The Shields Painting Difference: Perfection with Every Brush Stroke
Many painting companies in Florida rely on flashy marketing and big promises to try and attract new clients. But when it comes time to work, they fall short of their promises. This is often due to a lack of experience, qualified painters, and a drive to overachieve. At Shields Painting, we do things a little differently than other painting companies in Citrus County. We believe that a professional paint job should be as close to perfect as possible. Our goal is to leave you 100% satisfied, whether we're touching up an old residential paint job or performing a complex commercial project. It might sound simple, but we achieve that goal through honesty, hard work, beautiful results, and reasonable pricing.
As a family-owned and operated painting company in Orange Springs, FL, we strive to provide personalized, professional, and friendly service. Shields Painting has been in business since 1968 for a good reason. Whenever possible, we go the extra mile to make sure our customers are happy. Unlike some of our competition, we want to know all about your house or business painting project: your vision, your preferences, your challenges, and your goals. When we understand your needs, we can present you with a fantastic final product - one that you're proud to show off to friends and neighbors.
At Shields Painting, we combine our extensive experience with time-tested, meticulous painting processes, resulting in the highest quality painting results around. As a painting contractor in Citrus County, we can take on a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Florida.
A few of our most popular painting services include:
- Interior Painting
- Exterior Painting
- Residential Painting
- Commercial Painting
- Cabinet Painting
- Ceiling Painting
- Fence Painting
- Sign Painting
- MUCH More!
Our commercial, industrial, and residential painting contractors take the proper steps to protect your property and belongings while we work. Our team will clean up after ourselves, so your property is left clean and free of debris when we're done. After all, we think there's only one way to do a job, and that's the right way.
Painting Services
Eco-friendly & clean work area.
PDCA Certified Member.
Your Go-To House Painting Company in Orange Springs, FL
Your home is a haven of relaxation and solitude. It is uniquely you - a place where you can express who you are through style and design. Whether you need interior touch-ups for your crown molding or a new exterior coat of paint, hiring a reliable painting contractor is the best way to get quality results.
At Shields Painting, we know how important it is to have a home that highlights your tastes and personality. That's why we offer an extensive array of residential painting services in Citrus County. As tempting as it might be to try a DIY paint job, without the proper skills and experience, there is a good chance that the results will turn out less than satisfactory.
High-quality painting requires skill, experience, and patience. If you're a homeowner who needs residential painting services but doesn't have the time, patience, or skills to handle the job, look no further than Shields Painting. We offer accuracy, precision, and longevity with each paint job we perform. Our customers choose Shields Painting for their home because they receive:
- Free Quotes with Detailed Project Breakdowns
- Affordable Pricing
- Expert Painting Contractors
- High-Quality Paint Products
- Combo of Traditional and Modern Techniques
- Well-Maintained Tools
- Unmatched Craftsmanship
- Friendly, Personalized Service
- Good Old-Fashioned Hard Work!
The majority of our house painting services come in two forms: interior and exterior.
Interior Residential Painting
As an interior painting contractor with decades of experience, our expert technicians have developed an interior painting process that maximizes quality and emphasizes customer satisfaction. We understand that interior painting goes beyond aesthetics. It protects your ceilings and walls and helps you sustain a healthier place to live for your family. When only the finest craftsmanship will do inside your home, Shields Painting is here for you.
Our seasoned team of painting experts and craftsmen is dedicated to respecting your space and providing you with the look and feel you're craving inside your home. Whether you bought a new house and want to make it your own or need minor touch-ups but have no time, Shields Painting is ready to tackle the job, no matter how small or large.
Unlike some painting companies, our interior house painters take the time to get the details right, every time. For instance, color is only one aspect of your interior paint job. The paint sheen or finish is just as important. Certain finishes are better for living rooms and bedrooms than in kitchens and bathrooms. We'll help you find the right finish and paint colors for your home, so you don't have to worry about touch-ups or repainting.
Some of our most popular interior house painting services include:
- Ceiling Painting
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal
- Living Room Painting
- Bathroom Painting
- Basement Painting
- Color Consultations
- More
Cabinet Painting
Citrus County cabinet painting deserves its own section on this page because it requires more time, skill, and quality paint than most sections of your home. If your home's cabinets are built into its woodwork, replacing them can be obnoxiously expensive. Compared to the cost of installing new cabinets, painting your kitchen cabinets is much more affordable.
At Shields Painting, we specialize in transforming old cabinets into new, gorgeous features that are just as usable as they are beautiful. Each step of our cabinet painting process is meticulous and thorough. And we'll take care of the entire job, from cleaning, prep, and sanding to priming, painting, and reassembly. This unique service lets you enjoy a brand-new look in your kitchen without having to go into debt by replacing your cabinets.
Whether your cabinets are new, but you want to change their color or you'd like to transition wood cabinets to a painted finish, Shields Painting has the expertise and experience to give you a new look you'll love.
Exterior Residential Painting
Your home - it's a place that not only keeps your belongings safe. It protects your family and loved ones, too. It's one of your largest investments, and like anything else of value, it should be protected. However, Florida weather can take a toll on your home's structure and paint, lowering your home's value and even putting your family at risk.
While it's true that a beautiful exterior affects your house's value, it shouldn't take thousands of remodeling dollars to make a positive change to your home. There's a fine line between reasonable pricing and top-quality painting, and that sweet spot is what Shields Painting aims for. If you want to transform how your friends and neighbors see your home, never underestimate the power of a professional paint job.
Our exterior residential painting services are designed to boost curb appeal, give your home a fresh look, and help it stand up to Florida's unique weather. But we provide more than that. When you hire Shields Painting for your outdoor painting project, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your home is in truly capable hands. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and help bring out the best in your property, whether you need to re-stain your deck or remove old, peeling paint from your siding.
If you're on the hunt for the very best exterior painting contractor in Orange Springs, FL, look no further than Shields Painting.
Some of our most popular exterior house painting services include:
- Vinyl Siding Painting
- Deck Painting and Staining
- Stucco Exterior Painting
- Wood Exterior Painting
- Porch Painting and Staining
- Soffit Painting
- Fascia Painting
- Window Painting
- Front Door Painting
- Thorough Painting Prep
- More
The Premier Commercial Painting Company in Orange Springs, FL
When it comes to first impressions, your businesses' appearance plays an important role. Your commercial property's paint job factors into its overall aesthetics. A great-looking, well-maintained paint job can mean the difference between a customer walking in your storefront and passing by. Conversely, an old, worn-out commercial paint job can send the wrong message to prospective customers. If you can't take the time to keep up your property's appearance, why would a customer spend their hard-earned money on your products?
The same goes for your businesses' interior paint. Would you want to do business with a company that has peeling paint or unsightly crown molding? At Shield's Painting, our goal is to create a beautiful environment that your customers and employees will love inside and out. When you work with our business painters, you can rest easy knowing we treat your business like it were our own. We always clean up after ourselves and know that operations cannot come to a halt just because we're painting. As such, we'll work with your busy schedule to ensure the job gets done right the first time without disrupting your day-to-day commitments.
With decades of commercial painting experience, we know the demands of a commercial painting project necessitate a disciplined and focused approach from the start. Our team of business painters is committed to delivering quality, on-time results on every project, every time - no excuses
We offer professional business painting services to a variety of building types, including:
01
Industrial Painting
A high level of care and finesse are required to effectively paint an industrial property. At Shields Painting, we know that industrial paint jobs involve much more than aesthetics. That's why our industrial services are customized to your specifications, using industrial-grade materials that stand up to heavy-duty operations.
02
Retail Store Painting
Our commercial painters apply effective, yet appealing interior and exterior paint that stand up to the daily rigors of busy retail environments.
03
Small Business Painting
Do you own a restaurant franchise? Have a small "mom and pop" location that needs a fresh coat of paint? Shields Painting has the resources and reliability to efficiently get the job done the first time. That way, you can focus on serving your customers, not having your business repainted.
