GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Ricky Pearsall created a a person-handed capture that will be hard to top rated this period, Trey Smack kicked five area ambitions and No. 25 Florida overcame a lackluster general performance to conquer Charlotte 22-7 on Saturday night.
The Gators (3-1) won their third consecutive activity considering the fact that dropping at then-No. 14 Utah, but they appeared significantly from prepared to go on the road and conclude a two-activity skid to Kentucky subsequent week.
Graham Mertz accomplished 20 of 23 passes for 259 yards, with a landing and a fumble. Pearsall completed with 6 receptions for 104 yards, none much better than his leaping snag down the seam that led to a area purpose and a 10- guide in the initial quarter.
But the Gators delivered couple highlights the rest of the night. A week after a 20-issue 2nd quarter versus Tennessee, the Gators managed 18 yards — which include minus-1 rushing — in the 2nd in opposition to a person of the worst defenses in big faculty football.
The 49ers (1-3) allowed practically 1,100 yards in back again-to-back again lopsided losses to Maryland and Georgia State. Coach Biff Poggi promised better production and experienced Florida out of sorts for a great deal of the evening.
Following scoring on their initially 4 belongings, the Gators went punt, subject aim, turnover on downs, punt and industry goal. It was far from what everyone expected from a staff that was a 27 1/2-position favorite, in accordance to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Florida finished with 395 yards, but its protection was stout all match and allowed just 10 initial downs and 210 yards.
Jalon Jones, who initially signed with Florida in 2019, led Charlotte with 65 yards rushing and a touchdown. He done 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards.
Jones was accused of sexual battery two times in the similar evening soon after a couple of months on campus. No fees were submitted. He transferred to Jackson Condition, the place he played just one period right before shifting on to Mississippi Delta Group School and then Bethune-Cookman.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
The Gators could fall out of the next Associated Press university football poll, which will be launched Sunday.
THE TAKEAWAY
Charlotte: The 49ers are obtaining $1.55 million to make the trip south. It is a sizeable payday that will enable fund the overall athletic system. Athletic director Mike Hill, who put in nearly 25 yrs at Florida, set up the sport and handled it a minor like a homecoming.
Florida: Does anyone know which Florida crew will exhibit up in Lexington following week? It could be the 1 that primarily dominated Tennessee or the one particular that looked disorganized at Utah and struggled to put away McNeese and Charlotte.
NOT-SO-Exclusive Teams
Special teams continue on to be an problem for Florida even with Smack giving a bright location the last two months. Smack, who supplanted errant Adam Mihalek towards Tennessee, experienced made all six of his area-aim makes an attempt, which includes a 54-yarder towards Charlotte that tied for the fourth-longest in plan record.
But the units have or else been a lot less than suitable for the Gators, who have an analyst serving as special teams coordinator.
The Gators ended up penalized on their first two punt returns, receiving flagged for holding and an illegal block. People have been Florida’s fourth and fifth penalties on specific teams in four games and the most up-to-date distinctive teams woes.
Florida has dealt with two shanked punts, a missed subject target and a missed excess issue that prompted a kicker modify, a large snap on another extra issue, eight adult men on the field while striving to block a area intention versus Utah and two gamers carrying No. 3 for the duration of a punt return against the Utes.
The Gators also experienced just 10 males on the subject two times, when for a area-aim attempt and the moment for a punt return.
UP Subsequent
Charlotte: Plays at SMU following Saturday in the American Athletic Meeting opener for the two groups.
Florida: Performs at Kentucky future Saturday, an 11 a.m. start out locally that will be the Gators’ to start with working day activity of the time.
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