Sep 17, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Luke Del Rio (14) gets helped off the field after an apparent injury during the second half against the North Texas Mean Green at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the North Texas Mean Green 32-0. Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
No. 23 Florida’s defense is ready for the heart of its SEC schedule, but is the Gators’ offense — especially if starting quarterback Luke Del Rio misses time?
Del Rio left Saturday night’s 32-0 win over North Texas in Gainesville, Fla., late in the third quarter. On a drop-back pass, Del Rio was hit from behind, around the knees by North Texas defensive end Devin O’Hara, who was flagged for a late hit on the play. Del Rio limped gingerly back to the locker room.
The play sent an angry Florida coach Jim McElwain out near midfield, where he barked at the officials and the North Texas sideline. Mean Green first-year coach Seth Littrell chirped back, and on an ensuing play, Florida offensive lineman Martez Ivey was ejected after roughing up a North Texas player after the whistle.
SEC officials said Ivey’s ejection will not impact his status for next week’s game at Tennessee. Del Rio’s status is unknown.
Florida’s defense dominated North Texas, accumulating seven sacks and holding the Mean Green to 53 total yards. That’s the fewest yards allowed in a game in school history.
Mark Thompson, Jordan Scarlett, Jordan Crockrite and Lamical Perine had rushing touchdowns for the Gators, who are 3-0 heading to Knoxville.
Del Rio completed 14 of 25 passes for 186 yards with no touchdowns and one interception before leaving the game. Austin Appleby replaced Del Rio and led two fourth-quarter touchdown drives.
Perine and Cronkrite had touchdown runs in the first half for the Gators.
Florida entered the game ranked second in the nation in total defense. Neither of the Gators’ first two opponents — Massachusetts or Kentucky –eclipsed 200 yards of total offense.
North Texas true freshman quarterback Mason Fine and the Mean Green’s young offense looked overmatched from the opening drive. Florida defensive lineman Caleb Brantley sacked Fine for a safety on North Texas’ second offensive play.
It was the start of a dominating first half for the Gators, who led 19-0 at intermission. North Texas managed just 19 offensive yards and three first downs in the first half.
NOTES: Florida WR Antonio Callaway missed the game with a quad injury. … Florida held North Texas to minus-3 yards of offense in the first quarter. … Florida DB Marcell Harris returned an interception 25 yards to the North Texas 16-yard line late in the second quarter. But the Gators failed to capitalize, turning the ball over on downs. … North Texas is in its first season under coach Seth Littrell, who took over a program coming off a 1-11 season.
