SLOPPY VICTORY IN THE SWAMP. POST-GAME NOTES

"IT FELT LIKE A LOSS BECAUSE WE ALL KNEW WE COULD HAVE PLAYED BETTER THAN WE DID." - MONTRELL JOHNSON JR

(Photo by Chris Spears)

By KYLE CURTIS

GatorBaitMedia.com

The Gators may have not lost Saturday night, but it may not have been a win either. Although it goes in the win column, this was not a win-worthy effort against a poor opponent. Florida kept getting bailed out. Whether it was the late interception by Tre’Vez Johnson, the botched snap leading to a longer field goal or even the lack of a clean hold on the game-winning kick, Florida was fortunate.

USF accumulated over 400 yards of total offense while eclipsing its season average of rushing yards in the first half. The Bulls had two separate players rush for over 100 yards while averaging over six yards a carry. Quarterback Gerry Bohannon, a Baylor transfer, ran for 102 yards while running back Brian Battie added another 150.

Anthony Richardson looked uncomfortable when looking down the field once again, finishing his night with only 112 yards passing and two interceptions. The Gators have yet to have a receiving touchdown through the first three games. Luckily, the running backs carried the load for the Gators’ offense. The top three running backs all were able to get in the endzone, highlighted by Montrell Johnson Jr.’s 62-yard scamper.

“It definitely saved us (rushing attack), we couldn’t do much in the air and that’s on me,” Richardson said following tonight’s game.

Montrell Johnson Jr. spoke after his big night and said that despite his individual success it needs to translate to the team being successful. He also stated how he is a fan of the running back committee and gives the three backs all a chance to “stay fresh.” Going into Tennessee week, both the passing game and rushing game will need to show up in order to go into Knoxville and come out victorious

GAME NOTES

• Gator Tennis legend Ben Shelton became the youngest honorary Mr. Two Bits ever against USF at 19. Shelton just turned pro after winning the NCAA singles championship last Spring.

• USF scores its first touchdown in the first quarter of the season, putting up 102 rushing yards in the first quarter compared to Florida’s 68 TOTAL yards.

• Montrell Johnson’s 62-yard rushing touchdown was the longest run by a Florida runner since Anthony Richardson’s 80-yard run last year against the Bulls.

• First-career interception for Georgia transfer Jalen Kimber. Additionally, this is Florida's first pick-six since Chauncey Gardner-Johnson had one in the 2018 Peach Bowl vs. Michigan, which was 39 games ago.

• 12 of USF's first-half runs covered at least 5 yards, while only one went for less than 2. USF finished the first half with 216 yards on nearly 10 yards a carry.

• The Gators have yet to score a passing touchdown this season through 12 quarters.

• The shutout in the third quarter marks three straight games where the Gators have gone scoreless in the third quarter.