour on play-by-play, Matt Stinchcomb providing analysis and Alyssa Lang working the sidelines. The Gators Sports Network from Learfield will air with pregame coverage beginning at 1 p.m. and eventually give way to the team of Sean Kelly, recently named 2023 SEC Legend Shane Matthews and sideline reporter Tate Casey for kickoff. For stations, click here.

The game will be replayed Tuesday at 11 a.m. and Wednesday at 3:30 a.m., both on SEC Network.

Finally, follow senior writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete post-game coverage from the game Saturday.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The 2023 South Carolina State Fair is in full swing from through Oct. 22. WIS compiled a calendar and list of highlights, according to the fair’s schedule.

Oct. 11

Admission: 12pm – 9pm

$5 Admission

Oct. 12

Admission: 11am – 9pm

Oct. 13

Admission: 11am – 9pm

HIS Radio 92.1 Family Day

Oct. 14

Admission: 10am – 9pm

Rides: 11am – 12am

American TributeFOLKFabulous

Oct. 15

Admission: 12pm – 9pm

South Carolina State Election Commission Day

Oct. 16

Admission: 11am – 9pm

Oct. 17

Admission: 11am – 9pm

Oct. 18

Admission: 11am – 9pm

Oct. 19

Admission: 11am – 9pm

Oct. 20

Admission: 11am – 9pm

Oct. 21

Admission: 10am – 9pmRides: 11am – 12am

4-H Day

FOLKFabulous Gullah Geechee Day

Oct. 22

Admission: 12pm – 8pm

This year, the S.C. State Fair has nearly 70 rides and over 90 food stands.

Other things to see include agriculture and livestock, equine shows, flower shows, crafts and art and exhibits.

Purchase tickets online here.

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COLUMBIA — South Carolina football suffered a disastrous 41-39 loss to Florida in its homecoming game at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday.

The Gamecocks (2-4, 1-3 SEC) have now lost two consecutive meetings with the Gators (5-2, 3-1). Florida closed the lead to three points on a passing touchdown from quarterback Graham Mertz with five minutes on the clock, and Mertz hit Ricky Pearsall for the game-winner with just 50 seconds left. Spencer Rattler threw a game-ending interception on a hail Mary with 20 seconds left.

The victory was just the Gators’ second SEC road win under coach Billy Napier and the Gamecocks’ first loss at home this season. Running back Mario Anderson was the bright spot for South Carolina, logging 98 yards rushing and 34 yards receiving, including a 20-yard touchdown that he caught in the flat and ran in.

Reworked offensive line shows improvement

The Gamecocks used the open week to re-evaluate their offensive line personnel, and the result was a certainly an improvement from the unit's performance against Tennessee. South Carolina moved Vershon Lee from center to right tackle, and Nick Gargiulo took over the snap after playing most of his reps previously at left guard. Junior Trai Jones also made his first start of the season at left guard, while freshmen Tree Babalade and Trovon Baugh both started for the second straight game at left tackle and right guard, respectively.

The unit was less effective after halftime when it lost Lee to a lower-body injury, but it gave up just one sack in each half and had one of its best showings, creating holes for the run game. All of the Gamecocks' running backs finished in positive yardage, and both Rattler and Anderson averaged over five yards per carry.

Spencer Rattler has bounce-back performance

After he had his worst performance of the season at Tennessee in Week 5, Rattler started 10-of-10 passing against Florida and had just one incompletion before halftime. The senior quarterback finished 23-of-30 passing for 313 yards and four touchdowns, headlined by seven explosive passes of 15-plus yards. Outside of the poorly timed interception, it was one of Rattler's most productive games of the season.

It was a also a good day for Rattler's receiving corps, with four targets catching passes of 10-plus yards. Five-star freshman Nyck Emmanwori made the longest catch of his young college career on a 45-yard deep route, and Xavier Legette made a highlight-reel leaping grab for a gain of 46 yards in the third quarter.

