FINAL: Florida 11 - Utah 24

What We Learned:

On Graham Mertz’s first drive, it is 3rd and 6, and he takes about two seconds and throws the ball two yards behind the line of scrimmage to the running back who drops the ball. We know Mertz is not a good quarterback, and this further proves it. He scans the field for two seconds and goes to his dump-off pass. The play-caller did him no favors with every receiver running a curl route with Utah just sitting in a zone on top of them.

Utah’s third-string QB Bryson Barnes, who is now the starter, dropped back in the pocket with plenty of time to throw the ball and delivered a strike between two Gators defenders to Money Parks for a touchdown. The complete opposite of Florida’s play-calling. Fortune favors the bold.

The Florida defensive line has been pretty strong defending the run, but the Utah passing game was slicing right through them. Bryson Barnes looked very comfortable throwing the ball.

Graham Mertz put a drive together, but it petered out. The Gators had to settle for a FG. The Florida defense then held strong against the Utah passing attack, forcing a punt. Mertz got the ball back, and the offense started marching downfield once again. I will give Mertz credit when he ran on 3rd and 12 and dove for the first down. He got walloped. Florida was ready to go for it on 4th and 1 until they could not sit still - false start. A missed short FG followed. Small mistakes get magnified. Every. Single. Time.

Now, this is the first we have seen of the other Utah QB Nate Johnson who brings a running element. Johnson only attempted four passes the whole game. He capped off his first drive after a little help from Barnes with a 27-yard rushing touchdown. The Florida defense had been good against the run until the dual threat from the quarterback position entered the equation.

RB Trevor Etienne’s pass blocking is not good. He allowed a sack on a nickel blitz. Utah gets the ball back, and they try a WR pass, and they had a wide-open TD, but the ball was just overthrown. Barnes is so comfortable in the pocket and patient, the complete opposite of Graham Mertz. The Gators did not play terribly in the first half, but they also didn’t play well either. It is evident that Mertz is and will hold back this team.

The Florida defense comes out of the second half playing great defense. Also, another instance where a Florida defender cannot catch a football hitting him right in the hands. When Utah received the same opportunity only a couple of plays later, they did not drop the football and intercepted it inside the 15-yard line. That is the difference between Utah and Florida. The varsity team against the JV, and it is as clear as day. Bryson Barnes takes advantage and scampers in for the touchdown.

Florida and Mertz put a good drive together, and on 4th and 3, they run a read-option shovel pass straight from NCAAF 2014. The offensive coordinator has been calling a very remedial game, but that is mostly due to Mertz’s limitations more than likely.

Bad play after bad play from the entire Gators’ offense. From poor pass blocking, play-calling, Mertz’s 30 QBR rating, and a defense that could not capitalize on opportunities. We knew Florida was not going to be a powerhouse this season, but it was definitely confirmed against Utah. This team needs a QB, and there is no telling how long this Mertz project will last. The offensive line was definitely out of sorts as well. Florida also finished the game 1/11 on third down with nine penalties. Quite pathetic.

Utah, on the other hand, looked very smooth on offense with Bryson Barnes at QB. Even when there was a switch-up with QB Nate Johnson given a great change of pace that gave Florida plenty of trouble. The Utah defense was extremely impressive when it came to their rushing defense only allowing 0.6 yards per rush by Florida. Utah was not impressive in my opinion. Florida was just that bad. Utah mainly took advantage of all of the mistakes from the Gators. Utah was 3/13 on third down, 165 passing yards (70 on one play), and 3.5 yards per rush.

DDSN Player of the Game:

Utah Junior QB, Bryson Barnes: 12/18 for 159 yards and 1 touchdown 0 interceptions 76.3 QBR