Gators use rout of LIU to give valuable playing time to young players

Everything went right for No. 15 Florida on Saturday night.

The Gators’ defense held its last four opponents last season to fewer than 17 points. On Saturday, the defense picked up right where it left off with a 55-0 shutout of Long Island University.

Quarterback DJ Lagway opened his sophomore season with a nearly spotless 15-of-18 first half, eliminating any health concerns after an offseason of injuries. Lagway did not play after halftime. In his place, freshman Tramell Jones Jr. took the helm of Florida’s weapon-laden offense and played beyond his years.

It was inspiring, to say the least, especially on a day when two top-10 SEC teams found themselves on the wrong end of upsets. But that was never really going to be a concern for Florida against LIU, an FCS foe whose team photo reminded some Gators fans of a high school team.

Saturday’s greatest success might have been the depth Florida showed. It was a Noah’s Ark type of evening — two (at least) from every position getting to star in the rout. And it hopes to use its matchup with Group of 5 South Florida in the same manner this week.

“A lot of players that worked their butt off through the offseason and give us a look during the week and got a chance to get in there at the end of the game,” Napier said, accompanied by the vocals of rapper Lil’ Baby playing from behind the conference room’s back doors. “So it’s a happy locker room right now.”

Week 1 was the Gators’ chance to test out some of their younger performers. That was especially notable for freshmen who may be rattled their first time playing in the SEC. To that point, nine college football newbies recorded stats in UF’s victory, including a pair from South Florida — receiver Naeshaun Montgomery and defensive back J’Vari Flowers.

The star, though, was Jones Jr.

“He’s been doing it all fall camp, all spring ball, so I’m just excited for him to step on the stage he did what he was going to do,” Lagway said of his understudy. “I already knew he was going to do that. He’s a baller.”

While the Gators geared up for their season opener, the majority of their depth chart was set — except for who the backup quarterback would be. Jones Jr. faced off with Louisville transfer Harrison Bailey and last year’s backup, Aidan Warner. He was not considered the front-runner. But as the freshman trotted onto the field with Florida’s offense for the second half, any questions dissipated as to who the No. 2 in Gainesville was.

And his play backed it up. He finished the night passing for 131 yards and a pair of touchdowns. More important in his first game action, he never looked flustered, and should be expected to get more practice against USF.

But part of Jones Jr.’s success was due to the credit of another player.

If you tuned into “SportsCenter” on Saturday night, you promptly learned about UF’s newest pass catcher, freshman Vernell Brown III. There was his 41-yard one-handed catch, which headlined the ESPN show’s “SC Top 10,” but Brown III was everywhere. He led Florida with 79 yards, but even that undersold his value. He consistently drew LIU defenders away from the 14 other Gators who caught a pass.

“I wish I was mic’d up when he made that catch,” receiver Tre Wilson said. “He did some freaky stuff. … Game time, making a catch like that, that’s big time.”

Among those Brown freed up was fellow freshman Montgomery, a Miami Central product. He finished with two receptions for 19 yards, but will remain a factor in Florida’s offense this week, getting more comfortable with the pace of collegiate play.

On the other side of the ball, Flowers, a defensive back, broke up a pass in the waning minutes. It was, to an extent, a surprise to see the Miami Northwestern athlete play amid a secondary that returned every starter from the end of last season.

But that’s what the first weeks of a schedule like Florida’s are meant for. The Gators face seven teams that are ranked last week and a Florida State team that upset Alabama. If there’s ever a time to get depth players ready to go, it’s against your only non-Power 4 opponents of the year.

So Florida turns toward a matchup with USF this week, which surely will be more daunting considering the Bulls’ 34-7 upset of then-No. 25 Boise State. But it will be another opportunity for the Gators to see what they have on the bench before stepping into the SEC gauntlet.