The Gators walk across Florida Field after arriving at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sunday morning for the game against Eastern Washington. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath/UAA Communications)
Game Day: Florida vs Eastern Washington (SEC Network+, noon)
Sunday, October 2, 2022 | Football, Chris Harry
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By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The last time the Florida Gators took the field they lost a big Southeastern Conference game to a big rival. The last time they stepped out of conference play they almost got stepped on, but snuck by with a victory. The last time they were supposed to play Eastern Washington, the game got swept away by COVID.
And the last time the Gators played on a Sunday was 1977.
So this next game — when Florida (2-2) takes on Eastern Washington (1-2) Sunday at noon at Spurrier/Florida Field — will be about the Gators trying to square up some speed bumps while making a little quirky history.
[Read senior writer Scott Carter's comprehensive "Opening Kickoff" preview here]
The uncertainty of Hurricane Ian necessitated the game be pushed back 24 hours, from noon Saturday to Sunday. That decision was made earlier in the week, which threw a bunch of folks off schedule to the point that each of the last few days (admit it, you too) felt like Friday.
As for today — as in Sunday — it's going to feel like Saturday for UF fans, as they watch the Gators and Eagles butt heads, while the NFL is doing the same during their game. Weird.
Eastern Washington, FCS-classified and out of the Big Sky Conference, will be playing its second power conference opponent. The first time didn't go very well, with the Eagles blasted 70-14 by Oregon. They also beat Tennessee State 36-29 in their season opener and last week were defeated 38-35 by Montana State.
Eastern Washington quarterback Gunner Talkington
EWU ranks 77th among the nation's FCS teams in total offense (336.7 yards per game) and 121st in total defense, with the latter statistic looking like an invite to another stat game for UF quarterback Anthony Richardson. Eagles quarterback Gunner Talkington has passed for 636 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. Their best running back is Micah Smith with 162 yards and two scores.
Richardson, of course, is coming off a record-setting performance in Florida's 38-33 defeat last week at 11th-ranked Tennessee. His 515 yards of total offense (453 and two TDs passing, 62 and two TD rushing) were the most by a UF player against a SEC team in program history.
But the Florida defense also gave up 576 yards and failed to force a punt, so there's work to do on that side the ball. Lots of work.
Anyway, things figure to be different this game.
It's also Sunday, which is very different.
Kickoff is set for noon on SEC Network+, with Drew Carter on play-by-play, Aaron Murray providing analysis and Monica Uber working the sidelines. For directions on how to watch the game via stream click here. For radio and television broadcast info, click here. The game will be replayed Wednesday at noon on SEC Network. The Learfield Gator IMG Sports Network coverage, with Sean Kelly and Shane Matthews in the booth, and Tate Casey on the sidelines, will begin at 9 a.m.
Finally, follow FloridaGators.com senior writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) on Twitter for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete coverage content from the game late Saturday night and fresh follow-up content Sunday, also.
