Anthony Richardson steals show in Gators spring game with shutout win
On a brisk Thursday night in Gainesville, the Florida Gators held their first Orange and Blue game in three years under new head coach Billy Napier.
The Blue team (first-team offense) trounced the Orange team, winning 34-0. While the Gators had the game on a weekday, Florida fans still filled the stands with an attendance of 45,000.
Blue team starting quarterback Anthony Richardson stole the show, producing two first-half touchdowns as the Blue team built a 21-0 lead. He finished with 207 yards on 18 of 24 passing and three total scores.
Behind Richardson, the Blue team produced quick and effective drives, moving the ball down the field with tempo. Richardson looked very comfortable in Napier’s RPO-based offense, giving the talented quarterback free rein to make decisions.
Running back Montrell Johnson, who suited up for both teams, played well and displayed patience and balance. He rushed for 62 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
On the other hand, the Orange team struggled to move the ball behind second-string quarterback Jack Miller. The Ohio State transfer had some errant throws. He threw for 121 yards on 13 of 23 and was picked off in the end zone by safety Donovan McMillon.
The Orange team did get production out of running back Demarkcus Bowman. He had a team-high 17 carries for 61 yards. If the spring game was any indication, the Gators will have a 1-2 punch of Bowman and Johnson, a combination of speed and power.
After an Orange team turnover early in the second half, the blue team went up 28-0 after a Richardson scramble for a 12-yard score. The Orange team turned the ball over on downs multiple times, giving the Blue team ample field position to put up points.
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Kicker Adam Mihalek extended the Blue team’s lead to 31-0 with 1:31 remaining in the third quarter, hitting a 52-yard field goal. Mihalek added another field goal from 48 yards in the 4th quarter, extending the Blue lead to 34-0.
At tight end, Dante Zanders looked impressive, reeling in multiple catches in traffic. He tied with Ja’Quavion Fraziars for a team-high five receptions.
During the fourth quarter, quarterbacks Carlos Del Rio-Wilson and Jalen Kitna saw game reps for the Gators.
Napier brings back a Gators tradition
At halftime, Billy Napier pulled out a stop that hadn’t been seen since former Florida coach Steve Spurrier. The Head Ball Coach had a spring game halftime award show every year, and Napier brought it back in 2022. Napier wants to make it a priority to continue certain traditions that make Florida, Florida.
Multiple former Gator players returned to The Swamp, including Major Wright, Kyle Trask, Freddie Swain, Martez Ivey, Brandon Powell and Channing Crowder.
Stay tuned to Gators Online.
