Lamical Perine, defense lift No. 10 Florida past No. 7 Auburn 24-13
Lamical Perine was too slow to play for Auburn three years ago, a hurtful evaluation that’s stuck with him.
He showed plenty of speed while running away from the Tigers — and a few guys he played against in high school — for host Florida on Saturday.
Perine broke loose for an 88-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, the Gators’ defense delivered another gem and No. 10 Florida beat seventh-ranked Auburn 24-13 in a matchup of unbeaten teams.
Perine broke linebacker K.J. Britt’s tackle at the line of scrimmage and scampered down the sideline for the program’s longest TD run in more than 30 years. It gave the Gators (6-0, 3-0 SEC) breathing room in a game they never trailed.
Doing it against Auburn was extra special.
“Almost brought tears to my eyes,” said Perine, whose run was the longest for Florida since Emmitt Smith’s 96-yarder against Mississippi State in 1988.
Perine finished with 130 yards on 14 carries and had Smith waiting to congratulate him afterward.
The junior from Theodore, Ala., closed out Florida’s 10th consecutive victory. But Florida’s defense really carried the team.
Jon Greenard and David Reese were the stars of the show for Florida, which has given up a measly 16 points in four home games this season.
The Gators kept JaTarvious Whitlow in check and harassed freshman quarterback Bo Nix, whose father, Patrick, upset top-ranked Florida in Gainesville in 1994.
“That’s the kind of defense we expect to play around here,” Florida coach Dan Mullen said.
Auburn (5-1, 2-1) finished with 269 yards — the ninth-fewest in coach Gus Malzahn’s seven seasons —and converted just 2 of 14 third-down tries. The Tigers also had four turnovers and six three-and-outs.
#3 Georgia 43,...