In Florida’s dominating 38-20 upset over the Georgia Bulldogs this past Saturday, there’s likely no bigger hero than senior wide receiver Michael McNeely.

Ironically, he’s probably the smallest, too.

The 5-foot-8, 176-pound receiver perfectly executed a 39-yard fake field goal run midway through the second quarter and took it for the Gators’ first touchdown of the game. The play not only tied the ball game, but gave the entire team a huge emotional lift as the Gators went on to score 31 unanswered points.

RELATED: Watch Michael McNeely’s fake FG run for TD

On Monday, senior center Max Garcia was drawn to tears when asked about how big of a play that was for the team, saying he couldn’t think of a more deserving player than McNeely.

“I was so happy to see McNeely score. I don’t think there’s anyone on this team more deserving to be the hero. He’s a great dude,” Garcia said fighting back the tears. “I get emotional talking about him just because he’s a hard worker.”

McNeely was a former walk-on for the Gators. Prior to the start of this season, head coach Will Muschamp presented McNeely with a full scholarship after a practice in front of the entire team.

Garcia explained that McNeely’s touchdown was crucial for the team in driving the big win over Georgia. It’s McNeely’s work ethic both on and off the field that is inspiring to Garcia, who believes the Gators would be a national championship team if everyone had his kind of work ethic.

“It was huge motivation for the team. Guys like him is why we’re going to be able to be successful because he cares about this program,” Garcia explained. “I love him.”

“I think if we had a whole team full of McNeelys we’d be a national championship team just because of the way he plays,” he added. “Everything he does on and off the field is championship level.”

McNeely has become somewhat of a hero for the Florida football program following his fake field goal touchdown run. Fans came to the Publix location where McNeely was working the day following the Florida-Georgia game to take pictures with him and get his autograph.

RELATED: Photo: Florida’s fake kick star returns to Publix job

Muschamp, a former walk-on himself, said after Saturday’s win he didn’t think twice about putting McNeely in that crucial situation.

“Walk-on or scholarship, it doesn’t matter to me. The guys is a good football player,” Muschamp said. “I mean he can line up and play receiver as well as some of our guys. That’s the type of guy he is. I didn’t even blink putting him back there.”

Saturday’s game-changing play is something McNeely likely never expected as a walk-on, but now in a season where he’s earned a full scholarship, it’s a moment he’ll forever cherish.

“For the rest of my life, I’ll be able to tell that story,” McNeely said. “It really is a lifelong memory.”