Freshman Year - Week 11 - BuckRogersRTG's Blog

BuckRogersRTG's Blog

Freshman Year - Week 11

Posted on October 5, 2011 at 11:03 PM.

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Practice
After escaping last week's game against Vandy with a win, the pressure was high in Gainesville leading up the this weeks game against South Carolina. The pressure was noticeable at the beginning of practice as the offense struggled. Rogers was able to pull it together and get on the plane to Columbia with confidence.

Game - #12 Florida at #7 South Carolina
The Gators moved up the ranks in the BCS this week to #12. The Gamecocks came off their loss to Arkansas last week and dropped from #2 to #7. South Carolina's loss last week means that the winner of this matchup will represent the SEC East in Atlanta for the SEC Championship game. Both defenses came prepared to play, forcing punts on the first 2 possessions of the game.

Late in the 2nd quarter, Buck Rogers would make his only mistake of the game as he failed to notice the cover 2 cornerback sitting on the flat route and threw the interception that gave the Gamecocks great field position. South Carolina would not capitalize on the turnover, however, as they would fumble the ball on the next play. The Gators defense scooped up the ball and put Florida into position to mount a late first half scoring drive. Rogers would not make a mistake on this drive, connecting on a 23 yard TD pass and giving Florida the 7-0 lead at halftime.

Neither team would move the ball much on their opening drive of the second half. Rogers would put the Gators into field goal position late in the 3rd quarter with a nice scramble. Florida would go up 10-0 as the fourth quarter began.

After another Gamecocks turnover, the Gators smelled blood in the water and would try to move into position to put the game out of reach. Rogers was leveled on a botched pass protection scheme and would leave the game with a non-throwing shoulder injury. The Gators would finish the game with their Senior QB behind center and would add a TD on a Scott Smith run to extend the lead to 17-0. South Carolina was unable to convert on a fourth down late in the game and the Gators defense preserved the shutout.

Player of the game honors would go to Gators HB Scott Smith who finished with 27 carries for 136 yards and 1 TD. Roger was 10 /16 for 136 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT before leaving the game due to injury. Rogers status is listed as day to day on the Gators injury list.

The Gators host FCS Furman in week 12 and look to get healthy prior to facing rival Florida State in week 13.

Week 11 Game Highlights: