Dan Mullen to the rescue: Florida fans going wild with competent offense
Florida fans have been starved for a quality offense for years, and given Dan Mullen’s background — and success in his first stint in Gainesville — they were optimistic for a fresh start.
The Gators didn’t waste any time against Charleston Southern as Feleipe Franks connected with Trevon Grimes less than three minutes into the game on a 34-yard pass. Franks then hit Van Jefferson for another TD pass early in the second quarter. Franks had four TD passes by 5:49 left in the second quarter.
Florida got off to a stellar start in the box score, with 158 yards to zero for Charleston Southern by the end of the first quarter.
This has been a long time coming for Gators fans desperate for a competent offense. The last three seasons, Florida has finished 13th, 14th and 12th in the SEC in total offense.
It was a balanced attack, too. By late in the second quarter, four Gators had multiple carries as they already racked up more than 100 rushing yards.
Many Florida fans were no doubt feeling it, like their coach, Saturday night:
Gators up 31-0@CoachDanMullen right now: pic.twitter.com/BZxUnvkZ8C
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 2, 2018
Dan Mullen bringing the swagger back with a throwback back fake draw jump pass for a td! Looked good like the Tebow days?
— Chris uhrich (@Chrisuhrich2) September 2, 2018
Florida’s Offense is actually scoring imagine that the Dan Mullen Era has begun #GatorNation #GoGators ?
— ScubaSteve (@kantorSKQ) September 2, 2018
My heart: FLORIDA HAS SCORED THREE OFFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS IN ONE HALF. I RIDE OR DIE WITH DAN MULLEN
My head: pic.twitter.com/GX80rRMzCd— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) September 2, 2018
Pace is faster for the offense…
— David Waters – Gators Breakdown (@GatorDave_SEC) September 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/AlaGatorMan/status/1036041864217026560
That looked easy. WR screen to Grimes goes 34 yards for a touchdown. Good opening drive for the Mullen offense.
— Robbie Andreu (@RobbieAndreu) September 1, 2018
THE GATOR OFFENSE HAS ALREADY SCORED MORE POINTS THAN LAST SEASON
— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) September 1, 2018
#Gators lead 17-0 after Franks hits Jefferson for a 6-yard TD pass. Franks is 7 of 13, 121 yards, 2 TDs
— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) September 2, 2018
#Gators have had 11 different guys touch the ball tonight on offense.
— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) September 2, 2018