The Florida Gators made a statement in Gainesville on Saturday night. It wasn’t always easy, and it wasn’t always pretty, but the Gators got out alive. Billy Napier became the first UF head coach to beat a ranked team in his Gators debut after a 29-26 win over the #7 Utah Utes.
The night got started with a beautiful drive by the Gators that ended with an unfortunate fumble on Montrell Johnson’s first career carry as a Florida Gator. Johnson could have let this affect his play for the rest of the night, but he didn’t. Johnson bounced back for an impressive performance, totaling 75 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Johnson also added one reception for 14 yards.
The Gators and Utes went back and forth all night long. There were six lead changes, the largest lead of the night was Utah by six points, and Utah was six yards away from a victory before the game sealing interception by Amari Burney. I don’t think you could have drawn up a closer game.
Florida couldn’t have won this game without Anthony Richardson. Richardson only threw for 168 yards, but he impacted the game more than anybody else. Richardson was the best player on the field last night. He added 106 yards rushing with three touchdowns, including an impressive 45-yard TD run to give the Gators their first lead of the game in the 2nd quarter.
But perhaps the most important play Richardson made last night was his dazzling two-point conversion in the 4th quarter, giving the Gators a 22-19 lead. Richardson was able to shake off two Utah defenders and look up to find a wide open Ja’Quavion Fraziars in the corner of the endzone.
That play ended up being the difference maker, as the Utes could have just kicked a field goal late in the 4th quarter, instead of going for the touchdown.
You could pinpoint 50 plays that changed the outcome of the game, that’s how close this game was, and that’s the beauty of it.
Utah’s tight end Brant Kuithe is a baller. He went for 105 yards and a touchdown on nine catches. Amari Burney said after the game that Utah’s two tight ends will be the best they face all season.
Utah also had success running the football. Tavion Thomas ran the ball 23 times for 115 yards and a score.
Utah put together a very good game plan and their offensive line impressed me all night. Most teams get phased by the environment in the Swamp, the Utes were not. Utah knew that running the football and getting the ball out quickly to their tight ends was the key to success. Utah executed their game plan, but the Gators did too.
There were several Gators that shined in their debuts. Freshman running back Trevor Etienne totaled 64 yards on just five carries. He also added two catches for nine yards. Ricky Pearsall had a solid game as well, leading the Gators in receiving with 67 yards on four catches.
The theme in this game was trust. Johnson fumbled on his first carry as a Gator, and Napier went back to him 11 more times. Etienne fumbled on the final drive of the game and landed on it, Napier went back to him. Devin Moore was in on the final series and final defensive play for the Gators. The trust that Napier had in this offense and Anthony Richardson to milk the clock on the final drive before scoring the touchdown was impressive. The Utes had just 1:25 left on the clock.
It was a breath of fresh air watching Napier play freshman that deserve to be playing. Napier has proven this over and over again. If you are good enough to be playing in the game, you will be, it’s as simple as that.
Napier displayed emotion in his post-game press conference, the most I’ve seen since he started here. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, Napier doesn’t take his time at the University of Florida for granted.
“Can you believe they pay us to do this,” Napier said.
If you aren’t on the Billy Napier train by now, you may need to jump on. Napier has laid out the blueprint for the Gators, they just needed to trust in him and follow it. The Gators did exactly that on Saturday night.