Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Murphy exploded onto the college football scene yesterday after a golden opportunity presented itself. The Gators’ starting QB Jeff Driskel exited the game with leg injury, and the redshirt junior Murphy stepped right in.

“It was always in the back of my mind that I might never play, but I just kept working hard and kept faith in myself,” said Murphy.

Now, Murphy has nine games that are all his to start. Those include match-ups against LSU, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida State. Not the easiest for a QB who threw his first touchdown for the Gators just yesterday.

Murphy redshirted his freshman year and saw no time at quarterback the next two seasons. Last season, he saw the field briefly against South Carolina, when he lined up as a wide receiver.

While there didn’t seem like there was much of a chance for Murphy, he kept the motor going. “I just didn’t want to give up…And like I said, I’m not afraid of competition,” Murphy said.

As a normal person would, Murphy had some jitters in his first couple snaps. “I was a little nervous. My first time playing an actual football game with game reps in a while, since high school,” Murphy said.

But as the game went on, he became a little more comfortable.”I was just looking to settle down and get comfortable,” Murphy said.

We saw him escape the pocket and make some plays with his legs along with throwing some pinpoint passes.

While his yardage total wasn’t stellar, Murphy made plays when he had too and didn’t make any big mistakes.

“Tyler Murphy certainly took advantage of his opportunity,” said Will Muschamp.

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