Gamecocks defense remains a disaster

For as well as the offense played, the South Carolina defense played equally poorly. The Gamecocks didn't force a Florida punt until there were less than three minutes remaining in the first half and the Gators were 3-of-3 on their red zone attempts. The unit gave up 494 total yards, 423 passing and 71 rushing, though it did manage a season-high five tackles for loss and two sacks.

The biggest struggle was with the defensive backs, who rarely looked to be in good positioning. Mertz, who is known as a weak downfield passer, completed 11 throws of 15-plus yards, and three Gators receivers logged at least 30 yards.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — In the afterglow of a win he and his players desperately needed, UF coach Billy Napier hugged quarterback Graham Mertz and receiver Ricky Pearsall closely in a delirious locker room.

His new coach’s words echoed in the ears of Mertz, a Wisconsin transfer: “That’s why you come to Florida.”

The Gators (5-2, 3-1 SEC) had just earned a long-awaited road win in dramatic fashion when Mertz connected with Pearsall for a 21-yard touchdown pass with 47 seconds remaining to stun South Carolina (2-4, 1-3).

The 41-39 win Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium was a rare victory away from the Swamp and moved the Gators within a win of bowl eligibility.

“We came here today to prove something,” Napier said. “What a way to win a football game.”

Two teams hungry for a win would not give each other an inch much of the day as a sellout crowd of 79,247 looked on.

When push came to shove, Mertz turned to Pearsall.

The first time, Mertz’s pass bounced off Pearsall’s fingertips and into the hands of freshman Eugene Wilson III, who darted for a 22-yard gain.

Of the play, Napier channeled former coach Steve Spurrier, “I would say God smiled on the Gators today.”

Following a 5-yard loss by Montrell Johnson Jr., Mertz and Pearsall worked their magic to culminate career days for each.

“I know this guy, I know what he’s thinking,” Mertz said. “He made a great play. He’s the best route runner I’ve ever seen.”

The Gators’ veteran receiver finished with a career-high 10 catches for 166 yards while Mertz finished 30-for-48 passing for a career-high 423 yards and 3 touchdowns.

“Those two guys are pace-setters,” Napier said. “They set the tone. They’re tough. They’re students of the game. They work hard.”

A pair of struggling offenses ranked at the bottom of the SEC found themselves embroiled in a shootout between dueling transfer quarterbacks, Mertz and Spencer Rattler, pushing to keep their teams relevant entering the season’s second half.

With his team trailing 27-24, Rattler seized control with a pair of touchdowns passes, culminating with a 33-yarder to Joshua Simon with 9:11 remaining. A failed two-point conversion left the score 37-24 and the Gators with a Herculean task ahead.

Mertz, a veteran of 39 starts, was unfazed.

“For me it was deep down,” he recalled. “‘Just make the next play. Lead the guys. How do I keep the guys engaged?’”

Meanwhile, Pearsall let his feelings be known.

“We’re going to go down and win,” he said. “That’s what I told all the guys.”

With time slipping away, Mertz led consecutive touchdown drives, converting long fourth downs on each.

Mertz found tight end Arlis Boardingham for 14 yards on fourth-and-11 to keep the Gators on track for a 14-play, 75-yard drive ending with a 4-yard touchdown toss to Boardingham.

After forcing a punt, UF took over again on its 25 and needed just nine plays, including a few that will not fade from memory for a while.

After three incompletions to start the drive, Mertz found Pearsall for 26 yards on fourth-and-10. Wilson’s catch and Pearsall’s game-winner were soon to come to cap the wildest win of the Napier era.

