While many viewed it as a mere late-game touchdown, for Anthony Rubio and the Florida Gators, it was a moment of great importance.

Anthony Rubio, the son of Senator Marco Rubio, plays as a walk-on running back for the Gators. He made his mark by scoring a touchdown with just over a minute left in Florida’s 33-8 triumph over Tulane during the Gasparilla Bowl.

When the 5-foot-9, 173-pound running back crossed the goal line, the Florida sideline burst into cheers, resulting in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Gators. However, with the game comfortably won, Florida was unconcerned about the penalty; they celebrated the achievement of their walk-on redshirt freshman instead.

In his first collegiate game, Rubio had six carries totaling 32 yards, including the touchdown. He joined the Gators as a walk-on the previous year and did not play during the 2023 season. His debut against the Green Wave culminated in a nine-yard scoring run, pushing Florida to a 33-0 lead.

The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty did allow Tulane a chance to score, moving the ball to their 45-yard line and shortening the field for them.

Rubio went to Belen Jesuit in Miami, following his father’s legacy by enrolling at UF. His father played college football for a year on a scholarship at Tarkio College in Missouri.