[Mark Wheeler]

Florida returns to SEC action with a home game in the Swamp against Missouri Saturday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. in Gainesville a game being shown on ESPNU.

Follow along in the game day thread as Rafael de la Santos and Zack Weiss post updates and observations live from the stadium.

[Mark Wheeler]

Good morning from The Swamp ☀️#GoGators pic.twitter.com/tRBxrJlZRe

— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) October 8, 2022

[Mark Wheeler]

It’s a homecoming debut for @coach_bnapier as Florida makes its Gator Walk?@InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/6aKYsf8INk

— Rafael De Los Santos (@rafdelossantos) October 8, 2022

[Rafael De Los Santos]

The two sides of the Gator coin, @GVOaant and @ventrell_miller look ready at Gator Walk?@InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/wJ4xF2dgEJ

— Rafael De Los Santos (@rafdelossantos) October 8, 2022

[Rafael De Los Santos]

3⭐️ #Gators OT commit @bryceLovett55 is in the building.

Following the win over No. 7 Utah, Lovett told @InsideTheGators he’d be back in the Swamp to watch his brother @zacharylovett10 today against the Gators? pic.twitter.com/G5fq7WbjUF

— Rafael De Los Santos (@rafdelossantos) October 8, 2022

[Rafael De Los Santos]

@GVOaant and @KitnaJalen going through the reads ahead of #UFvsMizzou @InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/n1jmD3M8oJ

— Rafael De Los Santos (@rafdelossantos) October 8, 2022

[Zackary Weiss]

Not dressed out today:

DL Chris Thomas Jr.
OL David Conner
OL Michael Tarquin
TE Arlis Boardingham
TE Nick Elksnis
QB Jack Miller
CB Devin Moore
RB Eddie Battle

Elksnis has an arm sling on his right arm.

[Rafael De Los Santos]

Top 5 places you don’t want to be: at tackle with @brenton_cox_ coming at you.@InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/24B8pasWpk

— Rafael De Los Santos (@rafdelossantos) October 8, 2022

[Rafael De Los Santos]

@justusboone6 breaks it down for the defensive line and @SpenceChaos for the second game running. @InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/IJxufFu1HV

— Rafael De Los Santos (@rafdelossantos) October 8, 2022

[Mark Wheeler]

Solid turnout for the #Gators today, noon game and all.
Lower bowl is pretty filled up.
10 minutes till kickoff@InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/UZOUaWH3w4

— Zack Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) October 8, 2022

[Mark Wheeler]

Florida won the toss and deferred to the second half.

[Mark Wheeler]

Burney didn’t get the tackle, but he slowed the runner and made him change direction in the backfield.

[Rafael De Los Santos]

Here come the #Gators! @coach_bnapier leads team out alongside @ChandlerParsons.@InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/tcqyPXmHVB

— Rafael De Los Santos (@rafdelossantos) October 8, 2022

[Mark Wheeler]

Umanmelien has had a fire lit under him. Huge tackle for loss.

[Mark Wheeler]

Give Dean credit there. That was a damn good stop in the backfield.

[Zackary Weiss]

Absolutely no pressure on the Gators offense on that first play. Patient in the pocket, AR found a wide open Justin Shorter over the middle for a 20 yard gain.

[Mark Wheeler]

That probably should have been picked. Richardson got lucky there.

[Zackary Weiss]

Scared money making a bit of money here early. Napier decides to punt it away early on 4th and 3 close to midfield. Will be interesting to see how he continues to handle fourth down situations as this game plays out.

[Mark Wheeler]

After a strong start to the season, Montrell Johnson now has 14 carries for 43 yards (3.0 avg) over the last two games and opening drive today. We’ll see if he can get it back on track through the rest of the game.

[Rafael De Los Santos]

The Mizzou receivers couldn’t hear the sideline whatsoever, Coach tried adjusting the receivers.

Forced to call their first timeout of the half, the Swamp playing a big time role already.

[Steven Hieneman]

Never thought I’d see the day the refs call a holding on Gervon Dexter, seems like he’s been getting held all year and nobody bats an eye. Big penalty to stall Mizzou’s momentum.

[Mark Wheeler]

Burney has some bad plays in coverage and misses some tackles, but let’s not act like he doesn’t make more plays in the backfield than any other Florida defender.

[Steven Hieneman]

Torrence holding his ribs briefly after that third down stop. Lets hope he’s okay.

[Mark Wheeler]

Who is wearing the No. 3 out there? That looked like Chris Rainey, not Xzavier Henderson.

[Zackary Weiss]

The crowd here is absolutely ballistic after that Xzavier Henderson 38-yard punt return. A TD here would put all the momentum in Florida’s favor. The Gators’ offense has to take advantage of field positions like this when they’re given to them. This can’t be a 3-and-out.

