Buddy Martin Blog: That Night In The Swamp We Saw Anthony Jump Over The Moon And Couldn't Believe It
How in the world will Dan Mullen ever get the genie back in the bottle? After all, it was he who created this beautiful two-headed monster.
Hey, diddle, diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon…
Or in this case, the quarterback jumped over the moon.
As a prelude, he tamped down his helmet with both hands, licked his fingers like a pitcher tuning up a fastball and stuck the yellow mouthpiece in his teeth, ready for takeoff. That’s how it began on the game’s third series. A few quarters later, Anthony Richardson did jump over the moon. Or, over a couple of Owls. And we rubbed our eyes.
That’s after he’d accounted for two scores, passing for one and salting away a 73-yard streak for another. He was now on his way to a 200-yard night in total offense.
His leap over the Florida Atlantic would-be tackler, was only a small taste of A.R.’s smorgasbord night, and didn’t even result in points. Unless you were scoring style points at home. And if you were, it had to be at least a 9.5 because he looked like Superman soaring over the Century Tower.
Had we just witnessed some new Swamp magic?
Somebody said Richardson’s electrifying performance was a “spark,” suggesting it was like the celebrated 2006 Jump Pass. After all, he was wearing No. 15. To me it was one of those sparks that could light up not just one September night sky, but maybe become a night to remember for all-time. Maybe an era.
Some of us who had pretty much assured ourselves -- and everyone else -- that Richardson had come to sit in apprenticeship and wait his turn like all other Dan Mullen quarterbacks now may have some recalibration to do.
How in the world will Dan Mullen ever get the genie back in the bottle? After all, it was he who created this beautiful two-headed monster.
Those of us on the outside looking in, not privileged to see Gator practices, now understand what so many others raved about.
Chris Doering bet me recently that before this 2021 season was over, the 6-4, 236-pound former Eastside High star would be starting. In a moment of stunned reaction, I hooted him down, saying Mullen would never break a loyalty oath to his prized recruit Emory, who has waited for over 1,000 days for his shot. (And BTW, Jones brought no shame in his first start -- no doubt suffering some opening night, first-start tremors.)
Now I’m beginning to wonder myself.
Tim Tebow kept warning us about this “freak” he’d seen. Mick Hubert said on my show that he was having a little trouble containing his enthusiasm after what he saw in practice.
Even Mullen said Richardson was a “wow!”
After the game, Mullen feigned confusion when asked by SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic if he had to make a “decision” on his starting quarterback.
“Whaaaa? Emory’s our starting quarterback,” said Mullen.
And I respect that, because that’s what veteran Quarterback Whisperers are supposed to do. I’d stop short saying Dan’s nose began to appear wooden and maybe grow a little, but you could see in his eyes that he knew what was ahead.
Mullen dismissed it, however, saying there wasn’t going to be a “Quarterback Controversy” because Emory and Anthony were nice guys and not “controversial.”
Were it only so simple. While it does seem they are friendly competitors and even root for each other -- and I’m not suggesting that either might be duplicitous – we will see how long this can last in a world of transfer portals and social media wildfires.
Later, when the Zoom press corps tried to find a way to nibble around the edges, Mullen wasn’t having any of it.
MEDIA: “Anthony Richardson was unbelievable tonight.”
MULLEN: "He did some good things. Yeah, he's exciting with the ball in his hand, isn't he? Running around making some plays…”
MEDIA: “Do you ask yourself if there is a quarterback controversy?”
MULLEN: “I would never ask myself that because I coach the quarterbacks a bunch. They’re not very controversial guys. They’re both really nice guys.”
MEDIA: “Fans are going to look at how AR played and say why isn’t he the starter? Why (are you) so confident in Emory?
MULLEN: “His decision-making and getting us through every part of the game. Obviously, when you look at what happened and with Anthony coming in, did some nice things. I mean, you know, you got to run the whole offense. And so I think and Anthony’s really growing with that and growing with situations. So I think he’ll continue to grow with situations as we move forward and Emory’s going to continue to grow, so …”
Remarkably understated, but understandably so.
And the rest of the nursery rhyme:
The little dog laughed
To see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.
While it's certainly commendable that Emory has stuck it out and not transferred, he had not ever earned the starting job prior to this year. Not sure "waiting your turn" should be a factor in determining who starts. Spurrier certainly never approached it that way. Now I get if the two are extremely close in ability you should go with seniority. Emory's play over the next 5-6 weeks will play a huge role in him being able to hang on to the job. jmho
Buddy, I know you remember as tge rest of us of older vintage the catchy little WWI (way before our time), “Hiw you gonna keep’em down kn the farm once they’ve seen Pa-rie?” I think it’s appropriate to our fanbase: How’s Dan gonna keep the focus on Emory’s growth now that we’ve all seen the extraordinary talent of our current #15? Had our program landed Carson Beck who used a verbal promise to Florida to lure an offer from Georgia, and missed on AR, Emory would have everyone behind him. But Richardson’s got to become a major factor for this Gator team to reach its highest possibilities.