Richardson, Kitna lead Gators to blowout win

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — After racking up 453 yards through the air last week, Florida’s passing game almost produced another 400-yard performance in Sunday’s 52-17 win over EWU behind starting quarterback Anthony Richardson and backup Jalen Kitna.

Richardson came out on fire against Eastern Washington, throwing a 75-yard touchdown to Justin Shorter on the Gators’ first offensive snap. He also hit Xzavier Henderson for a 21-yard score late in the second quarter and completed six of his seven first-half attempts for 185 yards.

“Anthony’s a product of his work. I think you’re seeing a guy who’s settled in a little bit. He’s getting more familiar with what his routine should look like,” Florida coach Billy Napier said of Anthony Richardson after the game.

“He’s less anxious from his first couple of weeks. He may have looked calm, cool and collected but that heart was beating. I think he’s getting more comfortable in his role and certainly the direction of our team where we’re going to give him the opportunity to do what he can do.”

After leading the Gators on two quick touchdown drives, Richardson left the game on Florida’s third possession after rolling his ankle. Kitna, making his collegiate debut, came off the bench and completed his first career pass to Ricky Pearsall for 22 yards.

He also moved the chains on third-and-8 with a 14-yard pass to Nay’Quan Wright, who finished off the series with a four-yard touchdown run.

“He did a great job,” Napier said of Kitna stepping in for Anthony Richardson. “I would say in the last couple of weeks, I’ve become more comfortable with him as a player. I’m seeing him grow upon a practice setting, because you get a million reps as a 2 the way we do it. He’s a smart kid and he takes a lot of pride in his role. All he does is throw completions.

“Two Thursdays ago, he was 100-percent completion percentage in a practice. I don’t know that that’s ever been done. Guy’s a pretty smart player. He’s learned our system.”

After tying his career long touchdown pass to open the game, Richardson’s first attempt of the second half was picked off. He threw into quadruple coverage on the play and missed his outlet receiver in Pearsall.

“It’s hard to say you’re actually happy when a guy throws an interception. I think it’ll be good for him to realize, ‘Hey, look, I played a whole half, I did exactly what I was supposed to do and then the first play of the second half I force a ball.’ You know, there’s a progression there and the outlet is open,” Napier said. “He’ll be sick to his stomach when he sees it on tape.”

Richardson finished with 240 yards on 8 of 10 passing and also had a 45-yard run. Kitna took over for him in the third quarter and uncorked a 62-yard touchdown pass to Caleb Douglas on his first full series.

It marked the first career score for both freshmen. Kitna led the offense on another touchdown drive in the fourth and finished with 152 yards on 8 of 12 passing.

“Jalen Kitna would be a prime example of a guy who I thought, the first time between the lines, really did a lot of good things,” Napier said. “The guy completed some balls today. He also made some mistakes today. The beautiful thing about today is he got to play.

“He’s going to have more confidence, and he’s going to be able to learn from this experience. He’s going to realize that the work he’s been doing paid off. I’m proud of Jalen. He stepped up in a major way for our team.”