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Steve Spurrier addresses Florida's quarterback controversy

20200517_134556by:Justin Rudolph•10/27/21

Former Florida Gators head coach Steve Spurrier was a guest on the Paul Finebaum show this week. During the show, the two went over all things SEC including the complex situation Florida has at quarterback. Spurrier gave his point of view on what Gators head coach Dan Mullens sees with his two quarterbacks right now. 

“Yeah, he likes to play both of them right now and you’d think at some point that one would definitely play better than the other and then he would be the guy. And then away we go but I’m not sure what’s going to happen? You know one may play the majority of hit or they may go back and forth? I’m not sure,” said Spurrier.

“Back when I was coaching, I wasn’t afraid to pull a quarterback if he was struggling and usually the second guy played pretty well. Then, if he’d go bad a little bit, the other guy would come back. But, as long as they were playing well, they stayed in there. And, not just one mistake would get them out. But, if they had three or four mistakes in a row then obviously you give the next guy the chance.

“But I’m not sure what’s going to happen Saturday.”

Florida’s QB struggled at LSU

Before their bye, Florida fell on the road at LSU. The Gators were able to match the productivity of the Tigers, but could not overcome the series of turnovers committed by both quarterbacks. Starting quarterback Emory Jones and backup Anthony Richardson both threw a pair of interceptions in the game. Neither’s productivity through the air in terms of yards was anything of note, but Richardson did throw three touchdowns on the game. Making matters worse for their turnover problem was the absence of the Florida running game. As a team, they rushed for 138 yards. However, they did not have a single-player rush for more than 50 yards in a game for the first time this season.

On the year, Jones is 67.4% for 1304 yards, 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Richardson, in two fewer games, is 56.8% with 392 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

Both quarterbacks will need to have a near-perfect day versus Georgia on Saturday in Jacksonville. The Bulldogs defense is No. 2 in the country in passing defense, limiting teams to 144.9 yards through the air (and 63.4 on the ground).