No. 7 Florida 31, No. 17 Florida State 24
Rivalry games are rarely pretty, often tense, and always defining — and Saturday night in Gainesville was no exception. In one of the most consequential Florida–Florida State matchups in recent memory, the No. 7 Gators held off No. 17 Florida State 31–24, securing far more than bragging rights. With the win, Florida officially locks up a spot in the SEC Championship Game, punches its ticket to the College Football Playoffs, and keeps an outside but very real path alive to a top-four seed with a strong finish.
For a program that has steadily built momentum all season, this rivalry victory felt like a culmination — a statement that Florida is no longer chasing relevance, but firmly operating among college football’s elite.
A Clean, Composed Night for Reshard Overeem
Freshman quarterback Reshard Overeem entered the rivalry matchup with something to prove. After a turnover-heavy performance the week before, the spotlight was firmly on how he would respond under maximum pressure. The answer: with poise, maturity, and control beyond his years.
Overeem finished 29-of-45 for 214 passing yards and two touchdowns, importantly throwing zero interceptions. While the raw passing numbers won’t jump off the page, the efficiency and decision-making were exactly what Florida needed. He took what the defense gave him, avoided forcing throws, and consistently moved the chains.
Where Overeem truly made his impact was with his legs. He added 107 rushing yards and a touchdown, repeatedly extending drives and punishing Florida State for overcommitting in coverage. His ability to escape pressure and turn broken plays into positive gains kept the Seminoles on their heels all night.
In a rivalry game where mistakes often decide the outcome, Overeem’s clean performance was one of the biggest reasons Florida walked away victorious.
Ground Game by Committee Gets the Job Done
Florida didn’t dominate on the ground, but they didn’t need to. Instead, the Gators leaned on timely contributions and balance. Duke Clark chipped in 45 rushing yards and a touchdown, providing physical downhill runs in short-yardage situations and helping Florida control tempo in key moments.
Combined with Overeem’s mobility, the rushing attack kept Florida State honest and prevented them from pinning their ears back in pass rush situations. It wasn’t flashy — it was functional, disciplined, and effective.
Dorian Fleming Makes History
If there was a moment that encapsulated Florida’s season, it was Dorian Fleming once again finding the end zone — twice.
Fleming hauled in 8 receptions for 64 yards and 2 touchdowns, capping off one of the most dominant regular seasons by a tight end in Florida history. Those two scores pushed his season total to 21 receiving touchdowns, officially breaking Florida’s single-season receiving touchdown record.
In a game filled with pressure and emotion, Fleming was Overeem’s safety blanket and red-zone weapon. His ability to find space, win contested catches, and finish drives has made him nearly unstoppable all season — and one of the most valuable players in the country at his position.
Mizell Sets Another Record
While Fleming broke one historic mark, Aiden Mizell quietly etched his name atop another. Mizell finished with 5 receptions for 17 yards, modest numbers by his standards, but those yards were enough to make him Florida’s all-time receiving yards leader.
Mizell’s impact goes beyond the box score. His presence commands attention, opens space for others, and has been instrumental in Florida’s offensive evolution. To reach the top of Florida’s all-time list in a rivalry game adds another layer of significance to his achievement.
Defense Sets the Tone
Florida’s defense didn’t just hold Florida State in check — it dictated the game’s physicality.
Versatile safety DJ Walker delivered one of the most disruptive performances of the night, finishing with 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 2 pass deflections. Walker played everywhere, flying downhill in the run game and closing passing lanes in coverage, embodying the hybrid role Florida has leaned on all season.
Edge rusher Jayden Woods continued his strong late-season surge with another sack, applying steady pressure and forcing hurried throws throughout the night.
And when the moment demanded a play, Jahlil Hurley delivered. Hurley snagged the game’s lone interception, his sixth of the season, halting a Florida State drive and swinging momentum back to the Gators when the game was still in doubt.
It wasn’t a dominant shutdown effort — it was timely, aggressive, and opportunistic. Exactly what championship-level defenses do in rivalry games.
What the Win Means
This victory does far more than end Florida State’s season.
- SEC Championship Game: Clinched
- College Football Playoff Berth: Secured
- Top-Four Seed: Still in Play
At 8–0 in SEC play and with a rivalry win over a ranked opponent, Florida’s résumé continues to strengthen. While a top-four seed still requires help, the Gators have positioned themselves perfectly heading into championship weekend.
Perhaps most importantly, this team is peaking at the right time. The freshman quarterback is growing weekly, the defense is making game-changing plays, and the offense has elite weapons capable of swinging any matchup.
What’s Next
Florida now turns its full attention to the SEC Championship Game, with everything still on the table. A conference title would not only cement their playoff positioning but could propel them into the national title conversation in a very real way.
Rivalry week delivered drama, history, and validation. Now, the Gators step onto the biggest stage yet — no longer chasing respect, but demanding it.
