One of college football’s marquee Week 1 matchups lived up to its billing Saturday night as Florida outlasted No. 7 Utah 29-26 in The Swamp to begin Gators coach Billy Napier’s tenure with a statement victory over the reigning Pac-12 champions. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson put the Gators ahead on a 2-yard touchdown run with 1:25 remaining before linebacker Amari Burney intercepted star Utah QB Cameron Rising in the end zone with 17 seconds left to seal the victory.
In a game that went back and forth all night, Richardson stood out as the star both through the air and on the ground by repeatedly making clutch plays with his arm and legs. Making his first career home start in his hometown of Gainesville, Florida, the sophomore finished 17 of 24 passing for 168 yards, adding 103 yards rushing and three touchdowns on the ground. In addition to his go-ahead run in the final two minutes, his 45-yard touchdown scamper in the second quarter put Florida ahead 14-13 entering halftime.
Rising produced an impressive outing of his own, but could not lead the Utes to a game-tying field goal or potential game-wining touchdown on the final drive. Florida running back Montrell Johnson Jr. added 77 yards rushing on 12 carriers and a fourth-quarter touchdown, redeeming himself after a costly fumble on the Gators’ first drive of the game.
Utah entered the season with College Football Playoff aspirations, but those met early peril at the hands of a hungry Florida team that looked poised to put last season’s 6-7 record in the past as the Napier era gets underway.
What did we learn from the Gators’ dramatic victory over the Utes? Let’s break down three takeaways from Saturday night’s game.
Richardson is a star
Johnson and true freshman Trevor Etienne provided substantive contributions on the ground, and Arizona State transfer receiver Ricky Pearsall looked good in his debut, but Richardson was the clear MVP for the Gators. After fighting for the starting job last season with Emory Jones, who has since transferred to Arizona State, Richardson looked like one of the 2022 season’s potential breakout stars.
Though his three touchdown runs stood out, his 2-point conversion pass with 12:48 remaining may have been the play of the game. Richardson eluded a pair of pass rushers with a pump fake that bought him enough time to find Ja’Quavion Fraziars with a strike in the corner of the end zone.
The play put Florida ahead 22-19. Without the 2-point conversion, a mere field goal may have been enough to put Utah ahead in the final seconds, and Rising would likely have never taken the shot to the end zone that resulted in Burney’s game-clinching interception.
Utah’s new ceiling
Throughout the offseason, Utah was anointed the Pac-12’s best hope of snapping a CFP drought that dates to 2016. After going toe to toe with Ohio State in a Rose Bowl loss to cap the 2021 season, the Utes brought back 14 starters to one of the nation’s most-established programs under 18th-year coach Kyle Whittingham.
While a Week 1 loss doesn’t altogether eliminate Utah from CFP contention, it removes any margin for error and makes the task seem particularly daunting. However, Utah started 1-2 last season with losses to BYU and San Diego State and still managed to win the Pac-12.
With Oregon, USC and Washington all breaking in new head coaches, the Utes still have an excellent opportunity to repeat as conference champions. Once again, however, there’s little benefit of the doubt for a Pac-12 favorite when it comes to the playoff picture. With Utah’s loss, the conference is 1-8 against SEC teams in Week 1 over the last 11 seasons. Pac-12 teams were also ranked in seven of those eight losses.
Burney’s redemption
Florida’s defense looked improved under new co-coordinators Patrick Toney and Sean Spencer following Todd Grantham’s lackluster tenure in the role under previous head coach Dan Mullen. However, Utah had consistent success finding tight end Brant Kuithe, who finished with nine catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Often times, it was Burney who was matched up with Kuithe, a three-time All-Pac 12 performer. However, any shortcomings from the senior linebacker’s performance were more than atoned for with his game-saving interception. The fifth-year senior will be remembered as a hero for his diving snag with the game on the line.