GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida's formerly daunting rushing offense has taken a step back this season, ranking No. 10 in the Southeastern Conference for averaging 137.3 yards per game, a year removed from standing at No. 5 in the SEC in the same category, when the Gators netted 200.2 ground yards per matchup.
Multiple factors contribute to the team's regression in this department. Perhaps most notably, former Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson's offseason departure to the NFL removed 654 yards, nine touchdowns and a second rushing threat to UF's running backs on any play from the equation of production that was eligible to return to the offense in 2023.
The loss of four starting offensive linemen from last season, two to the pros and two to transfer, didn't help, either.
Florida this season has essentially split its offense 50/50 between the run and pass, as a result, after recording a 56/44 split in 2022. UF's running backs, junior Montrell Johnson Jr. and sophomore Trevor Etienne, have been effective at times, but have struggled to put together consistently potent showings like they did in 2022.
Etienne, specifically, has not quite produced at the rate anticipated following his freshman-year success.
Head coach Billy Napier on Wednesday night revealed part of why that could be, addressing a shoulder injury that kept Etienne out of action against Vanderbilt in Week 6 and lingered in the form of limiting his practice availability in the weeks to follow, although he has been able to play through the hurt.
"He's in a great place. I think this week in particular, he's practiced really well. He practiced fast," Napier said. "He's out of the non-contact, we modified him there for several weeks and ultimately he's back healthy, his shoulder's good. I think he's in a good place."
A Jennings, La. native and Gators' class of 2022 signee, Etienne exploded during his rookie campaign in a tandem role with Johnson in Florida's backfield, en route to 719 yards and six touchdowns. The elusive back eclipsed 80 rushing yards in four separate games and offered a recognizable change of pace from Johnson's power rushing style and Richardson's breakaway speed.
But Etienne has only reached 80+ rushing yards twice this year, both times before his injury, against McNeese State and Tennessee. He's garnered 168 yards over 35 attempts in his appearances since, although he managed an efficient six, 5.4 and six yards per carry against Charlotte, South Carolina and Georgia, respectively.
Etienne did not log more than 11 rushing attempts in any of those games, however, and he only received double-digit rushes in one, against Kentucky.
Seemingly at full health now and capable of moving the ball when it's in its hands, Napier understands the need for Etienne to become more involved in Florida's offense down the remaining stretch of the Gators' 2023 slate.
"We certainly need to get him going," Napier admitted.
Florida will have an opportunity to get Etienne going against Arkansas' No. 8-ranked run defense in the SEC on Saturday when the Gators host the Razorbacks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at noon ET. The Hogs have allowed 131.6 rushing yards per game through eight contests this season.
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