Florida football vs. McNeese recap: How the Florida Gators won their first game of 2023

It's been a long road back to The Swamp for Florida football heading into its home opener Saturday night at McNeese State (7:30 p.m., ESPNU).

The Florida Gators have traveled 10,277 miles in their last four games — all losses — since their last home game on Nov. 12, 2022, a 38-6 win over South Carolina.

McNeese State (0-1), an FCS school coming off a 52-34 loss to Tarleton State, presents a welcome opportunity to break the skid. But second-year Florida coach Billy Napier is not about to take anything for granted. The Gators (0-1) are coming off a 24-11 loss at No. 12 Utah that exposed weaknesses in the offensive line and special teams that need to be fixed.

"It's early in the season," Napier said. "We're still working hard on developing our team. We'll begin the game like we begin all games. I think really the emphasis is more on our process relative to making the most of every opportunity."

FINAL: Florida 49, McNeese 7 | 10:35 p.m.

Gators win first game of 2023 season and end four game losing streak dating back to last season.

McNeese avoids shutout

Cowboys defensive lineman John Brown Jr. recovers fumble at Florida's eight yard line, and Coleby Hamm scores on the first play from eight yards out. Gators lead 42-7 with 2:24 left

Micah Leon new Gators QB

Walk-on enters under center for Florida with under 10 minutes to go. Leon's last game action came at UConn in 2021. Brown goes 2-2 for 24 yards in his limited game action.

Second rushing touchdown for Treyaun Webb

Five yard TD run for Webb. Puts Florida ahead 49-0 early in the fourth quarter. Caps a 9 play, 62 yard drive for the Gators.

End of the 3rd quarter

42-0, Gators

Max Brown in at QB for Gators

Redshirt Freshman enters for Florida after Graham Mertz is pulled up 42-0. First game action for Brown in his career. Mertz finishes 14 for 17 for 193 yards and a touchdown and eight yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Jamari Lyons tackles McNeese RB for safety

Lyons brings down D'Angelo Durham for a three yard loss. First safety for Florida since September 10, 2022, against Kentucky. 42-0 Florida with 2:45 left

Graham Mertz 50 yard TD to Ricky Pearsall

First passing TD of the night for Florida as Graham Mertz finds a wide-open Ricky Pearsall for a 50 yard TD. Caps a 5 play, 84 yard drive for the Gators. 40-0, Florida with 3:45 left in the third.

88,163

Announced attendance for tonight's game. Sixth best total for Florida against an FCS team and best since November 20, 2010, against Appalachian State.

Second rushing TD for Montrell Johnson Jr.

Montrell Johnson Jr. fights to get across the goal line, scores from eight yards out. Florida now leads 33-0 with 9:27 left in the third quarter. 7 play, 71 yard drive for the Gators. Took 3:57.

Halftime, Florida football 26, McNeese 0

Florida leads McNeese 26-0 at the half. Four rushing TDs in first half by four different players as Gators get ground game going again, 30 carries for 212 yards. Florida quarterback Graham Mertz efficient 9 of 12 for 83 yards with one rushing TD. Defense pitching a shutout with 2 sacks.

First TD of the season for Florida Gators RB Trevor Etienne

Trevor Etienne with an 8-yard TD run, extending the Florida lead to 26-0 on McNeese with 34 seconds left in the first half. A 10-play, 74-yard TD drive.

Another rushing TD for Florida Gators

Freshman RB Treyaun Webb with a 2-yard rushing TD to put Florida up 19-0 on McNeese with 7:04 left in second quarter. Caps a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Two-point conversion fails.

End of 1st quarter

Florida 13, McNeese 0

UF football extends lead

Florida extends its lead to 13-0 over McNeese on an 11-play, 99-yard TD drive, capped by a one-yard TD run from QB Graham Mertz. Ninth career rushing TD for Mertz and first at a Florida Gator.

Florida football strikes first

Florida takes a 6-0 lead on McNeese on a 2-yard touchdown run by Montrell Johnson Jr., capping a 9-play, 62-yard drive. The extra point is no good due to the holder failing to catch the snap.

Fred Biondi celebrity Mr Two Bits

Former Florida golf standout Fred Biondi serves as the celebrity Mr. Two Bits pregame. Biondi won the NCAA individual men's golf title in 2023 and helped lead the Florida Gators to the 2023 NCAA men's national championship.

Fan reaction for Florida football opener

Fans remain supportive of Gators, Napier “I trust Billy." Florida fans remain supportive of head coach and program before home opener

C Kingsley Eguakun, WR Kahleil Jackson among injured Florida Gators

Center Kingsley Eguakun (leg) and wide receiver Kahleil Jackson are among Florida football players out for tonight's game against McNeese State.

Also out are wide receiver Thai Bowman, cornerback Devin Moore, linebacker Deuce Spurlock II, tight end Tony Livingston and quarterback Jack Miller.

How to watch: What channel is Florida football vs. McNeese St? Time, TV schedule for 2023 UF home opener

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This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football vs. McNeese Cowboys score, recap, highlights