After a 2010 season filled with offensive ineptitude, Florida was anxious to sprint onto the field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and showcase it’s new attack.
It took only a single half to wash away the sour taste that had lingered for the past nine months.
UF’s opening four drives resulted in 24 points, and the Gators never looked back.
Senior quarterback John Brantley thrived through the air while running backs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey combined for 184 yards on the ground as Florida (1-0) cruised to a 41-3 victory over FAU (0-1) Saturday night.
“We wanted to come out fast, playing hard and physical,” Demps said. “We did a great job of that today by coming out and running that fast-paced offense and setting the tone.”
After throwing for just 113 yards in a disappointing season opener last year, Brantley completed 21 of 30 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown. He also threw a pair of interceptions, one of which came after his pass was deflected at the line.
He looked comfortable throughout the game, displaying the poise and confidence he’s been lauded for throughout training camp. Florida’s offensive line afforded him the luxury of sitting back in the pocket and picking out his receivers, as FAU failed to record a sack and rarely hit or hurried him.
“I’m very pleased with John, but I’ve been pleased with John from day one,” Muschamp said. “I’ve always felt like he’s a guy that we can win with, and everyone in that locker room feels the same way.”
In an effort to force FAU into a more simplistic defensive game plan, Florida utilized the hurry-up in the early going. The Owls responded by dropping into a zone, which allowed Brantley to consistently dump the ball short.
Of his 21 completions, 13 were either screens or passes to the flats.
The farthest any of Brantley’s completions traveled in the air was a 17-yard crossing pattern to Deonte Thompson.
“I was looking downfield, and that’s just all they were giving us,” Brantley said. “Having those two fast backs, you can always rely on them that they’re going to make plays with the ball in their hands.”
Demps and Rainey made plays all over the field against FAU.
Demps carried the ball 12 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns, while Rainey added 11 carries for 79 yards and a score.
Rainey was also the team’s leading receiver, hauling in six catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. He even scored on a 22-yard punt block return, making him only the third player since 1996 to score a rushing, receiving and return touchdown in the same game.
“They’re huge for this team,” Brantley said of Demps and Rainey. “Probably the two fastest running backs in the country. They go hard every play, and we’re just trying to give it to them as much as we can.”
Said Rainey: “I guess you’re going to see a lot of rushing yards every game this year.”
Charlie Weis showed very little of the Gators’ new pro-style offense in his first game as UF’s offensive coordinator.
Rainey joked that the team only called six plays. Brantley added that the Gators stuck to their game plan and repeated certain calls as long as they continued to be effective.
“We didn’t really open up the playbook,” Demps said. “We didn’t really do too many of our plays, but the plays that we did were physical and up-tempo, and I think we executed pretty well tonight.”
Contact Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.org
Florida running back Chris Rainey became just the third player since 1996 to have a rushing touchdown, a receiving score and one courtesy of a return in the same game.
