Florida football entered Week 9 looking to build off its upset victory over Texas, but things went south quickly against rival Georgia.
The Gators fell to the Bulldogs, 27-8, in Atlanta, as an offense that showed encouraging signs in Austin struggled to find much of a rhythm against one of the SEC's top teams.
Florida's offense dealt with several inconsistencies throughout the afternoon, but wide receiver Bailey Stockton provided one of the few bright spots in the passing game.
Stockton finished with eight receptions for 76 yards, leading the way as one of Florida's most reliable options. As a result, his efforts earned him our Gators Wire offensive player of the game honors for Week 9.
The third-year receiver consistently provided Florida with
an option when the Gators needed to move the football. While he didn't find the end zone, his eight catches helped keep drives alive and gave Florida some much-needed production in a game where offensive success was difficult to come by.
Stockton's performance was even more impressive considering his status entering the rivalry matchup. He suffered a foot injury during Florida's win over Texas and was limited after returning to the field in Austin.
He bounced back against Georgia and immediately re-established himself as an important piece of Florida's passing attack.
His performance also stood out beyond the box score.
Pro Football Focus gave Stockton a 72.1 offensive grade, the highest mark among Florida offensive players who recorded more than 20 snaps against Georgia.
With Vernell Brown III dealing with an injury and Florida's receiver room being tested throughout the season, Stockton's ability to remain productive becomes increasingly important for the Gators.
As the Gators look to bounce back from another SEC loss, they'll need more performances like his from a receiving corps that has dealt with its share of adversity this season.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Bailey Stockton earns offensive player of the game in rivalry loss
