Despite (or perhaps because he only saw a minority of field shots in the Gators’ first two games, backup quarterback Anthony Richardson set the Florida fan base on fire. A first year in a red shirt from the Gainesville area, he managed to make a strong impression in his limited playing time by his fearless playstyle and impressive physical gifts.
As the Gators prepare to take on the defending NCAA champions, Richardson has been named as a key factor in the Gators’ quest to turn the tide. Our own staff have also set their sights on this ring. Editor-in-chief Tyler Nettuno commented that “an Anthony Richardson escape game might be the team’s only chance to keep this one close” and editor Adam Dubbin wrote that “some great pieces Anthony Richardson’s will keep things interesting and ultimately convince Mullen to give him the reins of the team.
However, Richardson may never even get the chance.
In an exclusive report for Rivals, Nick de la Torre of GatorsTerritory said whether Richardson will play depends on the result of an MRI performed on Saturday morning. Twice in the brief report it is said that Richardson expects to be eliminated before the game. However, the surrounding context is a little less encouraging. Obviously, he received “intensive treatment” throughout the week and went so far as to prioritize a speedy recovery from his hamstring injury over being in class.
Based on his performance alone, there would be no question of whether Richardson would play against ‘Bama on Saturday. However, he suffered a non-contact injury to his hamstrings during a touchdown against South Florida.
I could have hit 22 if I hadn’t felt that hammy at 50 .. 😭 https://t.co/s3Br8xHjsd
– Anthony Richardson (@GVOaant) September 14, 2021
In the grand scheme of things, it probably makes little difference if Richardson plays against Alabama. The Gators are heavy dogs in this one and only a formidable Florida performance and a tragic Crimson Tide collapse could overcome the disparity between the two teams. It’s frustrating to see a young player picking up time wasting time in a big game, but it might be wiser to play it safe if the MRI seems uncertain than to risk making his injury worse in a game that is coming down. will probably end badly no matter what.
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