Gators end skid with OT victory

— As Chas Henry’s field goal split the uprights, Florida Coach Urban Meyer dropped to the ground in sheer relief.

The first overtime game in the storied Florida-Georgia rivalry was over. So was the longest losing streak of Meyer’s coaching career.

Henry, a punter thrust into kicking duties, drilled a 37-yarder in overtime to lift the Gators to a wild 34-31 victory over Georgia on Saturday and end a three-game losing streak.

“This is the biggest win we’ve had,” Meyer said. “We’ve had some great wins around here, and maybe some people would say more important. I’d probably argue that one. This is the biggest one that I can remember, and I’ve coached a long time.”

Aaron Murray’s third interception - his fourth turnover of the game - nearly ended it on the first series of overtime.Jelani Jenkins tipped Murray’s pass over the middle. Will Hill intercepted it and nearly returned it for the winning score, but Hill stepped out at the 4.

The Gators (5-3, 3-3 SEC) did little with their turn and settled for Henry’s winner. It was a redeeming moment for Henry, who missed three field goals in close losses to LSU and Mississippi State while filling in for injured kicker Caleb Sturgis.

“I knew I let them down one time, and I was never going to let that happen again,” said Henry, who missed two field goals in a three-point loss to Mississippi State. “That was the most gratifying feeling.”

Henry’s kick was Florida’s first game-winner on the finalplay since 1989. It also extended Florida’s dominance in the series. Georgia (4-5, 3-4) has lost 18 of the past 21 meetings, but this one was especially damaging.

The Gators stayed in the hunt for the SEC’s Eastern Division title and eliminated the Bulldogs from contention.

“Why was it so important?” Meyer said. “Because we got our brains kicked in the last three weeks and we’ve got to get the ship righted. We needed that. My family needed that. Everybody needed that. A bunch of families in there needed it.”

This one will go down as one of the best in the 95-year history of the series, the first game between the Gators and Bulldogs to need extra time. The difference, much like the past two meetings, was turnovers. Florida had one, while Georgia finished with a season-high four.

NO. 21 MISSISSIPPI STATE 24, KENTUCKY 17

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Vick Ballard rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown as BCS No. 21 Mississippi State (7-2, 3-2 SEC) relied on its running game and defense to beat Kentucky (4-5, 1-5).

The Wildcats threatened to tie the game in the final minute, but quarterback Mike Hartline’s pass was intercepted by Johnthan Banks at the goal line to seal a sixth consecutive victory for Mississippi State. It is Mississippi State’s longest winning streak since 1999.

Kentucky hasn’t beaten a ranked team on the road since 1998.

Randall Cobb caught 12 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 10-0 lead, but Kentucky clawed its way back, tying the game at 17 late in the third quarter on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Hartline to Moncell Allen.

Mississippi State scored the go-ahead touchdown on Chris Relf’s 5-yard run midway through the fourth quarter.

Sports, Pages 31 on 10/31/2010

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