Richardson watching extra film with WRs in effort to find end zone

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•09/19/22•

ZachAbolverdi

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Through three games, Florida’s Anthony Richardson is the only starting quarterback in the SEC without a touchdown pass. He had a chance to throw his first score in the win over USF, but his back-shoulder fade was picked off at the goal-line.

It’s the first time UF has gone three games without a passing TD since 2013. Not being able to find the end zone has admittedly bothered him, but he doesn’t want to force the issue.

“At first it was definitely getting to me,” Richardson said Monday. “Because you’re like, ‘Bro, you’re a quarterback. How come you don’t have any passing touchdowns? You have four interceptions.’ I mean, I’m throwing the ball but just not getting in the end zone.

“So, it was affecting me a little bit, but now I’m just like, ‘OK, it’s football. It’s going to come.’ I’ve got to let it come to me. I can’t try to force it. I’ve got to let the game be the game.”

After a strong debut in the season opener, Richardson has thrown four interceptions in the last two games and struggled with inaccuracy. He has the second-most interceptions in the SEC and the league’s lowest completion percentage (53.2 percent).

In an effort to improve his chemistry and timing with Florida’s receiving corps, Richardson is trying a new approach this week.

“Talking to the receivers, they’re wondering like what they can do to help me get them the ball, get them some touchdowns. So just communicating with those guys and trying to understand what they’re seeing and trying to let them know what I see is going to help us,” Richardson said. “We’re going to start doing something new this week, watching film together and just trying to understand what can help us in different coverages and stuff like that. So, we’re going to try a new philosophy this week and see how it goes.”

He has already started watching extra film with the wideouts to prepare for their first SEC road game Saturday at No. 11 Tennessee (3-0). In speaking with starting receivers Xzavier Henderson, Ricky Pearsall and Justin Shorter, Richardson feels the first couple sessions have been helpful and productive.

“Pretty good,” he said when asked how they went. “Talking to Ricky and Xzavier and Shorter, I feel like we have a good understanding. We’ll see how it goes.

“Just looking at a little bit of everything. Things we need to correct for the last game and looking at things to implement into this game and this game plan.”

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