FLORIDA GATORS NOTES:
THE STORYLINE
• The 2022 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl marks the first meeting between Florida and Oregon State on the gridiron.
• Florida is playing its first-ever football game in Nevada across the program’s 115-year history.
• The 2022 campaign represents the first time that Florida has faced two Pac-12 teams in the same season.
• Florida has an all-time record of 24-23 across 47 all-time bowl games dating back through 1953.
• The Gators are 8-4 in bowl games since 2009 and 10-5 dating back to 2006.
• This is Florida’s fifth-straight bowl appearance and eighth in the last-nine seasons.
• Oregon State will be UF’s seventh opponent this season ranked in the CFP Final Top 25 – tied for the most in the FBS.
• UF HC Billy Napier is 2-1 all-time in bowl games: 2018 Cure Bowl (L) – Tulane 41, Louisiana 24 | 2019-20 LendingTree Bowl (W) – Louisiana 27, Miami (OH) 17 | 2020 First Responder Bowl (W) – Louisiana 31, UTSA 24
• This is the first meeting between Coach Napier and OSU HC Jonathan Smith as head coaches.
• RB Trevor Etienne leads all true freshman FBS running backs with at least 100 carries in yards per carry (6.4) and is one of eight true freshman RBs in the FBS with over 700 rushing yards.
• The trio of RB Montrell Johnson Jr. (827), Etienne (705) and QB Anthony Richardson (654) became the third trio in UF history to eclipse 600 rush yards apiece in Week 12.
• The Gators’ 5.8 yards per carry ranks third in the FBS (behind UCLA and UAB).
• Florida’s 213.7 rushing yards/game ranks 16th in the FBS, 10th in the Power Five and third in the SEC.
• The Gators boast three of the top-12 rushers in the SEC in yards per carry: Etienne (sixth – 6.4), Richardson(seventh – 6.3) and Johnson Jr. (12th – 5.7). No other SEC team has three players in the top-17 (min. five attempts per game).
• Florida is one of two FBS teams (alongside Oregon) with three qualified players averaging over 5.5 yards per carry.
• G O’Cyrus Torrenceis the top-rated guard in the nation at 88.6, according to Pro Football Focus (has never allowed a sack).
• Florida boasts four come-from-behind wins this season (vs. No. 7 Utah, vs. USF, vs. EWU, at Texas A&M).
• Florida has scored in 435-consecutive games dating back to 1988 — an NCAA record and 56 games longer than any other college football team in the history of the sport.
FEATS TO WATCH FOR IN LAS VEGAS
• Florida’s 29 rushing TDs are the program’s fifth-most all-time in a season (2008 – 42, 2007 – 39, 2010 – 31, 2009 – 30).
• UF’s 213.7 rushing yards/game ranks 10th in team history. UF needs 150 yards to maintain 10th and 238 to move into ninth.
• Etienne needs 95 rush yards for Etienne and Johnson Jr. to become the first UF RB duo to eclipse 800 yards apiece.
• Johnson Jr. needs one rushing TD to move into a tie for 11th all-time in a single season at Florida (11) and two to move into a tie for ninth (12).
• DB Trey Dean III is one pass breakup away from tying Janoris Jenkins (2008-10) and Guss Scott (2000-03) for 10th all-time in a career at UF with 25.
• K Adam Mihalek would become the first UF kicker to hit four 50-yarders in a season with another successful attempt.
JOHNSON JR. + ETIENNE = ONE OF FBS’ TOP BACKFIELDS
• In their first seasons as Gators, RB Montrell Johnson Jr. (144 carries, 827 yards, 5.7 YPC, 10 TD) and RB Trevor Etienne (110 carries, 705 yards, 6.4 YPC, 6 TD) have been highly efficient leading UF’s running game.
• They are one of eight RB duos in the FBS to have rushed for over 700 yards apiece this season, and one of four FBS RB duos to do so while each rushing for over 5.5 YPC.
• The duo has combined for a touchdown in all 12 games, scoring 17 total TDs (rushing TDs in 11 of 12 games).
• The RB duo has combined for 46 of Florida’s 74 explosive rushes (10-plus yards) this season (62.2%).
