Emory Jones Remains the Gators Starting QB, Says Dan Mullen

Despite another sensational performance from Florida Gators redshirt freshman QB Anthony Richardson, head coach Dan Mullen remains confident in his starter Emory Jones.

Demetrius Harvey | Sep 12, 2021

Photo Credit: Alex Shepherd

There still won't be a quarterback change in Gainesville this week despite another stellar performance from redshirt freshman QB Anthony Richardson, and an up-and-down affair from redshirt junior Emory Jones.

No, Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen believes in Jones and enjoys the idea of having a quarterback room that has two very good players within it.

Following the Gators' 42-20- victory over the South Florida Bulls on Saturday, Mullen was asked plainly, is Jones still the starting quarterback for the Gators? The head coach responded in kind, yet again miffed by the question for a second-straight week.

"Yes. Like I said, we have two really good quarterbacks. You’ll see both of them play every single game," said Mullen. "You know what you never ask? Why don’t you ask who the starting running back is? Who started today?”

Of course, there isn't a controversy surrounding the running back position. That position has historically rotated players depending on who the hot-hand is on the day. Sure, there is a best of the bunch, but the QB position is much more fragile, much more important to a team's success on a down-to-down basis.

On Saturday, Richardson was as efficient as a signal-caller could be, illustrating why many have viewed him as the eventual heir to the throne that is the Gators' starting quarterback position.

In limited action yesterday, Richardson completed all three of his passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns. He would take four rushing attempts for 115 yards and a touchdown, including an 80-yard scamper that would put a cap to his day as he came up lame following the run.

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

Still, while Richardson didn't get quite as much time as many would have hoped to see on the day, he showed off just how valuable he is to the Florida football program, and why there are many questioning whether or not he should receive more playing time as the season moves forward.

For Jones, his day wouldn't be as fruitful. While the first half was markedly better for the redshirt junior to last week's performance, his second-half performance left much to be desired. On the day, Jones completed just 14 out of 22 of his passes for 151 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

The two interceptions were the standout plays from Jones during the second half of the contest, two of which Mullen feels Jones would certainly like to have back.

"Those are just some growing mistakes," said Mullen. "The first one was a bad one. The second one, he just has to speed up his read. He was just late on his throw on the second one.

"Those are things you got to continue to learn. I thought he played much better this week than last week, in the first half for sure. I think we just got sloppy in the second half. You have to execute every single snap of the game there’s so few opportunities.”

Conversely, it appears as though Mullen still doesn't feel Richardson is quite ready for the duties that come with being the starting QB for the Gators. He's got much to learn, though he's exciting when he makes a couple of big plays during the contests.

"You got to read, there's a lot that the quarterback has to do, a lot of different reads that are out there on the field, so if that makes sense, I mean a lot," Mullen said of what Richardson needs to improve on as a QB.

"And you're like, 'Oh what a spectacular run.' The long touchdown was a great read. He read it properly, broke a tackle, scored a touchdown ... I have great appreciation, our fans, have great appreciation of, you know, watching things and watching great athletes out there on the field.

"And great guys make great plays out there on the field. We're pretty fortunate, we have two quarterbacks right now that can make great plays out there on the field, play both of them."

Both of them. So, while there is certainly something to make of Richardson's performance against USF, the brakes must remain pumped as the team heads into its SEC matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Jones remains the starting QB, for now, but Richardson will continue to receive his reps.

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Published Sep 12, 2021

DEMETRIUS HARVEY

Demetrius Harvey is a beat writer covering the Florida Gators, including football, basketball and recruiting. He currently serves as the deputy editor of Sports Illustrated - AllGators. Demetrius also covers the Jacksonville Jaguars for Vox Media. Follow Demetrius on Twitter at @Demetrius82.