Sunday, 4 a.m.
Well, that didn't work, did it?
Florida coach Dan Mullen waited until his team was playing the No. 1-ranked team in the nation to give freshman Anthony Richardson his first start of the season. As you might gather from the 34-3 drubbing the Gators took, it wasn't the best idea he could have had.
Richardson struggled throughout, throwing for just 82 yards in the first half. But in the final 136 seconds of the half, he had three turnovers that led to 21 Georgia points, including a 50-yard interception return for a a touchdown by Nakobe Dean.
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"The talent's there," Mullen said of Richardson. "We've just got to get him coached up on the intangibles."
The Gators switched to regular starter Emory Jones in the second half. Jones hit 10 of 14 for 112 yards, but Georgia allowed just the one touchdown.
"It's on me to get this fixed," Mullen said. "I certainly plan on doing that, of changing where we are right now."
The Gators play at South Carolina Saturday.
Clemson 30, FSU 20: For a long time, it appeared the Seminoles might be on the verge of an upset. Instead, Clemson's pedigree came through late in the game.
The Tigers led 20-17 in the closing minutes of the game until Will Shipley scored the go-ahead touchdown with 2:53 to play. In the final seconds, FSU tried a multi-lateral play, but the ball went backward and Barrett Carter ended up picking up the ball and scoring a touchdown.
"I was really proud of the heart our guys showed," FSU coach Mike Norvell said. "The way they continued to battle late -- just too many mistakes
"We struggled to consistently establish drives. We had some opportunities but the negative play, the penalties, being behind the chains...it was just too much to overcome."
FSU scored a highlight-reel touchdown when running back Lawrence Toafilli scored on a 75-yard touchdown pass in which he was pulled down but rolled over the defender and scored. FSU defensive tackle gave the Seminoles a lead with 2:53 to play when Jermaine Johnson scored on a six-yard strip-sack.
FSU, 3-5, is home Saturday against North Carolina State.
Miami 38, Pitt 34: No, the Hurricanes aren't back. But once again, they have a quarterback worth getting excited about.
Freshman Tyler Van Dyke, pressed in action when starter D'Eric King was injured, outdueled Pitt's Kenny Pickett, who has been touted for the Heisman Trophy. It was the second straight week Miami has upset a Top 20 opponent.
Van Dyke threw for 426 yards and three touchdowns. Pickett threw for 510 yards, but he threw two interceptions in the loss.
“Two quarterbacks that were just on fire," said UM coach Manny Diaz. "Kenny Pickett, he is that guy. He was special and it was going to be a battle of perseverance.
I’m so proud of our guys. The way they fight, the way they stay together. It was obvious that there were so many fine line plays in that game and one more went our way than went Pitt’s way. Just humbled to sit here victorious.”
Miami held a 31-17 lead, but Van Dyke's finest moments might have come after the Panthers tied the game in the third period. He hit Key'Shawn Smith with a 13-yard touchdown for the eventual winning points.
Miami is home against Georgia Tech Saturday at 12:30 p.m.