Junior running back Montrell Johnson Jr. lined up behind redshirt junior quarterback Graham Mertz two yards from the end zone and sprinted across the goal line for Florida’s first score of the game early in the first quarter.
The touchdown — which was preceded by 52 rushing yards in the opening drive — was the first of six touchdowns Florida scored on the ground. The Gators dominated the run game and tallied 327 rushing yards and six scores against McNeese State.
The Florida Gators (1-1) began their three-game home stand by defeating the McNeese State Cowboys (0-2) 49-7 Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida recorded its first victory since it defeated South Carolina 38-6 Nov. 12 last season.
Johnson led the Gators’ ground attack with 119 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.
Florida found the end zone in its first seven drives. UF’s trio of running backs — Johnson, sophomore Trevor Etienne and freshman Treyaunn Webb — carved its way through McNeese State’s defense and scored three times in the first half.
Johnson led the way in the Gators’ first drive. He punched in the first score with a two-yard run up the gut and recorded 44 yards throughout the opening drive.
In total, Florida ran its way into the end zone four times in the first half. Florida redshirt junior quarterback Graham Mertz forced his way across the goal line on a quarterback sneak for a one-yard touchdown. Webb and Etienne added on with two touchdowns in the second quarter.
When the clock ran down and both teams jogged off the field for halftime, the Gators led 26-0 and recorded 212 rushing yards.
The offensive plan of attack showed major improvements and looked noticeably refined compared to Florida’s week one matchup.
The running game was nearly nonexistent when the Gators were defeated by the No. 12 Utah Utes Aug. 31. Excluding the 29 rushing yards Mertz lost to five sacks by the Utes, Florida tallied only 3.5 yards-per-carry and 43 yards on the ground the entirety of the game.
“Getting the running game early I think helps the passing game,” said senior wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.
The Wisconsin transfer quarterback finished with 193 passing yards and a touchdown in less than three quarters of action Saturday night.
Pearsall led the way in the receiving room with 123 yards on six catches, including a 50-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
“Against Utah, we just kind of beat ourselves,” Pearsall said. “[Tonight] was more about executing and eliminating penalties.”
Florida quickly separated itself from its opponents with its dominant pass rush. The Gators recorded five tackles-for-loss, two sacks and pressured McNeese quarterback Nate Glantz all night.
Gators sophomore defensive lineman Tyreak Sapp talked about the importance of getting the team’s first sack during the team press conference Wednesday.
“This week, try to get some sacks on our stats,” Sapp said. “I take it as my job to control that and make sure we’re doing everything we can to harass the [quarterback].”
Florida failed to record a sack in its first game against Utah but played a significant role in the win Saturday. The defense added two points in the third quarter and tackled Cowboys running back D’Angelo Durham in the endzone for a safety.
The Gators allowed just 112 yards for the game. It was one of Florida’s most dominant defensive performances.
“I think that's the best defensive performance in how many years?” Napier said. “We got a lot of young players out there playing, and I think those guys will get a little bit better.”
Florida led 42-0 entering the final quarter, and several younger players and reserves were given opportunities to take snaps.
“To see some of those guys to go between the lines and have an opportunity to play, that’s really special,” Napier said.
Webb continued to dominate the ground game and scored another touchdown in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with 14 carries for 71 yards and two touchdowns.
Freshman wide receiver Aidan Mizell and freshman tight end Arlis Boardingham recorded the first catches of their career. Mizell made a 16-yard grab in the fourth quarter and Boardingham made an eight yard catch minutes later.
Florida quarterbacks redshirt freshman Max Brown and graduate student Micah Leon each led drives in the final quarter. Brown completed two of three passing attempts for 24 yards, and Leon completed one attempt for nine yards.
The Cowboys’ lone score occurred with 2:24 left in the fourth quarter after Gators redshirt senior running back Eddie Battle fumbled deep in Florida territory. McNeese took over on the eight-yard line, and sophomore running back Coleby Hamm punched in an eight-yard score.
The Gators continue their home stand and play the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers at 7 p.m. Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Contact Luke Adragna at ladragna@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @lukeadrag.
Luke Adragna is a third-year journalism student and the Florida Gators football reporter at The Alligator. He is a cat ethusiast and completes the NYT Daily Mini in less than a minute each day.
