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Florida beats Auburn, but big challenges still await Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Consider what it must have been like for Lamical Perine and his Florida running back friends Saturday. All game long, they kept slamming into a wall. No room to run. Sometimes, it probably seemed against those monstrous Auburn defenders, nowhere to hide. And then, suddenly opportunity opened wide. It was getting late and Florida was clinging to a slim lead when Perine bounded through a rare hole. Bounced off a linebacker. And bolted 88 yards down the home sideline for the clinching touchdown.

“It almost brought tears to my eyes,” he said later.

Well, sure. A 24-13 victory against Auburn was terrific, yes. Important, no question. In the moment when Perine broke free, Florida Field’s decibel level rocketed from ear-crackling to painful. And when it was over, the party kept going for a while.

“Just a big-time atmosphere, big-time crowd,” Perine said. “I’m glad I was able to make that big-time play.”