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Report: Florida makes quarterback decision ahead of Georgia matchup

Nakos updated headshotby:Pete Nakos10/30/21

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A new quarterback will be starting for Florida on Saturday afternoon. Per On3’s Matt Zenitz, the Gators are expected to start freshman sensation Anthony Richardson against No. 1 Georgia in Jacksonville on Saturday.

The move comes after redshirt junior Emory Jones has been Florida’s starter through the team’s first seven games. Gators head coach Dan Mullen has been under immense pressure from the fan base to make the move, especially after they lost at LSU.

The Florida head coach did not make a decision early in the week, similar to Georgia head coach Kirby Smart holding back on announcing his starting quarterback for the World’s Largest Cocktail Party.

A former four-star recruit, Richardson entered the LSU game in the second half and engineered two touchdowns on Florida’s first four second-half drives.

On the year, Jones is 67.4% for 1,304 yards, 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Richardson, in two fewer games, is 56.8% with 392 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

Georgia makes starting quarterback decision ahead of Florida matchup

Stetson Bennett will be the starting quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday against Florida, per a report from On3’s Matt Zenitz. The news comes as JT Daniels, who began the season as the starter, was made available to return from a lat injury. 

Aided by Bennett, Georgia has beaten ranked opponents in each of its last three games — then-No. 8 Arkansas (37-0 in Week 4), then-No. 18 Auburn (34-10 in Week 5) and then-No. 11 Kentucky (30-13 in Week 6).

In the wins over Auburn and Kentucky, Bennett was a combined 28 of 41 with 481 passing yards, 63 rushing yards, five passing touchdowns and no interceptions. He had his best game of the season against UAB, going 10-of-12 for 288 yards and five touchdowns.

Daniels struggled in the season-opening win against Clemson, finishing that game with 135 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. He bounced back the following week against South Carolina to throw for 303 yards and three scores.

Florida and Georgia kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.