Five key plays from the Florida Gators’ spring game

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Following each Florida game, Gators Online will highlight a handful of key plays from the matchup.

Here are five that stood out in the Orange & Blue Game.

Cam Carroll’s hurdling first-down run

After taking his first carry of the game 12 yards, Tulane running back transfer Cam Carroll had another 12-yard run in the second quarter that made the game’s highlight reel. Carroll blew by a block-shedding Chris McClellan as he hit the hole and then hurdled over Javion Toombs at the 25-yard line. Carroll wasn’t done there, landing on the ground and running through Deuce Spurlock before spinning out of a tackle attempt by Jack Pyburn to pick up a few more yards. The first-down run into the red zone set up Marcus Burke’s 16-yard touchdown catch on the next play.

Florida Gators running back Cam Carroll. (UAA Photo)

Kamari Wilson’s hit and forced fumble

On the ensuing drive, the first-team offense (Orange) responded with Montrell Johnson’s 27-yard run and a 28-yard catch-and-run by Caleb Douglas, who reached the red zone. But as Douglas avoided Princely Umanmielen in pursuit and a tackle attempt by Jalen Kimber, a head-hunting Kamari Wilson squared up against him at the 14-yard line and delivered a big hit to jar the ball loose. Shemar James recovered the fumble for the Blue defense, taking away a scoring opportunity for the Orange team.

Florida safety Kamari Wilson tracks down Gators receiver Caleb Douglas before forcing a fumble. (UAA Photo)

Cam Jackson’s third-down pass breakup

On the next drive for the Orange, Mertz drove the unit inside the 10-yard line behind completions of 19 yards to Xzavier Henderson and 18 yards to Arlis Boardingham. Mertz targeted Henderson on back-to-back plays from the 6, but on third-and-5 he threw to him on a dig route and nose tackle Cam Jackson — with right guard Richie Leonard blocking him — disengaged and then stuck his arms up to bat the ball down. Jackson’s pass breakup not only forced the Orange to settle for a 24-yard field goal, but the possession produced no points as Trey Smack’s attempt hit the left upright.

Gators nose tackle Cam Jackson celebrates his pass breakup. (UAA Photo)

Ricky Pearsall’s leaping third-down grab

Mertz received one last series with the starting offense in the first half, and he made it count after converting a daunting third-and-long. He was sacked by Umanmielen on second down for a 10-yard loss and the Orange faced third-and-21 from their own 46. Mertz sat in the pocket and fired a shot to receiver Ricky Pearsall, who was behind Jalen Kimber in coverage and streaking down the sideline as he raised his right hand to call for the ball. Pearsall had to slow down and adjust to the pass, leaping in the air and making the catch over his right shoulder at the 18-yard line with 21 seconds left. His 41-yard reception — the longest by any receiver in the game — set up Kahleil Jackson’s 10-yard touchdown from Mertz.

Gators wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. (Ashley Ray/UAA Photo)

Marcus Burke’s behind-the-back catch

This was the play of the game. On Mertz’s second series with the No. 2 offense in the third quarter, he converted another third down with a long ball. Facing third-and-8 from his own 28, Mertz took a textbook five-step drop and launched a bomb to Burke. He made an incredible catch despite having Ja’Keem Jackson draped all over him, drawing an interference call. Burke turned his body to locate the ball and was backpedaling when he caught it behind Jackson’s back, maintaining possession all the way to ground with his arms wrapped around Jackson. The Blue offense declined the DPI penalty and flipped the field with Burke’s 39-yard reception stood.

Gators wide receiver Marcus Burke with the play of the game. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The post Five key plays from the Florida Gators’ spring game appeared first on On3.