Kirk Herbstreit didn’t like how the Florida Gators opened the 2023 season at the No. 11 Utah Utes. He didn’t like the way Florida handled itself to play 4 quarters of football without making critical mistakes. Utah defeated Florida 24-11 with 8 of its main starters out.

“Concerned for Florida-liked that they kept competing but-wow-wayyyyy too many miscues at the worst possible time. Hope they can get things going-in a hurry!,” Herbstreit wrote on social media. “Right now I’m more concerned about (Graham Mertz) and the Gators getting things on track in a hurry. Vols coming to town in a couple weeks with a lot of speed and confidence. Hope they can turn it around.”

It is one thing to lose to one of the top teams in the nation, but it is another to make mistakes on their accord for the Utes to benefit from.

In Florida’s first drive, the Gators had a 3rd and 1, but a false start ruined any momentum for them to extend the drive. In the first play of the Utes’ drive, two defensive backs of Florida misread the ball thrown deep by Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes and was caught and ran by wide receiver Money Parks for a 70-yard touchdown.

Florida kicker Adam Mihalek missed a 31-yard field goal early in the second quarter for a chance to cut into Utah’s 7-3 lead. Utah responded with a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive.

Florida quarterback Graham Mertz threw an interception early in the Gators’ first drive in the second half. Utah took a 3-play, 11-yard drive for a touchdown to extend its lead 24-3.

The Gators committed 9 penalties and turned the ball over once.

Florida’s schedule doesn’t get easier as it will host No. 12 Tennessee in Week 3.