[Steven Hieneman]

It looks like Mizzou’s defensive line is clearly winning the battle in the trenches early, not a lot of holes for the running backs to hit.

[Zackary Weiss]

And just like that, the Gators go 3-and-out. Adam Mihalek will attempt a 37-yard field goal.

[Steven Hieneman]

Hey, interesting concept but what if we threw the ball downfield?

[Zackary Weiss]

4 plays, 4 yards on the scoring drive for Florida… points are points I suppose.

3-0 Gators

[Mark Wheeler]

A 3-0 lead feels like a letdown after that big return by Henderson.

[Steven Hieneman]

Trey Dean playing deep and it seems like he’s unsure of when to bite on the pass, doesn’t want to get burnt again

[Zackary Weiss]

Ventrell Miller saw the audible and called it out to his defense. Clearly once again stepping into the role as their vocal leader. He slipped on the play resulting in a big run for Mizzou, but it was clear he knew exactly where the ball was headed.

[Steven Hieneman]

JAYDON HILL. READ LIKE A BOOK.

[Mark Wheeler]

The announcer misidentified Jaydon Hill for Desmond Watson. Watson is at least two Hills.

Touchdown Florida. 10-0 Gators.

[Zackary Weiss]

Jaydon Hill’s first career interception is a pick six… not bad.

[Zackary Weiss]

#Gators CB Jaydon Hill embraces with WR Ricky Pearsall after his pick-6@InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/E9nmDaL7FI

— Zack Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) October 8, 2022

[Zackary Weiss]

Fun fact- both of Florida’s pick-6s came from guys who hadn’t had an interception yet @J_BOOGIE_6 vs USF @_jhill5 today

Most pick 6s in a season since 2018@InsideTheGators

— Cam Parker (@camparker25) October 8, 2022

[Steven Hieneman]

Get on Dexter has been eating up double teams and still creating some push up front. It’s on the other guys to win their 1-on-1 matchups if the Gators want a potent pass rush.

[Steven Hieneman]

Gervon Dexter^ excuse me.

[Zackary Weiss]

On top after one. #GoGators | #jOURney pic.twitter.com/JwbRMc8hPO

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 8, 2022

[Mark Wheeler]

Florida’s James with the third down stop.

[Zackary Weiss]

HILL 2 THE ? pic.twitter.com/VEyZ2TR3qS

— Barstool Florida (@UFBarstool) October 8, 2022

[Mark Wheeler]

Henderson not given enough of a halo on the fair catch.

[Steven Hieneman]

Was wondering if they were going to call that, Henderson definitely had to extend his arms to try to catch that. By the letter of the law that’s a great call.

[Mark Wheeler]

Lang with a good catch on a ball thrown a little behind him.

[Mark Wheeler]

Finally, we see Burke targeted. Heads-up play by Burke staying with a terrible pass attempt by Richardson.

[Mark Wheeler]

Now, if you are going to throw a third-down screen, Burke and Pearsall need to be the targets. First down Florida.

[Steven Hieneman]

I love that from Marcus Burke. He’s fighting for play time, so what does he do? He goes head up with one of their hardest hitting DBs and wins the battle for an extra yard.

[Zackary Weiss]

Gorgeous, perfectly-placed throw out of play-action from Richardson to sophomore WR Ja’Quavion Fraziars is batted out of Fraziers’ hands at the last second by DB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. — great defensive play preventing AR’s first touchdown of the day.

[Mark Wheeler]

Damn, did Richardson redirect Etienne there by holding on? Is the that powerful?

[Steven Hieneman]

Throw. The. Ball. On third and medium.

[Mark Wheeler]

He had the distance, but missed FG attempt.

[Rafael De Los Santos]

Florida Hall of Fame inductees @joehaden23, @ChandlerParsons and former AD Jeremy Foley have their honors acknowledged by the Swamp:@InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/kZFs1FESLQ

— Rafael De Los Santos (@rafdelossantos) October 8, 2022

[Mark Wheeler]

Burke was about to get loose ?

— Treyaun Webb (@w_treyaun) October 8, 2022

[Zackary Weiss]

Ventrell Miller out for a play and the Gators give up a huge run right up the middle.

[Zackary Weiss]

Miller is back in.

[Steven Hieneman]

Yeah, you’re not going to be able to lower your shoulder through Gervon Dexter, buddy.

[Steven Hieneman]

Good initial run defense on that Mizzou TD, but have to keep containment on the edges.

[Zackary Weiss]

Scoring drive for the Tigers:

11 plays
160 yards
5:36
5-yard TD run by RB Cody Schrader

[Romeg8r]

Our defense keeps disappointing. I’m saying to say it again. Hire Geoff Collins.

