Kelvin Taylor runs No. 11 Florida past Georgia, 27-3

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —  — Kelvin Taylor ran for 121 yards and two touchdowns and 11th-ranked Florida beat Georgia, 27-3, Saturday to move a step closer to the Southeastern Conference title game.

The Gators (7-1, 5-1 in SEC play) held the Bulldogs (5-3, 3-3) to 223 yards.

“It should have been a shutout,” defensive tackle Jon Bullard said.

It was Florida’s second consecutive victory in the series and 20th in the last 26 years, and it left the Gators one conference victory from clinching the East.

“I don’t expect to lose,” Coach Jim McElwain said. “We should never go into an event thinking we’re going to come in second. The one thing you learn real quickly in this business is there are no participation ribbons. It doesn’t matter who we play, we go in with a mind-set that we’re going to put a plan to do whatever it takes to win the football game.”

Georgia Coach Mark Richt benched Greyson Lambert, who failed to throw a touchdown pass against Vanderbilt, Alabama and Missouri. But instead of turning to backup Brice Ramsey, Richt selected Faton Bauta to make his first career start.

“We felt like Faton performed well enough to get the nod, and that’s what we did,” Richt said.

The junior completed 15 of 33 passes for 154 yards, with four interceptions. His third came in the end zone, with Georgia trying to make it 20-10.

“You have to learn to take the positives away from it,” Bauta said. “You sit there and think you’re the worst player of all time, that’s not going to help. It’s not good. Obviously, a bad start, but it’s a start.”

The Bulldogs managed only 69 yards rushing. Sony Michel had 45 yards in 13 carries.

Florida put the game away midway through the fourth quarter, thanks to Jordan Scarlett’s 60-yard touchdown run and Taylor’s 16-yard touchdown scamper, his 10th touchdown this season.

“Based on what’s happened, we ought to make this our home stadium for him,” McElwain said. “He’s done a heck of a job here.”

The Gators built a 20-0 lead in the first half with the help of three big plays — one from the offense, one from the defense and one from special teams.

Nick Washington recovered a muffed punt in the end zone. Treon Harris scrambled and found Antonio Callaway for a 66-yard touchdown run down the sideline. And Vernon Hargreaves III returned an interception to the five, setting up Taylor’s first touchdown.

“It’s not about thinking about going to the championship,” McElwain said. “It’s about what do we do right now to get better because the championship will never come if we don’t take care of the now. And our guys are getting that.”