Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida fans anticipated Saturday night similar to how Apple enthusiasts chatter on message boards for weeks every time the high-tech company is about to release the latest iPhone or MacBook.

On a night UF head coach Billy Napier made his debut, the Gators re-introduced Anthony Richardson, this time firmly as QB1.

They did so against No. 7-ranked Utah at packed Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and in front of the largest season-opening crowd (90,799) in school history.

How did it go?

If Richardson were a tech gadget instead of flesh and bone, every store in town would have a line Sunday morning to buy one.

Following an offseason in which Napier did his best to quiet the hype surrounding the dynamic third-year sophomore, Richardson put on a show that had fans buzzing along University Avenue in the aftermath of Florida's 29-26 victory over the Utes.

The Orange & Blue were not alone.

Former Alabama quarterback and media analyst Greg McElroy had this to say on Twitter: Anthony Richardson is the closest thing I've seen to Vince Young in a LONG time.

High praise? Definitely. Hyperbole? Possibly. Irrational? Certainly not.



It's safe to say that Richardson's Heisman Trophy odds will improve significantly this week simply because he lived up to so much of the preseason hype. Richardson rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns and passed for a career-high 168 yards.

He did it under pressure, too.

The Gators got behind early when the Utes recovered a fumble by newcomer Montrell Johnson Jr. and turned it into a touchdown and early 7-0 lead. The Gators never flinched with Richardson doing most of the jabbing.

"The one thing I can tell you about Anthony is he's sitting in that locker room right now, and he's thinking about the six or eight plays where he could've done a little bit better,'' Napier said. "That's what I love about him. He's very critical of himself. We all know the kid's got physical talent. We've known that for a long time."

Richardson turned in a memorable performance with more than a dozen family members in the stands, making the short trip across town to watch the former Gainesville Eastside star make his first career start at The Swamp. Richardson responded with clutch play after clutch play when the Gators needed him most.

He scored on runs of 2, 45 and 2 yards. His last scoring run put the Gators ahead at 1:25 left in the game. Utah threatened to spoil Richardson's special night until Gators linebacker Amari Burney intercepted Utes quarterback Cameron Rising in the end zone with 17 seconds left.

"It was different,'' Richardson said of the final scoring drive, a 14-play, 75-yard march with the Gators down 26-22. "Coach Nape told me, 'I'm going to try to score right here. A game-winner.' My heart kind of froze. I'd never really heard those words. Especially in a situation like that. With a crowd as big as that.

"I was thinking a lot. Just having the ball in my hands. I feel like the team trusts me. The coaches trust me to make a play, make something happen. I'm glad they trust me for that."

Napier and offensive coordinator Rob Sale devised a game plan that kept things simple for Richardson, and they called for ample help in the running game as Johnson (75 yards), Trevor Etienne (64) and Nay'Quan Wright (39) combined for 178 yards. Most importantly, Richardson did not commit a turnover.

In his only other career start, a loss to Georgia last season, Richardson threw two interceptions and lost a fumble.

Richardson did everything the Gators needed him to do Saturday, including a highlight-reel fake on a two-point conversion that resulted in a scoring pass to receiver Ja'Quavion Fraziars that put the Gators in front 22-19 early in the fourth quarter. On the play, Richardson used a ball fake to avoid his former Gators teammate, Utah linebacker Mohamoud Diabate, and spun away to avoid Lander Barton before throwing to a wide-open Fraziars in the back corner of the end zone.

Oohs and aahs reverberated around the stadium as soon as the play unfolded.

Richardson's teammates were not surprised. "Anthony's biggest growth, in my opinion, has been his leadership role,'' defensive tackle Gervon Dexter said. "He's always had the ability that you guys are seeing now. It's just the biggest thing is he's stepping up as a leader and not just leading by example, but now he's become a vocal leader on the team and letting us know what's good and what's wrong and what's right."

Richardson did a lot right against the Utes, helping ensure Napier didn't become the first Gators head coach to lose his first game since Charley Pell 43 years ago.

He joined Tim Tebow (twice) and Jesse Palmer (once) as the only Gators quarterbacks since 1996 to rush for at least three touchdowns and pass for 150 yards in a game. He rushed for 100 yards in the season opener for the second consecutive season, albeit under much different circumstances.

Richardson even made his first career tackle which Napier could probably have lived without. But above all else, Richardson flashed much of the promise others believe he can deliver on regularly.

If he does, the hype is only going to get louder. The wins could pile up, too. That's a win-win for Napier and the Gators.

"Heck, my wife could call plays with that guy at quarterback,'' Napier said. "I think we're figuring out here that this guy's a pretty special player."

More than 90,000 witnesses Saturday can attest to that.