Run Ricky Run: Pearsall turns on the jets with NFL play concept from OC Sale
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In Sunday’s win over Eastern Washington, the Gators recorded a 75-yard touchdown pass and 75-yard touchdown run in the same game for just the third time since 1996.
Anthony Richardson accomplished the feat at USF last season and Florida also did it against Tennessee in 2012. Richardson opened Sunday’s game with a 75-yard touchdown pass to Justin Shorter, which marked just the third time in the last 30 years that UF has thrown a touchdown on its first offensive play.
Not to be outdone by Shorter, fellow receiver Ricky Pearsall broke off a 76-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to put the Gators up 28-3. It marked the longest rushing play by a FBS WR this season and also tied for the third-longest run by a UF wide receiver in the last 25 years, tying Josh Hammond’s 76-yard TD vs. Kentucky in 2019.
Florida coach Billy Napier said the play call came from offensive coordinator Rob Sale, who was the New York Giants offensive line coach last season.
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“Well executed,” Napier said of Pearsall’s touchdown. “Two years ago in the NFL, that concept went rampant. It’s one that we’ve had in the chamber a little bit. Coach Sale brought that idea to the table, having been in the National Football League. It worked well. [Jonathan] Odom had a really good, key block at the point of attack. Ricky set it up. It’s good to have a player who’s got enough speed to finish and certainly he showed that.”
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In other Florida football news
- Opening statement: The Gators threw a rare touchdown on their first play Sunday.
- Grading the performance of the Gators in their 52-17 blowout win over the Eagles.
- Tracking the snap counts of the Florida football players against Eastern Washington.
- Monday, the SEC announced the kickoff time and network for the Florida-LSU game.
UF recruiting roundup
- Recruiting Intel: Is Gators commit Sharif Denson visiting elsewhere this weekend?
- Five-star teammates are gearing up for their official visit weekend with the Gators.
- Elite QB Colin Hurley receives red-carpet treatment during his latest visit to Florida.
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