04
Healthcare Location Painting
From walk-in clinics to long-term care facilities, Shields Painting is sensitive to your patients' needs. We know you must protect your patient's privacy while maintaining productivity. Our approach to healthcare location painting centers around your schedule to avoid disruptions in care.
05
Apartment Complex Painting
Erase signs of wear and make your apartment complex or multi-family building a more desirable place to live with a stunning, professional paint job.
Florida's Most Trusted Painting Contractor
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.
352-212-1533Free Consultation
Latest News in Orange Springs, FL
Almost everything is orange-flavored on the new Flavors of Florida menus at Disney Springs
Chelsea Zukowskihttps://www.orlandoweekly.com/food-drink/almost-everything-is-orange-flavored-on-the-new-flavors-of-florida-menus-at-disney-springs-34506625
Bright citrus and fresh, farm-to-table ingredients are the stars of this year’s Flavors of Florida menus at Disney Springs.Dozens of places at the shopping and entertainment complex will have limited-time offerings as part of Flavors of Florida presented by Corkcicle — the summertime food and drink crawl celebrating iconic flavors and ingredients from the Sunshine State.The event kicks off on July 1 and runs through Aug. 13, with nearly every restaurant, bar and snack shop participating.There’s a lot of...
Bright citrus and fresh, farm-to-table ingredients are the stars of this year’s Flavors of Florida menus at Disney Springs.
Dozens of places at the shopping and entertainment complex will have limited-time offerings as part of Flavors of Florida presented by Corkcicle — the summertime food and drink crawl celebrating iconic flavors and ingredients from the Sunshine State.
The event kicks off on July 1 and runs through Aug. 13, with nearly every restaurant, bar and snack shop participating.
There’s a lot of orange and citrus flavors on the menu, but there’s also plenty of seafood and produce caught and grown locally. Here are all the new offerings this years — nearly four dozen items.
Amorette’s Patisserie
The Boathouse
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
City Works Eatery & Pour House
Coca-Cola Store Rooftop Beverage Bar
Dockside Margaritas
The Edison
Enzo’s Hideaway and Maria & Enzo’s
Frontera Cocina
The Ganachery
Gideon’s Bakehouse
House of Blues Restaurant & Bar
Jaleo by José Andrés
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
Morimoto Asia
Pizza Ponte
The Polite Pig
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant
Rainforest Cafe
Salt & Straw
Splitsville Dining Room
STK Orlando
Sunshine Churros
Swirls on the Water
T-Rex
Vivoli il Gelato
Wine Bar George
YeSake Florida
Outdoor bars around Disney Springs
There are dozens of returning favorites as well, including the Sunshine Shake at Chicken Guy!, the Lime Garage Burger at D-Luxe Burger and Everglazed Donuts’ Citrus Dream Donut and Orange Lemonade with sweet cold foam.
Disney has a lengthy foodie guide to all the Flavors of Florida items here.
And through Aug. 4, Disney Springs will host several culinary demonstrations with chefs from Disney as well as places like The Polite Pig and Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’. Master Sommelier George Miliotes will be on hand at Wine Bar George on July 7, and Gideon’s Bakehouse creator Steve Lewis will give a presentation on July 28.
These presentations are free, but registration is required through the Culinary Series website.
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Orange and Blue Game: How to watch Florida Gators spring football game
Hannah Leyvahttps://www.gatorsports.com/story/football/2023/04/12/florida-gators-football-how-to-watch-orange-and-blue-spring-game/70105388007/
Who will replace projected first round NFL draft pick Anthony Richardson as Florida quarterback?Gators fans will...
Who will replace projected first round NFL draft pick Anthony Richardson as Florida quarterback?
Gators fans will get their first look at who will fill Richardson's cleats Thursday night as the UF football team hits the field for the annual Orange and Blue Game.
Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz and redshirt sophomore Jack Miller, who was Florida's starting QB in the Las Vegas Bowl last December, are competing to be under center for the Gators' Week 1 game against Utah in August. Head coach Billy Napier has said he would not make a decision on a starter until after the spring game.