• Johnson Jr. is one of 12 FBS RBs with back-to-back seasons with 10+ rushing TDs from 2021-22 and the only to do so at two different schools.
• Johnson Jr. is the first UF running back to rush for over 800 yards since La’Mical Perine in 2018.
• Etienne’s FBS ranks among true freshmen RBs: YPC (third – 6.4), TDs (T10th – six) and rush yards (eighth – 705).
• Etienne is coming off a career-high 129 yards rushing with one TD in Week 13 vs. FSU, marking his second 100- yard rushing game in the last three weeks as well as the second of his young career.
• Johnson Jr. posted back-to-back 100-yard rushing games in Weeks 10-11, including a career-high 161 yards vs. South Carolina in Week 11. He was the first UF RB with consecutive 100-yard games since Jordan Scarlett in 2016.
• In the last four games, the duo has combined for four 100-yard rushing performances, as Etienne hit 100 yards vs. South Carolina and at FSU, and Johnson did so at Texas A&M and vs. South Carolina
• Johnson Jr. and Etienne became Florida’s first pair of 100-yard rushers in 22 games (9/4/21 vs. FAU) in Week 11.
• Etienne’s 85-yard TD rush was in Week 11 was the seventh-longest TD rush in school history, and the longest by a UF player since Lamical Perine’s 88-yard TD run vs. Auburn in 2019. It was also the second-longest TD run by a freshman in school history, and the tied for the 10th-longest TD rush in the FBS this season.
• Johnson Jr. ranks t-fourth in the SEC and t-21st in the Power Five with 10 rushing touchdowns.
PEARSALL LEADS A BALANCED RECEIVERS ROOM
• 18 different players have caught a pass for Florida this season – most since having 21 players do so in 2018.
• Six wide receivers have led or shared the weekly lead in receiving yards: Justin Shorter (five), Ricky Pearsall (three), Xzavier Henderson(two), Trent Whittemore (one), Caleb Douglas (one) and Daejon Reynolds (one).
• At FSU in Week 13, Pearsall set a career high with 148 yards receiving while his two TDs tied his personal best.
• Pearsall caught two 40-plus yard TDs in the first half, including a career-long 52-yard TD in the first quarter.
• Pearsall has recorded a reception in 27-consecutive games. He ranks second in the FBS with 20.6 yards per catch.
• UF ended the regular season with two WRs in the top-five in the FBS in yards per catch: Shorter (fourth – 19.9).
• Florida is the only team in the FBS with two qualified WRs averaging over 19.0 yards per catch, as Pearsall’s 20.6 YPC ranks second nationally while WR Justin Shorter sits in fourth at 19.9.
• Shorter finished the season in fourth all-time at UF for single-season YPC. Pearsall’s 20.6 currently ranks third.
• Pearsall is one of seven FBS WRs with 115-plus rushing yards and 595-plus receiving yards.
• Pearsall’s 76-yard TD run vs. Eastern Washington is the longest rush by an FBS WR this season and ranks t-10th in the FBS across the last five seasons (third-longest run by a UF wide receiver in the last 25 years).
• WR Caleb Douglas made his first-career start vs. South Carolina, becoming the first true freshman to start at WR since Kadarius Toney (10/7/17 vs. LSU). Douglas led UF with three receptions and 53 yards in Week 11.
• Douglas’ 53 yards were the most by a UF WR in his first start since Josh Hammond’s 72 vs. North Texas (9/17/16).
• Henderson set a career high with 110 yards receiving vs. UGA (Oct. 29), notching the first 100-yard game of his career.
• QB Anthony Richardsonconnected with Henderson for a 78-yard touchdown pass vs. UGA in Week 9 – setting a new career passing long for Richardson and a new career receiving long for Henderson.
• The score was UF’s longest pass play since Austin Appleby’s 85-yard TD pass to Mark Thompson on Jan. 2, 2017 vs. Iowa. It tied for UF’s 11th-longest pass since 1996 and is tied for the 21st-longest TD pass in the FBS this year.
BUILDING A DOMINANT OFFENSIVE LINE
• The Gators’ 13 sacks allowed are tied for the 15th-fewest in the FBS (t-eighth in P5) and second in the SEC.
