Are the Florida Gators back? It may be too soon to conclude that, but the 2022 season opener was a fantastic start for first-year head coach Billy Napier’s squad (after Florida went 6-7 last season).
Florida took down No. 7 Utah 29-26 on Saturday night in The Swamp.
It appeared that the Utes would win the game or at the very least send it to overtime in the final seconds. But on 2nd-and-goal from the six-yard line, Utah quarterback Cameron Rising was intercepted in the end zone by Florida’s Amari Burney.
FLORIDA GOAL-LINE INT TO KNOCK OFF NO. 7 UTAH! 🏈🐊 pic.twitter.com/CLNTgnYQey
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 4, 2022
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson put his dual-threat ability on full display, particularly with his skills as a ball-carrier. Richardson rushed for 104 yards and three touchdowns over 11 carries.
Richardson had a 45-yard touchdown run to give Florida the lead in the second quarter.
🚨👀Rumble, young man, rumble. Anthony Richardson streaks down the sideline for a 45-yard touchdown to put Florida ahead 14-13 on No. 7 Utah. #Gators pic.twitter.com/1gB7B8vubh
— OnlyGators.com: Florida Gators news (@onlygators) September 4, 2022
And he had what would serve as the game-winning rushing touchdown with 1:25 remaining.
Florida takes a 29-26 lead over No. 7 Utah!
Gators QB Anthony Richardson has 3 rushing touchdowns and 104 rushing yards. 🏈🐊 pic.twitter.com/4y9gbNZPxt
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 4, 2022
Additionally, he made an absolutely ridiculous play as a passer on a two-point conversion.
The fake-jump-pass is an absolutely electric move from Anthony Richardson pic.twitter.com/uKZ9c8uXfY
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 4, 2022
The Gators follow this up with another home game against a ranked opponent when the No. 20 Kentucky Wildcats visit The Swamp next Saturday.
As for Utah, is a crushing loss for its College Football Playoff hopes. There are only two ranked games on the schedule for the Utes (and No. 11 Oregon will fall after Saturday’s blowout loss), and zero against teams currently ranked in the top-10. There’s little room for error, and there don’t appear to be many opportunities for wins that really boost the Utes’ CFP resume. Utah should at least be rooting for Florida to prove to be a legitimately good team so that this road loss doesn’t look so bad in the end.
The college football world has had plenty to say about Florida’s win and Utah’s loss.
Billy Napier on Anthony Richardson: "My wife can call plays with that guy at quarterback." #Gators
— OnlyGators.com: Florida Gators news (@onlygators) September 4, 2022
The #Gators have won 33-consecutive home openers. Tops in the country.
— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) September 4, 2022
WHAT AN ENDING TO UTAH-FLORIDA
Games like this is what college football is all about. I missed this time of the year so much.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) September 4, 2022
🐊 @GatorsFB takes down No. 7 Utah in Gainesville pic.twitter.com/YFwyEVincf
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 4, 2022
Anthony Richardson pic.twitter.com/x4xXtiJeSu
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 4, 2022
Anthony Richardson vs. Will Levis in the Swamp next week
The body is ready
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) September 4, 2022
Heartbreaking loss for #Utah. Terrible pick in a crowded end zone when a chip shot FG would’ve tied it. Forgettable day for the PAC-12, to say the very least.
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) September 4, 2022
Florida 29, Utah 26
Stupendous game. #Pac12 paths to CFP are narrow:
– Utah runs table
– USC finishes w/ 0-1 Ls(Unless a 2-loss team actually makes it this year)
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) September 4, 2022
*Whispers* Umm, are the PAC 12’s CFB Playoff hopes already on life support?
#11 Oregon loses 49-3 to Georgia.
#7 Utah loses to unranked Florida.— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 4, 2022