“We needed every play,” the 44-year-old coach said. “I’m just proud of the players’ resolve.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at [email protected]

THE QUICK SLANT FLORIDA 41, SOUTH CAROLINA 39

WHAT HAPPENED: Quarterback Graham Mertz passed for a career-high 423 yards and three touchdowns, including a go-ahead 22-yard scoring strike to Ricky Pearsall with 47 seconds to go, as Florida rallied from 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter Saturday night to defeat host South Carolina 41-39 at Williams-Brice Stadium at Columbia, S.C. The Gators trailed 37-27 with just over nine minutes to go, but Mertz, the transfer from Wisconsin, led the offense on a pair of 75-yard scoring drives to take the lead. UF's first march was capped by a 4-yard pass to redshirt freshman tight end Arlis Boardingham. The second, which came after a rare stop by the Florida defense, was aided by a crucial fourth-and-10 completion of 26 yards to Pearsall, who five plays later split the South Carolina secondary for the game winner. Mertz finished 30 of 48, with 10 of those completions going to Pearsall for 166 yards. Together, the pair ignited the UF offense for 494 yards of total offense. Maybe of more significance, the Gators took a step giant toward solving their road issues, winning for just the second time in nine road games under Coach Billy Napier and for just the third time in 18 games away from Gainesville, dating to the 2020 Southeastern Conference Championship Game. South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler had a sensational night, hitting 23 of his 30 attempts for 313 yards and four touchdowns against the No. 1-ranked pass defense in the league. Rattler, however, was responsible for the game's first turnover when on the drive that followed UF's go-ahead score he badly underthrew a deep ball that was intercepted by Gators sophomore safety Miguel Mitchell with just 20 seconds remaining. USC had all three timeouts left and Florida opted to take a fourth-down safety with eight seconds to go. The Gamecocks' last-ditch attempt at lateral trickery on the free kick turned into a fumble that was recovered by UF. The first half was an up-and-down, back-and-forth affair with scores on eight of 11 possessions and four lead changes, with the Gators taking a 24-21 advantage to the locker room following sophomore Trey Smack's third field goal of the half. The two teams swapped field goals to start the second half, but the Gamecocks surged ahead with a 3-yard scoring toss from Rattler to Juju McDowell and a 33-yard screen play to tight end Joshua Simon that put the home team ahead by 10 with 9:11 left and set the stage for UF's emotional comeback. The Gators, with Montrell Johnson Jr. getting 50 yards and Trevor Etienne 49, managed to rush for just 71 yards on 33 carriers against a Gamecocks defense giving 141.7 per game. Boardingham caught five passes for 55 yards and his score, true freshman wideout Eugene Wilson III had six receptions for 83 yards and redshirt sophomore wideout Kahleil Jackson had two receptions for 52 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown in the first half. USC worked UF for 152 yards on the ground, including 98 yards from Division II transfer tailback Mario Anderson. The Gators converted just four of 15 third downs (0-for-7 in the second half), but went 3-for-4 on fourth down in the fourth quarter (the lone miss being the give-up safety late), with all three conversions on TD-scoring drives. Smack hit field goals of 48, 44, 28 and career high-tying 54, but also had one blocked, which was Smack's first career miss in 11 attempts. WHAT IT MEANS: Could this be the catapult game for Napier and the Gators? Winning on the road is difficult in the SEC and has been nearly impossible the last several seasons for this program. Be truthful. How many of you out there in Gator Nation saw a win coming after falling back by 10? This one deserves to be celebrated.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Mertz came into the game completing a sterling 80 percent of his passes on the season. He hit just 62.5 against the Gamecocks. I'm sure he'll take the tradeoff. Mertz's 423 yards were the 14th single-game highest in UF history and most since Kyle Trask threw for 433 against Tennessee in 2020.

STAGGERING STATISTIC: The double-digit, fourth-quarter road comeback was the first for the Gators since rallying from 11 down in the fourth at Kentucky en route to a 29-21 win on Sept. 14, 2019.

UP NEXT: Florida (5-2, 3-1) has its bye week Oct. 21 then returns to SEC action Oct. 28 with the annual rivalry showdown against Georgia in Jacksonville. The two-time reigning national-champion Bulldogs (7-0, 4-0), who rolled Vanderbilt 37-20 on the road earlier Saturday, have won five of the previous six in the series (UF's lone win was during the 2020 pandemic-altered season), with those victories coming by an average margin of 22 points.