Bumbling Gators’ equipment violation leads to Utah touchdown
![Aug 31, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Nate Johnson (13) runs the ball past Florida Gators defensive lineman Cam Jackson (99) and linebacker Mannie Nunnery (34) for a touchdown in the first half against the Florida Gators at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports Aug 31, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Nate Johnson (13) runs the ball past Florida Gators defensive lineman Cam Jackson (99) and linebacker Mannie Nunnery (34) for a touchdown in the first half against the Florida Gators at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e85b940353568b8940af3e40124c58c2e1246774baf78de2ed77eab5660915d0.jpg)
The Florida Gators are having a rough go of it in the first half against Utah, and a silly mistake put them into a 14-3 hole against the Utes.
The Gators haven’t had a lot go their way tonight against Utah. They’ve looked out of sync and completely unprepared for most of the game, giving up big plays on defense and making silly mistakes on offense.
But one mistake cost the Gators dearly, as it ended up leading to Utah’s second touchdown of the first half.
The Florida defense got a stop against Utah after the start of a promising drive, and on 4th and 3, Utah opted to punt the ball. But as the fair catch was made, a yellow flag hit the field and the Gators were penalized 5 yards for an “equipment violation”
What was the violation? The Gators had two players both wearing the number 3 on the field at the same time. Clearly against the rules.
Utah retained possession with the penalty and proceeded to drive the ball down the Gators’ throats, capped off with a Nate Johnson 27-yard scamper into the end zone.
Nate Johnson isn’t a change up QB, he’s a 💨fastball💨 Touchdown Utes! @Shaboinate3pic.twitter.com/dbBSWPbaG3
— The Transfer Portal CFB (@TPortalCFB) September 1, 2023
Florida has had a shanked punt, bad penalties, defensive lapses, and now this silly violation. If the Gators plan to stand a chance in this game, the mental errors have to stop. Utah is too good and too physical to let mental lapses enter into the equation.
Maybe certain predictions about Billy Napier’s future weren’t so far-fetched after all.