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Will Grier creates separation from Treon Harris era at Florida
By John Hollis
Published:
So much for the so-called “quarterback controversy” in Gainesville.
Florida’s redshirt sophomore Will Grier likely made all the conversations involving him and Treon Harris moot ones following his memorable clutch performance during the Gators’ improbable 28-27 come-from-behind win over Tennessee on Saturday.
Grier put aside his struggles on the day when it mattered most, coming up with one key play after another as Florida rallied from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Volunteers and improve to 4-0 going into this week’s matchup with Ole Miss.
“Football is a game you’ve got to battle, you deal with adversity,” he said following the game at The Swamp. “You’ve got to respond. My teammates did a really good job of staying in it. We fought to the end and that’s what you have to do to win games like that.”
None of Grier’s plays were bigger than his fourth-and-14 completion to freshman Antonio Callaway that resulted in the game-winning 63-yard touchdown with 1:26 remaining.
Grier, who again went the distance following Harris’ suspension due to a violation of university rules, finished the day 23 of 42 for 283 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
But he saved his best when it counted most, and has likely become Florida’s undisputed leader as a result.
Appearing poised and confident, Grier completed 11 of 18 passes for 141 yards and both scores in the decisive final period. Along the way, he completed three critical fourth-down plays, the biggest being the one to Calloway.
It was a far cry from earlier in the day, when the Gators offense struggled to find any rhythm. Grier was sacked three times as Florida was forced to punt on six of its first nine drives and saw two other drives end on an interception and the conclusion of the first half.
The Gators’ lone scoring drive over that early span was a four-play 70-yard march that ended with Kelvin Taylor’s 5-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Taylor had busted out a 47-yard scamper a few plays earlier to key the drive.
Florida looked all but dead in the water as the Volunteers jumped to a seemingly insurmountable 27-14 advantage with a little more than 10 minutes remaining, only for Grier to take control down the stretch.
“I’ve got to play better throughout the game,” Grier allowed afterwards. “I did some things I wish I could go back and change. But, at the end of the day, when it mattered, we got the win and that’s the only stat I care about.”
Harris, who started six games as a true freshman in 2014, did not play the week earlier in the 14-9 win at Kentucky. His own poor choices off the field and Grier’s clutch play mean that Harris might be pressed to see much action at all the rest of the season.
The Will Grier might have officially begun at Florida.
John Hollis is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia and Florida.
