Florida Gators vs Michigan Wolverines Box Score on Sep 02, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Sep 2, 2017

ARLINGTON, Texas -- No. 11 Michigan overcame a pair of early pick-sixes to come back and beat No. 17 Florida 33-17 in the AdvoCare Classic on Saturday afternoon at AT&T Stadium.

Ty Isaac rushed for 114 yards for the Wolverines (1-0) and Quinn Nordin kicked four field goals, including two from 50 or more yards.

Despite being one of the premier non-conference matchups from opening weekend, mistakes and sloppy play plagued both ranked teams.

Wolverines quarterback Wilton Speight had two interceptions returned for touchdowns in the second quarter. The Gators lost two fumbles in their territory in the third, each leading to Michigan scores.

Florida (0-1) managed only 192 yards in offense and didn't score an offensive touchdown against a Michigan defense that lost 10 starters from last season. The Gators' offensive woes were startling, even with standout receiver Antonio Callaway and running back Jordan Scarlett among the 10 players out due to suspensions.

The Wolverines finished with 433 yards and outscored Florida 20-0 in the second half.

Speight, a junior, emerged from a hard-fought battle with fifth-year senior John O'Korn to open the season as the starter. Speight completed 11 of 25 passes for 181 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

Michigan jumped ahead 10-3 late in the first quarter on Speight's 46-yard touchdown pass to Tarik Black.

The Gators quickly went up 17-10 on a pair of interception returns. Both of Speight's turnovers came on throws that sailed high and made for easy picks.

Florida's Duke Dawson went 48 yards after catching a deflected ball that intended receiver Kekoa Crawford could barely get his fingers on. Speight air-mailed his next throw over Grant Perry and into the arms of cornerback CJ Henderson, who raced 41 yards for the go-ahead score.

Speight was benched on the following drive in favor of O'Korn.

Michigan went into halftime down 17-13 thanks to Nordin's 55-yard field goal.

Speight returned to start the third quarter and the Wolverines responded by taking a 20-17 lead. Michigan took the second half kickoff and went 75 yards in 10 plays, the last a 3-yard score from Karan Higdon.

Florida fumbled away the ensuing kickoff, setting up Nordin's 30-yard kick for a 23-17 advantage.

Another turnover by the Gators on the next drive -- Feleipe Franks dropped the ball while scrambling -- led to Nordin drilling a 50-yarder to make it 26-17.

Franks was then replaced by Malik Zaire. It wasn't any better for Zaire, who fumbled in the end zone late in the fourth quarter and the ball was recovered by Michigan for the game's final touchdown.

NOTES: The programs had never met in the regular season before Saturday. Michigan leads the series 4-0, with the three previous wins coming in bowl games. ... The teams wore alternate "color rush" uniforms, with Michigan wearing maize jerseys and pants, and Florida going all blue. The Wolverines had only worn maize jerseys once previously, against Navy in 1928. ... Florida DB Duke Dawson's three career interceptions have all been returned for touchdowns. ... Florida had its winning streak in season openers snapped at 27. It was the longest active streak in the country. ... Michigan K Quinn Nordin two field goals of at least 50 yards in the same game are a program first. ... The announced attendance was 75,802.