When the Florida Gators scheduled the Samford Bulldogs, they were expecting to put up a lot of points. However, they certainly were not expecting their opponent to do the same.
Samford lit up the Gators’ defense in the first half on Saturday, scoring 42 points and taking a seven-point lead into halftime. It was the most points Florida had ever allowed in one half of football and they’d done it at home to a school from the Southern Conference. And not even a particularly good one, either.
Samford has scored more in the first half at Florida than it did in its past three FBS games combined
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownCFB) November 13, 2021
Actually, Samford's 42 is now most points #Gators have ever allowed in a half. Record was 38 by Florida State in 1992 (first half).
— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) November 13, 2021
No Power 5 school had allowed more than 30 points in any game against an FCS school this season … until Florida allowed 42 to Samford in the first half today. IN THE FIRST HALF.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) November 13, 2021
Florida got their act together just enough in the second half to pull ahead and eventually win the game, 70-52. However, that was almost entirely beside the point. How did the team that almost defeated Alabama earlier this season just get pushed around at home by a 4-5 team from the Southern Conference? The blame has been focused pretty directly on head coach Dan Mullen and for good reason. Mullen’s hot seat is an absolute scorcher now and the fact that it became so following a victory is almost impressive.
After the game, Mullen seemed to be treating the victory just like any other at The Swamp. And when he was asked if he was disappointed, he seemed offended by the question.
Dan Mullen: “Calling a win disappointing is disrespectful to the game.”
— Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) November 13, 2021
“Calling a win disappointing is disrespectful to the game and our players,” Mullen said.
Dan Mullen postgame TV interview after beating Samford 70-52: "We’re going to celebrate this win." And: "It’s a great win for us. Hopefully it builds some confidence for guys moving forward."
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 13, 2021
“It’s a great win for us.”
That’s not necessarily an assessment that a lot of people around college football, especially those in Gainesville, are agreeing with right now.
Calling this a "great win" has to go on the Mt. Rushmore of horrible "coach speak".
— Gutter (@The_Pit_PCU) November 13, 2021
Dan Mullen has been very defensive in interviews lately, which is interesting because Florida has absolutely no answers on defense today.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 13, 2021
Since when did Dan Mullen start coaching basketball??? https://t.co/f2uk1Tp6t5
— Jared Humphry🤟🏼 (@JHumphry25) November 13, 2021
It doesn’t seem very likely that Mullen will be the head coach at Florida after this season. But if he can keep the Gators winning, no matter what it looks like, that might be enough for him, even if it’s not enough for Florida fans.
