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Gators boast a dynamic RB duo in Montrell Johnson, Trevor Etienne

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•11/09/22•

ZachAbolverdi

On3 image
Florida running backs Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne. (Photos by James Gilbert/Getty Images and Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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In Saturday’s win at Texas A&M, Florida’s offense fed the dynamic duo at running back of Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne, both of whom hail from the state of Louisiana.

Johnson had his second 100-yard game of the season (101 yards) on a season-high 22 carries. Etienne rushed for 80 yards for the second time this year and received a season-high 17 carries.

Johnson scored a late touchdown to seal the victory, and he and Etienne have combined for at least one rushing TD in all nine games this season.

“I think those two guys have been a huge bright spot relative to what we’ve been able to do offensively. No question,” Florida coach Billy Napier said of Etienne and Johnson. “Two new players, both of which are getting more comfortable, very capable. Both are smart players. Both are very consistent in their work ethic, their practice habits, their prep during the week.

“They’ve got discipline. They take care of themselves. They both have character. And they certainly have been very productive. And we’ve rolled the other guys in at times. But I think those two — we kind of saw it — they were both in a good place Saturday. We were able to continue to feature those guys. So it was good.”

Johnson and Etienne have combined for 5.9 yards per carry and 112.9 rushing yards per game as a duo this season, accounting for 34 of Florida’s 55 explosive runs (61.8 percent).

Johnson Jr. has rushed 92 times for 549 yards (6.0 YPC) and eight TDs, while Etienne has 81 carries for 467 yards (5.8 YPC) and four TDs. The Gators are one of three SEC teams with two backs with over 450 yards rushing apiece (Ole Miss, Tennessee).

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“I would say the rhythm has been going great between us,” Johnson said. “I think our two skill sets combine really well because he’s a very shifty guy. I call myself a hard-nosed guy. I get the dirty yards sometimes in the long run sometimes. He’s the guy that makes guys miss.

“Trevor is a great player. He’s going to be great in the future. And he’s great now. I think that going future in the season that we’re going to continue to get better, continue to break those long runs that the fans want to see and we’re going to be grateful to Gator football.”

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