Florida Gators in the NFL: Week 3 Roundup
With the Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Texans entering Week 3 winless on the year, two former Florida Gators provided much-needed points to help lead each team to wins in Week 3.
Here's a look at how former Gators in the NFL faired in Week 3 of the 2023 season.
Evan McPherson kicks Cincinnati to first win
Expected to be a force in the AFC, Cincinnati nearly began the year with a 0-3 record. The Bengals avoided it behind the right leg of Evan McPherson, Florida's starting kicker from 2018-20, who drilled four field goals over five attempts in the Bengals' 19-16 win over the Rams.
More impressively, all of his kicks came from 48 yards or longer. He made kicks from 48, 49, 53 and 54 yards out. Not to mention, McPherson's 48-yard conversion doinked off the right upright. His one miss came from 56 yards out.
Dameon Pierce finds pay dirt
Although they haven't gotten off to the start he and his team had been looking for in 2023, Dameon Pierce and the young Texans earned their first victory of the year with a 37-17 upset over Jacksonville.
The former Gators running back from 2018-21 found the end zone for the first time this season with a one-yard run for the game's first score. He finished with 31 yards on 13 carries and caught three passes for 28 yards, acting as a supplement to rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who passed for 280 yards and two touchdowns.
Other Week 3 Gators in the NFL highlights
In his fourth season in the league, Van Jefferson has yet to find the rhythm that made him a serviceable target during the Rams' 2021 Super Bowl run. However, he was able to find success on Monday night with a 46-yard reception from Matthew Stafford to put Los Angeles in scoring position.
However, Los Angeles' drive would end the next play with Stafford throwing an interception. The Rams would go on to lose to the Bengals, 19-16.
The Anthony Richardson-less Indianapolis Colts were able to upset the Baltimore Ravens 22-19 in overtime behind a five-field goal performance from kicker Matt Gay, one of which was set up by a play from a former Gator.
Taven Bryan forced one of four fumbles caused by Indianapolis to go with two tackles. His strip-sack in the first quarter led to a 31-yard kick from Gay to put the Colts ahead 10-7.
It should also be noted that although he didn't record any stats, rookie Brenton Cox Jr. was active for the first time in his career. Cox Jr. went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft but made the Packers' 53-man roster following a strong training camp and preseason.
Week 3 Gators in the NFL stats
- Marco Wilson (Arizona): Three tackles (two solo), two pass breakups
- DJ Humphries (Arizona): Starting left tackle
- Kyle Pitts (Atlanta): Five catches, 41 yards. One carry, -4 yards.
- O'Cyrus Torrence (Buffalo): Starting left guard
- CJ Henderson (Carolina): One pass breakup
- Eddy Pineiro (Carolina): 2/3 FG (long of 47 yards), 3/3 extra points
- Gervon Dexter Sr. (Chicago): Three tackles (three solo)
- Zach Carter (Cincinnati): One QB hit
- Evan McPherson (Cincinnati): 4/5 FG (long of 54 yards), 1/1 extra point
- Dante Fowler Jr. (Dallas): No stats
- Alex Anzalone (Detroit): Five tackles (three solo)
- Brenton Cox Jr. (Green Bay): No stats
- TJ Slaton (Green Bay): Two tackles (one solo)
- Dameon Pierce (Houston): 14 carries, 31 yards, TD. Three catches, 28 yards
- Jonathan Greenard (Houston): Three tackles (three solo)
- Taven Bryan (Indianapolis): Two tackles (one solo), sack, forced fumble
- Kadarius Toney (Kansas City): One catch, -1 yard
- Tommy Townsend (Kansas City): One punt, 55 yards (downed inside 20-yard line)
- Jawaan Taylor (Kansas City): Starting right tackle
- Van Jefferson (Los Angeles Rams): One catch, 46 yards. One tackle (One solo)
- Demarcus Robinson (Los Angeles Rams): No stats
- Jonathan Bullard (Minnesota): Two tackles (one solo)
- Brandon Powell (Minnesota): One catch, 5 yards.
- Fred Johnson (Philadelphia): Backup left tackle
- Keanu Neal (Pittsburgh): Four tackles (two solo)
- Stone Forsythe (Seattle): Backup left tackle
- Kyle Trask (Tampa Bay): Did not play
Other Gators in the NFL
- Jeremiah Moon (Baltimore, practice squad)
- Kaiir Elam (Buffalo, inactive)
- Richard Gouraige (Buffalo, practice squad)
- Justin Shorter (Buffalo, injured reserve)
- David Sharpe (Carolina, practice squad)
- Malik Davis (Dallas, practice squad)
- CJ Gardner-Johnson (Detroit, injured reserve)
- Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis, inactive)
- Ventrell Miller (Jacksonville, injured reserve)
- La'Mical Perine (Kansas City, practice squad)
- Amari Burney (Las Vegas, inactive)
- Trent Brown (New England, inactive)
- Marcus Maye (New Orleans, suspended)
- Jarrad Davis (New York Giants, injured reserve)
- Trey Dean (New York Jets, practice squad)
Stay tuned to All Gators for continuous coverage of Florida Gators football, basketball and recruiting. Follow along on social media at @AllGatorsOnFN on Twitter and All Gators on FanNation-Sports Illustrated on Facebook.
Get your Gators football, basketball, baseball and other sporting events tickets from SI Tickets here.