Some other names to watch on offense Thursday are wide receiver Xzavier Henderson and running back Trevor Etienne, who both have speed and the ability to make big plays.
If you can't make it to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the Orange and Blue Game this year, here's how to catch the action from home.
Live updates:The latest from the Florida Gators 2023 Orange and Blue spring football game
Heading to UF's spring football game?Here's what you need to know
Florida NIL news:Say hello to Florida Victorious, UF's new leading NIL entity
When and where is the 2023 Orange and Blue Game?
When: 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday, April 13
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville
How can I watch the Florida Gators Orange and Blue Game?
Live stream: ESPN+/SECN+ (subscription required)
How can I listen to the Florida spring football game on the radio?
'It's just magical': Manatees flock to Blue Spring in west Volusia for holiday cold spell
Danielle Johnsonhttps://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/environment/2022/12/29/manatees-gather-at-blue-spring-orange-city-during-florida-cold-weather/69762458007/
As a timely holiday cold spell swept across Florida this past week, manatees have flocked to the warmer waters of Blue Sp...
As a timely holiday cold spell swept across Florida this past week, manatees have flocked to the warmer waters of Blue Spring State Park in Orange City — considered one of the best winter manatee viewing spots in Florida — with counts extending upwards of 600 creatures per day.
The numbers had ranged in the single digits and low double digits in November and the first half of December before climbing into the hundreds the week before Christmas, according to Save the Manatee Club's website.
And where there are manatees, there are manatee watchers.
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Around 70 cars were lined up to enter the park Thursday morning as it opened at 8 a.m. with dozens more rolling in, and a couple hundred cars stretched down the road just before 11 a.m.
Officials from the Friends of Blue Spring State Park and Save the Manatee Club have noted that the line has extended over a mile and wait times have been upwards of three hours on some days.
Line is worth the wait
Steve and Christine Dendinger arrived around 7:30 a.m. to see the creatures for the very first time after moving to DeLand from Ohio recently.
“We just saw pictures and documentaries on TV, but that was it,” Steve said. “It’s amazing. They’re beautiful, and the clarity of the water, it’s just so fun.”
Christine said it was “mind-boggling” to see so many manatees in person, and even better than they had hoped for.
“They’re so graceful, and they’re just like, ‘wow,’“ she said. “Just the environment, just that they can be so at ease with themselves in nature.”
The Dendingers plan to return several times before winter ends and to bring friends visiting from Ohio.
Other spectators had been coming to the spring for years, like James Paulus, who brought his 6-year-old granddaughter, Skylar Burns, who likes watching the manatees flap their tails.
A Deltona resident of 52 years, Paulus remembers riding bikes up to the park and swimming in the spring as a kid. He said they carry on the tradition by coming a couple times a year, but seeing so many Thursday was “absolutely fabulous” compared to days with lower numbers.
Blue Spring manatee counts not a record
The park counted 518 manatees Thursday, while Save the Manatee Club recorded 406 from a research canoe in the morning.
The park's highest count during the latest cold front was 653 manatees Tuesday, when the St. Johns River hit 50 degrees. When the temperatures drop, the sea creatures are drawn to the warm spring water, which stays 72 degrees year-round.
The river’s temperature was up to 59 on Thursday, Manatee Research Associate Cora Berchem of Save the Manatee Club said, and with the weather warming up, the number of manatees at the park is expected to decrease over the next week, but cold fronts in January and February could bring them back.
The park’s previous record was set and broken multiple times this past January, finally settling on 721 on Jan. 29, according to the Facebook page of Friends of Blue Spring State Park, a nonprofit currently fundraising for a manatee rescue-and-release ramp at the park.
The Klein family, which donned one manatee shirt, two stuffed manatees and a manatee hair tie between its four members, was visiting Thursday morning from western Michigan and staying at the campground.