[Zackary Weiss]

Yeah Hill!!!!!!! Love to see it brudda ? @_jhill5 https://t.co/mk0zJt0XiH

— Emory Jones (@eXjones6) October 8, 2022

[Zackary Weiss]

That fumble was caused by OL Richard Gouraige missing a block, which resulted in the hit on Richardson.

[Romeg8r]

That is an incomplete pass.

[Mark Wheeler]

Florida is up 10-7 with under four minutes remaining in the first half. The Gators have only 59-yards of total offense and Anthony Richardson has yet to run the ball.

[Romeg8r]

Might be better off with Kitna.

[Romeg8r]

Make the tackle

[Zackary Weiss]

Brenton Cox standing with hands on hips looking up at the sky after that missed tackle — looks like he can’t believe he missed that one.

[Mark Wheeler]

Big stop by Florida to bring up third down and no timeouts remaining for Missouri.

[Zackary Weiss]

There are less than 30 seconds left in the half and the #Gators have 59 yards of total offense.
Anthony Richardson has ran the ball 1 time for -5 yards.

That's… uh… not great…

— Zack Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) October 8, 2022

[Mark Wheeler]

Why does UF call a TO there? Make them scramble to kick it?

[Romeg8r]

Why TF would Napier call a effing time out. That was sheer stupidity. That was moronic.

[Mark Wheeler]

And if you were hoping to do something in the last 20 some seconds, you just burned another TO? WTF?

[Romeg8r]

That is the first check mark in the “question your future at UF” column

[Mark Wheeler]

Thanks to a pick-six by Jaydon Hill and a 48 yard punt return by Xzaiver Henderson, Florida is tied 10-10 with Missouri at the half. The Gators have been held to 60 yards of total offense with only three first downs.

[Romeg8r]

For the first time since his hire I question Napier’s ability to do the job. That was as dumb a decision as I’ve seen.

[Zackary Weiss]

Halftime stats, as the #Gators are tied up 10-10 with #Missouri:@InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/jPdLlhGIJv

— Zack Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) October 8, 2022

[Zackary Weiss]

Florida offense (prepare yourself): pic.twitter.com/B82xrDQzax

— Zack Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) October 8, 2022

[Mark Wheeler]

A five yard gain on first down seems like such a huge play…

[Mark Wheeler]

There goes a breakout run for Johnson. He had more yards on that run than he has had in the last 2 1/2 games.

[Zackary Weiss]

Montrell Johnson just carried the ball 41 yards for the #Gators.
The offense as a whole had 65 total yards in the first half.

— Zack Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) October 8, 2022

[Mark Wheeler]

Richardson finally takes off, but gets nowhere fast. Fourth down Florida.

[Mark Wheeler]

Florida misses another FG attempt. Still 10-10.

[Zackary Weiss]

Richardson was slow to get up on the sideline after taking the hit out of bounds on 3rd down. He appears fine now, talking to trainers as the #Gators get a field goal attempt blocked. Momentum beginning to shift the Tigers' way a bit. #Florida needs a big stop here.

— Zack Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) October 8, 2022

[Mark Wheeler]

Walk-on Adam Mihalek is now 1-of-5 from beyond 40-yards. I think we’ve found his distance at this point.

[Rafael De Los Santos]

I guess they must know that Trey Smack doesn’t have the leg from that range either?

[Mark Wheeler]

The running game is coming alive.

[Steven Hieneman]

Holes are beginning to open up, seems like the O-line is coming alive.

[Zackary Weiss]

Richardson had Henderson with SPACE on the right side if he went with the second option on that play rather than handing it to Etienne. Trev did just have a monster run, however, so I get wanting to give him the ball back.

[Mark Wheeler]

Former UF linebacker Tyron Hopper with the stop.

[Mark Wheeler]

Oh, so close to Shorter. You have to have plays like that.

[Steven Hieneman]

Seems like every time the Gators get a big run and a little bit of a momentum, they follow it up with two lackluster plays. Frustrating.

[Mark Wheeler]

Normally, you question a run on third and nine, but with the way the Gators have been throwing the ball, that might have been the best chance for a conversion.

Going for it.

[Romeg8r]

Take the timeouts away from Napier

[Mark Wheeler]

I had whiplash there. It looked like Richardson had a lane, but then threw it instead, and right when I was about to say WTF, he had the ball and was taking off. Huge play Richardson and then Johnson puts UF in the lead.

