Florida’s final tuneup before a Sept. 18 showdown against Alabama in the Swamp will pit the No. 13 Gators against a struggling USF program.
While UF was not overly impressive dispatching of FAU 35-14 during the opener, USF’s 45-0 loss against N.C. State in Week 1 hinted at more of the same following the Bulls’ 1-8 finish in 2020.
USF second-year coach Jeff Scott joked this week the Gators are “going to win the beauty contest, for sure.” Things certainly could get ugly for the Bulls if coach Dan Mullen’s squad make the necessary steps from Week 1 to Week 2 as a visit looms from the top-ranked Crimson Tide.
Where: Raymond James Stadium
When: 1 p.m.
TV: ABC
Radio: ESPN FM 98.1/AM 850 WRUF, Sirius/XM Ch. 81
Weather: 86 degrees, 20% percent rain chance
Favorite: Gators by 28.5
Online: orlandosentinel.com/gators; @osgators on Twitter.
Quick slant: Mullen pursues his 100th career win during his 13th season as a head coach. … The Gators’ last regular-season game in Tampa was a 21-0 win in 1989 against Mississippi State, which chose a payday from UF over a home game in Starkville due to home attendance numbers hovering around 30,000. … UF will don American flag script white helmets and shoes featuring stars and stripes, marking the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
Coaches: Dan Mullen, fourth season, 30-9 (99-55 in 12 seasons overall); Jeff Scott, second season, 1-9.
About UF (1-0, 0-0 SEC): All eyes will be on Mullen’s use of his two quarterbacks following Emory Jones’ pedestrian debut as the starter and backup Anthony Richardson’s eye-popping effort off the bench. The two signal-callers combined for 234 of the team’s 400 rushing yards against FAU, but were a combined 20-of-35 passing for 153 yards. Mullen’s attack aims to create better balance against USF. Florida shut out FAU until the final five minutes when the Gators’ frontline defenders were on the sideline. The Owls did throw for 261 yards, despite QB N’Kosi Perry missing some open receivers. FAU also faced surprisingly soft coverage at times, spotlighting continuing concerns about the Gators’ secondary play.
About USF (0-1, 0-0 CUSA): The Bulls are amid a massive rebuild during the second year of Scott, a native of Arcadia and the co-offensive coordinator for Clemson’s 2016 and 2018 national title teams. The N.C. State loss highlighted the long road ahead for USF. True freshman Timmy McClain of Sanford was 7-of-13 passing for 126 yards but had two interceptions after he replaced struggling North Carolina transfer Cade Fortin (7 for 20, 41 yards, INT). USF managed just 271 yards and committed three turnovers. The Bulls allowed 293 rushing yards, 232 passing yards and 8.95 yards per play.
Three things to watch
1. Richardson’s workload: Against FAU, the redshirt freshman made a case for more playing time after he overshadowed Jones despite playing just four series of downs. Richardson’s role was ill-defined early on against the Owls. He entered on UF’s third series and ran for 28 yards on three straight carries before Jones replaced him and threw a red-zone interception yards following a delay-of-game penalty. The 6-foot-4, 236-pound Richardson returned for the final play of the half, when he lined up at receiver for a failed Hail Mary toss from Jones. Richardson’s did not play again until the fourth quarter, but led UF two consecutive scoring drives highlighted by his 73-yard scoring run.
2. Zach Carter’s homecoming: The Tampa native requested around 40 tickets for family and friends to see his first game at Raymond James Stadium. Carter recalled missing his chance to play in “Ray Jay” when his youth football team came one win shy of earning the chance. Coming off a three-sack performance against FAU, the 6-foot-4, 285-pound Carter aims to put on a show for his hometown while anchoring the Gators defense and raising his NFL draft stock.
3. UF penalties: The Gators drew nine flags for 91 yards against FAU. Those numbers did not sit well with Mullen, a self-proclaimed perfectionist, and will not suffice against super competition. A delay of game in the red zone cost UF points. Three fourth-quarter personal fouls were undisciplined, not to mention a bad look for a team with the game in hand.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Edgar Thompson at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @osgators.