Mertz's 3 TDs, career day rallies Florida to 41-39 victory over South Caroilna

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- , Florida coach Billy Napier found quarterback Graham Mertz and receiver Ricky Pearsall , both transfers, after the game and hugged them hard. “This,” Napier said, “is why you come to Florida.” Mertz threw for a career-best 423 yards and three touchdowns, the last a 21-yard strike to Pearsall with 47 seconds left, as the Gators rallied from 10 points down in the fourth quarter to beat South Carolina 41-39 on Saturday. Pearsall had 10 catches for 166 yards, including the game-winner. “I'm having the most fun I've ever had in my life,” said Mertz, who spent the previous four seasons at Wisconsin. The joy and the determination were evident after Florida fell behind 37-27 when Spencer Rattler threw his fourth TD pass, a 33-yard scoring toss to tight end Joshua Simon with 9:11 to play.