Kirk Herbstreit: Florida is 'gonna have to get their act together' after rough opener vs. Utah

Thursday night wasn’t the opening night Florida fans expected as Utah came away with the 24-11 victory. The Gators struggled in multiple phases of the game, failing to record a sack and totaling just 13 rushing yards against a tough Utes front.

After last year’s 6-7 campaign, the hope was Billy Napier and Co. would come out faster. Now, after an 0-1 start, it’s now about how the Gators respond entering a Week 2 game against McNeese State.

According to ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit — who called the game for ESPN — time is of the essence for Florida because of who’s coming to town in Week 3.

“I’m telling you, I’m calling this game and all I can think about is what people in Florida are doing watching this game because back-to-back losing seasons — Billy only had it last year — and then to start a season this way with the miscues,” Herbstreit said on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt after UF’s loss to Utah. “And they were, at the end of the first quarter was like ‘Okay, and kind of getting their feet under them. I think they’re gonna be okay.’ And then miscue, miscue and the game’s out of reach.

“So I think that’s the thing that’s going to be frustrating for Florida is, ‘Are you kidding me? We’re doing this again?’ So they’re gonna have to get their act together in a hurry because the Vols with that up-tempo offense are gonna be coming to town in a few weeks.”

Why the Tennessee game is so important for Billy Napier, Florida

Tennessee makes its way to Gainesville Sept. 16. The Vols, of course, bring a high-powered offense now led by Joe Milton and his rocket arm. Last year, Tennessee led the nation with 525.5 total yards of offense per game, including 326.1 passing yards per game.

Against Utah Thursday night, Florida allowed 270 total yards of offense. However, the night started with a 70-yard touchdown pass to Money Parks to put the Utes out in front 7-0.

As Kyle Whittingham noted, though, the Gators got back into it late as the Utah defense appeared to let up a bit. Graham Mertz had a big night in the box score in his Florida debut, throwing for 333 yards and a touchdown on 31 of 44 passing. But the running game will be important for Napier’s group going forward, and Trevor Etienne led the way with 25 yards on the ground.

Before that matchup with Tennessee, though, Florida will return home to The Swamp to take on McNeese Sept. 9.