Florida Gators get feel-good win with 49-7 blowout of McNeese
The Florida Gators badly needed a feel-good victory after struggling in Week 1 at Utah.
They got it Saturday night with a romp at the Swamp.
The Florida offensive line eliminated its penalty issues and blocked much better, the running game that couldn’t get going last week was unstoppable and the defense dominated from the outset.
When it was over, the Gators had the type of win that should give Billy Napier’s team some confidence heading into a rugged SEC schedule — even though it came against a far-inferior opponent.
Final score: Florida 49, McNeese 7.
The outcome Saturday never was in doubt after the Gators scored touchdowns on their first seven possessions. They didn’t punt until the fourth quarter. A late Florida fumble gift-wrapped McNeese its only points.
The Florida Gators dominated on both sides of the ball
Florida’s offensive line, much maligned for its play the previous week in a loss to the Utes, set the tone early by opening massive holes. The Gator running backs hit them early and often and couldn’t be slowed.
Montrell Johnson rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries to lead an overpowering ground game. Trevor Etienne added 84 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. All told, the Gators rushed for 327 yards on 47 carries, including 212 yards in the first half.
This came after they gained only 13 yards via the ground vs. Utah.
Florida quarterback Graham Mertz, who threw 44 times in the opener, wasn’t asked to shoulder as much of the load for the Gators offense Saturday. He was 14 of 17 for 193 yards and 1 touchdown — a 50-yard bomb to Ricky Pearsall.
Florida finished with 560 yard to only 112 for McNeese. The Gators also had a massive edge in first downs — 33 to 6.
The Gators defense stifled McNeese all night.
With the Cowboys driving deep into Florida territory midway through the first quarter, Gators linebacker Scooby Williams recorded a sack for a 12-yard loss on 3rd-and-8 to end the scoring threat. The play was one of many that kept McNeese from getting into any type of rhythm.
Another plus for Florida on Saturday: The Gators got several young players more experience.
Florida hasn’t lost a home opener since 1989, when the Gators fell to Ole Miss. Florida now has won 34 consecutive home openers, which leads the NCAA for the longest active streak in college football.
UF has a huge game at home next week
The Gators (1-1) play host to No. 9 Tennessee (2-0) next Saturday at 7 p.m.
FLORIDA GATORS OFFENSIVE DRIVES
-DRIVE 1: 9 plays, 62 yards, 3:54: Montrell Johnson Jr. run for 2 yds for a TD ( 2-point conversion failed) — 6-0.
-DRIVE 2: 10 plays, 98 yards, 5:28: Graham Mertz run for 1 yd for a TD (Adam Mihalek kick) — 13-0
-DRIVE 3: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:15: Treyaun Webb run for 2 yds for a TD (2-point conversion failed) — 19-0
-DRIVE 4: 10 plays, 74 yards, 3:53: Trevor Etienne run for 8 yds for a TD (Adam Mihalek kick) — 26-0
-DRIVE 5: 7 plays, 71 yards, 3:57: Montrell Johnson Jr. run for 8 yds for a TD (Adam Mihalek kick) — 33-0
-DRIVE 6: 5 plays, 84 yards, 2:41: Graham Mertz pass complete to Ricky Pearsall for 50 yds for a TD (Adam Mihalek kick) — 40-0
-DRIVE 7: 9 plays, 62 yards, 4:54: Treyaun Webb run for 5 yds for a TD (Trey Smack kick) — 49-0
-DRIVE 8: 3 plays, 4 yards, 1:25: PUNT
-DRIVE 9: 4 plays, 7 yards, 2:11: FUMBLE
![A touchdown is celebrated with fireworks in the first half at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 17, 2022. [Cyndi Chambers/Gainesville Sun] Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Usf Bulls](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/08/27214921/Untitled-design-4-4.png)