• Since the start of last season, Florida has out-sacked its opponents by a plus-31 margin, and the Gators’ 27 sacks allowed are tied for the 11th-fewest in the FBS (second in the SEC behind Georgia).
• Two UF OL are graded inside the top-20 in the FBS at their position according to Pro Football Focus: G O’Cyrus Torrence(#1, 88.6) and T Austin Barber (#18, 79.9).
• Torrence never allowed a QB hit or sack in 3,065 career snaps — zero QB hurries or penalties in 698 snaps in 2022.
• Richard Gouraige has started each of the last 40 games he has been active (missed 2021 vs. Vandy to injury).
OFFENSIVE GRAB BAG
• Over the last five seasons, the Gators rank eighth in the Power Five with 453.5 scrimmage yards per game and 12th in the Power Five with 34.0 points per game, ranking third and fourth in the SEC, respectively.
• Since 2018, UF ranks seventh in the P5 in passing efficiency (152.7) and 12th in TD-INT ratio (2.87).
• Florida has out-gained its opponents in 18 of 25 games dating back to last season .
• The Gators have had 500-plus yards in three of the last nine games and in 15 of their last 36 games.
OFFENSIVE GRAB BAG (CONTINUED)
• Florida has amassed 400-plus total yards in eight of 12 games this season, as well as 24 times in its last 35 games, and 37 of the last 54.
• Florida rushed for over 200 yards 26 times in its last 63 games (41.3%) including 14 times since 2021 and eight in 2022.
• UF scored 30-plus points 39 times in 63 games since 2018 (61.9%), and 30-plus in 26 of the last 39 (66.7%).
• UF scored 40 points 20 times in the last 63 games and six times in 25 games the last two seasons.
RICHARDSON’S TIME CAPSULE
• QB Anthony Richardsonearned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors in Week 1 after setting a career high with three rushing TDs while passing for 168 yards, becoming the first UF QB to rush for three-plus TDs and pass for 150-plus yards in the same game since Tim Tebow vs. Georgia on Nov. 1, 2008.
» Richardson became the first UF QB to rush for three TDs in a game since Emory Jones vs. Vandy on Nov. 9, 2019. Richardson is one of three UF QBs since 1996 to rush for three TDs and pass for 150-plus yards in the same game, joining Jesse Palmer and Tim Tebow (twice).
• Richardson’s 7.9 YPC ranked fourth in the FBS among QBs with 50-plus carries last season.
• Richardson also ranked t-ninth among FBS quarterbacks with 57.3 rushing yards per game in 2021.
• Against USF last season, Richardson completed a 75-yard TD pass and 41-yard TD pass (both in first half), as well as breaking off an 80-yard TD rush. Richardson is the only player in the last 11 seasons with an 80-yard run and 75-yard pass in the same game – since Nebraska’s Taylor Martinez on Oct. 7, 2010 vs. Kansas State.
• Richardson’s 80-yard TD rush in the fourth quarter vs. USF tied for the 10th-longest touchdown rush in Florida football history. It was also the longest rush by a UF quarterback in the last 25 years, as well as the third-longest TD rush by an FBS QB in 2021.
LONG-TERM DEFENSIVE TRENDS
• Florida ranks second in the SEC and eighth nationally in sacks since the 2018 season with 177 – trailing only Clemson (229), Pittsburgh (217), Alabama (204), Miami (186), Ohio State (184), Marshall (179) and Oklahoma State (178). Since 1996, UF is tied for 13th in the FBS with 851 sacks and rank second in the SEC behind Alabama at 876.
• UF has held opponents to a 54.0 passing completion percentage since 1996, which is the seventh-lowest in the FBS and third in the SEC.
• Since 1996, The Gators are tied for fifth nationally in interceptions with 409 and lead the SEC, with the next closest team, Alabama, 19 picks behind. Florida is tied for sixth in the SEC with nine interceptions this season. The Gators have recorded an interception in six games this season – No. 7 Utah (1), No. 20 Kentucky (1), USF (2), Missouri (2), No. 1 Georgia (2) and Vanderbilt (1).
• Florida’s defense has produced 562 turnovers since 2000, leading the SEC and tied for seventh in the country
DEFENSIVE YOUTH
Ten Florida defensive players made their collegiate debuts during the regular season, including 11 that appeared for the first time as a Gator.
