Despite facing Utah’s third and fourth-string quarterbacks, the Florida Gators gave up an early 70-yard passing touchdown and never recovered as things went from bad to worse in a 24-11 season-opening loss on Thursday.
Florida’s two-headed monster at running back was anything but. Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne both had trouble getting things going, leaving Wisconsin transfer quarterback Graham Mertz to create most of the offense. The defense was perhaps even more disappointing, though.
A 70-yard touchdown from the Utes set the tone for the evening, and Florida’s fourth-quarter push ended almost as soon as started.
Here are five takeaways from Thursday’s humbling loss.