SAD NEWS;unbelivesable florida gators coach is dead so sad

The output of Utah’s legendary starting quarterback, Cameron Rising, could not be surpassed by any one guy. Fortunately for supporters of the Utes, no one man had to.

In the No. 14 Utes’ season opener against Florida on Thursday, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham got creative with his play-calling, giving rookie hurlers Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson the reins to his offense. That proved to be a wise decision, as Johnson displayed nimble running skills and Barnes supplied the firepower to keep the Gators defense flexible.

Billy Napier’s Florida team was defeated 24–11 by Whittingham’s team, who easily defeated their colleagues from the Southeast. All of that deceit paid off.

Without Rising, the Utes were able to outmaneuver the gaping Gators defense both on the ground and in the air, barely missing a beat. It began with a bang: on their first play from scrimmage, Barnes hit Money Parks exactly in the numbers for a 70-yard touchdown.

And despite their best efforts, Florida was unable to muster enough advantageous possessions to register a dent on the scoreboard. Shortly after, Johnson reached the end zone, swaggering 19 yards down the right sideline. In the third, Barnes followed his example and, by his own audacious adventure, discovered the promised land.

And Florida was unable to handle it. In his debut game wearing Gator uniform, Graham Mertz had trouble. Penalties were a common occurrence for the boys in white, orange, and blue; they usually came at progressively inconvenient periods. Overall, Napier’s team appeared disheveled; this was expected considering it was the inaugural match of the year, but it was nonetheless disheartening.

Live updates and highlights from Thursday’s Florida-Utah game at Rice-Eccles Stadium were covered by Sporting News. Watch the live results and analysis below as the two biggest programs in the country square off under the Salt Lake City moon.