UF will be looking for a third straight victory Saturday night before a second straight sellout at Spurrier/Florida Field.
Game Day: No. 25 Florida vs. Charlotte (ESPN+, 7 pm)
Saturday, September 23, 2023 | Football, Chris Harry
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By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Just calling it like it is, Saturday night's sold-out game between 25th-ranked Florida (2-1) and Charlotte (1-2) won't go very far in measuring the Gators' collective ability to deal with prosperity. And, boy, have the last few days felt prosperous around here.
The game, however, the next one on the schedule since that feel-good affair last weekend in the "Swamp," and it's up to Coach Billy Napier and his squad to do what they're expected to do against an undermanned opponent.
Handle business.
[Read senior writer Scott Carter's comprehensive 'Opening Kickoff' setup here]
The prospects and possibilities for UF's 2023 season took a radical turn for the better when the Gators did their 29-16 number on 11th-ranked and Southeastern Conference East Division rival Tennessee. The Gators were nearly a touchdown underdog, having lost six consecutive games to ranked foes and faced a hated opponent in the Volunteers, who were perceived to be on the rise after winning 11 games last season, including an Orange Bowl defeat of Clemson. UF fell behind by a touchdown early, rallied for 26 unanswered points, then let the defense finish the job while Napier, admittedly, played a little conservatively with his offense.
It all worked, which puts Florida in a similar yet very different position than it was in two weekends ago when, coming off an eyesore, mistake-marred season-opening loss at No. 14 Utah, there seemed very little external equity waiting to be claimed in the ensuing home opener against FSC McNeese. UF won 49-7. "Woo-hoo," thought Gator Nation. "Now, let's see what you got against a team like the Vols."
What they had was spectacular 172-yard rushing performance from sophomore tailback Trevor Etienne and another highly efficient display by junior quarterback Graham Mertz, who in his first Florida season since transferring from Wisconsin has completed a sterling 75.3 percent of his passes for 692 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Sophomore tailback Trevor Etienne is averaging 6.9 yards per game.
Those two got the individual headlines, but the performance put together by the remade Florida defense under first-year coordinator Austin Armstrong warranted equal billing and, frankly, might be the story of this season to date.
We'll mention it again for context: UF ranked 97th in the nation last season in total defense (411.0 yards per game), 100th against the run (175.2 ypg) and 129th in third-down conversion percentage (.498). Through three games this season (two against ranked opponents), Florida sits 10th nationally and first in the SEC in total defense (256.3 ypg), 22nd in stopping the run (83.7 ypg) and 46th in third-down percentage (.342).
Those defensive digits could very well go up against a 49ers offense that ranks 102nd overall (338.3 yards per game), as well as 81st (144.3 ypg) and 102nd in rushing and passing (194.0 ypg), respectively.
As for the Florida offense (418.3 ypg), its currently a middling SEC unit at seventh in the league (338.3 ypg) and 51st in the country, the Gators have a chance for a stat night under the lights, along the lines of their 560-yard output against McNeese. This despite the first-half suspensions of a pair of starting offensive linemen, Damieon George Jr. and Micah Mazzccua, plus the injury to freshman wide receiver Eugene Wilson III.
The 49ers, out of Conference USA, were drilled 41-25 at home by Georgia State last week, surrendering 568 yards, including 466 through the air.
The Gators are favored by four touchdowns.
Coverage starts at 7 p.m. on ESPN+ and SEC Network+, so get your streaming act together by giving yourself plenty of time to figure it out before kickoff.
Or do this:
Need help streaming Saturday's game on ESPN+? Just remember these four words: 𝘾𝒂𝙡𝒍 𝒂 𝒀𝙤𝒖𝙣𝒈 𝑷𝙚𝒓𝙨𝒐𝙣!
The ESPN crew on the call will be Clay Mavtik on play-by-play and former Georgia standout quarterback Aaron Murray. The Gators Sports Network from Learfield will air with pregame coverage beginning at 4 p.m. and eventually give way to Sean Kelly, Shane Matthews and sideline reporter Tate Casey for kickoff. For stations, click here.
The game will be replayed Friday at noon on SEC Network.
Finally, follow senior writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete post-game coverage from the game late Saturday night and fresh follow-up content early Sunday, also.
