The Quick Slant: Instant Analysis of Florida's 61-13 Win Over New Mexico State
Sunday, September 6, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida fans arrived at The Swamp on Saturday night wanting to see how the Gators looked under first-year head coach Jim McElwain.
They liked what they saw. They saw the Gators score eight touchdowns, roll up 606 yards of total offense and dominate New Mexico State in a 61-13 victory.
Florida won its season opener for the 26th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the nation following Nebraska's loss to BYU on Saturday. The Cornhuskers had won 29 consecutive openers until a BYU Hail Mary beat them.
Here is our instant analysis from Saturday's Florida-New Mexico State game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium:
THE QUICK SLANT
WHAT IT MEANS: The Gators took advantage of the momentum they gained from McElwain's hire and a positive offseason and carried it onto the field with a convincing victory. They made big plays, played efficiently on offense and limited the Aggies to 200 yards of total offense. Overall, the script played out perfectly for the Gators on a warm and humid September night.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Treon Harris and Will Grier. Who else? Harris started the game at quarterback and went 7-for-7 with a touchdown pass before Grier made his first career appearance. Grier then played the second quarter and much of the third, completing 15 of 17 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns. If this is the way these guys play in a quarterback battle, McElwain might not want to name a starter. Overall, Harris (14 of 19, 215 yards, 2 TDs) and Grier (15 of 17, 164 yards, 2 TDs) played superbly and McElwain said the plan next week likely will be to use both players again.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Fourteen Gators caught at least one pass Saturday, led by Demarcus Robinson's five catches for 32 yards. Running back Kelvin Taylor's 43-yard catch was the longest, followed by a 37-yard touchdown catch by Brandon Powell from Harris for the game's first score. That's called spreading the ball around.
SUBPLOT: The Gators offense has been stagnant in recent years. That's the diplomatic way to say it. McElwain is an offensive coach known for developing quarterbacks and running versatile offenses. If the first game is any indication, he came as advertised. The Gators passed for 382 yards, rushed for 224 and scored four touchdowns on the ground and four through the air. Oh, and the defense did what it usually does.
UP NEXT: The Gators host East Carolina next week in a rematch of the Birmingham Bowl eight months ago, won by Florida 28-20.
