The Florida Gators (5-2, 3-1) defeated South Carolina (2-4, 1-3) 41-39 on Saturday afternoon in South Carolina.
A back and forth first first half ended when the Gators led South Carolina 24-21 at halftime. Both teams exchanged field goals in the third quarter, before South Carolina scored two touchdowns early in the fourth quarter to build a 37-27 lead.
However, the Gators would rally - Graham Mertz hit Arlis Boardingham for a 4-yard touchdown with 4:40 left to pull within three. Then Mertz hit Ricky Pearsall for a 21-yard touchdown pass with fourty-seven seconds to go in the game that gave Florida a 41-37 lead.
The Gamecocks got two points back on a safety with four seconds left, but the Gators held onto a 41-39 lead win.
Mertz finished the game with 423 yards through the air and three passing touchdowns. Trevor Etienne added a score on the ground while rushing for 49 yards.
The Gators return to action next week when they face #1 Georgia in the World's Largest Cocktail Party on October 28th.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES