The veteran, who was benched for a true freshman earlier in the week, had to come in on the Hurricanes’ final drive after that freshman, Emory Williams, suffered a season-ending arm injury. Van Dyke had to get ready quickly to try to lead a game-tying or game-winning drive.

“Mentally, I was ready to play, but physically, you kind of get tight a little bit,” Van Dyke said. “You haven’t really done any movement, especially that late in the game, for like three to four hours. I did my best to try to stretch my legs a little bit and get my arm loose and up as much as I can in the little time I had to get ready for that situation. But yeah, that’s a part of playing that role. You’ve got to be ready for that situation no matter what.”

Unfortunately for Van Dyke and the Hurricanes, there would be no storybook ending. The veteran completed 2 of 7, and FSU picked off his last pass attempt to seal the Seminoles’ rivalry game win. But with Williams out, Van Dyke is back in the starting role, looking to salvage the season in its final two games, starting with a matchup with No. 10 Louisville at home on Saturday.

“You’re not going to play your best every game,” Van Dyke said. “It’s all about how you respond. I’ve just got to be better. I’ll take ownership for it. I’ve got to take ownership for my mistakes, which I have, and I’ve just got to get better from it. We know what we’re capable of. We’ve done it before.”

Van Dyke said being benched was “tough” after having what coach Mario Cristobal said was a good week of practice. But offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson has said that every player in the quarterback room supports each other, and Van Dyke echoed that Wednesday.

“I want to be the guy out there, but at the end of the day, that’s what they had to do (to have) the best team, and I supported Emory the whole way,” Van Dyke said. “I told him right after they made the decision, ‘I’m here to support you whatever way I could do that. Just ask me questions, I’ll be watching the game as best as I can, watching their defense and help you the best as I can.’ “

Van Dyke has dealt with injuries this season. He suffered three torn ligaments in a finger on his throwing hand before the season and played through that. He suffered a leg injury against North Carolina, which kept him off the field against Clemson, as well. He said Wednesday that he feels like he has mostly healed from those injuries.

“I’m getting pretty much healed,” Van Dyke said. “Obviously, I was dealing with a lot of stuff, a lot of nicks going on. But that’s football. You’ve got to deal with it when you play. That’s no excuse. But I feel a lot better now, and I’m ready to roll.”

Van Dyke said he feels like he is in a “really good headspace” now after talking to people in his circle, including family, friends, teammates and UM’s sports psychologist.

“At the end of the day, I’m not going to let football consume my happiness,” Van Dyke said. “I love playing football, and I want to accomplish my dreams of playing college football and playing in the NFL. I’m going to do my best, and I love the game. But at the end of the day, I’m not going to let that consume my happiness.

“I don’t want to be upset the rest of my life because football didn’t go my way. Just kind of learned that throughout the process of the last few weeks. Maybe that was the life lesson that God was trying to teach me. There’s things you can be grateful for when things go badly because of the lessons you’ve learned from it.”

Van Dyke said he needs to be smarter with the football. Poor decisions and underthrows have led to 11 interceptions in the past five games, which have proven costly in losses to Georgia Tech and N.C. State.

Despite the quarterback’s struggles, his teammates continue to support him through the benching and into the home stretch of the season. They will need him to recover his form if they want to end the regular season on a high note.

“He responded extremely well,” center Matt Lee said. “He responded how and I and everyone thought he would respond: mature, never wavered in his confidence. He’s been a great teammate the whole time, still maintained the leadership that he had throughout the whole rest of the season up until that point last week. It wasn’t any different guy. Obviously, that is tough, last week, but the way he responded was extremely mature and exhibited a lot of leadership and the type of guy he is.

“This week, we’re leaning on him, and we trust him. Regardless of who’s back there, playing quarterback, as an offense, as a team, we’re all confident in whoever’s back there and we’re extremely confident in Tyler, as well.”

Van Dyke said he has watched film from past seasons, including his 2021 campaign where he was ACC Rookie of the Year, to remind himself that he can be a high-level quarterback and help build his confidence. If he can regain that form, Miami will have a good shot against Louisville and Boston College the next two weeks.

“I’ve proven that I can be one of the top quarterbacks in the country when I’m at my best,” Van Dyke said. “I’ve also proven that when I’m not at my best, I can not be in that conversation at all. At the end of the day, you’ve got to be consistent throughout the entire season. Just got to be better at not pressing and forcing throws. I think if I do that, everything else will handle itself.”

Latest line: Louisville is favored by 1 point

Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist: Louisville 24, Miami 17

Some ACC team was bound to break out of the pack with Florida State and 10th-ranked Louisville has done it. Until Miami fixes its offense, it’s hard to see it scoring enough to win against good teams. Miami’s defense, however, had an inspired effort in last week’s loss at FSU, holding the Seminoles to their second-fewest number of points and second-fewest offensive yards (322) in a game this year. UM also racked up three sacks and nine tackles for loss.

Adam Lichtenstein, Hurricanes Writer: Louisville 27, Miami 24

The Cardinals are 9-1 and the Hurricanes are 6-4. That should mean this will be a lopsided contest in favor of the visitors. But not much truly separates these teams. Louisville has excelled in its first year under Jeff Brohm, but the Cardinals dropped a game to a bad Pittsburgh team and played close games against other middle-of-the-road teams. If Miami can get average quarterback play from Tyler Van Dyke, they will be very much in this game. Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, that is not guaranteed.

Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor: Louisville 27, Miami 23

Louisville is one win away from clinching a spot in the ACC title game, but it is coming off one of its worst defensive performances of the season against Virginia. The Cardinals, who will get an extra couple days to prepare for UM after playing a Thursday night game, rallied for 17 fourth-quarter points to beat Virginia 31-24 on Nov. 9. Miami’s embattled quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, who lost his starting job to freshman Emory Williams, will get a chance to redeem himself after throwing 11 interceptions in his last five games. The Hurricanes, who are just 2-4 against ACC opponents, play their final home game. UM, which controlled both lines of scrimmage for most of the game in last week’s loss at FSU, should keep the game close, but Louisville may prove to be too much.

Coach Billy Napier has put together the school’s first top-5 class since 2013. The key now is to hold onto it while some significant cracks in the foundation have formed.

Tackle Nasir Johnson changed his commitment Wednesday to Georgia, even though 6-4 ½, 300-pound native of Dublin, Ga., still has a photo on his Twitter account wearing a Florida uniform. Johnson is the third defensive player to bail on UF during the past several days, a span when the Gators’ class has fallen from No. 3 to No. 5 per 247Sports.

“Every team has their casualties on the trail. They have their flips,” Steve Wiltfong, director of recruiting 247Sports, told the Orlando Sentinel Wednesday. “This was a big recruiting win that they had over Georgia that now they got to play against them. So it stings a little.”

Mississippi edge rusher’s Jamonta Waller’s changed his commitment to Auburn during Florida’s 52-35 loss at LSU was a cruel blow to a defense that surrendered a school-record 701 yards to the Tigers. On Sunday, cornerback Wardell Mack flipped to Texas.

Defensive tackle Amaris Williams, a top-50 prospect from North Carolina, is being doggedly pursued by Ohio State.

Whether the Gators’ class crumbles by Dec. 20’s Early National Signing Day will be critical to Napier’s long-term success after a rocky start to his tenure at Florida. The 44-year-old coach is 11-12 at Florida (5-5, 3-4 SEC) entering Saturday’s visit to No. 9 Missouri (8-2, 4-2).

“We’ll see how this class turns out,” Wiltfong said. “It’s too early. There’s still a lot of really good players in this class. There’s still a lot of reason to be very excited about the future of Florida football with this class holding together for what it is.”

Headlining the class are Daytona Beach Mainland edge rusher LJ McCray, along with DJ Lagway and Xavier Filsaime, a pair of five-star prospects from Texas. The Gators have signed a trio of highly rated linebackers, a key position of need, led by Myles Graham — the son of former UF standout running back Ernest Graham.

“There’s a lot of guys who are really locked in,” Rivals.com recruiting analyst Adam Gorney told the Sentinel. “If they love Florida, not only the direction, but the opportunity to get on the field earlier. A lot of kids are swayed by that.”

True freshmen have handled around 30% of Florida’s defensive snaps.

With that comes growing pains. The Gators ride a three-game losing streak into the Missouri game and host No. 4 Florida State (10-0) on Nov. 25.

A five-game losing streak to end Year 2 is hard to sell.

But name, image and likeness, playing opportunity, relationships with coaches and a program’s culture are other factors recruits consider.

“It just depends on who the kid is,” Wiltfong said.

Whatever Napier and Co. are touting to prospects, the Gators could use some recruiting wins as the losses mount.

“Recruiting’s about who you get, not who you don’t get. So how do they respond?” Wiltfong said. “Who’s next? Who do they get? How do they develop you know, that’s kind of where it’s at right now.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

With better scorers around him now, Richard is able to pick his spots.

During the Gators’ 89-68 win Tuesday night against Florida A&M, the 6-foot-4 junior was there when Florida needed him.

After Florida missed 13 of 14 shots to open the game, Richard drained a 3-pointer to give the Gators a 9-7 lead and followed with a layup to ignite UF’s offense on his way to a season-high 20 points.

“We’ve got so many guys that can score the ball so for me, it’s just being able to be available and being ready to shoot,” he said. “It was definitely a lot easier for teams to scout us last year because we didn’t have the options we do this year. It’s a relief playing with all the guys we have this year.”

The Belmont University transfer led four double-figure scorers.

“Tonight was Will’s night,” coach Todd Golden said. “He took advantage of his opportunities. We do have more talent that way. Depending upon the matchups and what the other team is trying to do, different guys are going to have to step up.”

Backup guard Denzel Aberdeen, a former standout at Orlando’s Dr. Phillips, backed up Richards’ two field goals with consecutive baskets, the second sparking a 6-0 run to give Florida a 20-12 lead and put the 6-foot-5 sophomore on track for a career-high 12 points.

“He’s maturing and playing really well right now,” Golden said.

FAMU (0-3) never challenged from there, but did hang around thanks to 24 points by Love Bettis.

The Gators eventually pulled away behind second-half surge led by freshman Alex Condon. The 6-foot-11 Aussie scored 16 of his 17 points after intermission and finished 6 of 7 from the field and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line in 17 minutes.

The promising 19-year-old was scoreless during 11 minutes of a 73-70 loss to Virginia on Friday.

“I felt like I was falling back into the Virginia game in the first half and I was like, ‘Nah, screw this, I’m not doing this again,'” Condon said. “The second half I just came out more aggressive.”

Condon was not the only Florida player to bounce back.

The Gators (2-1) were undone down the stretch by turnovers against Virginia, including a critical one on the final possession by Walter Clayton Jr. of Lake Wales.

He responded with 18 points, 5 assists and 1 turnovers against the Rattlers.

“I don’t do well with losing at all, especially when I feel like I was a big part of it,” Clayton said. “My teammates around me, they’ve been picking me up, telling me I’m going to be alright. Obviously, I have to learn from my mistakes.

“I played alright. Could be better.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

During the past four games, the fifth-year senior has improved with each start, and his performance has escalated as his knee grows stronger.

In those four starts, Plumlee has completed 55 of 107 passes (51%) for 986 yards with 8 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 168 yards on 34 carries (4.94 average) with 3 touchdowns and a

In leading UCF to its 45-3 win over then-No. 15 Oklahoma State last weekend, he set season-highs in passing yards (299) and rushing attempts (14) and his passer rating (255.6) was the second-highest of his career.

“You can see he’s getting healthier and it changes the dynamics — not just our offense but our whole team,” said coach Gus Malzahn.

Plumlee’s touch on deep passes (20-plus yards) also has improved.

He completed 6 of 7 for 250 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys.

“He threw the best deep balls that he’s had since we’ve been here in practice and it carried over in the game,” said Malzahn.

UCF tailback RJ Harvey takes his game to next level

Said offensive coordinator Darin Hinshaw, a former quarterback: “When you’re throwing as a quarterback, you throw with your lower body more than you do with your upper body. You don’t just throw with one arm. You throw with your hips, shoulders and legs.

“Your knees are torqued constantly, so you can see the progression as he continues to heal and get better and better and better.”

Plumlee and the Knights’ next challenge is this Saturday at Texas Tech (5-5, 4-3 Big 12), with the Red Raiders coming off a 16-13 win against then-No. 19 Kansas.

Who plays center this week?

Injuries continue to force the coaching staff to make weekly adjustments to the offensive line.

Bula Schmidt missed the game against the Cowboys with an apparent foot injury, shifting fifth-year senior Lokahi Pauole from guard to center. He’d only taken seven career snaps there.

“That’s the fourth center we’ve had this year,” said Malzahn. “I don’t know if we’ve ever gotten to the third center with the first group, so this is a unique year.”

Added Hinshaw: “He did a good job at center with his IDs and the calls and everything because that goes into playing center. You’ve got to be the quarterback of the offensive line.”

UCF blasted into space with out-of-this-world victory over No. 15 Oklahoma State! | Commentary

Malzahn said redshirt freshman center Caden Kitler, who missed the last five games with an undisclosed injury, is nearly 100% and should be in the mix for the spot this week.

The coaching staff also isn’t against keeping Pauole at center.

“Every week, we’re looking for the best five [offensive linemen] that we can put out there,” said Hinshaw. “And we concluded that Lokahi at center would be our best opportunity to do that.”

Pictures: UCF Knights beat No. 15 Oklahoma State University 45-3.

Can safety Demari Henderson become a full-time starter? 

Henderson had a standout game in UCF’s victory against Oklahoma State as he recovered a forced fumble and intercepted two passes by the Cowboys.

This was his third fumble recovery of the season and the first career interception for the sophomore.

A Sanford Seminole High standout, Henderson was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week.

“He’s coming into his own,” said defensive coordinator Addison Williams. “Back in fall camp he was working himself into a starter and then injured himself, but he’s come back and hit the ground running.”

Henderson has appeared in seven games, starting the last four at safety for the Knights and registering 14 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 passes defended and a forced fumble.

Pro Football Focus has him as the highest-graded defensive back on the team (79.2) and graded seventh (76.6) among safeties in the Big 12.

“The thing about Demari is that every game is still kind of new to him because he’s still young and hasn’t played much ball until this season,” said Williams. “But as the season goes and as his career goes, he has a chance to be a really good player.”

Email Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @osmattmurschel.

The Gators (5-5, 3-4 SEC) have two chances to avoid the program’s first losing regular season since 2017 and first stretch of three consecutive campaigns ending below .500 since 1945-47.

But coach Billy Napier remains steadfast his program’s trajectory and long-term prospects are on track despite an 11-12 start at UF — the worst by a Gators coach since Charley Pell went 8-14-1 in 1979-80.

“You’re equipped with faith. You’re equipped with discipline, your ability to come up with solutions,” he explained Monday. “You’ve got to be tough-minded. You’ve got to have endurance. You’ve got to be able to persevere. You’ve got to surround yourself with really good people.

“It’s not like we thought we’re going to run the table the first year. It is what it is.”

Napier faces plenty of questions, along with some signs of hope, as he pushes to avoid a five-game skid to end Year.

Does Eli Drinkwitz’s fourth-year bounce at Mizzou bode well for Napier?

Picked to finish sixth in the SEC East, a spot behind the Gators, the Tigers (8-2, 4-2) are among the nation’s biggest surprises.

A contract extension and raise in November 2022 were surprising at the time, but proved to be a vote of confidence Drinkwitz has rewarded with a breakout season. The only losses were a 49-39 shootout loss at home to LSU and 30-21 decision at top-ranked Georgia undecided until late in the game.

Last Saturday’s 36-7 rout of Tennessee might be Drinkwitz’s signature victory. A win against Florida would be be another notch in the 40-year-old’s belt against a big-name brand.

Drinkwitz already had significantly improved the Tigers’ recruiting, signing three consecutive top-35 classes from 2021-23. The current crop features the nation’s top-rated edge rusher, Williams Nwaneri of Lees Summit, Mo.

Recognizing Missouri’s attack needed a boost, the offensive-minded coach gave up play calling duties after last season.

Drinkwitz’s self-awareness along with Missouri’s patience and support have paid off on the field. Whether Napier receives similar consideration remains the looming question.

Drinkwitz entered Year 4 in Columbia 17-19, a position Napier easily could find himself after a 2024 season with a young team facing arguably the toughest schedule in Florida history. Following in Missouri football’s footsteps is not Napier’s ultimate goal, but the 44-year-old should hope he and the Gators are on a similar path.

Has offense improved enough Napier will consider calling plays again in 2024?

UF’s attack has gained traction, developed young playmakers and scored more points since a sluggish start to 2023.

While there is a lot more to like lately, Florida’s offensive success should not necessarily convince Napier to stay the course.

The Gators averaged 34 points the past five games, but four of those performances were against SEC teams — Vanderbilt, LSU, South Carolina, Arkansas — allowing more yards per play than any school but Florida. Georgia, the SEC’s top defense, held the Gators to 20 points, one point more than UF averaged during the season’s first four contests against FBS competition.

Even as the offense has picked up, Florida has suffered too many empty possessions during its three-game losing streak. The Gators scored 12 touchdowns and kicked three field goals on 37 drives against Georgia, Arkansas and LSU, while recording 10 three-and-outs, fumbling twice and failing on a fourth-down try.

Florida conversion rate was 36.9% (17 of 46), including 20% on fourth down (1 of 5).

Quarterback Graham Mertz’s play has been a major plus, highlighted by an SEC-leading 73.3% completion rate along with 18 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions. Freshman receiver Eugene Wilson III is a future star while senior Ricky Pearsall, with 876 yards, is on pace to become the first 1,000-yard receiver at UF since Taylor Jacobs in 2002.

Yet, UF completed just two throws longer than 30 yards the past two games and has an SEC-low 11 such pass plays in an era when chunk plays are pivotal. LSU had five 30-yarders against the Gators, including two in one drive.

Florida will face high-scoring offense and much better defenses in Missouri and FSU. The Tigers are 31st in scoring offense (32.8) and 44th in scoring defense (22.3); FSU is 13th (38.3) and 15th (17.3). If the Gators cannot keep pace, the recent offensive success might have been a facade.

What’s with Austin Armstrong?

The defensive coordinator was the program’s golden boy after four games. He since has been no better than predecessors Patrick Toney and Todd Grantham.

The 2023 D has fallen from No. 10 nationally after to Week 4 to 75th after allowing a school-record 701 yards in a 52-35 loss at LSU last weekend.

It gets worse.

The Gators are 129th of 133 teams in yards allowed per play (6.57) and last in pass plays yielded of 40 yards or longer. Four teams have fewer than Florida’s 7 takeaways.

UF is 93rd in red-zone defense, 96th in sacks and 106th in tackles for loss.

Among the culprits are leading tackler Shemar James’ season-ending knee injury, sophomore cornerback Devin Moore’s inability to stay healthy, shaky play by experienced corners Jason Marshall Jr. and Jalen Kimber and a youth movement featuring true freshmen accruing around 30% of snaps.

LSU star quarterback Jayden Daniels’ 85-yard touchdown run was to a side of the field featuring three first-year players, cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson and safeties Jordan Castell and Bryce Thornton.

Armstrong’s approach also deserves examination. The 30-year-old relied heavily on man-to-man coverage at LSU, allowing Daniels to take off with defenders’ backs to him and pick up long gains.

During the Arkansas loss, the Gators repeatedly blitzed quarterback KJ Jefferson from the outside despite his inconsistency as a passer. This allowed him to lean on his strength with runs up the middle against a defense without starting linemen Cam Jackson and Tyreak Sapp.

Armstrong quickly appeared an upgrade, but like Toney and Grantham is overseeing one of Florida’s worst-ever defenses.

Does a cold shoulder await on the road?

Leaving the Sunshine State for November’s nippy conditions has not been kind to the Gators. During the past 10 seasons, they’ve played four games in sub-50 degree conditions and lost three.

The Gators fell 36-17 in 2013 at Missouri, where the temperature was 45 at kickoff. A 28-20 loss in 2017 at South Carolina kicked off when it was 49. Then there was last season’s 31-24 debacle at Vanderbilt on a 38-degree day.

The only Florida win in chilly conditions was a 23-6 decision during Barry Odom’s final season at Missouri in 2019, when the thermometer read 43 at kickoff.

Temperatures are forecast to be in the 30s Saturday night. A Midwestern chill and Napier’s 2-8 record away from the Swamp could leave the Gators out in the cold.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Somehow, the ball got past the defenders and into George’s hands. From there, nothing but open, green grass separated him from the end zone.

“On that play, I just knew Emory was going to put it up, and I just had to fight for it,” George said. “I leaned back into the DB, and he gave me a chance, and I had to make it.”

George’s 85-yard touchdown on that play kept the Hurricanes in the game, though they ultimately lost 27-20 in Tallahassee. George scored two touchdowns in the loss and racked up a career-high 153 receiving yards, earning ACC Wide Receiver of the Week honors. It is the second time this season he has earned that award.

“It means a lot,” George said, “being recognized … It means a lot to me.”

The junior wide receiver is realizing the potential that led to him being rated a four-star prospect coming out of Plantation High. He leads the Hurricanes in receiving yards (707) and touchdown catches (seven) with two games left in the season.

“I love that guy. That guy, he’s developing so much,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “I’ve said it before. I’m going to push him hard because he carries a lot of responsibility. He really is an awesome young man. He’s a guy that sky’s the limit. The more he develops, the more you’re going to see that of him. He’s got great wiggle, he’s got unbelievable balance, body control and he can track the ball.”

George’s first touchdown against the Seminoles also showed off the work he has been putting in on the practice field. He ran a short fade route to the end zone and came down with a well-placed pass from Williams.

“That delayed fade down at the goal line, that’s hours and hours and reps and reps at practice, so it’s great to see that pay off for him and for the quarterback and for the offense,” Cristobal said.

It has not been all smooth sailing for George since he arrived in Coral Gables. After showing some sparks as a freshman, he missed five games in 2022 due to a two-game suspension and a broken thumb. He worked on getting the strength back in his hand this offseason and studied more to prepare for 2023.

“Just working and studying the details of everything, to watching film, just being a better football player,” George said.

The work is paying off. George has a 77.8 offensive grade and a 78.1 receiving grade this season, which ranks fourth in the ACC among receivers with 25 or more targets this season.

“He’s become a really steady player,” offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said. “In games like (the FSU game), man coverage, he’s got wiggle. He sticks his toe in the ground. He’s made a lot of big plays through the course of the year, and that game was one that’s been really on the verge of happening for a little while. We just need more of them. It’s needed every week. That’s the key, just consistency.”

Behind double-digit scoring from six players, UCF (2-0) battled through a tight first 30 minutes before utilizing a 31-point fourth-quarter surge to topple the Anderson Trojans 96-73 at Addition Financial Arena Monday night.

“Six players in double figures — that’s part of the reason we were able to put up 96 points,” coach Sytia Messer said. “But we also gave up 73. That wasn’t our goal. We have to get better on that part, collectively, but we had different people step up.”

Throughout the Knights’ comfortable victory over Bethune-Cookman on Nov. 6, it was junior transfer guard Kaitlin Peterson and her career-high 31-point game that helped propel UCF to its 38-point win. Monday night, a late push that began in the waning minutes of the third quarter aided the Knights.

With UCF trailing by three and just more than three minutes to play in the third period, the Knights put together a rally that began at the free-throw line. Peterson, Mya Burns and Taylor Gibson combined for the final 10 points to give UCF a 65-61 lead entering the fourth.

Burns, in addition to her 16 points, also snagged 11 rebounds for UCF’s first double-double of the season.

Freshman forward Achol Akot (14 points) netted eight of UCF’s next 12 points to begin the fourth quarter before Peterson (team-high 18 points) made her lone 3-pointer to put the game out of reach.

Morgan Robinson-Nwagwu scored 13 points while Laila Jewett added 12 and Gibson 10.

The Gators (3-0) were led by Aliyah Matharu with 22 points, followed by Laila Reynolds’ first 20-point game.

