GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The hugs were brief and the hoots were low. Florida’s football team slowly jogged to its band and student section, some helmets held high. "Welcome to Atlanta" played in the background of "S-E-C!" chants erupting through the stands. But for the most part, the Swamp was subdued after Florida’s 9-7 win against Vanderbilt.
There were no reckless chants of "We want Bama," and 10 seconds into his postgame news conference, coach Jim McElwain apologized for the Gators’ agonizing victory being a "tough one to sit through."
This was how Florida celebrated clinching the SEC East for the first time since 2009.