COLUMBIA, S.C. — It was a storybook setting for Skyler Mornhinweg.
The stage was set for the redshirt freshman to make a grand entrance in his Gators debut. Florida was on the road in front of a hostile crowd as a two-touchdown underdog.
But the fairy tale did not come to be.
The redshirt freshman was limited during his first career start in Florida’s 19-14 loss to No. 10 South Carolina (8-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, throwing only 13 times in the game.
“I told him to cut it loose and have fun,” coach Will Muschamp said.
“We weren’t going to put a lot on him as far as asking him to do a bunch of different things.”
Mornhinweg — Florida’s third-string quarterback as late as the end of September — made little impact early in the game.
The Philadelphia native threw only two passes in the first half for a total of 8 yards. Multiple times, the second-year signal-caller lined up under center only to run out wide to allow a running back to take a direct snap.
Mornhinweg had more chances to air the ball out in the second half, completing eight of 11 throws after the second quarter.
The redshirt freshman completed several short passes but did not throw any deep balls. His longest pass of the day was a 28-yard screen to running back Mack Brown. Brown did most of the work on the play, taking the dump-off catch and turning it into a big gain.
“I feel like Skyler has a lot of poise about himself,” Brown said. “He did pretty good, man. He tried to.”
But late in the game, Mornhinweg made a decision that cost Florida (4-6, 3-5 SEC) a shot at a comeback.
After the Gators got the ball at their own 26-yard line, Mornhinweg led Florida down the field, completing passes of 15, 4 and 7 yards.
The redshirt freshman had time to throw after taking the snap from the South Carolina 48-yard line, and he rolled out to the right.
Mornhinweg targeted sophomore Latroy Pittman down the USC sideline, but Gamecocks defensive back Jimmy Legree picked off the pass, sealing South Carolina’s victory.
“He hung his head a little bit, but he got right back up,” offensive lineman Max Garcia said. “He’s a young player and he’s going to make those mistakes.”
Added Mornhinweg: “I just got to make a better decision. Got to throw the ball away in that situation. That’s on me.”
Kicking woes continue: The Gators continued to struggle kicking field goals on Saturday.
UF attempted only one field goal against USC, but redshirt freshman Austin Hardin missed the 32-yard try.
“We’re a team that needs to capitalize on those opportunities,” Muschamp said.
Hardin is 4 of 11 on field-goal attempts this season. Other kickers are 6 of 7.
Last season, Florida had Caleb Sturgis as starting kicker. He made 24 of 28 field goals.
Roberson suspended: Cornerback Marcus Roberson was suspended for Saturday’s game against USC due to a violation of team rules, UF announced before the game.
The junior was dealing with an ankle injury and would likely have missed the game had he not been suspended, Muschamp said.
Muschamp said after the game that he will meet with Roberson on Monday to discuss the suspension.
Follow Adam Lichtenstein on Twitter @alichtenstein24.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg (17) prepares to hand the ball off during Florida's 19-14 loss to No. 10 South Carolina on Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C.
Austin Hardin attempts a field goal during Florida’s 19-14 loss to South Carolina on Nov. 16 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. Hardin is the frontrunner for the starting kicking position, but he missed six of his final seven attempts in 2013.
