GAINESVILLE – The Billy Napier era kicks off in Florida as they take down the number 7 Utah Utes in a stunning upset.
With 45 seconds left in the 1st quarter, 1st and goal, Gator quarterback Anthony Richardson ran for a 2-yard touchdown. Then with 1:55 left in the 2nd quarter, Richardson runs for a 45-yard touchdown. At this point, Florida leads 13-14.
With 20 seconds left in the 3rd quarter, Utah’s Micah Bernard takes the pitch in for a 7-yard touchdown. That put Utah up 19-14, but they failed on the 2-point conversion.
At 12:55 in the 4th quarter, 2nd and 1, Montrell Johnson finds an opening for a 14-yard touchdown. Now it’s Richardson’s turn to go for a 2-point conversion, and he finds an easy opening to Ja’Quavion Fraziars. Florida at this point leads 19-22.
At 6:32 in the 4th quarter, 3rd and 1, Tavion Thomas breaks a tackle for a 4-yard touchdown, putting Utah up 26-22.
At 4:03 in the 4th, 3rd and 1, Trevor Etienne runs for a nice gain of 21 yard. Etienne fumbles the ball but is able to recover it midfield.
At 1:29 in the 4th, second and goal, Richardson runs for a 1-yard touchdown, and with an extra point, Florida is up 26-29.
But for Utah, there’s still plenty of game left. With 22 seconds left in the game, they’re right on Florida’s doorstep. On 2nd and goal, on the verge of scoring, Utah quarterback Cameron Rising is picked off by Florida’s Amari Burney in the endzone to seal the win for Florida in a thrilling opener for the Gators.
The final score was 26-29.