A message to Dan Mullen: Kyle Trask is your quarterback now.
In fact, the redshirt junior may be your starting quarterback until he leaves the program.
Don’t replace him mid-game with Emory Jones for no reason.
Trask’s performance on Saturday against Tennessee — 20 for 28 with two touchdowns — is the type of quarterback play Florida fans have been dreaming about for years. His 293 yards were the most from a UF signal-caller since Austin Appleby threw for 296 against Tennessee in 2016.
Yes, he made a few mistakes, notably the two interceptions into double coverage and a lost fumble.
Chalk it up to inexperience. After all, this was Trask’s first start since his freshman year of high school. The bottom line is this: Trask’s throws have been on the money since he relieved the injured Feleipe Franks in the fourth quarter last week at Kentucky.
“He really managed the game well. He was sharp, good decisions all day long,” Mullen said after the game. “I thought he played really well."
Why, then, did Mullen inexplicably pull him out of the game on three separate occasions for redshirt freshman backup Emory Jones?
The first instance was in the second quarter. Trask had just led the Gators on a field goal drive to put them up 10-0. Jones’ drive? Two straight two-yard rushes followed by a screen pass for no gain. Three and out.
Trask picked up right where he left off on the next drive, leading UF to a touchdown to close out the first half.
Mullen began replacing Trask with Jones mid-drive in the fourth quarter. Trask initially led Florida’s opening drive of the quarter, throwing two-straight completions for a total of 18 yards after an incompletion. Mullen then brought in Jones, who led a touchdown drive but didn’t throw the ball once.
Trask also began UF’s next drive but was pulled after one pass.
Jones didn’t play poorly – he was 4 for 6 with 20 yards passing – but his play was nowhere near the level of Trask’s.
Simply put, the Gators are a better team with Kyle Trask at quarterback. There are situations where Jones could be a good change of pace for a play or two, but Trask needs to be the guy commanding drives and leading the offense.
Don’t take it from me – take it from wide receiver Trevon Grimes:
“Right now, (Trask) is QB1 for us.”
Follow Sam Campisano on Twitter @samcampisano. Contact him at scampisano@alligator.org.
Kyle Trask threw for 293 yards in UF's win over Tennessee.
