Gators quarterback Max Brown is set to make his first career start Saturday night at The Swamp. (Photo: Molly Kaiser/UAA Communications)
Gators vs. Seminoles: Tale of Tape, Backup QBs Edition
Friday, November 24, 2023 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — To put the quarterback matchup Saturday night in the Florida-Florida State game in context, let's use Sir Michael Philip Jagger as our showcase performer.
You likely know him as Mick Jagger, the 80-year-old lead singer of the Rolling Stones, who announced this week an upcoming tour across the U.S. next summer. Let's pretend Jagger develops a sore throat before the final show, and the Stones call on a relative newcomer to take over the mic. The unknown replacement has swagger and fronts a popular garage band with a few local shows in the books, but that's all.
Now, back to Florida Field on Saturday night when the Gators (5-6) host the fifth-ranked Seminoles. Instead of veterans Graham Mertz (43 career starts) and Jordan Travis (38 career starts) directing the offenses, it will be Florida's Max Brown and FSU's Tate Rodemaker.
The Stones could write a song about the unlikeliness of Mertz and Travis being lost for the season due to injuries within a couple of hours of each other a week ago.
It certainly changed the complexion of the 67th all-time meeting between the Gators and Seminoles.
"It's fun to see the players rally around him," Gators head coach Billy Napier said of Brown this week. "You know, I think Max is a player that has the players' respect, his work ethic, the improvement that he's shown."
Brown took over for Mertz in last week's 33-31 loss at Missouri and led the Gators on a pair of scoring drives in the fourth quarter, finishing 4 of 5 for 56 yards. He added 47 yards rushing to keep the offense moving.
"Max is a competitor,'' Napier said. "He's got a belief in himself." FSU quarterback Tate Rodemaker in last week's relief outing against North Alabama. (Photo: Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat via USA TODAY Sports)
Meanwhile, Brown is a novice compared to Rodemaker, who at least has one career start.
He replaced Travis in last week's win over North Alabama and finished 13 of 23 for 217 yards and two touchdowns in FSU's 58-13 win over North Alabama.
Seminoles coach Mike Norvell is confident that Rodemaker has what it takes to keep FSU in the College Football Playoff Chase despite his limited experience and the loss of the dynamic Travis.
"He has been preparing all season," Norvell said. "A few weeks ago, in my office, we had a one-on-one just talking about being prepared in case the moment ever calls for you. Tate does a great job in his preparation. He's a wonderful teammate. Our guys have a lot of confidence in Tate because they watch him practice every day. They know the talent. They know the ability."
Whatever happens on Saturday night at The Swamp, the Stones have a song worthy of each locker room. One team will be "Happy," and the other will be "Shattered."
TALE OF THE TAPE
CATEGORY
MAX BROWN, NO. 17
TATE RODEMAKER, NO. 18
Hometown
Tulsa, Okla.
Valdosta, Ga.
High School
Lincoln Christian
Valdosta High
Recruiting Rank (class)
3-star/No. 62 QB (2022)
3-star/No. 48 QB (2020)
Class
Redshirt freshman
Redshirt junior
Height
6-foot-2
6-foot-4
Weight
220
196
Career Games (starts)
5 (0)
22 (1)
Career Att.-Comp.-Int.
12-10-0 (83.3 percent)
93-56-5 (60.2 percent)
Career yards
106
767
Career TDs
0
7
Career rushing yards
42
9
NOTABLE
Committed to Central Michigan and former Gators coach Jim McElwain prior to signing with Florida; reserve outfielder/bullpen catcher on UF baseball team.
First offer came from former Gators QB Kerwin Bell when Bell was at Valdosta State. Later committed to USF, but he became first QB to sign in three years at FSU as head coach Mike Norvell's first commit.
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