GAINESVILLE -- This was the kind of warm late summer’s night Chris Rainey imagined for himself when he was on top of the world, the high school football player who never lost, the kid who seemed destined for instant stardom.
Stardom has yet to find Rainey on the collegiate level like it did when he ran for all those unbeatable Lakeland Dreadnaughts football teams. That might soon change.
On Saturday, Rainey, whose most notable act in college is an infamous text message, became just the third player in college football since 1996 to rush for a touchdown, catch a touchdown pass and score a touchdown on special teams in the same game. The Gators defeated overmatched Florida Atlantic 41-3 at Ben Hill Griffin in UF’s first game under new head coach Will Muschamp.
ALL-AROUND WIN
It was also UF’s first game since going 8-5 last season and losing former coach Urban Meyer.
Things looked decidedly better on Saturday than they ever did in 2010. UF quarterback John Brantley played with poise for most of the game, completing 22 of 31 passing attempts for 236 yards and a touchdown. The Gators’ defense, expected to be the team’s strength this season, held the Owls to 137 total offensive yards.
Saturday was the first game of the final season for FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger, who led the Miami Hurricanes to their first national championship in 1983. Schnellenberger announced his retirement before the season.
Before Saturday’s game, the University of Florida honored Schellenberger’s career with a few heartfelt words over the public-address system. Schnellenberger entered the 2011 season with a career record in college of 157-140-3.
A NEW BEGINNING
While it was the beginning of the end for one coaching career on Saturday, it was the start of another. Muschamp, a 14-year assistant until now, promised a new-look offense and a rededicated defense when he was hired. That’s what he gave more than 88,000 fans on Saturday.
“It was a good opening night,” said Muschamp, a Gainesville native who reflected briefly after the game on his feelings of running out of UF’s team tunnel for the first time.
The Gators’ pro-style offense raked up 468 yards, including 197 yards rushing on 33 carries (6.0 yards per carry). Senior running back Jeff Demps, considered the fastest player in college football, led the Gators in rushing with 105 yards on 12 carries. His second touchdown of the night, a 20 yarder, put UF ahead 38-3 with 11:18 left in the game.
‘VERY SPECIAL’ PAIR
“[Demps and Rainey] are very special with the ball in their hands,” Muschamp said.
The potent backfield duo of Rainey and Demps complemented Brantley’s play-action passes.
Brantley completed throws to six different receivers in the first half, including two for 27 yards to Frankie Hammond Jr. of Hallandale and two for 24 yards to Quinton Dunbar of Miami Booker T. Washington.
“I thought John played extremely well and we did a good job of getting the ball to the playmakers, which Charlie Weis does a good job of,” Muschamp said.
RAINEY’S BIG NIGHT
The night belonged to Rainey, who was suspended for most of last season after being arrested for stalking an ex-girlfriend.
The senior moved on Saturday to place that memory behind him.
He had 79 yards rushing on 11 carries, scoring on the ground with on a 15-yard run with 8:34 left in the first half to give UF a 24-0 lead.
Rainey scored the Gators’ first touchdown of the season when he caught a 14-yard pass from Brantley in the first quarter.
His score on special teams came at the beginning of the third quarter when he returned a blocked punt 20 yards and gave UF a 31-3 lead.
“They say the most improvement is from the first to the second game and we’re certainly looking forward to that,” Muschamp said.
