TALLAHASSEE — For the first time in six years, Florida football avoided a Doak loss.

The Gators (7-5, 4-4 SEC) defeated FSU (2-10, 1-7 ACC) 31-11 on Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

Florida came into it as the clear favorite against the terrible Seminoles, but the Gators got off to a slow start offensively. That changed thanks to the defense.

UF’s defense forced and recovered a Seminole fumble – the first of five fumbles recovered that night.

Two plays later, Ja’Kobi Jackson gave the Gators a 7-0 lead, which they held for the rest of the game.

Florida scored another touchdown just before halftime when QB DJ Lagway threw a deep ball to Chimere Dike. The QB capped the drive with a short touchdown pass to Marcus Burke.

FSU scored a field goal early in the third. Florida then countered with a FG of its own, and the Seminoles were close to making it a one-possession game late in the third.

But then the Seminoles fumbled inside the UF 5-yard line, and a few plays later, Florida running back Montrell Johnson was free for a 65-yard TD, giving the Gators a 24-3 lead.