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Florida will face a significant challenge in its season opener on Saturday night, as No. 7 Utah, a team that many believe is a College Football Playoff darkhorse, visits The Swamp.
While it will be Billy Napier’s first game as the Gators’ head coach, most eyes will be on redshirt sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson.
The 6-4, 232-pounder, who’s a native of Gainesville, showed flashes of brilliance a year ago while at the same time being wildly inconsistent. Richardson split time last season with Emory Jones, who has since transferred to Arizona State, so it’s Richardson’s job now, and in a short amount of time he has impressed his new coach.
“Very pleased with Anthony’s attitude and approach,” Napier said. “He’s worked hard to have a better comprehension of this system. Lotta reps. … Now, we get to zero the focus on a specific plan [for Utah]. … He loves the game.”
Billy Napier on Anthony Richardson: "Very pleased with Anthony's attitude and approach. He's worked hard to have a better comprehension of this system. Lotta reps. … Now, we get to zero the focus on a specific plan [for Utah]. … He loves the game." #Gators
— OnlyGators.com: Florida Gators news (@onlygators) August 29, 2022
A year ago, Richardson passed for 529 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, while adding 401 yards and 3 additional scores on the ground.
The Gators and the Utes are set for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Saturday night, and the game will be televised by ESPN.
At present, Florida is a 3-point underdog in the matchup.
"Chris Wallace covers college football for Saturday Down South. He has covered college athletics for multiple newspapers and also worked previously for Rivals.com and GolfChannel.com."
