Suspense Looms After Gators QB Anthony Richardson Injures Hamstring

Will rising Florida Gators star quarterback Anthony Richardson be available against Alabama?

Zach Goodall | Sep 12, 2021

Photo: Anthony Richardson; Credit: Alex Shepherd, AllGators.com

Anthony Richardson made something happen every time he was involved in a play against the USF Bulls on Saturday. Naturally, there was plenty of suspense to go around when Richardson exited the game early.

At the end of an 80-yard touchdown scamper, his third score of the day after completing 3-of-3 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns, Richardson went to the ground in pain, holding his leg, before he walked off the field slowly with trainers at his side. He would not return to action.

Head coach Dan Mullen would confirm that Richardson's right hamstring got tight on the run.

"Yeah, hamstring tightened up on him," Mullen said. "Yeah, he does special things; doesn't always do the right thing but he does special things. So, you know, we got to keep coaching him to be efficient and make sure we're making all the right reads."

Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen

Florida Gators defensive end Zachary Carter

Florida Gators wide receiver Jacob Copeland

Florida Gators running back Malik Davis

Florida Gators outside linebacker Chief Borders

Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen

Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson

Florida Gators cornerback Avery Helm

Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen and players head to the sideline

Police officer during the national anthem

United States military members during the National Anthem

Florida Gators tight ends coach Tim Brewster

Florida Gators offensive lineman Ethan White

Florida Gators cornerback Elijah Blades

Florida Gators wide receiver Jacob Copeland

Florida Gators kicker Chris Howard

Florida Gators wide receiver Rick Wells

Florida Gators wide receiver Xzavier Henderson

Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones celebrates with wide receiver Xzavier Henderson

Florida Gators defensive end Dante Zanders

Florida Gators cornerback Jadarrius Perkins and edge rusher Jeremiah Moon

Florida Gators running back Dameon Pierce

Florida Gators wide receiver Jacob Copeland

Florida Gators punter Jeremy Crawshaw

Florida Gators cornerback Avery Helm

Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones and center Kingsley Eguakun

Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones

Florida Gators wide receiver Justin Shorter

Florida Gators defensive end Khris Bogle and cornerback Kaiir Elam

Florida Gators wide receiver Jacob Copeland

Florida Gators offense huddles up

Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson

Florida Gators edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr.

Florida Gators honorary 9/11 helmet

Former Florida Gators quarterback Kyle Trask

Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones

Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones and running back Malik Davis

Florida Gators kicker Chris Howard and punter Jeremy Crawshaw

Florida Gators linebacker Derek Wingo

Florida Gators linebacker Diwun Black

Florida Gators defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and linebacker Mohamoud Diabate

Florida Gators wide receiver Jacob Copeland

Florida Gators wide receivers Jacob Copeland and Trent Whittemore

Florida Gators running back Nay'Quan Wright

Florida Gators cornerback Jadarrius Perkins and linebacker Diwun Black

Florida Gators defensive end Zachary Carter

Florida Gators outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon

Florida Gators defensive tackle Daquan Newkirk

Florida Gators linebackers coach Christian Robinson

Florida Gators cornerback Avery Helm

Florida Gators tight end Nick Elksnis

Florida Gators offensive tackle Richard Gouraige

Florida Gators cornerback Kaiir Elam

Florida Gators defensive coordinator Todd Grantham

Florida Gators defensive end Zachary Carter

Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson

Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen

Florida Gators running backs Dameon Pierce and Isaac Ricks

The "special things" Richardson did on Saturday, much like he did a week ago against Florida Atlantic, have created a quarterback controversy in Gainesville - even if Mullen won't admit it. Richardson averaged 50.7 yards per passing attempt against USF and ran the ball at 28.8 yards per carry.

Richardson's 75-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter is the longest passing play UF has recorded since Mullen took over as head coach. Richardson became the first FBS quarterback in the past 25 years to post 100+ rushing yards, 150+ passing yards and a completion percentage of 100% in a game against the Bulls, as well.

Meanwhile, Florida's starter Emory Jones threw two momentum-killing interceptions after getting off to a strong start in the first half, tallying two touchdowns of his own.

Mullen said that although Richardson brought numerous explosive plays to life, he missed some reads along the way as well. Although Mullen would know more than anyone, it's hard to identify exactly which reads Richardson missed as his shortest rush went for eight yards and he did not throw an incomplete pass.

Whether Richardson is playing perfect football or not, his contributions to Florida's offense to start the 2021 season seem impossible to replace or replicate. The Gators will need his talent on the field against the No. 1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide this upcoming Saturday in order to put up a fight, but Richardson's status will remain unclear until the game inches closer.

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Published Sep 12, 2021

ZACH GOODALL

Zach Goodall is the publisher of AllGators.com on FanNation-Sports Illustrated, serving as a beat reporter covering football, recruiting, and occasionally other sports since 2019. Before moving to Gainesville, Zach spent four years covering the Jacksonville Jaguars for SB Nation (2015-18) and Locked On Podcast Network (2017-19), originally launching his sports journalism career as a junior in high school. He also covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for FanNation-Sports Illustrated (2020-22). In addition to writing and reporting, Zach is a sports photographer and videographer who primarily shoots football and basketball games, practices and related events. When time permits in the 24/7 media realm, Zach enjoys road trips, concerts, golf and microbreweries.