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Billy Napier: Seeing 'old man' Amari Burney make the game-sealing play was special

Nikki Chavanelleby:Nikki Chavanelle•09/05/22•

NikkiChavanelle

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David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Florida Gators escaped No. 7 Utah by the skin of their teeth metaphorically, and by the hands of Amari Burney literally, on Saturday night in Gainesville. Following the 29-26 victory, first-year head coach Billy Napier reflected on the game-sealing interception by the fifth-year senior linebacker.

“Amari Burney is one of my favorite players on the team,” Napier said at his post-game press conference. “I mean, this guy’s played… like 1,600 snaps here, right? I call him ‘old man’ all the time. We’re thankful for Amari. He’s got character, he’s a great communicator. He makes the players around him better.

“He is a guy who, really, has risen to the occasion in terms of that position and what we needed. To see him, to see that guy make the play, I think that’s a special moment for that locker room because they love Amari Burney.”

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Burney seals win for the Gators

Quarterback Anthony Richardson scored the game-winning touchdown from the two-yard line with 1:25 seconds remaining to put the Gators up 29-26. However, Utah quarterback Cameron Rising answered with a drive down the length of the field. He put the Utes in position for a field goal with 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Utah got the ball down to the six-yard line when Rising dropped back for a pass on 2nd and goal. He tried to fire a pass to his senior tight end, Dalton Kincaid. Kincaid was double-covered, however, and that’s when Burney made an incredible leaping interception to seal the upset victory for the Gators with 17 seconds left.

The interception was the third of Burney’s career and the first for any Gator this season. On top of the INT, the senior from Clearwater, Florida also had seven tackles (six solo tackles).

Burney and the Gators will get back at it with more top-25 action on Saturday versus the Kentucky Wildcats. The Wildcats stunned Dan Mullen’s squad last season but Billy Napier and the 2022 team are favored to win at home in the Swamp. The ESPN FPI has Florida winning with 54.8% probability while Vegas has the spread at 6.5 points for UF.