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Thursday, March 28, 2024

JACKSONVILLE - Florida linebacker A.J. Jones had a rough start to a dream game against Georgia on Saturday.

With 12:16 remaining in the second quarter, UGA quarterback Joe Cox floated a 26-yard touchdown pass to tight end Aron White with Jones a step too slow in coverage, cutting UF's lead to 14-10.

"I told all them I was going to make up for it, and that's what happened," Jones said.

The Gators led 24-10 with the Bulldogs getting the ball back after halftime. On Georgia's first offensive snap, Jones made the play of the game.

Cox dropped back in the pocket, and Jones came through the middle on a blitz, tipped the pass in the air and made a diving interception on the UGA 19-yard line.

"I didn't know where (the ball) was, to tell you the truth," Jones said. "I thought it was batted down, so I looked down at the ground. It wasn't there, so I looked up in the air, and it was right there. They got on me saying I should have stayed on my feet and gotten a pick-6."

UF quarterback Tim Tebow turned it into a score, punching in his second rushing touchdown of the game three plays later.

Georgia had success moving the ball much of the day, but the momentum was suddenly too much for the Bulldogs to overcome. Jones' athletic play was just the beginning.

The junior added another interception with 1:22 left in the third quarter, his third in the last two contests.

Redshirt senior linebacker Ryan Stamper picked off Cox for the third time after UGA receiver A.J. Green was hit hard by safety Major Wright on a ball delivered over the middle of the field, creating another tipped interception.

"I just can't get my hands on the ball," Stamper said of his first career interception. "I finally got one. Major Wright had a great hit - hit him knocked the ball up - and I just dove for it."

Sophomore Caleb Sturgis added a 44-yard field goal on the subsequent drive, extending the lead to 34-17.

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Senior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes, who returned to the field after missing UF's last seven quarters with a groin injury, landed the knockout blow 78 seconds later.

UGA coach Mark Richt inserted backup quarterback Logan Gray into the game on the next drive, and Spikes picked him off on the Bulldogs' 5-yard line, walking the ball into the end zone untouched.

The Gators scored a combined 17 points off the four interceptions.

"That was sweet. That was sweet to see," Tebow said. "Just putting a nail in the coffin. Especially for what he's been going through, too. For him to finish this Georgia rivalry like that, because of his injuries, he's just so competitive. He wants to be out there all the time, and it has been hard for him because he hasn't been able to."

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