The ground game showed up big time for Florida football in Week 3 against the Tennessee Volunteers, led by true sophomore [autotag]Trevor Etienne[/autotag] — brother of NFL standout Travis Etienne — who ran all over the visitors inside of Benn Hill Griffin Stadium.
The running back amassed 172 yards on 23 carries including a 62-yard scamper for a touchdown in his best collegiate game so far. As a result, College Sports Wire’s Ryan Haley anointed Etienne as the top rushing performer in the Southeastern Conference last weekend.
Haley explains his pick below, with the caveat that he is a Florida Gators alumnus and had a vested interest in Week 3’s outcome.
The sophomore made his presence felt in front of the home crowd immediately on Saturday, taking his first carry 12 yards for a first down. He then one-upped himself a drive later, bouncing off tacklers and rumbling 62 yards for a score to tie the game. The Gators relied on him to salt away their upset over Tennessee, with 10 carries for 47 yards in the final quarter, including a pair of 19-yard daggers to keep the UT offense on the sideline.
Next up for Napier and the Gators are the Charlotte 49ers who come to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 23. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. EDT and the game will be broadcast on the SEC Network+.
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