“We’ve gone to most of the state park springs, but we come to this one every single year,” Angie Klein said. “We consider this one of our peaceful places.”
Angie and her husband, Tim, lived in Florida in the early 2000s and they've continued to bring their children, 14-year-old Caleb and 12-year-old Kaia, back to visit since then.
“We love the manatees. They’re a great example of God’s wonderful creations,” Caleb said.
Ormond Beach couple Robert and Norma Jean Wilson were also admiring the manatees Thursday, as they have done for decades.
“It’s just magical,” Norma Jean said. “I’m amazed that they make it, (because) they’re endangered, you know with all the boats hitting them, and then their food supply. We’re messing up their food supply. It just amazes me that they keep living.”
Manatees, calves are healthy
Berchem and Wayne Hartley, manatee speciaist for Save the Manatee Club, said the manatees of Blue Spring are looking healthy this year based on their daily canoe counts and research.
"Right now, pretty much everybody has been looking pretty good. The population has been growing. The calves look really good,” Berchem said. “It’s a very large calf survival rate, which means they’re doing good, they’re healthy, the mothers keep reproducing.”
They’ve counted more than 800 unique individuals, over half of which they can recognize based on scar patterns, and there are well over 50 calves.
“We have fingerprints. They have boat scars,” Hartley noted.
Some notable names at Blue Spring this year include Merlin and Brutus, manatees who have been coming since 1970 when famous French explorer Jacques Cousteau first visited.
While starvation has been an issue in other parts of Florida, namely Indian River Lagoon on the east coast where there is a supplemental lettuce-feeding program, the manatees at Blue Spring have sufficient food in the river nearby. Although submerged vegetation in the river has decreased, there is a lot of floating vegetation available, Berchem said.
The manatees can leave the spring for short periods during the cold weather to feed in the river, and they can go several days without feeding during freezing temperatures. Berchem has observed the manatees moving closer to the river in the past few days, meaning they’re eager to get out and feed.
While the spring run is a federally protected sanctuary and is closed to recreational activities during manatee season, people can still do their part to protect the creatures.
Hartley says to keep boats in the middle of the waterways rather than the edges, wear polarized glasses and watch for eddies, or circular water movement, from manatee tails, which will trail them about 10 meters back.
Berchem added that people should practice passive observation and neither disturb nor feed the manatees. People can report sick or injured manatees to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation’s hotline at 1-888-404-3922.
And for those who want to skip the line, manatee watchers can also see the mammals at Blue Spring State Park via livestream at Save the Manatee Club's website, savethemanatee.org.
If you go:
Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the daily manatee record which researchers have amended upon further review.
Contact reporter Danielle Johnson at djohnson@gannett.com.
County Commission unanimously rejects permit for NE Marion sand mine
Austin L. Millerhttps://www.ocala.com/story/news/local/2022/12/21/commission-denies-sand-mine-permit-for-ne-marion-county-site/69746028007/
Close to 200 Orange Springs residents, most of whom wore orange shirts, left the McPherson Governmental Complex smiling, laughing, high-fiving and hugging each other on Tuesday after the five county commissioners unanimously denied a special use permit that would have allowed mining on a piece of property close to their homes....
Close to 200 Orange Springs residents, most of whom wore orange shirts, left the McPherson Governmental Complex smiling, laughing, high-fiving and hugging each other on Tuesday after the five county commissioners unanimously denied a special use permit that would have allowed mining on a piece of property close to their homes.
County records show the 196.73-acre property is on the north side of County Road 318, approximately two miles west of County Road 315.
The men, women and children who packed the auditorium carried signs opposing the special use permit. They applauded when the vote was tallied and Chairman Craig Curry, along with County Commissioners Michelle Stone, Kathy Bryant, Carl Zalak and Jeff Gold each voted no.
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A need for dirt
More than 65 men and women spoke emotionally and passionately about the bad things that would happen if commissioners approved the permit.
According to David Tillman, an engineer and who spoke on behalf of the applicant, MG Cattle Company, LLC, 1.12 million cubic yards of dirt would be hauled from the area and transported to job sites.