“We’ve been doing a lot of focusing on getting everybody involved in the paint and outside of the paint,” said Matharu, a Texas transfer. “With me not playing for a year I’m pretty hungry on both ends of the ball. It’s clicking for me. It’s working for me.

“My teammates are finding me I’m trying to find them and do my best with that. I’m also in a new position so just getting different looks and getting comfortable with them has made a big difference.”

The 3-0 start marks the 10th time Florida has accomplished that.

Florida leads the series with Florida A&M 12-5, including five wins in a row.

The Gators are on a 25-game home winning streak during non-conference competition, the second-longest such run in school history.

“I’ve started to get really comfortable on the court and that’s because of my teammates helping me out,” Reynolds. “Being able to get this type of confidence is something I have been working on at practice and also just being able to push myself to better the team has always been my motivation to work harder.”

The Gators close their season-opening four-game homestand Friday vs. No. 12 Florida State. That matchup is the first in a UF-FSU with the men’s team.

The Seminoles enter 2-0 after a 92-91 home win against then-No. 11 Tennessee on Thursday.

CORAL GABLES — This time, the only punches that Miami and FIU threw at one another were theoretical. And the Panthers nearly got a stunning knockout.

Matthew Cleveland scored 23 points, Bensley Joseph and Wooga Poplar each added 18 and No. 12 Miami rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit to beat neighboring FIU 86-80 on Monday night.

Nigel Pack scored 17 points and Norchad Omier had 11 rebounds for the Hurricanes (3-0).

“Very proud of our guys for hanging in there,” Miami coach Jim Larrañaga said. “And very impressed with FIU.”

Anyone who was watching would likely have said the same, after a game with some wild ebbs and flows. Consider:

— Miami started the game on a 28-11 run over 10 minutes.

— FIU answered with a 42-13 run over the next 14 minutes.

— Miami immediately came back with a 19-0 run over the next four minutes.

The Panthers fell to 0-25 all-time against ranked opponents — but made the nine-mile drive back to their campus knowing they nearly changed that.

“Had we won tonight, it would have been glorious,” FIU coach Jeremy Ballard said. “But we weren’t going to be cutting nets down. We weren’t going to be getting any trophies. We weren’t going to be getting any invitations to the big dance. So right now, it’s all about growth. And as a coach, we definitely prefer to grow through winning and that’s certainly going to be our aim going forward.”

Arturo Dean scored 19 for FIU (0-3), while Dashon Gittens added 14 and Javaunte Hawkins had 11 for the Panthers — a 21 1/2-point underdog according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

But it wasn’t decided until just about the very end. George Pridgett Jr. made a 3-pointer with 1:49 left to get FIU within 80-76, only to see Poplar hit a 3 on the next Miami possession to help seal the win.

“Being able to battle back when a team is hot like that and weather the storm … it’s really good to see,” Cleveland said.

It was the first official meeting between the programs since 2008, in part because FIU and Miami refused to play each other in any sport for years as part of the fallout from the football brawl between the schools in 2006. The brawl — which had one player swinging a helmet, another swinging a crutch and more than a few kicking opponents on the ground, led to 31 players being suspended.

Over time, relationships between FIU and Miami were restored. The schools met in women’s basketball in four consecutive seasons from 2015 through 2018, Miami going 4-0 and winning by an average of 26.8 points. The baseball teams have faced each other annually since 2017, except for 2020 because of the pandemic. And most famously, the Panthers’ football team topped the Hurricanes in 2019.

“This game is a big deal,” Ballard said. “We want it to be a big deal. We would love to play this game every year.”

BIG PICTURE

FIU: It was the second-closest game FIU played against a ranked opponent. The only one closer was an 85-81 loss to then-No. 25 Charleston on Feb. 13, 1997. Every other game against an AP Top 25 team had been decided by 10 or more points, and the average FIU margin of defeat is now 26 points in those matchups.

Miami: The 3-pointer saved the Hurricanes. Miami was 13 for 21 from beyond the arc, part of a night where the Hurricanes shot 58% from the field.

UP NEXT

Miami: Face Georgia at Nassau, Bahamas on Friday.