Florida QB Del Rio to start versus Vanderbilt

Sep 25, 2017 - 6:53 PM Florida is making a change at quarterback -- inserting junior Luke Del Rio for redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks -- for this week's home game against Vanderbilt.

Del Rio replaced Franks during the third quarter of Saturday's 28-27 victory over Kentucky, connecting with Freddie Swain on a 5-yard touchdown pass with 43 seconds left for the winning points.

Franks was the hero a week earlier, when his 63-yard Hail Mary heave into the end zone beat Tennessee. He struggled against the Wildcats, completing 7 of 12 passes for 85 yards as the Gators fell behind by 10 points in the fourth quarter.

Del Rio led them back after Kentucky went up 13 early in the fourth quarter. He was 9 of 14 for 74 yards and the last-minute touchdown.

"He came in and gave us that boost," Florida coach Jim McElwain said of Del Rio. "That's not to say Feleipe won't start again. He continues to get better."

Del Rio started six games last season but underwent offseason shoulder surgery as Franks won the job through spring and fall competition. The Gators (2-1) added Notre Dame graduate transfer Malik Zaire in the summer, but he hasn't appeared in the past two games since replacing Franks in a season-opening loss to Michigan in Arlington, Texas.

Florida is 112th out of 129 FBS teams in total offense, averaging 322.3 yards per game.

For the season, Franks is 30 of 49 for 372 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception.