Florida gets picky late to knock off No. 7 Utah

Anthony Richardson ran for three scores in his second career start, including a twoyard scamper with 1:25 remaining, and Florida upset seventh-ranked Utah 29-26 in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday night to get the Billy Napier era off to a rousing start.

Richardson was the best player on the field most of the night. He played well down the stretch, although linebacker Amari Burney was the one who sealed the victory for the Gators.

Burney intercepted Cam Rising’s second-down pass into the end zone with 17 seconds remaining.

Richardson took a knee from there, and the Gators stormed the field to revel in their 33rd consecutive victory in home season openers.

That’s the longest current streak in the nation.

Richardson ran 11 times for 106 yards and was never stopped for a loss. He completed 17 of 24 passes for 168 yards and played turnoverfree football.

He had an electrifying two-point conversion early in the fourth quarter that put the Gators up 22-19.

He juked former Florida teammate Mohamoud Diabate with a pump fake and then sprinted right by fellow Utah linebacker Lander Barton before throwing a strike to Ja’Quavion Fraziers in the back of the end zone.

Utah answered and took the lead briefly, but Richardson did it again. He moved the chains with a third-down throw and again with a fourth-down run, both of which set up his winner.

Rising moved the Utes in position to steal one on the road for a team that entered the season with its highest preseason ranking in school history.

But Rising’s last pass was his most important — or costly — of the night.

Rising completed 22 of 32 passes for 216 yards, with a touchdown and the turnover. He also ran for 91 yards.

Tavion Thomas had 115 yards rushing and a score for Utah, which caught a break when it rained about two hours before kickoff and erased whatever advantage Florida had with sweltering summer heat and humidity.

Arizona 38, at San Diego State 20:

Jayden de Laura threw four touchdown passes, three to fellow transfer Jacob Cowing, and the Wildcats beat the Aztecs on a sizzling day to spoil the debut of Snapdragon Stadium.

The Aztecs waited two years for their new stadium to be built next to where 70,000seat SDCCU Stadium once stood, and then were embarrassed by the Wildcats on a 100-degree day.

at California 34, UC Davis 13: Jack Plummer threw three touchdown passes in his debut for the Golden Bears and Craig Woodson returned an interception for a score to help rout the Aggies.

at Stanford 41, Colgate 10: Tanner McKee threw two touchdown passes to Michael Wilson and the Cardinal routed the FCS Raiders in a season opener for both teams. E.J. Smith, the son of former Dallas Cowboys star Emmitt Smith, had career bests with 118 yards rushing and five catches while running for two touchdowns.

at Washington State 24, Idaho 17:

Cameron Ward threw two of his three touchdown passes in the second half to lead the Cougars past the Vandals. Ward completed 25 of 40 passes for 215 yards. Nokia Watson had 117 yards in 18 carries.

at Oregon State 34, Boise State 17:

Chance Nolan completed 14 of 23 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Beavers. Boise State’s Hank Bachmeier was replaced by freshman Taylen Green at quarterback after Bachmeier threw two picks and lost a fumble in the first quarter.

at Washington 45, Kent State 20:

Michael Penix Jr. threw for 345 yards and four touchdowns, and Jalen McMillan caught five passes for 87 yards and two scores to spark the Huskies in the opener.