[Zackary Weiss]

#Gators scoring drive for their first offensive TD of the day:

6 plays
82 yards
2:35
3 yard TD run by Montrell Johnson

— Zack Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) October 8, 2022

[Zackary Weiss]

Today's attendance in The Swamp: 88,471

— Zack Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) October 8, 2022

[Rafael De Los Santos]

Passing game not working? @GVOaant and @Trevor_Etienne get it done on the ground for the TD setup. @InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/kNwdhHmfl7

— Rafael De Los Santos (@rafdelossantos) October 8, 2022

[Rafael De Los Santos]

@Trellll_3 punches it in for the #Gators.
Florida leads Missouri 17-10 in the 3rd. @InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/fzrRdv5Knj

— Rafael De Los Santos (@rafdelossantos) October 8, 2022

[Steven Hieneman]

.

• This reply was modified 5 months, 2 weeks ago by Steven Hieneman.

[Steven Hieneman]

Luther Burden down with what appears to be a substantial knee injury after a Jaydon Hill tackle. Would be a big loss for Mizzou.

[Zackary Weiss]

We don’t see it happen often, but there have been a few key plays today where Jason Marshall’s given up big gains to his matchup.

[Steven Hieneman]

JAYDON HILL PART TWO!!! GREAT TO HAVE THIS KID BACK.

[Mark Wheeler]

Hill does it again.

[Rafael De Los Santos]

Second game back and second interception of the game for @_jhill5 @InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/k4yAh432Po

— Rafael De Los Santos (@rafdelossantos) October 8, 2022

[Steven Hieneman]

Florida up 17-10 despite their offense being 1 for 7 on third downs. Great showing from their defense, and especially Jaydon Hill.
He and Ventrell Miller have been major difference makers in this game.

[Mark Wheeler]

The run probably had it, but the facemask made the measurement moot.

[Mark Wheeler]

Johnson with another big run. Florida has the ball in scoring position.

[Steven Hieneman]

Montrell Johnson has great field vision, and Justin Shorter is relentless with downfield blocks. That’s a great combination for edge runs.

[Zackary Weiss]

It’s that time again ?#Gators lead 17-10 going into the 4th@InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/xxlM9qdsx2

— Zack Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) October 8, 2022

[Mark Wheeler]

That is now 200-yards rushing for Florida on the day after another big run for Johnson.

[Zackary Weiss]

Have a day, @_jhill5!!

? @ESPNU pic.twitter.com/jDxjjXk9hB

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 8, 2022

[Zackary Weiss]

Oh my lord Anthony Richardson what a throw…

24-10 Gators

[Mark Wheeler]

That was a thread-the-needle type of throw and an example of what Richardson is capable of doing.

[Mark Wheeler]

After being held to 60 yards of offense in the first half, Florida has 200 yards of offense here in the second half with 11 minutes remaining.

[Mark Wheeler]

Miller shoe string tackle to save what would have been a big gain.

[Rafael De Los Santos]

@GVOaant finds @slickseason_1 for the TD.
Pearsall received a heavy shove in the back following the score.
As you can see, he shrugged it off.#Gators lead 24-10 @InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/FGZWQsJXQb

— Rafael De Los Santos (@rafdelossantos) October 8, 2022

[Mark Wheeler]

Cox with the sack for Florida to bring up third and long.

[Steven Hieneman]

Now the Florida pass rush is waking up… pieces of the puzzle falling into place one by one.

[Steven Hieneman]

Jadarrius Perkins has to do more there.

[Mark Wheeler]

After praising Perkins last week, that was a terrible angle. First down conversion for Missouri on a 3rd and 22.

[Romeg8r]

We were playing 12 yards off that receiver. I can’t stand Toney’s defense.

[Steven Hieneman]

Florida with a couple chances to get off the field on that drive.

Perkins needs to funnel the receiver to the sideline and stay in front of him on third and long… trying to make a stick tackle and missing resulted in a conversion.

Jalen Kimber had to get a hand on that duck of a pass from Cook.

[Zackary Weiss]

Missouri scoring drive:

9 plays
175 yards
5:12
18 yard TD run by RB Nathaniel Peat (who’s now up to 137 yards on the day)

[Zackary Weiss]

This offensive line has had a GREAT second half compared to a pretty abysmal first. Etienne is finding holes everywhere right now.

[Mark Wheeler]

Went to the well once too often. The running game being this successful should open up the passing game on first and second down.

[Zackary Weiss]

Florida uses their second timeout of the half and now has just one left with 3:50 to go in the game.

[Zackary Weiss]

Brutal penalty against OL Ethan White (offsides) makes it 2nd & 19 for the Gators

[Mark Wheeler]

Umanmielen with another huge play. Napier should bench a defensive starter a game just to light a fire under them.

[Zackary Weiss]

The #Florida (basically second half) offense: pic.twitter.com/wq4rO4tV5X

— Zack Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) October 8, 2022

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