A season of transition began on Saturday night in the Swamp. The No. 13 Gators have a new starting quarterback, a set of offensive playmakers adjusting to increased roles, new starters at defensive tackle and defensive back, and three new coaches.
The offense is transitioning away from the throw-it-40-times-per-game approach they used with Kyle Trask to a more balanced, read-option-based attack led by Emory Jones.
After generating headlines for all of the wrong reasons in 2020, UF’s defense is expected to carry the team at times this season.
And it’s a transition into a more normal game day experience inside the Swamp, with no capacity or tailgating restrictions.
This season filled with so much uncertainty started off with a largely underwhelming win, as UF defeated Florida Atlantic, 35-14.
Here is our instant recap.
How the game was won
This one was over quickly.
The Gators went up-tempo and drove 75 yards on 11 plays on their opening possession. Emory Jones connected with Jacob Copeland over the middle of the field for 15 yards to convert a third-and-long early in the drive. A few plays later, Malik Davis broke loose for a 31-yard gain around the right side.
Dameon Pierce capped the drive by scoring on a two-yard run on an option pitch from Jones.
The Owls were able to advance into UF territory on their first drive, but a penalty and a slip in the backfield derailed them.
Jones then led the Gators right back down the field for another score. Jones scrambled for 23 yards on a third-and-7 to get them into FAU territory, and he finished things off by throwing a 9-yard touchdown to Rick Wells. It was Wells’ first career touchdown.
Florida was never threatened for the remainder of the game.
Player of the Game
Malik Davis
It was a frustrating night on offense for the most part, but Davis turned in the best game of his career. He rushed 14 times for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Davis displayed outstanding discipline and patience, and he turned on the jets for a couple of long runs.
All offseason, his teammates and coaches raved about how he’s back to playing with the same confidence and quickness that made him a standout freshman in 2017 but seemed to be lacking the past two seasons after a pair of major injuries.
It appears that they were correct. Davis looked like his old self against the Owls.
Play of the Game
On second-and-2 from the UF 27, quarterback Anthony Richardson read a zone-read play perfectly and pulled the ball out of the running back’s belly.
He evaded one defender and sprinted down the far sideline untouched for a 73-yard touchdown to make it 35-7.
With Jones struggling with his decision-making and accuracy in the passing game, you’ve got to wonder if the door is now cracked for Richardson to claim the starting job.
Stat of the Game
400/8.7
Those are UF’s rushing yardage total and yards-per-carry average, respectively.
UF’s offensive line was far from perfect. They had trouble generating push up the middle at times, and that forced the Gators into some long-distance situations.
But, thanks to Davis’ career night and the running ability of Jones and Richardson, the final stats looked pretty darn good.
By the middle of the third quarter, they had more rushing yards than they had in any game last season. You’ll take that kind of production every time out.
Up next
The Gators (1-0) hit the road next Saturday for a game at South Florida. The Bulls opened their season by getting crushed 45-0 by NC State on Thursday. Kickoff from Raymond James Stadium is at 1.