Five players – LB Shemar James, DL Chris McClellan, S Miguel Mitchell, DL Tyreak Sappand S Kamari Wilson- made their collegiate debuts in the season opener vs. No. 7 Utah and appeared in every game.
James started at LB in the season opener, becoming the first Gator true freshman to start a season opener since Marco Wilson vs. Michigan in 2017 and the first true freshman LB since David Reese II vs. South Carolina in 2016. James earned his second-career start the next week vs. No. 20 Kentucky.
James ranks sixth on the team in tackles (40), t-fourth in sacks (2.0) and seventh in QB hurries (3).
At No. 11 Tennessee, James recorded his first-career sack in the first quarter, getting to Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker for a six-yard loss. The sack also marked his first-career TFL.
Wilson earned his first-career start vs. Eastern Washington. The last true freshman to start for the Gators at safety was Trey Dean III in 2018 vs. Colorado State. He added another start at No. 16 Florida State.
FreshmanLB Jack Pyburnand Sophomore DL Keenan Landryboth made their college debuts vs. Eastern Washington, as Pyburn had a solo tackle. Freshman OLB Bryce Capers later made his debut vs. South Carolina.
• Georgia transfer DB Jalen Kimber made his UF debut and finished with two tackles vs. No. 7 Utah. His 39-yard interception return TD vs. USF in the second quarter represented Florida’s first pick-six since CJ Gardner-Johnson’s 30-yard interception return TD against Michigan in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl on Dec. 29, 2018. The pick-six marked Florida’s 51st since 1996.
• CB Jason Marshall Jr.has started all 12 games this season for a total of 18 all-time and has played in all 25 games in his career.
» Four other underclassmen have earned their first-career starts this season in DL Desmond Watson(at No. 11 Tennessee), DL Justus Boone (vs. Eastern Washington), JACK Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr. (at Texas A&M) andS Miguel Mitchell (vs. South Carolina).
• Eight of the 22 turnovers forced by the Gators have come from underclassmen – Powell-Ryland (2), Jalen Kimber (1), Shemar James (1), Jason Marshall Jr. (1), Miguel Mitchell (1), Desmond Watson (1) and Kamari Wilson (1).
DEFENSIVE YOUTH
POWELL-RYLAND ON THE RISE
• SophomoreAntwaun Powell-Ryland Jr.has started to make his impact in the last five games on the defensive side of the ball.
» He has recorded 21.0 total tackles with 5.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, one quarterback hurry and one pass breakup.
• In Week 13 at Florida State, he posted his fifth-straight game with a TFL, which was also a strip stack for his team-leading third forced fumble of the season.
» He is one away from moving into a tie for ninth all-time for forced fumbles in a season, which was last set by Major Wright in 2007.
» Powell-Ryland Jr. is one of seven SEC defenders to have forced three fumbles this year, which is tied for the league lead.
» The last Gator to force three fumbles in a season was Jonathan Greenard in 2019.
• In his first career start at Texas A&M, he improved his career-high for tackles (six), then proceeded to do so again the following week while starting vs. South Carolina (seven tackles).
» Florida shut out the Aggies in the second half, marking the first second half shutout since Oct. 9, 2021 vs. Vanderbilt (W, 42-0).
» The Gators also held Texas A&M to 106 total yards in the second half, including 29 yards in the third quarter and 11 total rushing yards.
• According to Pro Football Focus, he owns Florida’s second-best pass rush grade with a 86.9 and is fourth overall with a defensive grade of 72.8.
» PFF also lists Powell-Ryland Jr. with the 14th-best overall defensive grade among SEC edge defenders.
TURNOVERS TRENDING IN 2022
• The Gators have produced 22 turnovers this season with at least one each game, including seven with multiple. » Last season, UF only had nine turnovers gained through the first-nine games and finished the season with 13 total.
» The last time the Gators produced at least 22 turnovers in a season was in 2019, when they finished with 23.
» Against South Carolina, Florida caused three-consecutive turnovers to start the second half, as USC only ran a total of four offensive plays – the non-turnover play was a zero-yard rush.
