By: Robert Craft

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

“What if I told you a quarterback that hasn’t started a game since ninth grade would be the starting quarterback for the University of Florida.” Stealing the tagline for ESPN’s 30 for 30, Kyle Trask made his first start at quarterback last Saturday.

Kyle Trask, a redshirt junior, hasn’t started a football game since he was on the Freshman team at Manvel High. Trask backed up current Houston Cougars starting quarterback D’Eriq King.

Saturday that all changed, Trask led the Gators to a 34-3 routing of Tennessee. Trask went 20 for 28 with 293 passing yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

He completed his first five passing attempts for 98 yard and most of the 98 yards were air yards, not yards after the catch.

Trask stated, “I’ve been waiting for my number to get called, and I knew I was going to be ready when my number was called.”

He came close to starting last season after playing well in relief of Feleipe Franks against Missouri, but a foot injury ended that chance.

Many fans on social media and message boards speculated that Trask would transfer to Central Michigan. Central Michigan is coached by former Florida coach Jim McElwain.

Trask has said repeatedly he never considered entering the transfer portal. That decision has paid off for both Trask and the Gators.

Trask did have three turnovers in the game. He was sacked in the first quarter and fumbled the ball. That cannot happen. The two interceptions are correctable with proper coaching.

The Florida Gators, after this week’s sacrificial lamb game against Towson, will face four games in six weeks against three teams ranked in the top 10. This stretch of games will define the Gators season and Kyle Trask.

Trask has shown in a game and a half that he is pocket passer and a willing runner.

Trask must improve his mental clock, reading coverages and blitzes. He looks too cool in the pocket with defenders bearing down on him.

He must recognize time in the pocket and either throw the ball away or run. Trask must learn to read the blitz package and get rid of the ball to appropriate receiver.

With Auburn, LSU and Georgia will Trask have enough in game experience to make good decisions? Those are the real tests.

For the Gators to be competitive against the Elite programs: Georgia and LSU, they must clean up their carelessness and bad decisions with the ball.

Simply put, they have to stop turning the ball over. Florida will not beat Auburn, LSU or Georgia if they lose the turnover battle.

In my opinion, the Gators are a better team with Kyle Trask at quarterback. His calm cool demeanor makes him QB1. October will make or break Trask.

Gator fans time to hop aboard the TRASK TRAIN.