Tillman said the area would be mined five acres at a time and the property would be protected, with minimal dust rising up.
He said there would only be a shallow dig, and the operation would be scrutinized by local and state officials. He added if there's a spill, it would be cleaned, and if artifacts were found, they would be turned over to the state.
Tillman said there's a need for dirt for building and construction.
Reasons why the permit should be denied
Tillman said that at the conclusion of the five years, the land would be developed into homes on 10-acre lots.
County government staff and the volunteer Planning & Zoning Commission both recommended approval of the permit. The commission was told that concerns raised had been addressed, with the applicant agreeing to more than 25 provisions if the permit was approved.
When it was their turn, residents made their feelings known.
They gave multiple examples of why the land shouldn't be mined. Among them: decreased property values; noise; negative effects on water quality and natural resources; threats to wildlife; and community safety.
One woman told commissioners she has two special-needs children who are homeschooled. She said the noise would be a huge distraction for them.
Another resident appealed to Zalak, whom she called a neighbor, to put a stop to the proposal.
A third resident said he has difficulty walking and uses a scooter to cross the busy roadway to deliver his garbage. He said with additional trucks traveling up and down the road, he probably would not be able to drop off his garbage.
Residents told commissioners that the permit was the biggest threat to the community.
Also opposing the permit was the president of Orange Springs Specialty Water. He told a Star-Banner reporter that he found out about the agenda item a week ago. He said the mining operation would damage the springs and cause significant change.
Rory Diamond, a lawyer representing the bottling company, wanted commissioners to postpone a decision until next year. Commissioners disagree and instead wanted to hear from those who had signed up to voice their opinions.
County commissioners give their opinions
Commissioners weighed in with their thoughts about the subject after listening to everyone.
"This is going to change their lives," Bryant said, making reference to the mine. "I can't support it."
Curry said "there's too much unknown," and Bryant said she wasn't willing "to take the risk." Curry also told the audience: "I can't disrupt people's lives."
When the vote was taken, it was 5-0.
Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb
Florida football: 5 takeaways from the Orange and Blue spring game
Kevin Brockwayhttps://www.gatorsports.com/story/sports/college/football/2023/04/13/five-takeaways-from-florida-gators-football-spring-game/70102067007/
The Florida Orange and Blue game ended with a kick, with Trey Smack connecting on a 46-yard field goal with one second left to lift the Orange Team to a 10-7 win over the Blue Team before 42,000 on Thursday night at The Swamp.It ended as the lowest-scoring spring game in Florida history. The game wrapped up 15 days o...
The Florida Orange and Blue game ended with a kick, with Trey Smack connecting on a 46-yard field goal with one second left to lift the Orange Team to a 10-7 win over the Blue Team before 42,000 on Thursday night at The Swamp.
It ended as the lowest-scoring spring game in Florida history. The game wrapped up 15 days of spring practices.
"Not as clean as you would like today, but I think the defense probably had a lot to do with that," Florida coach Billy Napier said. "But overall, really proud of this group. It's been a very productive offseason."
Napier said the game would have gone to overtime had Smack missed the kick.
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"Our guys are competitors," Napier said. "They wouldn't have wanted to see this game end tied."
Here are five takeaways from the game:
No separation in QB competition
Quarterbacks Jack Miller and Graham Mertz both had some positive moments while missing other throws.
Miller led the Blue Team to the first touchdown of the game, directing the second-team offense on a 12-play, 82-yard drive, capped by a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marcus Burke.
"This year I felt a lot more prepared for it. I felt a lot more comfortable out there," Miller said. "I feel like I played a little bit better than I did last year. Still not as good as I would have liked, but definitely seeing improvement."
Mertz got off to a slow start — he was sacked twice on a three-and-out in his first series — and passed for just 7 yards in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Mertz heated up, passing for 136 yards and a TD. He found wide receiver Ricky Pearsall downfield for a 41-yard completion late in the second quarter and connected with wide receiver Kahleil Jackson to tie the score at 7-7.
