Lackluster Gators slip by Charlotte behind stout defense, 5 field goals

GAINESVILLE — Florida’s 22-7 win against Charlotte on Saturday night marked the Gators’ first three-game winning streak under Billy Napier but felt like a hollow victory.

It could be a warning sign with SEC play set to ramp up Sept. 30 at Kentucky, winner of three of the past five meetings.

“It’s hard to win,” Napier said. “We had to grind that one out. Half the teams in college football lost and the Gators won. 

“Are we happy with a lot of the things that went on out there? No.”

Napier’s squad failed to build on the momentum of an emotional and resounding 29-16 win against Tennessee but dispatched the 49ers, who received $1.55 million to serve as tackling dummies Saturday night.

Instead, the No. 25 Gators (3-1) squandered a fast start behind quarterback Graham Mertz. The Wisconsin transfer completed his first 8 passes and finished 20 of 23 for 259 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown to tight end Arlis Boardingham, to continue his remarkable run of efficiency.

Yet the Gators too often settled for field goals — 5 by sophomore Trey Smack. UF managed just 18 yards, including minus-1 rushing, during the second quarter a week after scoring 20 points in the same stretch to effectively put away Tennessee. 

“We moved the football,” Napier said. “We have to have better red-zone production.”

UF finished with just 395 yards and one touchdown against a Charlotte defense that yielded 568 during a Sept. 16 loss to Georgia State and entered the game 129th of 131 teams nationally in scoring defense (39.4 ppg).

Mertz also took a bit of beating. Charlotte sacked him 3 times, once by Eyabi Okie-Anoma to force a fumble, and hurried him twice more.

“We need to keep him cleaner,” Napier said.

Mertz had enough time to find senior receiver Ricky Pearsall six times for 104 yards, highlighted by a one-handed leaping grab ending with a targeting call that did not separate him from the football.

“We practice that actually,” Pearsall said. “It’s a pretty good catch, though. When the opportunity comes, I have to come down with it anyway possible.”

While the catch was the game’s highlight, Smack was the Gators’ bright spot. The highly recruited sophomore replaced Adam Mihalek and converted 2 short field goals before nailing a 54-yarder. He added 36- and 23-yarders, the last the third field goal inside the 49ers 10.

“My leg is really sore right now,” said Smack, who also had 7 kickoffs.

UF defense also continued its stellar play, limiting Charlotte to 210 yards. 

Sophomore linebackers Shemar James and Scooby Williams led the way, combining for 12 tackles, 2 for loss. James recorded his first sack of 2023 while Williams had a forced fumble.

“We came out with the ‘W,’” James said. “But it was a little sloppy.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at moc.lenitnesodnalro@nospmohtge