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WATCH: Malik Davis rumbles to 30-yard Florida touchdown

Nakos updated headshotby: Pete Nakos09/18/21PeteNakos_
Malik Davis
Florida finally had an answer on offense. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Florida has found a heartbeat on offense. The Gators pieced together a 79-yard, six-play drive late in the first half against No. 1 Alabama, capped off by a Malik Davis 26-yard run touchdown through the heart of Alabama’s defense.

The score drew the Gators within 12 points of the Crimson Tide, who lead 21-9. Alabama seemed to be running away with the game, but Florida answered and gets the ball to start the second half. The Gators are averaging 4.9 yards per rush.

A redshirt senior, Davis has been mostly used as a receiver in his Florida career; he has 49 career receptions. He emerged as the Gators’ top running back in the opening two weeks of the season, carrying the ball 21 times for 126 yards and a touchdown.

“I thought he really ran the ball hard, breaking tackles, yards after contact, his vision, I thought he did a really good job with that,” Florida coach Dan Mullen said after Florida’s Week 1 win over Florida Atlantic. “But that’s what we’ve been seeing and that’s the Malik I know and expect to see throughout the season and he’s really worked hard at that.”

Gators freshman sensation sidelined vs. Alabama

Florida will be missing a crucial piece of its offense on Saturday afternoon. True freshman quarterback Anthony Richardson will not be in the Gators’ arsenal in the top-15 matchup against Alabama unless starting quarterback Emory Jones gets hurt. He injured his hamstring in Florida’s Week 2 game against South Florida. 

CBS Sports sideline reporter Jamie Erdal spoke with Florida coach Dan Mullen prior to kickoff, and Mullen confirmed the news. 

“The imaging says the hamstring has greatly improved and he is medically cleared to play,” Erdal said. “However, I spoke with head coach Dan Mullen an hour ago and he told me Richardson will not play today unless Emory Jones gets hurt.”

Jones has looked shaky in Florida’s two opening games of the season. The quarterback has patiently waited for his turn to be the starting quarterback, but he doesn’t provide the spark Richardson has. 

Richardson has drawn comparisons to Florida great Tim Tebow earlier today after exceeding the 100 marks in both passing and rushing yardage. Anthony Richardson was the first to achieve those stats since Tebow in 2009.