Anthony Richardson, No. 12 Gators flop vs. Kentucky: ‘I performed terrible’

A sellout crowd at the Swamp, nationwide Tv set viewers and 22 NFL scouts from 15 teams had been keen to see what Anthony Richardson could do for an encore Saturday night from Kentucky.

With a leading 10 ranking in sight on an upset-filled working day and Heisman hoopla setting up soon after just a single week, Florida’s callow quarterback fell back again to earth and the No. 12 Gators’ sudden rise fizzled for the duration of a 26-16 reduction to the No. 20 Wildcats.

Richardson and Napier just about every shouldered the blame during the Gators’ 3rd reduction in the previous five meetings with the Wildcats, losers of 31 straight in the sequence right until a breakthrough win in 2018 in Gainesville.

“You’ve received to get a good seem in the mirror,” Napier said. “That’s specifically what I’m heading to do, what our staff’s heading to do.”

Richardson prepared to glance inside.

The subdued redshirt sophomore from Gainesville took whole possession for the decline.

“I really feel like it’s fully on me,” Richardson said. “A lot of persons say it’s not, but I feel like it’s on me. I performed awful.

“I didn’t do anything that would’ve served my team.”

Richardson was jittery from the bounce. He concluded 1 of 4 passes on the opening, unsuccessful to record consecutive completions in the course of the very first 50 % and completed 14 of 35 for 143 yards and 2 interceptions though dashing for just 4 yards.

A week before he totaled 274 yards, ran for 3 touchdowns and did not dedicate a turnover in opposition to No. 7 Utah.

The 2 interceptions Saturday night time led to 14 Kentucky details, including a 65-property pick-six by cornerback Keidron Smith for the go-in advance score with 3:25 to go in the 3rd quarter and the Gators driving.

In the meantime, quarterback Will Levis, a fellow initially-round prospect, confirmed exceptional poise all through his second season as Wildcats’ starter as a documented group of 88,993 seemed on.

Levis accomplished his 1st 6 passes and completed a respectable 13 of 24 for 202 yards a touchdown and an interception even though under consistent force from the Gators’ defense. Kentucky’s QB connected with Dane Essential for a 55-property rating as the 6-foot-3 initially-calendar year freshman outmuscled Georgia transfer cornerback Jalen Kimber for the ball.

Florida 3 sacks and 7 quarterback hurries a 7 days following failing to get Utah quarterback Cam Mounting to the floor.

“A whole lot of excellent on protection,” Napier reported.

Junior defensive tackle Gervon Dexter produced his next job interception, off a pass deflection by Brenton Cox Jr. to set up a Gators’ rating for a 16-7 direct.

But with the offense having difficulties, Florida’s defense wore down as Kentucky’s run game and Levis controlled the clock. The Wildcats held the ball extra than practically 18 minutes of the second 50 percent to stroll away with consecutive wins versus the Gators for the initially time since 1976-77.

Florida finished the evening 5 of 19 on 3rd/fourth down a 7 days just after it was 9 of 14.

“We’ll study from this experience, and we’re heading to improve,” Napier said. “We’re heading to go again and get the job done. You have received to take possession. Absolutely as a chief, which is particularly the approach here. We can coach better, and we can enjoy much better. That commences with me.

“We’ll go again to operate and consider to increase.”

This post initial appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Electronic mail Edgar Thompson at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com or adhere to him on Twitter at @osgators.

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