Gators Grind One Out, Smack Charlotte Out of Way

Quarterback Graham Mertz and his teammates pushed past Charlotte in the final nonconference game before the SEC season thickens. (Photo: Molly Kaiser/UAA Communications)

Gators Grind One Out, Smack Charlotte Out of Way

Sunday, September 24, 2023 | Football, Scott Carter

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The echoes of mild concern could be heard throughout the week as the Gators, fresh off an upset of No. 11-ranked Tennessee, prepared to host Charlotte.

UF coach Billy Napier talked about the team's mid-week practices not being as sharp as he would prefer. Veteran defensive transfers Cam Jackson and Teradja Mitchell spoke up to spread the message after Wednesday's practice, urging their teammates to push harder.

Maybe they were onto something.

The 25th-ranked Gators' pedestrian performance in a 22-7 victory over the 49ers on Saturday night at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium was not the shellacking many in the sold-out crowd anticipated. A week after exploding to a halftime lead and coasting in the second half in their victory over the Vols, the Gators had trouble finding the end zone when it was right in front of them.

Still, the Gators won their third consecutive game, a first under Napier. The three-game win streak is the program's first since 2020.

"It's hard to win, and certainly we had to grind that one out," Napier said. "We all know the issues: red zone, forced to kick five field goals down there."

It looked as if the Gators (3-1) might rout Charlotte (1-3) early in the game. Florida forced a three-and-out and then drove 95 yards in nine plays. Quarterback Graham Mertz's touchdown pass to tight end Arlis Boardingham capped the drive, as Boardingham's 8-yard score was his first career touchdown.

Pearsall, Ricky (2023 vs. Charlotte) — Gators receiver **Ricky Pearsall** hauled in a spectacular one-handed catch Saturday night against Charlotte that went viral on social media during the game. (Photo: **Jackson Collier**/UAA Communications)

Once again, the UF defense forced a three-and-out on Charlotte's second drive and "The Swamp" expected more of the same. Gators fans got a treat on the ensuing drive when receiver Ricky Pearsall hauled in a one-handed, 25-yard catch and held onto the ball after a crushing hit.

The crowd oohed and aahed at the highlight.

"That was one for the books,'' Napier said.

Pearsall, who finished with six catches for 104 yards, said his instincts took over as Mertz's pass arrived high. Pearsall said he probably could have jumped and used two hands, but his first reaction was to reach up with his gloved right hand and grab the ball. The catch went viral on social media during the game and is already being hailed as possibly the catch of the year in college football.

"I'd like to say that happens a lot in practice, but that was a pretty good catch," Pearsall said. "When the opportunity comes, I've got to come down with it in any way possible."

Was it his best catch ever?

"Oh, yeah, for sure,'' he said. "In a game, at least."

Later on the drive, the Gators faced third-and-1 at Charlotte's 8-yard line. However, Trevor Etienne was stopped short of the first down, and kicker Trey Smack, who beat out former starter Adam Mihalek in practice, booted a 27-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead.

Smack became the main attraction for the Gators after the first quarter, connecting on field goals of 23, 54, 36 and 23 yards to account for the rest of UF's scoring. Smack went 5-for-5 to become only the fourth UF kicker in history to make at least five field goals in a single game. Bobby Raymond holds the single-game record with six field goals in two different games, and Brian Clark and Eddy Pineiro each kicked five field goals in a game during their careers.

"I wasn't expecting it," Smack said. "My leg is really sore right now. It's a good feeling to go 5-for-5, but I think Adam could have done the same thing, too."

Charlotte trailed 16-7 at halftime after quarterback Jalon Jones, a former Gators signee, scored on a 7-yard run. From there, the Gators relied on Smack and their defense to lead the way. The Gators limited Charlotte to 210 total yards.

Meanwhile, Mertz had another strong performance, finishing 20 of 23 for 259 yards and a touchdown. He lost a fumble and was sacked three times. The Gators produced 395 yards of offense but went 1-for-9 on third down, and 1-for-5 scoring touchdowns in the red zone.

Simple math as to why the score was not more lopsided.

"If you add 20 to that score, I'm probably already taking a shower. Y'all would have much less questions," Napier said. "We moved the ball really effectively. We've got to score touchdowns when we get it down there."

The duo of Montrell Johnson Jr. (63 yards) and Trevor Etienne (48 yards) was not the force Etienne (career-high 172 yards) was in the victory over Tennessee, but they were running behind a revamped offensive line. Injured center Kingsley Eguakun did not play, and Damieon George Jr. and Micah Mazzccua were suspended in the first half for their involvement in the disturbance at the end of the Tennessee game. George played the second half Saturday, but Mazzccua served additional in-house punishment, according to Napier and did not play.

The Gators will return to practice Monday in preparation for next week's trip to Kentucky for the first of seven consecutive Southeastern Conference games. They sounded like they would have a newfound sense of urgency.

"We came out with the W, but it was kind of a little bit sloppy,'' linebacker Shemar James said.

Napier appeared to sense the mood afterward. The Gators won for the third consecutive Saturday, which had not happened on his watch. They did so in workmanlike fashion following the thrill of knocking off Tennessee in front of an electric crowd, earning them a return to the AP Top 25.

However, on the second annual Tom Petty Day at The Swamp, a classic tune by the Rolling Stones fit more appropriately.

You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, you'll find
You get what you need

Once Napier finally took that shower, he headed home with a win.

"The disappointing thing about games like this, these are the ones where maybe the average fan anticipates it getting out of control, and a lot of our young players didn't have an opportunity to play because we didn't get it under control," Napier said. "But I'm proud of our team, the character of our team. We stayed into it. We continued to fight. I didn't see a lack of effort out there. I think it's all going to be very technical and very correctable."