Florida coach Jim McElwain emotional for his players after Hail Mary win
After his team's thrilling last-second 26-20 victory over Tennessee — on an epic Hail Mary at The Swamp — Florida coach Jim McElwain was close to speechless. But when he did put the epic win into words he was ecstatic for his players and the program.
“That was a lot of fun," McElwain told reporters after the game. "I’d just say how happy I am for Gator fans, how happy I am for our players. I love those guys. They’ve been through some things, and you know, they just keep going. It obviously was not pretty, but sometimes as you go through this business it’s about figuring out a way to win. And our guys figured out a way to win.”
The team has dealt with its share of adversity, playing without many of its top weapons as nine players are currently suspended — including starting wide receiver Antonio Callaway and top running back Jordan Scarlett.
After the game-winning, 63-yard touchdown thrown from QB Feleipe Franks to Tyrie Cleveland, McElwain burst into an emotional celebration.
“I was more, nothing to do about me, I just enjoyed watching the guys," he told reporters. "I just enjoyed seeing them, their excitement, because I know how hard they worked, I know what they put into it. So for me it was just seeing the people in the organization enjoying the moment. Sometimes things like that are really special. I’ve got some burned images in my mind that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WIN