On Saturday, in near-record heat, Florida's offense melted down like it only very rarely has before. But the Gators' defense didn't wilt. And when Florida needed Austin Hardin more than ever, he coolly delivered.
This 9-7 win that clinched the SEC East for the Gators for the first time since 2009 wasn't pretty, not in the slightest. But not every Picasso — or Pollock — was a masterpiece, either, and you don't have to sell the bad ones.
Florida began the game about as strongly as it could, with a sensational kick return from Brandon Powell bringing the Gators deep into Vanderbilt territory.