• The Gators rank first in the SEC in turnovers gained and second in turnover margin (+8). Last season, Florida was 11th in turnovers gained and 13th in turnover margin.
• Over the last 14 quarters, the Gators have forced eight turnovers.
• Florida has opened the season with 12-straight games with a takeaway, marking the Gators’ longest streak since having 15-straight games with a takeaway from Oct. 18, 2014 to Oct. 21, 2015 (last-seven games of 2014 + first-eight games of 2015).
• The 22 total takeaways have resulted in 70 points for the Gators.
• Eleven of the turnovers caused marked career firsts for a group of Gators: Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr. (forced fumble vs. USF), Jalen Kimber (interception vs. USF),Ventrell Miller (forced fumble at Tennessee), Amari Burney(forced fumble at Tenn.), Miguel Mitchell (forced fumble vs. Eastern Washington), CB Jaydon Hill (interception vs. Missouri), Jadarrius Perkins (interception vs. UGA), Rashad Torrence II (forced fumble vs. USC), Desmond Watson (forced fumble vs. USC), Kamari Wilson (forced fumble vs. USC) and Shemar James (forced fumble at FSU). » The first turnover of the season by the defense was Burney’s game-winning interception vs. No. 7 Utah in the opener.
• Burney (four), Hill (two), Miller (two), Powell-Ryland Jr. (two) and Umanmielen (two) have forced multiple takeaways this year.
» Burney, Miller, Umanmielen and Powell-Ryland Jr. have forced at least two fumbles. The last time Florida had four players with two-plus forced fumbles was 2014.
• The fumble forced on Florida State’s opening drive marked the third game in which Florida caused a takeaway on the opponent’s opening drive: at. Tennessee, Ventrell Miller forced a fumble and vs. USF, Powell-Ryland Jr. forced a fumble
BREAKOUT BURNEY
• LB Amari Burneyhas had a breakout season in his fifth campaign with the Gators, contributing in a multitude of ways.
• The St. Petersburg, Fla. native leads the team in sacks (4.0) and TFL (9.0) while ranking t-first in interceptions (two), t-second in forced fumbles (two), t-second in pass breakups (4) and fourth in tackles (71).
• Burney is one of four FBS linebackers (of six total players) with at least 4.0 TFL, two INTs and two forced fumbles.
• He sealed a 29-26 season-opening victory over No. 7 Utah with his third-career interception, which came in the endzone with 0:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.
» The victory marked UF’s highest-ranked victory in a season opener in program history.
• He is one of three SEC defenders to have forced four-plus turnovers this season, joining Arkansas’ Dwight McGloth- ern and Tennessee’s Trevon Flowers.
• Burney forced his first-career fumble at No. 11 Tennessee, as he finished with 2.5 TFL, 2.0 solo sacks, and eight total
tackles (seven solo).
• Against No. 1 Georgia, he caused two turnovers (forced fumble and interception) on back-to-back drives in the 3Q. » Both set up scores for the Gators: 26-yard field goal from K Adam Mihalek and 78-yard TD pass from QB Anthony Richardsonto WR Xzavier Henderson.
» He also had a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup on third down that forced Georgia to punt.
» Florida has forced nine turnovers (three each game) in the last three meetings with UGA, with Burney being responsible for three of them, with an interception and a forced fumble this season and an interception in 2020.
• He has now been involved on five takeaways this season: two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
THE RETURN OF HILL
After missing last season due to an injury and the beginning of the 2022 campaign, CB Jaydon Hillhas started the last eight games for the Gators.
» His season debut vs. Eastern Washington marked 641 days since his last game (Cotton Bowl vs Oklahoma in 2020).
» Hill has played in a career-high 380 snaps this season.
• In his second start, he recorded two interceptions, including a 49-yard interception return touchdown in the first quarter vs. Missouri.
» The first pick marked his first-career interception and first-career touchdown.
» His first interception also represented Florida’s longest pick-six since Ventrell Miller’s 82-yard interception return touchdown vs. Idaho on Nov. 17, 2018.
» Hill became the first Florida player with two interceptions and a pick-six in the same game since CJ Gard- ner-Johnson vs. Michigan in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 29, 2018.
