John Brantley had a performance worth celebrating Saturday.
The fifth-year senior quarterback completed 16 of 28 passes for 329 yards and four touchdowns, notching a career day in the Gators’ win against Furman in The Swamp.
Brantley, who has battled through arm and ankle injuries this season, had career highs in both yards and scores, with his previous bests being three touchdowns against FIU in 2009 and 248 yards against Kentucky in 2010.
Brantley connected on touchdowns of 80 yards and 64 yards, both of which were to sophomore receiver Andre Debose.
“That’s what we’ve needed” coach Will Muschamp said of Brantley’s day. “We’ve needed to be able to hit some chunk plays to be able to get some momentum and be able the get the defense off of us to help out in other areas. Certainly, John being able to do that was big for us.”
Offensive line issues: With senior Dan Wenger out of Saturday’s game with an ankle injury, sophomore Jonotthan Harrison resumed his duties at center.
But the snap errors that led to him being replaced at the position two games ago reappeared in the first quarter when Harrison launched a snap over Brantley’s head and out of the back of the end zone for a safety. Despite the mistake, Muschamp said he felt Harrison gave the Gators the best chance to win and stayed with him for the rest of the game.
Embattled left tackle Xavier Nixon got “banged up a little bit,” according to Muschamp, and was replaced by Kyle Koehne. Koehne started the game at left guard and little-used senior James Wilson saw time at left guard for the first time this season.
“Both of those guys responded very well in the game and (I’m) very proud of those guys and how they responded,” Muschamp said.
Historic Sturgis: Caleb Sturgis missed two field goals on Saturday, but the two he made put him into Florida’s record books.
Sturgis connected on a 43-yard field goal in the third quarter for his 44th career make. He is now second all-time in Gators history, trailing only Jeff Chandler (67). Later, his 55-yard make in the fourth quarter set a UF record for most field goals of 50 yards or longer in a season.
Sturgis is tied for first in the nation with three field goals of longer than 50 yards this season and has helped Florida to an NCAA-leading 23 field goals this season.
Etc.: Josh Shaw missed Saturday’s game against Furman for personal reasons. Shaw took an early morning flight to California to spend time with his grandfather, who is sick. Muschamp said he “needed to be with his family and that was the most important thing this week, not this football game.”
Freshman right tackle Chaz Green and junior linebacker Lerentee McCray did not play again this week, the third straight game the Gators have been without McCray at outside linebacker.
Muschamp said his shoulder injury is not responding to treatment but is “hoping to get him back next week.”
“I know I’ve told you that every week and I know y’all think I’m lying to you, but we’re working on it,” he said.
Contact Matt Watts at mwatts@alligator.org.