Mertz also had a red-zone drive stall earlier in the second quarter with back-to-back incompletions at the 6-yard line. The drive ended when Smack missed a 24-yard field goal attempt that hit the left upright.
"I'm definitely not satisfied with it," Mertz said of his performance. "We did do some good things. I think that skill players made a lot of plays. Ricky right before halftime made a great catch on the sideline."
Mertz finished 18-for-29 for 244 yards and a TD. Miller was 10-for-20 for 144 yards and a TD. Mertz worked with the first-team offense in the first half, while Miller worked with the first-team offense in the second half.
"Both guys did some good things, and I think there was going to be a lot of things that each guy can learn from," Napier said.
Max Brown, the third scholarship quarterback on Florida's roster, went 1 of 4 for 13 yards. Napier said following the game the Gators will be in the market for a fourth scholarship quarterback in the transfer portal, which opens Sunday.
"That process is underway to some degree," Napier said. "I think we'll know more pretty soon. That's what I would say in that regard. Yes, we anticipate adding a player to our team at that position."
An up-and-down day for Florida's wide receivers
Pearsall led all of Florida's wide receivers with four catches for 62 yards. Burke also had a strong night with two catches for 55 yards and a TD, including an acrobatic 39-yard catch along the sideline.
But Xzavier Henderson and true freshman Aidan Mizell each had two drops. Sophomore receiver Caleb Douglas had two catches for 51 yards, including a nice 28-yard catch and run, but lost the ball on a fumble in the red zone at the end of the play.
Some early enrollees flash
Several freshman early enrollees took the field and some stood out.
Edge rusher T.J. Searcy had a big night on defense with six tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery. Linebacker Jaden Robinson, a former Columbia High standout from Lake City, had seven tackles and one sack.
Freshman running back Treyaun Webb had a game-high 53 yards on 11 carries, while freshman receiver Andy Jean had two catches for 28 yards and two kickoff returns for 58 yards.
Some offensive line issues with protection, shotgun snaps
With starting center Kingsley Eguakun out due to an injury, Jake Slaughter started at center for the Orange team, while freshman early enrollee Rod Kearney started for the Blue team. It was a rough night for Kearney, who had three botched snaps, including one that was recovered for a fumble.
Florida's two offensive lines also combined to surrender seven sacks. Damieon George was solid as a starter at right tackle, while second-team right tackle Kiyaunta Goodwin was beaten on a sack. True freshman Knijeah Harris started at left guard and was solid throughout the game.
"We gave up pressures tonight," Napier said. "There's no doubt. The quarterback pressure, sacks, without question. I think some of that, the defense is contributing to that.
"You have new combinations of players as a result of a couple of guys being out. Overall, all very correctable. Just having stood out there behind it, I can tell you what happened.
"Some just flat-out individual matchups, defensive players winning, and some things from a schematic standpoint we can do to help the players."
A good night for the defense
Florida didn't show much on defense in the way of schemes under new defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong but still managed to make plays, finishing with eight sacks and two fumble recoveries.
"Coach Armstrong, he understands how to play us to our ability," said defensive lineman Tyreak Sapp, who finished with three tackles and one sack. "He helps us make plays and he puts us in position, but then he lets us be ourselves."
Safety Kamari Wilson forced a fumble in the first half on a catch and run by receiver Caleb Douglas, which was recovered by linebacker Shemar James.
Linebacker Scooby Williams had two tackles for loss.
Some new faces on defense stood out as well. Louisville transfer Caleb Banks had a sack, while fellow defensive lineman and Memphis transfer Cam'Ron Jackson had a pass breakup. Linebacker Mannie Nunnery, a Houston transfer, also made plays throughout the night with five tackles, two tackles for a loss and one pass breakup. Michigan transfer Duece Spurlock II had a team-high eight tackles.
"The defense did a good job tonight playing," Miller said. "I think they showed tonight — the new DC really showed that they're a legit defense. We see it every day in practice, so we weren't really too surprised."