Florida Wins The Orange Bowl-Perine Scores 3 TDs -

Florida wins the Orange Bowl. Lamical Perine scored three touchdowns, two rushing, and one receiving as the Gators beat Virginia 36-28.

Quick-strike Offense

To start the game, Florida promptly scored the game’s first touchdown. 1 minute and 40 seconds after kickoff, Perine scored on a 61-yard run.

Virginia scored on their second possession of the game on a 34-yard TD pass from QB Bryce Perkins to WR Terrel Jana to tie the game at 7-7.

But Perine scored again on a 16-yard pass from QB Kyle Trask to put the Gators up 14-7. Perkins answered with a touchdown pass to WR Hasise Dubois to tie the game once more at 14-14 as they started the 2nd quarter.

That would be as close as Virginia would get.

Momentum Shift

The Gators added a field goal to extend their lead to 17-14. Virginia could not move the ball effectively on their next possession, gaining on three yards. Perkins was sacked on the next play and Virginia was forced to punt.

On the ensuing drive by Florida, the Gators faced 3rd and long but converted to first down on an 11-yard pass to WR Freddie Swain.

Four plays later, Perine scored again to increase Florida’s lead to 24-14 going into halftime.

Missed Opportunities

Virginia received the second-half kickoff, but the drive stalled. The Cavaliers were forced to punt again for the third consecutive time.

On Florida’s next drive, Trask was sacked and then faced a 3rd down and 18 situation. The Gators only gained four yards and on 4th and 14 and were forced to punt for the first time in the game.

The Cavaliers would punt again on their next possession. On Florida’s next possession, they would suffer their first 3 and out of the game (in the 3rd quarter).

Because the Florida punter shanked his kick, and the ball only traveled 29 yards, Virginia ended up with good field position.

But Perkins misfired on two pass attempts down toward the endzone and a scoring opportunity was squandered. Perkins was then sacked to kill the drive and force yet another punt.

Ahead to Stay

The Gators gained some big yardage on their next drive, a 15-yard run by Trask and a 19-yard pass to WR Van Jefferson off of a flea-flicker play. On the next play, Trask threw a pass that could have been intercepted, but the Virginia defender dropped it.

Another missed opportunity for Virginia. Florida then converted on a 49-yard field goal to extend the lead to 27-14.

Virginia then exploded for a 53-yard pass play at the end of the 3rd quarter. Perkins led his team toward the endzone and on 3rd and 4, connected with Reed for a touchdown to move to make the score 27-21.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Cavaliers kicked the ball out of bounds. The Gators faced 4th and short and they converted. Two plays later, Trask scored on a quarterback run to increase the lead to 33-21.

On Virginia’s next drive, Perkins was intercepted at the 5:11 mark of the 4th quarter. Florida drove down the field and connected on a 42-yard field goal to make the score 36-21.

Virginia scored one last time to make the score 36-28. That was the final score.

Solid Performance On Both Sides of The Ball

As a team, the Gators came into the game ranked 119th in the nation in rushing offense, averaging 120 yards per game. They rushed for 244 against the Cavalier defense tonight.

Florida finished with 549 total yards. Trask was 24 of 39 for 305 yards and a touchdown with one interception. He completed 61% of his passes.

Perine Scores 3 TDs

Lamical Perine runs toward the endzone — Photo Credit: gatorcountry.com

Perine was selected as the Orange Bowl MVP for his three-touchdown performance, gaining 181 total yards on the night.

Jefferson caught six passes for 129 yards.

Florida was 6 for 13 on 3rd down conversions.

The Gator defense sacked Perkins four times and forced an interception. They held the Cavaliers to just 52 yards rushing and held them scoreless in the 3rd quarter.