LIU Sharks Football vs Florida Gators Football Match Player Stats – Full Breakdown, Highlights & Key Performers
Introduction
The liu sharks football vs florida gators football match player stats was a clash of two very different teams. On one side, you had the Florida Gators—a strong, SEC-level powerhouse with a long history of wins, NFL talent, and huge stadium crowds. On the other side, the LIU Sharks—an up-and-growing team from the FCS level, filled with heart, determination, and players looking to prove they belong on the big stage.
This game gave both teams a chance to grow—but for different reasons. For LIU, it was a test. For Florida, it was about focus and execution. In this article, we’ll go beyond the scoreboard and dive deep into the LIU Sharks football vs Florida Gators football match player stats.
We’ll look at who stood out in rushing, passing, receiving, defense, special teams—and where the turning points happened. You’ll find easy-to-read breakdowns, expert observations, and helpful takeaways from this exciting matchup.
Let’s jump in!
First Quarter Overview: A Gator-Strong Start
From the first whistle, the Florida Gators came out with power. Running back Montrell Johnson Jr. started things off with a 13-yard burst, then followed up with another 20-yard run to set up the first touchdown of the night.
Quarterback Graham Mertz completed his first four passes, showing calm in the pocket and a strong connection with his wide receivers. LIU’s defense tried to hold, but Florida’s speed and size were clear.
The Sharks had a tough start on offense, with pressure coming in fast. Despite a couple of short runs by Zander Matheson, they couldn’t make much forward progress in the first quarter.
Score at the end of the first: Florida 14, LIU 0. Already, the LIU Sharks football vs Florida Gators football match player stats showed a strong lead in time of possession, passing yards, and total plays for the Gators.
Graham Mertz’s Accurate Passing Game
Quarterback Graham Mertz delivered one of his cleanest performances in this matchup. He made smart reads, stood his ground in the pocket, and used short, safe throws to keep drives moving.
Graham Mertz’s Player Stats:
- 19 completions on 24 attempts
- 228 passing yards
- 2 passing touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 1 rushing touchdown
Mertz confidently moved the offense all night. His highlight was a 40-yard pass to Ricky Pearsall for a touchdown that lit up the crowd in the second quarter.
His stats helped Florida maintain control and rhythm, and his name stood out in the LIU Sharks football vs Florida Gators football match player stats performance sheet.
LIU Quarterback Breakdown: A Battle Under Pressure
For LIU, quarterback Zachary Clement took center stage and tried to rally the team under heavy pressure. Florida’s front four came quickly, and the blitz kept him on his toes.
Zachary Clement’s Player Stats:
- 11 completions on 26 attempts
- 122 passing yards
- 1 touchdown
- 1 interception
- 37 rushing yards
Clement showed flashes of confidence, including a 28-yard touchdown pass to Julian Payoute in the third quarter. That score gave Sharks fans something to cheer for and showed Clement’s ability to make plays outside the pocket—even against a tough defense.
Despite facing a hard pass rush, Clement’s effort and numbers were a bright spot in the LIU Sharks football vs Florida Gators football match player stats.
Key Running Back Stats: Gators’ Ground and Pound
Florida leaned heavily on the run game, especially in the second half. Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne led the charge with explosive runs.
Montrell Johnson Jr.’s Stats:
- 104 rushing yards
- 1 touchdown
- 9.5 yards per carry average
Trevor Etienne’s Stats:
- 87 rushing yards
- 1 touchdown
- 2 catches for 18 yards
The Gators’ offensive line opened big holes, and the backs took advantage. Their combination of size and speed helped them dominate time of possession and wear down LIU’s defense.
In the LIU Sharks football vs Florida Gators football match player stats, the running backs stood out for getting big yardage early and often.
Top Receivers from Both Teams
Florida spread the ball around to multiple targets, while LIU had a few key standouts in the air attack.
Florida’s Leading Receiver – Ricky Pearsall
- 6 catches
- 91 receiving yards
- 1 long touchdown grab
LIU’s Leading Receiver – Julian Payoute
- 4 catches
- 68 receiving yards
- 1 touchdown
Both players had highlight-worthy moments. Pearsall made a diving catch on the sideline that set up a red zone visit. Payoute broke open on a deep slant and made a sprint to the end zone.
These plays gave each side moments to celebrate and definitely made the match player stats worth checking out.
Defensive Standouts: Gators Bring the Heat
Florida’s defense made life tough for LIU. They pressured the quarterback, stuffed the run, and created turnovers.
