What Dan Mullen said about Feleipe Franks after former Florida QB returned to The Swamp
From a Florida perspective, Feleipe Franks’ return to The Swamp went well. The former Gator quarterback, now an Arkansas Razorback, had a strong outing, including a couple of highlights, in a comfortable UF win as his former 2016 classmate Kyle Trask generated Heisman Trophy buzz.
“I thought Feleipe played pretty well at times,” Florida coach Dan Mullen told reporters after the game. “You know we got after him.”
Franks was 15-of-19 for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 63-35 loss for Arkansas. The Florida defense managed 4 sacks of Franks. Gators defenders were excited to be able to hit their former teammate after the quarterback was off-limits for four years in practice.
“I think there were some guys that were excited to hit him,” Mullen said in his postgame press conference. “Had been waiting for years to hit him, and they got to go hit him a couple times.”
After the game, there was a long line of Florida players waiting to talk to Franks. Cameras captured Franks embracing many Gators players and coaches, including Trask and Mullen.
“So proud of what he’s done, and I think he knows,” Mullen said. “How much we love him, how much he’s part of this program and helping us build where we are.
“I mean, he’s a Gator. He played here. Helped us win a New Year’s Six Bowl here.”
