The Florida Gators let another game slip away last Saturday in their 24-20 loss to Georgia in week ten. Starting the fourth quarter tied 17-17, Florida took the lead on the second play from scrimmage with a 54-yard field goal from Trey Smack. Georgia would go on to outgain the Gators 102-54 in the fourth quarter, scoring the only touchdown of the quarter with 4:41 to play.
These fourth quarter beatdowns have become the norm for Florida in 2025. Excluding the LIU game, Florida has been outscored a combined 20-54 in the final 15 minutes of every contest.
Here’s the scoring breakdown for each quarter this season excluding the LIU game. UF’s point total is on the left with the opponents’ on the right.
1st Q: UF 43-35
2nd Q: UF 32-42
3rd Q: UF 27-33
4th Q: UF 20-54
The minus 34-point differential in the fourth quarter is by far the largest, with the next worst being minus 10 in the second quarter. The only plus point differential is the first quarter.
During Monday’s press conference, Interim Head Coach Billy Gonzales spoke about needing to improve in the middle eight portion of the game, which refers to the last four minutes of the first half and the first four minute of the second half. While that is undoubtedly true (lost the middle eight 10-0 vs. Georgia), the bigger issue lies in the final 15 minutes.
UF is averaging 338.7 yards of offense against FBS competition this season but are only averaging 49.14 yards in the fourth quarter. That’s a 14.5%-yard share in the fourth quarter. Florida averages 2.86 points in the fourth quarter and have been shutout in four games.
Defensively, the Gators are allowing 376.8 yards per game against FBS competition but are allowing 117.29 yards in the fourth quarter. That’s a 31.1%-yard share in the fourth quarter. Florida allows 7.71 points in the fourth quarter on average.
On average, Florida is outgained 117.29 to 49.14 and outscored 7.71 to 2.86 in the fourth quarter. Florida’s offense and defense are at their worst in the fourth quarter, and that’s not a recipe for success in the SEC where the margins for victory are extremely small.
Six of Florida’s seven games against FBS competition have been a one score game in the fourth quarter (LSU), yet Florida holds just a 2-5 record. Their two wins are against Texas and Mississippi State, both of which the Gators were outscored in the fourth quarter. Against USF and Georgia, Florida led in the fourth quarter but didn’t win.
A lack of success in the fourth quarter is usually a sign of poor coaching. It’s when the final adjustments are made and critical decisions surface.
I also believe Florida’s inability to control the time of possession and extend drives is hurting Florida’s defense late in games. Against Miami and Georgia specifically, Florida’s defense was on the field for roughly 20 minutes in the first half, which seemingly resulted in a worn out fourth quarter defense. Against Texas A&M, Florida’s defense was on the field for nearly 20 minutes in the second half. The long, poor stretches of offensive play put a lot of pressure on Florida’s defense to perform at a high level late in games.