Key Defensive Players:
- Princely Umanmielen: 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble
- Jason Marshall Jr.: 1 interception, 3 pass deflections
- Tyreak Sapp: 6 tackles, 1 TFL (tackle for loss)
LIU’s offensive line struggled to hold off the rush, and gaps in protection led to big plays for Florida.
For LIU, linebacker Tyrese Toler stood out with 9 tackles and limited Etienne’s breakaway runs in the second half.
Match player stats showed just how wide the defensive gap was in the LIU Sharks football vs Florida Gators football match.
Special Teams Stats That Made a Difference
Special teams often shift momentum, and in this game, they played a big role too.
Florida Special Teams Highlights:
- Adam Mihalek: 2-for-2 field goals, long of 42 yards
- Kick return unit averaged 27 yards per return
- Strong punt coverage throughout the game
LIU Special Teams Highlights:
- Punter Ethan Rivera: 7 punts, 294 total yards, 3 inside the 20
- Return man Tyler Winston had a 38-yard kickoff return
Florida’s good field position helped them stay in control. Meanwhile, LIU’s punting kept the game from slipping away entirely despite tough offensive drives.
These less-talked-about efforts made a clear mark on the player stats page.
Second Half: LIU Shows Fight
Even down by four scores, the LIU Sharks didn’t quit. They made adjustments and showed effort to compete. Clement led his best drive of the night in the third quarter, capped by the touchdown to Payoute.
The defense started stacking the box to slow Florida’s run game, and Matthew Mangieri came up with a key third-down stop early in the fourth.
This wasn’t just garbage-time football—it was a building-block moment for LIU’s young roster. They showed pride and growth, something that always matters in college football.
These moments, though small on the scoreboard, added value to the LIU Sharks football vs Florida Gators football match player stats breakdown.
Final Score and Full Team Stats Breakdown
Final Score:
Florida Gators – 45
LIU Sharks – 10
Florida Gators Team Stats:
- Total Yards: 498
- Rushing Yards: 260
- Passing Yards: 238
- First Downs: 24
- Turnovers: 1
LIU Sharks Team Stats:
- Total Yards: 225
- Rushing Yards: 68
- Passing Yards: 157
- First Downs: 13
- Turnovers: 2
The match player stats confirm what fans saw—Florida controlled the game from start to finish but LIU had moments of fight worth applauding.
What This Game Means for the Gators
This game gave the Florida Gators a solid warm-up for bigger SEC challenges ahead. Their ground game looked dominant, passing was clean, and defense set the tone.
Getting reliable performances from Mertz, Etienne, and Pearsall builds confidence. Their mistake-free football was key, and they came away with momentum and plenty of highlights to review.
Fans should feel encouraged by the launched drives, solid rotations, and the disciplined defense holding LIU to just 10 points.
Analyzing the LIU Sharks football vs Florida Gators football match player stats, it’s clear Florida used this as a learning opportunity and nailed it.
What This Game Meant for the Sharks
For LIU, this game was always going to be a challenge—but it was also a chance. A chance for growth, testing depth, and gaining real on-field experience against a top-tier opponent.
Players like Zachary Clement, Julian Payoute, and Tyrese Toler now have excellent film to build on. Coaches can use this performance to identify gaps and highlight what went well—especially the third-quarter drive and second-half red zone stops.
When you look beyond the final score and check the player stats, LIU’s development is clear. These are growing pains, but they’re also stepping stones.
FAQs
1. Who led the game in passing yards?
Graham Mertz of Florida led all quarterbacks with 228 passing yards.
2. Which player scored the most touchdowns?
Montrell Johnson Jr. had 2 total touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving.
3. Did LIU score a touchdown?
Yes. Julian Payoute caught a 28-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
4. Were there any turnovers?
Yes. LIU threw 1 interception and lost 1 fumble. Florida had 1 fumble recovered by LIU.
5. How many total yards did Florida have?
Florida totaled 498 yards, with 260 rushing yards and 238 through the air.
6. Where can I find official player stats for this game?
You can visit ESPN, NCAA.com, or each team’s official athletic site for full LIU Sharks football vs Florida Gators football match player stats.
Conclusion
The LIU Sharks football vs Florida Gators football match player stats don’t just show numbers—they reveal the heart, effort, and skill behind every snap. Florida dominated the scoreboard, but LIU came away with lessons and bright spots to grow on.
From standout passes to explosive runs and big-time defensive stops, this game had plenty of moments worth remembering. Florida proved their ability to lock in and execute, while LIU proved they’re a scrappy squad that doesn’t back down—even to giants.
