*Anthony Richardson, Florida Football News: Draft Scout Player News

09/03/22 - QB *Anthony Richardson, rSo/2023, Florida

Standing in the tunnel and waiting to run into the raucous Swamp for the first time, Florida coach Billy Napier turned to an assistant and summed up the moment. "Can you believe they pay us to do this?" he said. It seemed like money well spent after the Gators delivered their biggest season-opening victory in more than 50 years. Anthony Richardson ran for three scores in his second career start, including a 2-yard scamper with 1:25 remaining, and Florida upset seventh-ranked Utah 29-26 on Saturday night to get the Napier era off to a rousing start.

Richardson was the best player on the field most of the night. He really showed up down the stretch, although fifth-year linebacker Amari Burney was the one who sealed the victory for the rebuilding Gators. Burney intercepted Cam Rising's second-down pass into the end zone with 17 seconds remaining. "Someone had to make a play, It happened to be me," Burney said. That set off a wild celebration for many of the 90,799 in attendance - the 10th most at home in school history. Richardson took a knee from there, and the Gators rushed the field to revel in their 33rd consecutive victory in home season openers. That's the longest current streak in the nation. "This group's got a lot of fight in them," said Napier, who replaced fired coach Dan Mullen in November. "They've got a little bit different edge to them." Richardson ran 11 times for 106 yards and was never stopped for a loss. He completed 17 of 24 passes for 168 yards and played turnover-free football. "He's going to get his (NFL payday)," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "He's 6-4, 230 and runs like a 4.3. He's a terrific player." - Florida/AP College Football

rSo/2023