Jim McElwain said of the fake field goal "They made a helluva play. Give them credit," adding "It's kind of a badge of honor. It took a fake field goal to beat us. That's all right." Many praised the Gators' exceptional play considering the news of Will Grier's suspension that broke less than a week before the game, and that it came down to a fake field goal for one of the better teams in the country to defeat the Gators at one of the nation's most challenging venues. One of only two neutral-site SEC series (Arkansas–Texas A&M), Florida and Georgia have played a storied series since 1906 (though Georgia contends that they first met in 1904). The game has been held in Jacksonville since 1933, only playing a home-and-home in 1994 and 1995 due to construction of Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Unranked Florida upset no. 9 Georgia 38–20 in last year's game. Florida fell behind early, finishing the first quarter down 0–7, before scoring 31 straight points as Georgia was unable to keep up, managing only 13 points in the fourth quarter as the Gators upset the Bulldogs, winning their first game in the rivalry since an overtime contest in 2010. Jim McElwain spent the bye week by fixing the mistakes he saw in the loss to LSU, including bad timing on bad passes, missed tackles, and blown coverage assignments. Florida would receive the first half kickoff, and put on a 10-play, 61-yard drive, and set up for a 45-yard field goal attempt, however Austin Hardin would miss wide right. Both teams' offenses would put on a rather stale performance for the rest of the first quarter—four of the following six possessions ended in three-and-outs; five ended in punts. Georgia committed the first turnover of the game from a Faton Bauta pass intercepted by Marcus Maye. Florida could not capitalize on the turnover, and was forced to punt. Georgia's Reggie Davis, however, who was deep to receive, muffed the punt at the 5-yard line, and the ball rolled into the end zone where it was fallen upon by Nick Washington for a touchdown. The extra point try was blocked, and Florida was forced to kickoff from their own 20-yard line to begin the second quarter due to a personal foul that occurred on the Georgia return. Georgia's ensuing drive ended in a turnover on downs, and Florida gained possession at their own 39-yard line. Florida would punt after four plays, forcing Georgia to start at their own 3-yard line.