Nick Saban discusses Florida, two-quarterback look
Alabama head coach Nick Saban on Monday discussed the No. 1 Crimson Tide’s matchup with the Florida Gators, a game that’s slated to open up both programs’ SEC schedules.
Florida in its past two wins has looked slightly different than in years past; rather than one go-to quarterback, starting quarterback Emory Jones has been sharing the workload with “back-up” Anthony Richardson, and the two have vastly unique play styles. Saban made it clear that Alabama will gameplan for both quarterbacks, especially after recent news that Richardson appears to be recovering well from his injury.
“Excellent coach, he does well of utilizing the personnel that he has,” Saban said of Dan Mullen and the Florida Gators. “They have some really talented players…Both quarterbacks, using the two-quarterback system, are very capable passers, as well as making plays with their feet, whether it’s quarterback runs or play-action passes.”
Saban has a point. Richardson, despite entering the season as the Gators’ backup, has shattered expectations in recent weeks, emerging as a star off Mullen’s bench and leaving Florida fans wanting to see more.
A tale of two QBs
“They do have a two-quarterback system. I don’t think you prepare differently,” Saban said. “Both guys have ability to make plays passing and they run the same quarterback runs with both guys, and both guys are very talented in both areas. So, when the quarterback can run and they run quarterback runs, it’s almost like playing against the wildcat, so they’ve got an extra blocker.”
In Saturday’s matchup with South Florida, Richardson broke loose for a 70-yard touchdown run, adjacent with the playmaking abilities that Saban pointed out. As Florida went on to win 42-20, Richardson actually made history in the process, becoming the first FBS player in the last 25 seasons to rush for over 100 yards, pass for over 150 yards and complete every pass he threw.
“They also have the ability to make big plays in the passing game, which they’ve made,” Saban said of the two Florida quarterbacks. “And they’ve been pretty efficient in the passing game. It’s more challenging when you play against guys and both guys are very efficient, effective passers as well as runners.”
Saban says the Alabama Crimson Tide will prepare for both Jones and Richardson. Though he labels them capable of both passing and throwing, it appears — at least, in the early stages of the season — that Richardson is the more capable rusher and big-play threat, while Jones is the high-volume thrower. Through two games, Richardson has completed six of 11 passing attempts for a total of 192 passing yards on the season. He’s thrown for two Florida touchdowns and no interceptions, too, along with an eye-opening 275 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 11 rushing attempts. Jones, on the other hand, has completed 31 of 49 passing attempts through two games, good for a 63.3 completion percentage, and he’s thrown for 264 yards. Additionally, Jones has thrown two touchdowns and four interceptions.