The Opening Kickoff: No. 12 Gators vs. No. 20 Kentucky

Parking note: Lot F (Flavet Field) is closed Saturday. More information here.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — As the Gators kicked off their first season under head coach Billy Napier a week ago against Utah, questions swirled around what kind of team Napier would have.

Could quarterback Anthony Richardson be the difference-maker that so many project him to be? Is the young defensive line capable of slowing down explosive offensive teams? Has Napier and his staff had enough time to influence a team that stumbled over its own feet at key times last year?

There are few definitive answers one game into a season, but Florida’s 29-26 comeback win over the No. 7 Utes showed that the Gators can compete. Napier praised the fight his team showed in his postgame press conference.

 

Leave No Doubt.

🎥 Game 2 Trailer pic.twitter.com/f6EDMaroSZ

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 9, 2022

Of all the questions that hinted at answers in Week 1, Richardson’s performance provided the most hope of better days ahead. The third-year sophomore electrified the crowd with a 45-yard touchdown run, a two-point conversion pass, and a key scramble on fourth-and-2 in the fourth quarter.

Richardson wasn’t perfect, but he played superbly in his first career start at The Swamp. Richardson and the 12th-ranked Gators take center stage again Saturday night when No. 20 Kentucky visits Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams. 

Questions remain, but based on the way the Gators played against Utah, the potential answers seem much more promising.

For more on Saturday’s game between the Gators and Wildcats, here is The Opening Kickoff:

 

THREE STORYLINES

• Following a splendid first career home start (106 yards rushing, 3 TDs, career-high 168 passing), Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson will have all eyes on him against the Wildcats. Richardson made the plays in the victory over Utah and perhaps, more importantly, avoided costly mistakes while running the UF offense efficiently. Kentucky is a physical defense in another test for Richardson in his first home start in SEC play.
• The UF defense did not come up with a sack against the Utes and allowed 446 yards. Outside linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. (10 tackles) and middle linebacker Ventrell Miller (9) were active and involved in much of the action, but the Gators could use some help from the defensive line to pressure…