Florida Gators could be without Trevor Etienne against Vanderbilt
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators could be without their leading rusher this weekend. Sophomore running back Trevor Etienne is listed as “questionable” with an upper-body injury for the Gators’ game against the Vanderbilt Commodores.
When asked about Etienne’s status, Billy Napier pointed to Etienne’s status on the depth chart.
Etienne is leading the Gators in rushing this season. He has carried the ball 60 times for 358 yards and two touchdowns. Etienne hasn’t earned a start this season but does lead the Gators in carries and yards. He has also served as Florida’s kick returner this season.
“If that happens I’m preparing for it. It doesn’t matter who gets the ball. I’m preparing for it,” starting junior running back Montrell Johnson said. “If Trevor can’t go I trust the coaches to put me in the right plays. If that means more carries, I’m ready for it.”
Without Etienne, Florida would elevate freshman running back Treyaun Webb to second string and walk-on redshirt senior Eddie Battle to third string this week. Johnson will continue in his role as the starter.
A Freshman All-SEC selection, Etienne played in all 13 games in his freshman season and finished second on the team in rushing yards (719) and yards per carry (6.1). His 719 yards on the ground ranked fourth-most by a freshman in program history. Etienne recorded two 100-yard games against South Carolina (100 yds.) and at Florida State (129 yds.).
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A member of the 2022-23 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll and the 2023 Paul Hornung Award watch list, his 85-yard touchdown run was tied for the sixth-longest by an FBS running back last year, the seven-longest in school history and the second-longest scoring rush by a freshman in program history. On special teams, Etienne returned 17 kicks for 421 yards, totaling 100 yards in three returns vs. LSU.
Etienne’s career day
Etienne had the game of his career against the Tennessee Volunteers. He ran 23 times for 172 yards and a touchdown, averaging 7.5 yards per carry.
“Yeah. I mean, Trevor was on fire out there tonight,” Napier said postgame. “I mean, just the instincts, the vision. Him and Montrell both were in situations where they made guys miss tackles. And then after contact created big plays. You think about the screen, Montrell gets a little piece of the guy. Both of those guys have got great contact balance.
“And what’s good for our team is they’re some of the hardest working kids that we have. They have character. They’re extremely bright. They set a great example. So I think that helps your team when your best players are the best examples.”
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