Florida Gators football

Everything you need to know before Florida vs. Utah, Billy Napier's first game with the Gators.

Utah](https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-billy-napier-understand-tough-task-utah-utes-tenure-opener) [Key matchups for Week 1](https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-utah-utes-key-matchups-week-1-anthony-richardson) [Takeaways from UF's first depth chart](https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-first-depth-chart-takeaways-utah-billy-napier)... [...and Utah's depth chart](https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-football-five-observations-utah-utes-depth-chart-2022) [Billy Napier shares Gators' injury report](https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-injury-report-utah-utes-ricky-pearsall-jason-marshall) [Gators' position battles expected to carry into the season](https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-billy-napier-previews-depth-chart-competition) [SI: How desperate is Florida for a quick turnaround?](https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-si-desperate-quick-turnaround-billy-napier-2022) Utes](https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-recruiting-visitors-list-utah-cedric-baxter-cormani-mcclain) [Who are the Gators' captains for the season-opener?](https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-football-team-captains-season-opener-utah-utes-2022) [Billy Napier, Gators understand tough task ahead vs. 19 freshmen (redshirt and true) can be found across Florida's depth chart, with 13 labeled as co-second-teamers or higher standing. 7 squad in the nation entering 2022 that returns ample experienced talent on both sides of the ball. Each of their first games at UF came against lower-level programs from the Sun Belt and Big South Conferences. Utah](https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-utah-utes-x-factor-quarterback-anthony-richardson-2022) [Visitors list of recruits attending Gators vs. Utah](https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-utah-utes-picks-predictions-2022-billy-napier) [Anthony Richardson is Florida's X-Factor vs. The Florida Gators are set to host the No. 19, 1977, at Florida Field. The over/under is set at 51.5 points. Series history: Florida leads, 1-0.

The Utah Utes make the long trip to the southeast where they will face off against the SEC powerhouse Florida Gators in a Week 1 college football showdown ...

[](https://www.directv.com/) [How to watch DAZN on your TV: What is it, what does it cost and include? You can also get this game on [Hulu + Live](https://www.hulu.com/live-tv/) (free trial) or [Sling TV](https://www.sling.com/programming/sports/college-football) (promotional offers) if you are out of fuboTV trials, or simply prefer those platforms and their pricing plans. • What: The No. 7 ranked Utah Utes will put their lofty ranking on the line today. The Utes make one of the longest road trips for any team during the first week of action when they take on an SEC powerhouse in the Florida Gators at “The Swamp” in a Week 1 college football showdown kicking off on Saturday, September 3 at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. [watch this game live for FREE with DirecTV Stream ](https://www.directv.com/stream/)(free trial) or [with fuboTV](https://www.fubo.tv/stream/college-football/?irad=399332&irmp=1810043) (free trial). • You can Cameron Rising and the No.

The Gators open the Billy Napier era with the No. 7 Utes inside The Swamp.

The Gators outgained the Utes 248-134 in the first half. Utah added a couple field goals in the second quarter, leading by six before Florida scored the late touchdown to take the lead at the break. The explosive run from Richardson was his second score of the night, and it highlighted the first two quarters of a tightly contested game as first-year Gators coach Billy Napier made his debut on the sideline.

Find out how to watch, live stream or TV channel and game time information for the College Football matchup between the Florida Gators and the Utah Utes on ...

He also added 499 rushing yards on 74 carries with six rushing touchdowns (averaging 35.6 yards per game). He bagged 52 receptions for 514 yards and three touchdowns. Utah at Florida Florida Players to Watch - Tavion Thomas went to work last year, rushing for 1,108 yards on 204 carries (79.1 yards per game) and scoring 21 touchdowns. Pledger racked up 694 rushing yards on 104 carries (49.6 yards per game) and six touchdowns last season. - Utah committed two more turnovers last year (15) than Florida forced (13). Keep reading below for all the info you need, which includes Utah Players to Watch - Utah scored 36.1 points per game last season, 9.3 more than Florida gave up. Utah and Florida Stats How to Watch Florida vs.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Some folks who crunch college football data circulated a chart earlier in the week that listed the nation's programs with the most ...

Also, check out the "1st & 10 Pre-Game Show," hosted by Kyle Crooks via the Florida Gators Football YouTube site, starting at 6 p.m. Defining underclassmen as true freshmen, redshirt freshmen and sophomores, the University of Utah in eighth among power-five conferences with a whopping 86 such players (out of roster of 115, including walk-ons). The Gator IMG Sports Network coverage, with Sean Kelly and Shane Matthews in the booth, and Tate Casey on the sidelines, will begin at 4 p.m. The game will be replayed Thursday on SEC Network at 7 p.m. CHARTING THE GATORS UF very well could be forced into some difficult passing situations, which is where Richardson is the most untested. [ on these affiliates](https://floridagators.com/news/2022/9/1/football-broadcast-info-florida-vs-utah.aspx) Richardson and company will be looking at a defense with six starters back from a unit that finished 27th in the country last season (341.6 yards per game), including 19th against the run (121.6 per, best in the Pac-12). — Some folks who crunch college football data circulated a chart earlier in the week that listed the nation's programs with the most underclassmen. on SEC Network, with Bob Wischusen on play-by-play, Dan Orlovsky providing analysis and Kris Budden working the sidelines. Look for heavy doses Top 25 poll in Brigham Young (19th), San Diego State (25th) and Ohio State (6th) in the Rose Bowl, with the fourth coming against Oregon State (which finished 7-6).

