Freshman tailback Pierce is a future star for Gators
GAINESVILLE — No. 13 UF earned a 63-10 win over Idaho Saturday. Check out the top three things we learned from Gators’ victory:
1. Whatever happens at tailback, the Gators should be in good hands with freshman Dameon Pierce: Jordan Scarlett did not carry the ball, while leading rusher Lamical Perine took limited snaps.
For the first time this season, Pierce carried the work- load and ran with it, finish- ing with a career-high 13 carries for 77 yards.
Pierce has shined with big runs during cameo appearances, often during mop-up time. He looks more than capable of handing a larger role — and he might have to next season.
Scarlett and Perine are eligible to jump to the NFL. Scarlett, a redshirt junior, is sure to consider his options. Perine, a junior, has shown impressive vision and versatility to establish himself as the team’s most complete back.
Each, of course, could use more seasoning at the college level and another season under Dan Mullen. UF’s first-year head coach said on his weekly radio he sees few NFL-ready players on the Gators’ roster.
Self-serving comments, sure, but also a reality check. But even if Scarlett and Perine roll the dice, Pierce gives the Gators options.
The 5-foot-10, 216-pound Pierce is described by teammates as a bowling ball because he runs low to the ground and with tremendous power.
This past summer, many Gators marveled at his ability to squat 600 pounds with ease.
“That’s just baby weight, you feel me?” Pierce said after UF’s win Saturday.
A native of Bainbridge, Ga., Pierce has been preparing his whole life to run the football.
“I’m from South Georgia,” he said. “That’s all we do; lift weights and play football.”
2. Tight end Kyle Pitts gives Mullen options on offense: Pitts arrived at UF as a tight end, but he has the skills to play receiver. At 6-foot-6, 246 pounds, the first-year freshman is a matchup nightmare.
Pitts showcased his breakaway speed on a 52-yard touchdown — the first of his career. Idaho left him open on the outside and quarterback Feleipe Franks hit Pitts with a quick pass.
Later, quarterback Emory Jones found Pitts streaking down the sideline and made a perfect toss. The ball bounced off Pitts’ hands, but the fact a player his size could beat a defensive back down the field was encouraging.
“He’s a unique talent,” Franks said. “You don’t see guys 250 [pounds], running the way he does and running routes and coming out of breaks quick like that at 250.
“He’s a really good player, and he’s only gonna continue to develop.”
Pitts, who hails from Pennsylvania, had key firstdown catches during wins at Mississippi State and Vanderbilt. While he has just three receptions this season, Mullen can envision the possibilities.
“He’s going to be a mismatch problem for people,” Mullen said. “Is he a tight end? Is he a receiver? As he continues to grow and learn every aspect of the offense [he] becomes a problem for people.”
3. Cupcake Saturday in the SEC needs to go: The Citadel kept things surprisingly interesting with topranked Alabama for a half. Otherwise, it was business as usual with a slew of blowouts of Football Championship Subdivision opponents littering the SEC slate — none more one-sided than in Gainesville.
Bama coach Nick Saban has beaten the drum for the league to move to nine conference games, but no one has joined the call.
Until someone listens, some of the best fan bases in college football will be forcefed overmatched FCS foes on this weekend for years to come.
A visit from 39.5-point underdog Idaho to open the Gators’ season as a quasipreseason game in early September is one thing. But it has no place in mid-November.
The game essentially was over after six seconds, following Chauncey GardnerJohnson pick-six on the game’s first play.
Since the NCAA mandated Football Bowl Subdivision schools play a 12th regular-season game, the SEC has feasted on FCS fare the week before rivalry week.
Nine SEC games — six within the division, an annual crossover game and a rotating crossover opponent — and one against a Power 5 foe would leave two open dates. Two gimmes, max, is enough.
In fairness, Idaho was an FBS school when the Gators scheduled them.
But a nine-game SEC schedule would have moved Idaho into its rightful spot as the season opener. Instead, Senior Day was more a glimpse to the future, with Jones, Pierce and Pitts taking center stage.