Redshirt freshmen quarterback Max Brown entered Florida’s week 12 game against Missouri late in the third quarter following a collarbone injury to starter Graham Mertz. Brown played as well as anyone could have expected in his first significant snaps at the collegiate level, completing 4-5 passes for 56 yards while adding 42 rushing yards on 7 attempts. After a fumble on his opening drive, Brown led Florida to back-to-back scores in the 4th quarter, giving the Gators the lead with 1:36 remaining.
“I think Max kind of did what I thought he would do,” Billy Napier said on Brown’s performance in week 12. “I think Max is a competitor. He’s got a level of belief in himself. He’s always been a very confident guy. And for the most part, I think we had the one ball exchange, the ball-handling issue be. Outside of that, he did what he was supposed to do.”
Florida found plenty of success on the ground with Brown at quarterback, totaling 113 rushing yards in just over a quarter of play. Not only did Brown gain 42 yards on his own, but his athleticism and threat to run allowed the Gators to successfully run the read option. Opposing edge rushers had to respect Brown’s ability to run, which opened things up for the Gators’ offense.
“I think we changed gears a little bit there to try help him out,” Napier said on the play calling with Brown in the game.
While Brown didn’t show us too much in the passing game, he didn’t look lost or uncomfortable and made several critical throws including a 4th and four conversion on a slant route.
“Critical fourth-down throw into a tight window. And then he threw a nice ball on the outside on the double move,” Napier said on Brown’s passing game. “So first plays in there he throws a strike to Ricky on the naked. So he did a lot of good things. He’s been working hard since the first day he’s gotten here. He’s improved.”
Brown is set to make his first career start against FSU in week 13.
“I think ultimately we just have to play a brand of football that relative to Max and his experience, what he knows and what he’s got confidence in. I think we’ve still got to feature the players that we know are important each week,” Napier said on the gameplan under Brown. “But ultimately every offense I’ve ever been a part of starts with what the quarterback can do well. So that will be part of the plan.”
“Every offense that you have evolves based off what the quarterback is really good at. And certainly Max is a little bit different type of player,” Napier said on Monday.
While Saturday’s game will be a huge moment for the second-year quarterback, he’s not in this alone.
“He’s got good connection and camaraderie with the players,” Napier said on Brown. “So I think they see him every day. They know who he is and what he’s capable of.”
One player that has already reached out to Brown is veteran receiver Ricky Pearsall.
“I already have,” Pearsall said on if he’s going to talk to Brown. “I told him, I woke up this morning and texted him: 1 is always open. That’s first thing I did.”
“He brings that energy,” Pearsall said on Brown. “I think all the guys rally behind him because of the energy he gives off. He’s a natural leader. He obviously has that running for himself. And then I think he has really good arm talent. I do, I think he has really good arm talent.”
Both UF and FSU will trot out backup quarterbacks in their week 13 as Seminoles starting QB Jordan Travis also suffered a season ending injury. The Gators and Noles are set to clash at 7:00 PM EST on Saturday.