Florida opened its 2021 season with a 35-14 win at home against Florida Atlantic on Saturday night, a victory that might have been a coming-out party for quarterback Anthony Richardson.

The redshirt freshman played in a reserve role as the backup to starter Emory Jones, and his play had fans at the Swamp and onlookers around the country buzzing.

Richardson, a 6-4, 236-pounder from Gainesville, completed 3-of-8 passes for 40 yards, but he added 7 carries for 160 yards, including an electrifying 73-yard touchdown run.

That Richardson looked great to start the season wasn’t a huge surprise, as there had been plenty of whispers coming out of fall camp that he had game-changing ability.

In fact, former Florida star Tim Tebow was among those who had seen firsthand what Richardson was capable of, which he discussed on “SEC Nation” via 247Sports prior to the season-opening win

“I also think you’re going to see Anthony Richardson used a lot of different ways, a lot like I was used as a freshman,” Tebow said in advance of the Gators’ season opener. “I think this kid has a chance to be an absolute freak. I think he can be an unbelievable change of pace.

“And honestly by the end of the year you could see him being a valuable member of this team, of finding a way on third down and short, fourth down and short, in the red zone… this is a big body that runs away from people. “This guy runs away from fast people, not just big people,” Tebow said. “I think it’s going to be an unbelievable dynamic.”

The Gators and Richardson will be back in action next Saturday against South Florida.