Florida coach Dan Mullen remains with Emory Jones as the starting quarterback despite a second straight game with two interceptions as the Gators No. 13 beat South Florida 44-20 on Saturday.
First-year quarterback Anthony Richardson, meanwhile, remains impressive for a Gators backup role, throwing touchdowns on each of his first two passing attempts against USF. He also ran for an 80-yard touchdown.
Richardson came out limping after the race with what Mullen said was a hamstring attraction.
Mullen was asked if Jones, a red junior, would continue to be the starter as Florida prepares to host Alabama’s No. 1 pick next Saturday.
“Yeah,” Mullen said laughing. “Yeah. Like I said, we have two really good quarterbacks.”
“We will play two in each game,” he added.
Last season, Jones appeared in a complementary role to incumbent Kyle Trask, who was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and was selected in the second round of the NFL draft.
Jones started Week 1 against Florida Atlantic and completed 17 of 27 passes for 113 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. It also rushed for 74 yards.
On Saturday, against USF, their numbers were similar: 14 of 22 for 151 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Jones also rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Richardson has taken on this secondary role, arriving on the field in certain situations. He led the offense during Florida’s third drive against USF and quickly threw a 75-yard touchdown.
Two units later, he returned to the field and threw a 41-yard marker.
So far this season, Richardson has completed 6 passes of 11 for 192 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He has run 275 yards and two touchdowns in just 11 runs.
“He doesn’t always do the right thing, but he does special things,” Mullen said. “We need to keep training him to be efficient and make sure we’re doing the right readings.”