Gators quarterback Emory Jones drops backs to pass in Saturday's victory over Samford at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath/UAA Communications)
A Record-Setting Performance During a Roller-Coaster Season for Gators QB Jones
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Quarterback Emory Jones has had a roller-coaster of a season.
From making his first career start to almost defeating then-No.1 Alabama, from losing his job to redshirt freshman Anthony Richardson to taking the job back over, Jones has been through a lot.
Saturday, like several other recent Saturdays, may not have been the most outstanding day for the Florida Gators (5-5). Still, they departed "The Swamp" with their first win in five weeks and Jones was a big reason why.
The Gators trailed Samford by 14 points late in the first half of a game that featured the most combined points ever scored at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Through the support of teammates and his ability to stay focused amidst controversy, Jones carried his team to a 70-52 victory in a record-breaking performance.
He was able to finally take a breath afterward.
"It's been a lot of ups and downs for me," Jones said. "I always stay grinding, never get too high. Never get too low. I have the support of all the guys in the locker room and all the coaching staff. They have my back. They're all rooting for me and that's all I can ask for. They're so supportive of me and I'm blessed to have this locker room."
Down by a touchdown (42-35) at the half, Jones said he and Richardson spoke to that locker room.
"We just have to go out there and execute and keep putting points on the board," Jones said of his message to the team. "I mean. we had to at that time of the game. I was telling them, we get the ball back, so we just have to go and set the tone and go out there and score and that's what we did. Everything worked out for us."
On the way to leading the offense to 70 points and 717 yards of total offense, Jones accounted for 550 yards — the most ever by a Florida player. More than Steve Spurrier, more than Tim Tebow, more than Kyle Trask.
Tebow owned the record (533 against Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl his senior season) for more than a decade until Jones, who finished 28 of 34 passing scorched Samford's defense for 464 yards through the air and 86 rushing Saturday.
Breaking one of Tebow's school records was an achievement he didn't even realize until after the game.
Upon hearing the news, Jones praised his team and the game plan.
"A lot of guys went out there and made plays for me," he said.
Running back Dameon Pierce congratulates quarterback Emory Jones after one of the seven touchdowns Jones accounted for Saturday. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath/UAA Communications)
A fourth-year junior starting for the first time in his career, Jones threw six touchdowns, one shy of tying the single-game school record. Jones made plays with his legs, too, like rushing for a 31-yard touchdown early in the second quarter to tie the game 21-21.
Perhaps most importantly, he led an offense that gave up zero turnovers, a first for Florida this season.
Through the passing game, Jones heavily involved Kemore Gamble. Gamble posted the best performance by a Florida tight end since Kyle Pitts. Gamble's previous career-high was 66 yards, but on Saturday, he nearly doubled that with 122 yards on six receptions.
Gamble complimented Jones for his resilience in dealing with negative feedback online.
"He's had ups and downs this whole season," Gamble said. "He's fighting and he's grown a lot. I think he's been handling it well."
Jones threw the ball to running back Dameon Pierce thrice, who had a combined 126 yards (78 rushing, 48 receiving) and scored three touchdowns.
Pierce has been one of Jones' most vocal supporters throughout the season.
"That's my dog," Pierce said about Jones. "My dog balled today."
After the game, fellow quarterback Richardson also celebrated Jones, tweeting:
Jones said having someone like Richardson sitting next to him every day at meetings and having his back is a blessing.
"His support, it blows my mind sometimes," Jones said.
Before Richardson subbed into the game, Jones said Richardson chased Mullen down after the kickoff to ask him to keep Jones in. Richardson wanted Jones to break the single-game Florida passing record. Jones finished 18 yards short of matching Tebow's 482-yard passing game versus Cincinnati in his final college game.
"I was like, 'Nah, go in there and play ball,' " Jones said. "I'm not really worried about the record."
Sounds like the Jones his teammates have stood by through the good and bad this season.
