The Florida Gators struggled offensively in Saturday night’s 22-7 victory over Charlotte in week four, totaling just 152 second half yards. The Orange and Blue found five trips to the redzone but could only punch one of them in for a touchdown, settling for four redzone field goals.
Florida improves to 3-1 (1-0 SEC) on the season, marking the third win in a row for the Gators, the first time that’s been accomplished under Billy Napier.
Gator Country provides you highlights from Florida’s week four victory over Charlotte.
OPENING DRIVE
After forcing a three and out to start the game, the Gators marched 95 yards down the field to find the endzone in just four minutes and 27 seconds. Billy Napier leaned on junior running back Montrell Johnson, who totaled six carries for 38 yards including two 10+ yard runs on the opening drive. QB Graham Mertz completed all three of his passes for 51 yards with a long of 27 yards to WR Ricky Pearsall.
Mertz connected with tight end Arlis Boardingham for a six-yard touchdown, marking the first career touchdown for Boardingham.
CATCH OF THE YEAR
On Florida’s second offensive possession, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall stunned The Swamp with an incredible one-handed catch for a gain of 25 yards. The 6-1, 190-pound receiver high pointed the ball with his right hand before getting crushed by DB Isaiah Hazel, somehow hanging on to the football. The catch led Florida to three points on a 27-yard field goal from Trey Smack.
Pearsall finished the contest with six receptions for 104 yards, recording a reception in his 32th-consecutive game, the ninth-longest streak in the FBS.
ANDY JEAN’S FIRST CAREER RECEPTION
Freshman receiver Andy Jean recorded his first career reception at the end of the first quarter. Jean found open space on the right side of the field, picking up 32 yards on a deep ball from Graham Mertz. Later in the contest, Jean picked up 25 yards on his first career carry, which was a beautifully designed reverse that led Jean to nothing but green grass. Jean recorded two explosive plays on his only two touches.
BRYCE THORNTON’S SACK
Freshman safety Bryce Thornton recorded his first career sack early in the second quarter, shooting off the edge and dragging down QB Trexler Ivey for a loss of 13 yards. Caleb Banks was also credited with a half sack on the play. Charlotte would punt two plays later.
TREY SMACK’S 54 YARD FIELD GOAL
Gators’ kicker Trey Smack took over the starting job last week against Tennessee and has yet to disappoint. Smack was busy all night long, connecting on all five of his field goal attempts including a 54-yard field goal to give the Gators a 16-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
Smack hit a new career high in single game scoring with five field goals, totaling 163-yards, which was the most made field goals in a single game since Eddy Pineiro in 2017. Pineiro made five against UAB (11/18/17). Smack’s five field goals is the third most in a single game in Florida program history.
HALFTIME STATS
QB Graham Mertz: 13-15, 188 yards, 1 TD.
RB: Montrell Johnson: 8 carries, 41 yards.
WR Ricky Pearsall: 4 receptions, 79 yards.
WR Andy Jean: 1 reception, 32 yards.
TOTAL OFFENSE: 16 points, 243 yards.
TOTAL DEFENSE: 7 points, 122 yards.
KELBY COLLINS’ SACK
Freshman edge rusher Kelby Collins broke through the offensive line and brought down QB Jalon Jones with help from DL Caleb Banks on a critical 3rd and 7 with roughly ten minutes left in the game. Charlotte was trailing by just 12 points, making Collins’ sack one of the more important plays of the game. Charlotte would punt on the next play.
The sack marks the first of Collins’ career.
BLOCKED PUNT
After plowing through a group of blockers, LB Derek Wingo was able to get his hands on the football off a punt from Gonya later in the third quarter. Unfortunately for the Gators, the punt got a great bounce and traveled down to Florida’s 17-yard line. The blocked punt marks the first of the 2023 season.
FULL GAME STATS
QB Graham Mertz: 20-23 passing, 259 yards, 1 TD.
RB Montrell Johnson: 16 carries, 63 yards.
RB Trevor Etienne: 8 carries, 48 yards.
WR Ricky Pearsall: 6 receptions, 104 yards.
WR Caleb Douglas: 4 receptions, 37 yards.
TE Arlis Boardingham: 2 receptions, 31 yards, 1 TD.
DEFENSE
LB Scooby Williams: 7 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF.
LB Shemar James: 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL.
S Jordan Castell: 4 tackles, 1 TFL.
LB Derek Wingo: 1 PBU
EDGE Kelby Collins: 3 tackles, .5 sacks, .5 TFL.
DT Caleb Banks: 2 tackles, .1 sack, 1 TFL.
S Bryce Thornton: 2 tackles, .5 sacks, .5 TFL.
OLB Princely Umanmielen: two tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 4 QBH
TOTAL OFFENSE: 22 points, 395 yards.
TOTAL DEFENSE: 7 points, 210 yards.