After his season-opening heroics against Utah, Gene Frenette writes, Anthony Richardson is showing Gators fans why the preseason hype was justified.
Statistically, Florida and Utah played to a virtual draw, but Richardson and the Gators’ defense in two big moments provided the edge.
Nobody made more plays than Richardson, who led four touchdown drives and also had a highlight-reel, two-point conversion pass to put the Gators up 22-19 with 12:48 left in the game. Richardson superbly avoided a sack by Lander Barton, then found a wide open Ja’Quavion Fraziars at the back of the end zone.
After Utah regained the lead 26-22 on a Thomas 4-yard TD run, Richardson responded by leading the Gators on a 75-yard scoring march, which included a 20-yard run by freshman Trevor Etienne that ended with him recovering his own fumble. "We all know the kid has got the physical talent. We've known that for a long time, but what's impressed me is his work ethic, his discipline, his detail. He's a good teammate. He's a great example. He's selfless. This kid has been in the spotlight for a long time. You may worry that that would affect him. I think that's made him a better person."
Meanwhile, Richardson and the Gators turned all three of their red-zone chances into touchdowns. Florida’s other score came on a 45-yard TD scramble by Richardson, giving the Gators a 14-13 halftime lead, as Utah’s defense left the entire left sideline area vacant while in man-to-man pass coverage.
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