Richt says Georgia's 3rd straight win over Florida gives players needed confidence boost

Georgia head coach Mark Richt gives a thumbs up to the fans after their 23-20 win over Florida in an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton) (The Associated Press)

Georgia running back Todd Gurley (3) runs past Florida defensive back Cody Riggs (31) for a 73-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Aaron Murray during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jason Getz) MARIETTA DAILY OUT; GWINNETT DAILY POST OUT; LOCAL TV OUT; WXIA-TV OUT; WGCL-TV OUT (The Associated Press)

ATLANTA – Georgia was searching for a way to resuscitate its season following back-to-back losses to Missouri and Vanderbilt.

Nothing picks up a Georgia season like a win over Florida.

Coach Mark Richt said beating Florida 23-20 on Saturday allowed his Bulldogs to focus on what can still be accomplished this season instead of looking back at what could have been.

The win kept Georgia (5-3, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) in contention in the SEC's Eastern Division. Georgia, which plummeted out of the Top 25 from No. 7 with the two losses, remained unranked on Sunday but has reason for renewed optimism.

Georgia's third-straight win over Florida wasn't easy. Georgia led 23-3 at the half before holding the ball on a final drive that lasted more than 8 minutes to preserve the win.