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South Carolina vs. Florida: Will Muschamp pleased with play of special teams

A complete effort from Florida's special teams aided the Gators' big win over South Carolina.

Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

The Florida Gators defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks, 44-11, getting them one step closer to an SEC East title. Florida's special teams unit was one reason why it was able to win the game so decisively, as head coach Will Muschamp explained Monday:

Special Teams, probably should've started off with Special Teams, they were outstanding. Kyle Christy set a school record with a 54 yard average, had six punts for over 50 yards. Again, has been outstanding for our football team this year and a guy that's flipped the field, created momentum and hung some punts up there. Our coverage was outstanding, the whole coverage unit, whether it was kickoff or punt, were phenomenal.

Christy's performance helped Florida control field position throughout the day -- the average Gators drive began at midfield (turnovers were a factor in that as well) and the average Gamecocks drive began at the South Carolina 23.

The punt coverage team limited South Carolina's Ace Sanders to one net yard on two returns, and the Gamecocks did not have a kickoff return longer than 18 yards. Florida had kickoff returns of 35 and 39 yards in the game.

The Gators have their annual rivalry game against the Georgia Bulldogs this weekend, and a win would give them the SEC East title. A Florida loss would mean the Bulldogs control their own destiny in the division.

Photographs by cstreet.us, thelastminute, turtlemom nancy , fesek, kthypryn, justinwright, sue_elias, pointnshoot, and scrapstothefuture used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.