GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No one saw this coming: Entering Tennessee week the talk surrounding No. 23 Florida will be Austin Appleby.

Luke Del Rio, Florida’s starting quarterback in its first three games, exited Saturday’s game against North Texas after taking a nasty hit to his lower legs. (Appleby called it “dirty.”) Del Rio never returned, and after the game coach Jim McElwain indicated it didn’t look likely that he would be back on the field any time soon.

Sep 17, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Luke Del Rio (14) gets checked out by trainers on the field and then leaves the game against the North Texas Mean Green during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the North Texas Mean Green 32-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Enter Appleby. The graduate transfer from Purdue stepped into the game late in the third quarter and closed out the Gators’ 32-0 victory. His stat line is forgettable (2-of-4, 30 yards), but following a night that the defense allowed the fewest number of yards in school history and four running backs each scored a touchdown, it’s Appleby who will get the headlines.

“I’ve come to the University of Florida to play,” Appleby said after the game. “That’s ultimately why I chose to come here. I want to be a part of something special. I don’t think you ever want to be someone’s caddy. You want to be the guy that’s got the ball in his hands.

“I’m excited about my opportunity. It breaks my heart that it had to come by an injury. I’m really hoping he’ll be back with us and healthy as soon as possible. I’m ready to roll, we have a job to do.”

They might have been overshadowed Saturday night, but expect the Gators to lean on the defense and the running game against Tennessee. Appleby took 20 snaps, and only threw four passes. It was a night of ground and pound for the Gators.

Florida’s four running backs combined for 250 yards on 42 carries. Each of the four – Jordan Cronkrite, Lamical Perine, Jordan Scarlett and Mark Thompson – posted an average of at least five yards per carry. The 42 carries were split evenly, with Cronkrite logging nine rushes while the others each recorded 11.

That kind of balance is exactly what McElwain envisioned when the coaches talked about the running back by committee approach all offseason. It gives the defense different looks and keeps all the ball-carriers’ legs fresh for the fourth quarter. Even if the Gators lean on the running game against the Volunteers, almost always a sound strategy on the road, that doesn’t mean they won’t ask Appleby to throw the ball.

“We’ll play-action, we’ll throw it deep, we’ll stretch the field – plan doesn’t change,” coach Jim McElwain said when asked about what changes with Appleby as quarterback.

Including his appearance off the bench Saturday, Appleby is 270-of-490 passing in his career, a completion percentage of roughly 55. Along with his career numbers of 19 touchdowns and 19 interceptions, it’s difficult to see the Gators asking him to take many risks in the passing game.

Turnovers are always critical, more so on the road. While it’s not the most exciting brand of football, controlling the clock and winning the turnover battle are tried-and-true keys to securing a win. When a team has a stingy defense, an excellent punter and a kicker with a big leg, it can make sense to turn to that strategy.

Overshadowed by the Del Rio injury story is a historic night by the Florida defense, in which it gave up only 53 net yards, the lowest amount in school history. Through three games, the Gators have yet to have an opponent crack double-digit points.

North Texas was shut out, and it’s not surprising. The Mean Green rarely had desirable field position, because punter Johnny Townsend averaged 55.3 yards per punt on his four punts.

For the first time all year, Eddy Pineiro was hardly noticeable Saturday. McElwain challenged his offense three times on fourth downs inside the 10-yard line instead of kicking chip-shot field goals, and they failed to convert all three times.

While the raucous Neyland Stadium crowd is nearly impossible to prepare for, Pineiro will certainly be ready for the challenge. And if the Gators don’t get in field goal range, Townsend will be ready to flip the field and put the Volunteers in a tough spot against a defense that is performing at a high level in all areas right now.

With all the help in other areas, Appleby won’t have to beat Tennessee or any later opponents by himself. He just can’t give the game away.