Gators roll over Idaho
Freshman QB Jones impressive in relief of Franks
GAINESVILLE — The game never was in doubt. Florida’s future at quarterback is sure to be.
During the Gators’ 63-10 rout of Idaho, Emory Jones saw his most extensive action this season.
While an announced crowd of 81,467 Saturday looked on during UF’s Senior Day in the Swamp, the first-year freshman flashed his vast potential and set the stage for a quarterback race next spring with Feleipe Franks.
Many wondered whether Jones would push Franks for playing time this season, but Jones was not ready.
Against overmatched Idaho, Jones showed he is getting closer.
“There’s a lot that he can build off from this game,” UF coach Dan Mullen said.
Idaho, a Football Championship Subdivision school receiving a $1.2 million payday, offered no true barometer for the No. 13 Gators (8-3).
The Vandals (4-6) entered the day allowing an average of 34.9 points as well as 440.8 yards and yielded UF season-highs in points and yards (600).
When a 4-yard pass from Jones to freshman tailback Dameon Pierce gave UF a 56-0 lead, the Gators were averaging nine yards per play.
Regardless of the quality of competition, Jones showcased impressive arm strength and accuracy, finishing 12-of-16 passing for 125 yards and two touchdowns. In the pocket, he generally looked poised. Out of the pocket, Jones showed his speed and elusiveness on a 15-yard run on the opening drive of the second half.
“He can throw the ball,” Mullen said. “I think one of the things, even when we were recruiting him, he was more of a pocket passer than a dual-threat guy. He just happens to be a great athlete.”
Jones later fumbled a snap out of the shotgun formation for his one serious misstep on the day. He will have several months to iron out the kinks and prepare to unseat Franks, who has started every game this season.
Franks did little wrong against the hapless Vandals and led UF to a 42-0 lead before Jones took over late in the first half.
“Our decision is if we’re going to get him in, we want to get him in as soon as possible,” Mullen said. “I wanted him to get as many reps as possible. It was great to get him in as early as we got him in.”
Franks exited the game at 19-of-27 passing for 274 yards and three touchdowns. He missed a handful of throws, including a long pass to Van Jefferson, who was wide open.
Meanwhile, Jones’ first throw of the game was down field and on target to tight end Kyle Pitts but bounced off the hands of the first-year freshman.
Jones tossed several other darts, including a 12-yard pass on third-and-11 to Trevon Grimes on the sideline and a 20-yard throw in the middle of the field to tight end Lucas Krull.
“I mean he dropped a dime right in there,” Mullen marveled. “Threw a couple other good ones.”
Jones completed passes to seven different players on a day when plenty of Gators got in on the act.
Defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson started off things quickly.
On the game’s first play, he intercepted Idaho quarterback Mason Petrino, son of coach Paul Petrino, and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown six seconds into the game.
“Well, I don’t think we could have scored faster,” Mullen said. “Is that like the fastest touchdown in Gators history?”
While UF could not find an official answer, Saturday’s game effectively was over in a single play.
Following a three-andout possession by Idaho, the Gators needed just three plays to grab a 14-0 lead. Franks followed a 27-completion to senior tight C’yontai Lewis with a 17-yard touchdown run following a smooth play-fake that fooled the Idaho defense.
UF did not need tailback Jordan Scarlett, or leading touchdown maker Freddie Swain, to score on seven of eight first-half possessions.
A week after he rushed for a career-high 159 yards, Scarlett touched the football just twice. He gained three yards on a screen pass and took a hand-off from Franks and flipped it to Josh Hammond on a reverse for a 21-yard touchdown.
“He should be fresh next week,” Mullen joked of Scarlett.
While Scarlett rested and Lamical Perine ran six times for 34 yards, Pierce rushed a career-high 13 times for 77 yards.
Five different Gators caught touchdowns, including Hammond, who recorded his first two-touchdown game (one receiving, one rushing). A 52-yard touchdown by Pitts was the first of his career and exhibited his breakaway speed at 6-foot-6, 246 pounds.
A sun-splashed send-off of the Gators’ senior class offered a window into the future, with the 18-year-old Jones stealing the show.
Asked how he thought Jones performed against Idaho, Pierce, in his own words, summed up what everyone saw in the Swamp.
“According to me, my dog balled,” he said.