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Late field goal helps Florida squeak past Vanderbilt, clinch SEC East

Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) points against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Austin Hardin's 43-yard field goal with 2:22 remaining helped No. 11 Florida beat pesky Vanderbilt 9-7 on Saturday and clinch a spot in the Southeastern Conference championship game.

Order restored -- barely.

The Gators won the Eastern Division for the first time in 2009, and in coach Jim McElwain's first season. McElwain's mantra all season has been "restore the order" by getting Florida back to the top of the division.