TAMPA, Fla. — In only the second meeting between both schools, the Florida Gators traveled south to Tampa and defeated the South Florida Bulls 42-20.
After getting stymied on their first drive, Florida took control of the game by putting together five straight scoring drives. Dameon Pierce kicked things off by rumbling in from seven yards out to put the Gators on top 7-0 capping off a 63-yard drive.
After relinquishing a field goal to the Bulls on South Florida’s next drive, the Gators turned to their playmakers to build on that 7-3 lead. Jacob Copeland would get in on the action hauling in two touchdowns of 75 and 41 yards respectively from electrifying redshirt sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Not to be outdone, Florida quarterback Emory Jones used a mix of his arm and legs to help extend the Gators lead. Jones connected with wide receiver Xzavier Henderson on a 35 yard scoring strike and the very next Gator drive scrambled to add a 33 yard rushing touchdown. Florida took a commanding 35-3 heading into halftime.
Deploying two quarterbacks once again, Dan Mullen’s teams had its way with USF from start to finish. In the first half alone the Gator racked up 373 yards of total offense with 230 of those yards coming through the air as both quarterbacks came out firing.
“We have two very good quarterbacks, and you’ll see them both play every week.” Mullen said about his dynamic quarterbacks.
The Bulls would try to fight back forcing Jones to commit untimely turnovers. On the Gators first two drives of the second Jones would be picked off by Brock Nichols and Mekhi Lapointe.
“I just have to keep getting better every week and improving.” Jones said about his decision making on the day.
The Bulls turned those turnovers into points as Jaren Mangham would secure a 1 yard touchdown for the Bulls. USF kicker Spencer Shrader chipped in another 3 points cutting into the Gator lead 35-13. After the aerial assault in the first half Florida mustered just 38 passing yards in the 3rd quarter.
Mullen, known for physical quarterback play, got the best out of both of his signal callers as both finished as the Gators leading rushers. Richardson rushed just 4 times for 115 yards and Jones accumulated 82 yards on eleven carries.
After being held scoreless in the 3rd quarter by the Bulls, UF would find the end zone once again with ten minutes left to play in the game. Breaking multiple tackles Anthony Richardson would outrun every Bull defender on his way to an 80 yard touchdown run putting the Gators up 42-13.
“He does special things,” Mullen said about quarterback Anthony Richardson. USF would score near the end of the 4th quarter, but it was little too late bringing the final to 42-20 in favor of the Gators.
Dan Mullen and his Gators head back to Gainesville victorious but won’t dwell on it long as Alabama travels to take on Florida next week in The Swamp.
