Gators Stumble Out of the Gate in 2023 with 24-11 Loss to Utah

The loss is Florida's first in a season-opener since 2017 against Michigan.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- It was not the season opener the Florida Gators wanted as they fell to 0-1 with a 24-11 loss to the Utah Utes inside Rice-Eccles Stadium. 

Instead of "shocking the world" — as cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. suggested Florida would do this season in July — with an upset of a top 15 team in the country for the second straight season, the Gators showcased an eerily similar product to the one projected by national media throughout the season.

Following a three-and-out by the Gators to open the contest, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham elected to take a deep shot on their first offensive play from scrimmage against an unsuspecting Florida squad. Quarterback Bryson Barnes — filling in for the injured Cam Rising — uncorked the ball to wideout Money Parks, beating cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. on a deep post.

The ball sailed just over the fingertips of Florida's high safety, RJ Moten, and into the arms of Parks, who trotted the rest of the way into the end zone for the 70-yard score.

Florida answered two drives later with a 32-yard field goal from Adam Mihalek. 

Despite several sustained drives by the Gators to move the ball into striking distance, Florida's red zone miscues disrupted the momentum it built. A delay of game on 3rd and 7, a false start on 4th and one and an illegal formation on 3rd and one heavily contributed to Florida scoring just three points in as many trips inside Utah's 20-yard line before the fourth quarter.

While Florida squandered the bulk of its opportunities, the Utes capitalized on theirs.

The ensuing scores came behind the legs of Utah's quarterbacks. Nate Johnson and Barnes — set up by Sione Vaki's interception — each crossed the goal line on the evening. A 51-yard field goal from Utah kicker Cole Becker split the scores.

Florida found pay dirt for the first time in seven quarters in the final 15 minutes of play by executing a 13-play, 98-yard, 6:54 drive. Wideout Caleb Douglas capped it off with a Randy Moss-esque snag over Tao Johnson for a 19-yard receiving touchdown.

Eugene Wilson III caught a slant on the two-point conversion to trim the Utes lead to 13 with 9:22 remaining in the fourth.

The late score ignited a comeback attempt from the Gators as they moved the ball down the field on the following drive to reach the Utah 24-yard line.

However, it was too little too late for UF as the clock proved to be the enemy in the closing stages of the contest. The offense stalled, unable to convert on 4th and 14 to end any last-dich hope of making a late-game run.

Utah moved into victory formation to close out the 2023 debut with a 24-11 victory.

The Gators begin the year 0-1 for the first time since 2017 against Michigan. It's only the second game one loss in the last 32 seasons. 

Florida will return to the gridiron on Sept. 9 to take on McNeese in the year's home opener. 

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