After beating the Utah Utes in last season’s opening game things went south really quick for the Florida Gators. They would go on to win only five more games and end the season with a losing 6-7 record. It was the second consecutive 6-7 season. Losing seasons just don’t happen often in Gainesville.

With two consecutive losing seasons under their belt, a second-year head coach in Billy Napier, and new transfer quarterback Graham Mertz trying to adapt to his new team, it’s quite obvious the Gators have a lot to prove this season. However, the only thing proven in the Gators 24-11 loss to the Utah Utes is they still make too many costly mistakes and they’re still quite undisciplined.

Let’s be clear. The Gators were probably fortunate the score was this close. Utes starting QB Cam Rising had to sit out the game due to injury. Utah had it’s own issues offensively most of the night. Obviously, some of that was due to not having their experienced QB, who’s one of the best in a PAC-12 that’s stacked with really good QB play.

One area of concern for the Gators this season is their own quarterback position. Mertz in his first game as starter, however, would leave more questions than answers.

Mertz finished the game with a stat line that looks pretty good. He finished the game 31 of 44 for 333 yards and a TD. His 137 passer rating looked good, also. But it was the five sacks and lack of converting 3rd downs that ultimately caught up with him. He also had one interception.

The overall stats tell one story. Other factors tell another. The five sacks were a huge problem. Converting only 1 of 13 third down conversions hurt big time.

Of course, it wasn’t all Mertz’ fault. Lots of the ill-timed penalties created longer conversions for third downs. There were also several plays where his receivers let him down with drops or not being on the same page with their routes. Some of that should be cleaned up over time as the receivers get more acquainted with Mertz in game situations.

One critique of Mertz’ play Thursday night was his lack of throwing the ball down field. It seemed every pass was the dink and dunk variety. There was little to nothing that stretched the field or seemingly tested Utah’s secondary. Ricky Pearsall, the Gators’ top returning receiver made plays after the catch. Pearsall hauled in 8 receptions for 92 yards. His longest reception was 40 yards. But it was a short pass where he broke loose into the Utes secondary and scampered down the left sideline.

Florida’s running game was stuck in neutral, also. Gaining only 13 yards on the ground isn’t going to cut it against many teams. It certainly won’t cut it on the road against a team that’s won two straight PAC-12 titles and is a serious threat to win a third.

While the stat line for Mertz looked solid. His grade has to be incomplete, at best, in this game vs Utah.

Head coach Billy Napier has a tough job on his hands to get this Florida program where the fans thirst for them to be, and where they haven’t been in a long time. A lot of that turnaround has to be cutting down on the mistakes and playing disciplined football. Another huge part will be getting the QB and the offense on the right page.