![Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen talks with athletic director Scott Stricklin after the win against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville Fla. Sept. 4, 2021. The Gators beat the Owls 35-14. [Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun]](/cdn-cgi/image/onerror=redirect,width=640,height=640,format=webp/https://storage.googleapis.com/uploads.mongoosehq.com/url/media/41771054/ee5c9128b59a9628612ca293c5946ad7d08c23bb94f24e77b395559da810da3d)
Overview
- Running back Jai'Den Thomas ripped off 39- and 70-yard scores en route to 147 yards on 10 carries and three touchdowns.
- UNLV intercepted four passes as Idaho State quarterback Jordan Cooke threw for 380 yards but was picked three times.
- Virginia transfer Anthony Colandrea produced 195 passing yards and 93 rushing, including a 9-yard touchdown to Daejon Reynolds to tie it at 31.
- Michigan transfer Alex Orji converted a fourth-and-one with an 11-yard scramble for the go-ahead touchdown before a late defensive stand preserved the win.
- With only two returning starters from last season’s 11-win team, Mullen logged the 12th season-opening victory of his career and urged players to celebrate the result.