Wisconsin transfer QB Graham Mertz is set to make his first start against an SEC opponent when the Tennessee Volunteers travel to Gainesville in week three.
“I think I played every other conference, if I’m correct on that. I think I played everybody else,” Mertz said on whether this is his first start against an SEC team. “I’m definitely excited. First SEC game in the Swamp. I know the place will be rocking.”
Mertz’s 526 passing yards through his first two career games at Florida ranks second in team history behind Shane Matthews’ 599 in 1990. They are the only two UF QBs to eclipse 300 passing yards in their Gators debut.
Mertz opened his UF career with back-to-back games with a completion percentage about 70% after completing 14 of 17 (82.4%) against McNeese State. Mertz has completed 73.8% of his passes (45-61) after two games.
“I think the biggest thing for me is I don’t really think in numerical percentages,” Mertz said on his goal for the season. “I play my best and we play our best when we’re executing, moving the ball. That sounds so cliché, but that’s how I think of it. I don’t go into a game saying I’m going to throw 80%. That will all come when we handle business. For me it’s all about the process, all about execution. If I’m doing my job, that will come.”
“I think it just comes down to playing quarterback,” Mertz said on his accuracy. “Understanding the look you’re getting, understanding the weakness of the look on defense. My job is to attack that weakness, find it and attack it every single play.”
After scoring a touchdown on the first seven drives against McNeese State, Mertz and this Gators’ offense are looking to build off that with an SEC defense coming into town.
“I think it’s great. Like I said, I think we got to build on it,” Mertz said on Florida’s offensive success in week two. “I think the tape was good in the sense where you saw guys executing their job. That’s a good opportunity to build on your confidence, so…I think when you get out there and you’re executing, moving the ball, that definitely sets us up in a great spot for this week to build on it.”
Even though this is Mertz’s first year as a Gator, Napier and the staff have educated the team on the history of Florida’s rivalry games.
“One thing I truly appreciate is the second we got here, it was something we talked about, rivalry games, what it means, the history behind it,” Mertz said on his appreciation for Florida’s rivalry games. “My notebook was filled just with the history of it. I mean, I think any time you get into a week like this, it’s bigger than just this team. It’s the Florida Gators, and that’s everybody, fans, coaches, families, people that have played here.”
“What you see when you watch those games is the passion and the love for this place,” Mertz added. “I think that’s one thing that the current players, we saw that. You definitely want to embody that. Not only rivalry games, but every game. I think any time you get a chance to watch a game like that, games played in the past, it’s very exciting.”
Mertz is confident that the Gators’ offense can push the ball down the field with explosive plays, something they will need to accomplish in week three.
“I think we definitely have the skill players to push the ball down the field. I know we’re going to. It’s not really a concern of mine,” Mertz said during Monday’s press conference. “We’re fully capable of pushing the ball down the field.”
Among players with at least 60 passing attempts, Mertz’s 153.7 passing efficiency ranks 13th among P5 quarterbacks. Mertz is looking to build off two solid performances to start the 2023 season against a Tennessee Volunteer defense that currently ranks 46th in the FBS in passing defense.