• The second interception late in the 3rd quarter set up a nine-play, 91-yard touchdown drive that put Florida ahead 24-10 with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Richardson to Ricky Pearsall early in the fourth quarter.
• His peformance vs. the Tigers also earned him his first-career SEC Defensive Player of the Week Honor.
» The last Gators DB to earn weekly conference honors was Shawn Davis in 2019 vs. Auburn.
OREGON STATE BEAVERS NOTES:
Game Notes
Oregon State meets up with Florida in the 2022 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl Saturday at Allegiant Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 11:30 a.m. PT. The game will air live on ESPN. Dave Pasch (playby-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Pat McAfee (analyst) and Laura Rutledge (sideline) will call the action. The game will air live on the Beaver Sports Radio Network. Every game this season can be heard live on the Varsity Network, a free application available via computer browsers, smartphones and tablets. After downloading the application, search for Oregon State. Bowl Season Radio will also air the game on SiriusXM, TuneIn and the Varsity Network. Brian Roth (play-by-play), Elvis Gallegos (analyst) and Tim Murray (sideline) are on the call. Oregon State is the home team in the neutral-site matchup.
Oregon State Notables
The Beavers have won nine games for the first time since 2012 and are looking for their 10th win for just the third time in school history. The 2000 Beavers – quarterbacked by head coach Jonathan Smith – went 11-1 and the 2006 team finished 10-4. Oregon State is 6-1 in its last seven games, and has held opponents to an average of 17.3 points and 331.0 yards per game over that stretch. Both marks are best in the Pac-12 Conference. OSU is playing in its 19th bowl game. The Beavers are 11-7 in the previous 18. Oregon State is making its third appearance at the Las Vegas Bowl and first since 2009.
Bowl History
Oregon State has advanced to a bowl game for the second consecutive season and 19th all-time.
The Beavers are 11-7 in the previous 18 games, winning five straight from 2003 to 2008.
Included in that win streak was a 55-14 victory over New Mexico in the 2003 Las Vegas Bowl. The game marked the last in Steven Jackson’s career as a Beaver and he proceeded to rush for 149 yards and four touchdowns, in addition to five catches for 51 yards and one score. Jackson scored three of his five touchdowns in the first half as OSU led 31-7 at the break.
The Beavers held New Mexico to 127 yards in the win.
The Beavers’ 41-point victory is the largest in the history of the Las Vegas Bowl.
OSU also played in the 2009 Maaco Bowl Las Vegas, losing 44- 20 to BYU. Damola Adeniji caught eight passes for 106 yards and one score.
Versus Florida
Oregon State and Florida are meeting for the first time.
The Beavers have never played a team from the state of Florida.
Against The SEC
Oregon State is 2-11-1 all-time against current members of the Southeastern Conference.
The matchup is the first between the Beavers and an active member of the SEC since visiting LSU in 2004.
Oregon State has its two wins against Missouri, which was a member of the Big 12 Conference when OSU last won a 39-38 matchup in the 2006 Sun Bowl.
The Rankings
Oregon State was 14th in the final College Football Playoff rankings.
The Beavers are also 16th in the AFCA Coaches Poll and 17th in the Associated Press Top 25 entering the bowl season.
The Beavers found themselves ranked by the AP in five different weeks. All five came in the final six polls.
Oregon State, meanwhile, found itself in the last three AFCA Coaches Polls.
The Beavers were ranked by the AP for the first time since 2013 and by the coaches since the conclusion of the 2012 season.
Going For 10
Oregon State is looking to win its 10th game for the third time in program history and first since 2006.
The 2000 Beavers, who were quarterbacked by current head coach Jonathan Smith, finished with an 11-1 record and 41-9 win over Notre Dame in the 2001 Fiesta Bowl. Oregon State’s lone loss was to Washington, 33-30, in Seattle.
Oregon State posted its second 10-win season in 2006, going 10-4. The Beavers finished the regular season with a 9-4 mark after defeating Hawai’i, 35-32, in the regular-season finale. OSU then scored 18 points in the fourth quarter in the 2006 Sun Bowl versus Missouri to come back from a 10-point deficit for a 39-38 victory. That represents Oregon State’s largest second-half comeback in its bowl history.
