Florida unsure of QB heading into SEC finale
Florida is facing another quarterback controversy as it heads into its final SEC game of season on Saturday against South Carolina.
Starting quarterback Feleipe Franks was benched in the second half during another rocky performance as Missouri spoiled UF’s homecoming with a 38-17 win on Saturday. Franks completed just 9 of 22 passes for 84 yards before giving way to redshirt sophomore backup Kyle Trask, who completed 10 of 18 passes for 126 yards and one TD.
Franks and Trask were both listed on the depth chart heading into Saturday’s game against the Gamecocks. But Florida coach Dan Mullen said there’s a chance that all three of his quarterbacks, including true freshman Emory Jones, could play. Franks started UF’s first nine games this season and 17 in his career.
“I might play two quarterbacks, we might play three,” Mullen said. “We’re still putting the game plan together. … Who gives us the best chance to win?”
Florida was flat in other areas in the Missouri loss. UF’s pass defense, which entered the game ranked second in the SEC and 12th nationally at 170.1 yards per game, was torched by Missouri senior quarterback Drew Lock, who passed for 250 yards and three TDs. The Gators also couldn’t get anything going on the ground, rushing for just 127 yards on 4 yards per carry.
“It comes down to 100-percent execution and that’s it,” Florida senior tight end R.J. Raymond said. “It’s not like we haven’t put up points before this season so it’s all execution and that comes down to what you do Monday through Friday.”
Florida (6-3, 4-3 SEC) will look to snap a two-game skid against the Gamecocks (5-3, 4-3 SEC). South Carolina is coming off a wild 48-44 win at Ole Miss in which junior quarterback Jake Bentley passed for 363 yards and two TDs. It also will an emotional game for South Carolina coach Will Muschamp, who coached at Florida from 2011-14 and is 1-1 against his former team.
“They are a team that’s played in a lot of close games in this league, won a lot of close games,” Mullen said. “We’ve got to come out desperate to compete on every play.”
