GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida's quarterback battle is murkier than ever after an escape act in a 31-24 win over East Carolina on Saturday night.

For a moment, there was total clarity. Redshirt freshman Will Grier started the second half, going against the script that first-year coach Jim McElwain was supposed to invert from the season opener and leading many to believe Grier was being given a chance to win the gig for good.

And then Treon Harris went in and led a touchdown drive that gave the Gators a two-score lead after Grier made some really bone-headed throws. There's still no clear separation at quarterback.

What there is, though, is overwhelming evidence that Florida needs to pick one guy and stick with him going forward.

Aside from the eye test -- in both games now, it has taken Florida's quarterbacks a series or two to get into a rhythm, and both appear thrown out of a rhythm when reinserted into the game after being pulled -- the numbers scream for continuity at the position.

Consider this: When Florida's quarterbacks are going into the game cold (their first series, either to start a game or immediately after replacing the other), they are a combined 7-14 passing (50.0%) for 75 yards and one touchdown. They've rushed three times for 34 yards. Moreover, the Gators have scored on just two of those seven series (28.6%), notching a touchdown, a field goal, a missed field goal, three punts and a fumble.

Those numbers when the quarterbacks have had a series under their belt and aren't coming in cold? Try a cool 38-48 passing (79.2%) for 511 yards and five touchdowns with just one interception. They've also rushed a combined nine times for 88 yards and a touchdown. And the Gators have scored on 12 of 18 of those drives (66.7%), notching 10 touchdowns, two field goals, a missed field goal, three punts, a fumble and an interception.

No matter how you slice it, Florida's quarterbacks are both FAR sharper through two games when they've had a chance to get into a rhythm.

It doesn't even really matter who starts at this point, with no clear difference between the two. Whoever McElwain starts he needs to stick with.

Florida can't keep fooling around and wasting a couple series a game by putting in a quarterback cold when there's a demonstrative difference in how they perform coming in off the bench.

Here is a breakdown of how both and each of the quarterbacks in a first series against consecutive series.

Florida's QBs Combined in 1st Series

7 total series

1 TD, 1 FG, 1 missed FG, 3 punts, 1 fumble

7-14 passing (50.0%) for 75 yards, 1 TD

3 carries for 34 yards

Florida's QBs Combined in Consecutive Series

18 total series

10 TDs, 2 FGs, 1 missed FG, 3 punts, 1 fumble, 1 INT

38-48 passing (79.2%) for 511 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT

9 carries for 88 yards, 1 TD

Treon Harris in 1st Series

4 total series

1 FG, 1 missed FG, 1 punt, 1 fumble

4-8 passing (50.0%) for 34 yards

2 carries for 15 yards

Treon Harris in Consecutive Series

7 total series

5 TDs, 1 missed FG, 1 punt

15-19 passing (78.9%) for 235 yards, 2 TDs

5 carries for 44 yards

Will Grier in 1st Series

3 total series

1 TD, 2 punts

3-6 for 41 yards, 1 TD

1 carry for 19 yards

Will Grier in Consecutive Series

11 total series

5 TDs, 2 FGs, 2 punts, 1 fumble, 1 INT

23-29 passing (79.3%) for 276 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT

4 carries for 44 yards, 1 TD