Game Day: Florida vs McNeese, 7:30 pm

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Externally speaking, there figures to be very little the Florida Gators can get out of Saturday night's 2023 home opener against McNeese.  Last week, the FCS-classified Cowboys, who play out of the Southland Conference, were obliterated by tiny Tarleton State 52-34 at home. They managed just 278 yards of total offense and surrendered 554 to an opponent just three years removed from Division II. On the UF side, of course, the Gators are looking to bounce back from a mistake-marred 24-11 loss at 14th-ranked Utah. New quarterback Graham Mertz looked decent, but the offensive line could not handle the Utes front seven (nor recover from self-inflicted, ill-timed penalties), thus grounding what was supposed to be a solid UF ground game to a halt. UF converted just one of 13 third-down opportunities. Mertz was sacked five times. Defensively, the Gators basically gave up two big plays – both in the first half, that's it – then settled in to allow just 38 yards after intermission and only 3-for-13 on third down. Special teams? Well, they were anything but, starting with the now-infamous double-number penalty that led to a Utah touchdown and completely shifted the game's momentum to the home team.  So many errors for Florida (0-1), but so many of them correctable. Fixing them against McNeese (0-1) will be paramount, obviously, and, if nothing else, push the season-opening performance further in the rear view. That's the internal charge. 

[Read senior writer Scott Carter's comprehensive "Opening Kickoff" setup here]   Externally, even if UF plays lights out, Gator Nation probably won't take much satisfaction from what occurs under the new lights at Spurrier/Florida Field (see tweet below), but that is the least of Coach Billy Napier's concerns. UF has one chance, one game, to reset before things get Southeastern Conference real with a Sept. 16 visit from Tennessee on the immediate horizon.    That, of course, is a conversation for next week.

For now, Florida will look to restore some rhythm and confidence in that rushing attack after the duo of Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson Jr. combined for 10 carries and only 31 yards. Yes, the Gators' early double-digit deficit had a lot to do with disarming the run game. It did not, however, have anything to do with the false-start penalties on crucial third-and-1s, part of a barrage of nine drawn flags.  The special teams gaffe (both Jason Marshall Jr. and Eugene Wilson III on the field for a punt return wearing the same No. 3) turned a UF stop and forced punt into a Utah first down. Four plays later, Utes quarterback Nate Johnson raced 27 yards for a touchdown and 14-3 lead. The Gators also missed a 32-yard field goal, had 21-yard punt that set up a Utes field goal, lined up just eight defenders on a failed Utah field-goal attempt and fielded a punt inside their own 10. Napier voiced his disappointment in the array of game-changing miscues. He also vowed to fix them.  Expect a lot of heat on Cowboys quarterback Nate Glantz (15 of 35, 166 yards, no touchdowns or interceptions, sacked seven times) and the McNeese running game that accounted for just 89 yards. Defensively, McNeese sits at 103rd in FCS after giving up 210 yards on the ground at 5.3 per carry.

Florida currently ranks last in the SEC in total offense (128th in the nation in rushing) and eighth in defense (41st nationally). Much more was (and is) expected from this team. 

Internally and externally.    

The Swamp just got a little more Orange & Blue ???? https://t.co/NLNh3iuvuK

— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) September 2, 2023

Coverage starts at 7:30 p.m. on ESPNU, with Beth Mowins on play-by-play, Kirk Morrison providing analysis and Stormy Buonantony working the sideline. The Gators Sports Network from Learfield will air with pregame coverage beginning at 5 p.m. and eventually give way to the broadcast team of Sean Kelly on the call, Shane Matthews with color and sideline reporter Tate Casey. For stations, click here.  The game will be replayed Sunday at 3 p.m. and again Tuesday at 12 a.m., both on SEC Network. Finally, follow senior staff writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete coverage from the game late Saturday night and fresh follow-up content early Sunday, also.