Run Florida Run: Gators Trample McNeese State Cowboys, 49-7

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Montrell Johnson Jr., Trevor Etienne and Treyaun Webb combined for 274 yards and five touchdowns on the evening to lead the Gators to a convincing week two victory over the Cowboys.

Florida rebounded after a troubling week one loss to Utah on Aug. 31, posting 49 points en route to a 49-0 rout of McNeese State.

Prior to the contest, the expectation for the Gators was to use the tune-up opportunity against the FCS opponent to establish their identity as a physical, run-first unit. 

Johnson and Etienne were the bell cow backs to kickstart Florida's rekindled rushing efforts. 

Johnson finished with 119 yards and two s,cores while Etienne compiled 84 yards and a score of his own to leave their footprint on the Gators' first win of the season.

Webb, a true freshman seeing his first career action in The Swamp, asserted himself as a reliable complement to the established duo of ball carriers leading Florida's ground game. Accounting for 71 yards, 5.1 yards per attempt and two scores on the evening, the Trinity Catholic (Jacksonville, Fla.) product and Gators legacy shined as a power back option for the Gators moving forward.

Quarterback Graham Mertz functioned secondarily to the rushing attack, producing another efficient performance as a passer to total 193 yards on 82% completion. His outing was highlighted by a late 50-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Pearsall deep down the field with 3:45 to go in the third quarter.

The pitch and catch extended UF's lead to 40 points.

The Gators scored on seven consecutive offensive possessions of the contest, once with Max Brown as the signal caller, before punting for the first and only time with 9:06 to go in the fourth quarter with third-string quarterback Micah Leon at the helm.

Meanwhile, the Florida defense continued the success it saw in the second half of the Gators' week one loss to Utah, allowing just seven points after a late-game fumble by running back Eddie Battle deep in UF territory.

Coleby Hamm scored McNeese's State lone touchdown against the Gators' reserve defenders on the ensuing play from eight yards out.

However, Austin Armstrong's unit found the tangible results it searched for behind the line of scrimmage with two sacks and five tackles for loss, including a TFL safety by Jamari Lyons with 2:54 left in the third quarter.

The Gators will remain in Gainesville in week three as they open SEC action, hosting the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers.