Gators ride big plays for Birmingham Bowl win

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Treon Harris threw an 86-yard scoring pass to Ahmad Fulwood, and Vernon Hargreaves III intercepted a pass in the end zone late in the game to preserve Florida's 28-20 victory over East Carolina on Saturday in the Birmingham Bowl.

The big plays helped the Gators (7-5) finish a disappointing season with a winning record while new coach Jim McElwain was among the spectators.

Brian Poole also scored on a 29-yard interception return and Florida's defense repeatedly turned East Carolina's high-powered offense away from the end zone.

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Shane Carden was 34 of 66 for 427 yards for the Pirates (8-5) but Hargreaves' pick with 1:20 left ended his day.

Harris left late in the third quarter with an apparent lower left leg injury and was replaced by former starter Jeff Driskel.

Driskel ran for a first down on a third-down play on the final drive to allow Florida to run out the clock.

Harris was injured after carrying the ball late in the third quarter, and trainers looked at his lower left leg. But interim coach D.J. Durkin described it as an elbow injury that wasn't serious.

Former starter Jeff Driskel replaced him and the Gators won 28-20.

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Harris, who was walking with a limp, watched from the sideline as Driskel led the offense.

Harris was 5-of-11 passing for 123 yards with two touchdowns and an interception when he left the game.

Florida linebacker Antonio Morrison injured his left knee.

Morrison was taken off the field on a cart early in the second quarter. He appeared to be screaming while in the cart and slammed a fist down before climbing on.

Interim head coach D.J. Durkin said he wasn't sure of the extent of the injury.

The whole team surrounded the cart before it pulled away. Morrison was easily the team's leading tackler, coming into the game with 98 stops.

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The junior, a 23-game starter, was a second-team all-Southeastern Conference pick.

"Words can't describe how I feel about these guys as a team," Durkin said. "I'm so happy for our players to go get that win."

Redshirt freshman running back Adam Lane was chosen the game's MVP after rushing 16 times for 109 yards and a touchdown with Matt Jones sidelined with a shoulder injury. He had only eight carries coming into the game, all in two lopsided wins.

Carden set a school record for passing attempts and had the most yards thrown against Florida.

Florida Bowl History

Record: 21-20

Jan. 3, 2015 Birmingham Bowl — Florida 28, East Carolina 20

Jan 2, 2013 Sugar Bowl — Louisville 33, Florida 23

Jan. 2, 2012 Gator Bowl — Florida 24, Ohio St. 17

Jan. 1, 2011 Outback Bowl — Florida 37, Penn St. 24

Jan. 1, 2010 Sugar Bowl — Florida 51, Cincinnati 24

Jan. 8, 2009 BCS National Championship — Florida 24, Oklahoma 14

Jan. 1, 2008 Capital One Bowl — Michigan 41, Florida 35

Jan. 8, 2007 BCS National Championship — Florida 41, Ohio St. 14

Jan. 2, 2006 Outback Bowl — Florida 31, Iowa 24

Dec, 31, 2004 Peach Bowl — Miami 27, Florida 10

Jan. 1, 2004 Outback Bowl — Iowa 37, Florida 17

Jan. 1, 2003 Outback Bowl — Michigan 38, Florida 30

Jan. 2, 2002 Orange Bowl — Florida 56, Maryland 23

Jan. 2, 2001 Sugar Bowl — Miami 37, Florida 20

Jan. 1, 2000 Citrus Bowl — Michigan St. 37, Florida 34

Jan. 2, 1999 Orange Bowl — Florida 31, Syracuse 10

Jan. 1, 1998 Citrus Bowl — Florida 21, Penn St. 6

Jan. 2, 1997 Sugar Bowl — Florida 52, Florida St. 20

Jan. 2, 1996 Fiesta Bowl — Nebraska 62, Florida 24

Jan. 2, 1995 Sugar Bowl — Florida St. 23, Florida 17

Jan. 1, 1994 Sugar Bowl — Florida 41, West Virginia 7

Dec. 31, 1992 Gator Bowl — Florida 27, N.C. State 10

Jan. 1, 1992 Sugar Bowl — Notre Dame 39, Florida 28

Dec. 30, 1989 Freedom Bowl — Washington 34, Florida 7

Dec. 29, 1988 All American Bowl — Florida 14, Illinois 10

Dec. 25, 1987 Aloha Bowl — UCLA 20, Florida 16

Dec. 30, 1983 Gator Bowl — Florida 14, Iowa 6

Dec. 31, 1982 Bluebonnet Bowl — Arkansas 28, Florida 24

Dec. 31, 1981 Peach Bowl — West Virginia 26, Florida 6

Dec. 20, 1980 Tangerine Bowl — Florida 35, Maryland 20

Jan. 2, 1977 Sun Bowl — Texas A&M 37, Florida 14

Dec. 29, 1975 Gator Bowl — Maryland 13, Florida 0

Dec. 31, 1974 Sugar Bowl — Nebraska 13, Florida 10

Dec. 22, 1973 Tangerine Bowl — Miami, Ohio 16, Florida 7

Dec. 27, 1969 Gator Bowl — Florida 14, Tennessee 13

Jan. 2, 1967 Orange Bowl — Florida 27, Georgia Tech 12

Jan. 1, 1966 Sugar Bowl — Missouri 20, Florida 18

Dec. 29, 1962 Gator Bowl — Florida 17, Penn St. 7

Dec. 31, 1960 Gator Bowl — Florida 13, Baylor 12

Dec. 27, 1958 Gator Bowl — Mississippi 7, Florida 3

Jan. 1, 1953 Gator Bowl — Florida 14, Tulsa 13