Gators Bounce Back to Defeat Commodores, 38-14
Montrell Johnson Jr. and Arlis Boradingham lifted the Gators to a convincing homecoming victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon, 38-14.
The duo of offensive weapons accounted for 52.3% of the offense's production in the contest, compiling 259 total yards and three scores combined.
On the first offensive drive of the contest, Florida moved the ball with ease behind the legs of Johnson — who amassed 43 yards on three carries. When within striking distance, wideout Ricky Pearsall took an end-around 14 yards to commence the scoring on the day and take a 7-0 lead.
Drive two didn't prove as fruitful for Florida. To open the possession, head coach Billy Napier dug into his bag of tricks, looking to catch the Commodores' defense off guard.
Attempting a double pass, Kahleil Jackson, a former high school quarterback at Hawthorne, uncorked a deep ball toward an uncovered Johnson.
However, instead of finding the running back downfield for a significant gain, the ball hung in the air, allowing defensive back CJ Taylor to close in for an interception.
The momentum quickly turned in Vanderbilt's favor, culminating in an 85-yard touchdown pass from Ken Seals to Will Sheppard down the Commodores sideline. He beat Florida cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. off the line of scrimmage and went untouched for the score.
Sheppard's explosive play knotted up the contest at seven apiece with 6:15 remaining in the first quarter.
Florida retook control of the game in the second quarter, once again leaning on Johnson to move them within striking distance. The ball carrier — who showcased his best form of the 2023 campaign to date without backfield mate Trevor Etienne in the mix — finished with 135 yards and a score on 18 carries.
A two-yard pitch and catch from Graham Mertz to Boardingham capped off the drive, giving the Gators a 14-7 lead with 10:52 remaining in the first half. Johnson punched the ball into the end zone two possessions later to give the Gators a two-possession cushion at the halftime break.
Despite a sluggish showing when action continued, Austin Armstrong's defensive unit remained firm to stifle the Commodores' attack on five straight possessions.
In his first game back from a collarbone injury that forced him to the sideline for two games, Florida's Eugene Wilson III posted his first career touchdown in the third quarter, giving the Gators a 28-7 advantage en route to the victory.
He finished the contest with a career-high and team-leading eight receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown.
Vandy found pay dirt once more to end the third quarter, as Seals connected with Richie Hoskins twice on the same possession, once for 24 yards on a crossing route behind Florida's defense before finding him again in the end zone two plays later.
But, Mertz found Boardingam again for a score to put the nail in Vanderbilt's coffin with 7:22 to go.
Florida will hit the road in Week 7 to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks.
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