Gators Beat Dores in Double-Overtime

Gators Beat Dores in Double-Overtime

11/5/2005

GAINESVILLE, FLA. — The No. 13 Florida Gators had to fight for their lives tonight in the Swamp, when the unranked Vanderbilt Commodores scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to force overtime. The Gators won 49-42 in double overtime.

Commodore quarterback Jay Cutler had another career night, completing 28 of 42 pass attempts (both career highs) for 361 yards and four touchdowns. However, he also threw two interceptions — the last of which ended the game in overtime. The ‘Dores also lost two fumbles over the course of the game.

With tonight’s performance, Cutler set Vanderbilt’s record for single-season career passing yards.

Senior Erik Davis caught eight passes for 127 yards and one touchdown. And Earl Bennett caught six for 75 yards and two touchdowns. George Smith made his lone catch of the night count, scoring on a one-yard touchdown pass.

Once again in a season riddled with late-game heroics, the Commodores were in a fourth-quarter quandary. And, once again, Cutler gave the Vanderbilt faithful reason to believe. Down by 21 points, Cutler rattled off a quick 68 yards, finding a diving Erik Davis in the end zone on the fifth play of the drive.

While many Gator fans had already filed out of The Swamp, those who stayed saw Cutler do what he’s done all season: Orchestrate masterful drives — in this case 10 plays and 61 yards to score a touchdown, bring his Commodores within a touchdown of knocking off the No. 13 Florida Gators, and ultimately get the ball back as a result of an onsides kick with little more than two minutes to play.

Down by seven, Cutler moved the ball confidently, and ultimately into the end zone on a six-yard pass to Earl Bennett. However, a 15-yard penalty for excessive celebration following the play moved what would have been a routine extra-point attempt to tie the game, became a dramatic 35-yard kick. Bryant Hahnfeldt, a true freshman from Nashville’s Montgomery Bell Academy, nailed it to tie the game (35-35).

The ‘Dores scored a touchdown in the first round of overtime, which was answered by the Gators. The Gators got the ball first to start the second round and scored a touchdown. It was the first time for the Florida Gators to play beyond the first round of overtime. But they didn’t have to do so for long. Cutler threw an interception on the Commodores’ first play of the second round to end the game.

ESPN2 televised tonight’s game. It was the Commodores’ fourth nationally televised game of the season.

With a 4-5 record (2-4 SEC), the Commodores must win both of their final two games to become eligible to play in a bowl game. Bobby Johnson and his team return to Vanderbilt Stadium next Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. to face the Kentucky Wildcats for the final home game of the season. For tickets, visit vucommodores.com, or call 615-322-GOLD, option 7.