The Billy Napier era in Gainesville officially begins Saturday night at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The first-year Florida football coach faces an immediate ...

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Utah Utes defensive end Jonah Elliss (83) causes Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (2) to fumble in the first half at Steve Spurrier Field at ...

Gainesville, Fla. • The University of Utah defense was perpetually one play away Saturday night against the University of Florida.

The defense yielded 248 total first-half yards, a number that included four plays of at least 14 yards, all of it coming on the ground. Florida spent the first half in full control in front of a full-throated, raucous crowd to watch first-year head coach Billy Napier’s debut. The Utes were 3-for-3 on third down on the drive, including the Thomas touchdown, and a timely 14-yard completion from Rising to Kuithe on third-and-6. Utah’s two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving it with a 19-14 lead going to the fourth quarter. Trailing, 14-13, the Utes, a run-first, often-smashmouth outfit, got stuffed on second-and-goal from the 1-yard line, third-and-goal from the 3, and fourth-and-goal at the 1. On second-and-goal from the 6-yard line, Utah’s Cam Rising was intercepted in the end zone by linebacker Amari Burney, sealing the Gators’ 29-26 win in front of 90,799 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Gainesville, Fla. • The University of Utah defense was perpetually one play away Saturday night against the University of Florida.

The defense yielded 248 total first-half yards, a number that included four plays of at least 14 yards, all of it coming on the ground. Florida spent the first half in full control in front of a full-throated, raucous crowd to watch first-year head coach Billy Napier’s debut. The Utes were 3-for-3 on third down on the drive, including the Thomas touchdown, and a timely 14-yard completion from Rising to Kuithe on third-and-6. Utah’s two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving it with a 19-14 lead going to the fourth quarter. Trailing, 14-13, the Utes, a run-first, often-smashmouth outfit, got stuffed on second-and-goal from the 1-yard line, third-and-goal from the 3, and fourth-and-goal at the 1. On second-and-goal from the 6-yard line, Utah’s Cam Rising was intercepted in the end zone by linebacker Amari Burney, sealing the Gators’ 29-26 win in front of 90,799 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Social Media erupts during the Florida Gators' 29 -26 victory over the No. 8 ranked Utah Utes in Billy Napier's first game as Florida coach.

There were a lot of questions surrounding Florida, however. All of those questions were answered. There was a lot of discussion going into this game.

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson accounted for three touchdowns, passing for 168 yards and rushing for 104 in a 29-26 upset over Utah on Saturday ...

He believes that competitiveness allowed Florida to pull off the upset. A lot of that is because of Richardson, who had 106 yards on the ground. The Gators rushed for 283 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 7.3 yards a carry. The interception marred a solid performance from Rising, who went 22-of-32 for 216 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 91 yards. "We've got work to do. and true freshman [Trevor Etienne](https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/4685350/trevor-etienne), younger brother of Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne. Coach Dan Mullen was fired before the season even ended, as many questioned the direction of the program because the rapid decline seemed to happen so fast. The coaches trust me to make a play, make something happen. Richardson finished with a career-high three rushing touchdowns Saturday after entering the game with three in his career. The fourth-down play, in the last drive. He did everything the Gators needed with one highlight play after another -- from a dazzling 2-point conversion that left multiple defenders lying on the turf, to a huge fourth-and-2 conversion, to the game-winning 2-yard touchdown run with 1:25 remaining. Richardson said he had pregame jitters but worked them out after the first few series.

The Gators have now won 33 straight home openers, the longest active streak in the nation.

The fifth-year senior will be remembered as a hero for his diving snag with the game on the line. 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. 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. 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 a career-high three touchdowns on the ground. 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. 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.

PAt Dooley gives his six quick off-the-cuff takes tailing the end of the Florida Gators' season-opening win over the Utah Utes.

Johnson came back and had a big game (77 yards on 12 carries) and Florida was able to run for 282 yards and four touchdowns. What a night he had, especially the second half when Florida had only a handful of possessions. Still, the Gators only had 10 plays in the quarter. His third pick of his career – a diving catch in the end zone – not only won the game for Florida but avoided what likely would have been overtime if it had just been an incompletion. Florida was ranked 38th in the preseason AP poll. That will climb after the thrilling 29-26 win over No.

Gators Wire staff chimes in with their quick takes after Florida's big season-opening win over the Utah Utes in Good, bad and Ugly format.

But if the Gators want to take the next step and compete for SEC and national championships, they’re going to need to tighten up and play four quarters of focused and disciplined football. The level of enthusiasm the Gators played with was a far cry from the last half of last year and these are basically the same guys. The running game was night and day compared to previous seasons. While the run game was great overall, putting the ball on the ground was still an issue. Sorry, but an emotional win that ended with an interception in the end zone was exactly the kind of thing the Gator Nation has been waiting for. BAD: When Utah came out in the second half, the swamp was ready to take over the game. And the two-point conversion where he faked the pass rusher out with a pump and then found Ja’Quavion Fraziars all alone in the end zone were awesome plays not many could make. Utah’s Brant Kuithe hauled in nine receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown to lead all pass catchers in the game. The 45-yard touchdown run was a thing of beauty and he ended up with 272 all-purpose yards and three rushing touchdowns. The Gators fell short of that goal with seven penalties in the 136 plays made during this game. Take a look below at each respective member’s immediate reaction to Florida’s big win in the Swamp. However, it was anything but smooth sailing for the Orange and Blue as things got rough on the very first possession.