orst set in 1978. ... San Francisco QB Colin Kaepernick threw four TD passes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Floridas biggest weakness last season looks like it could be a strength now.Justin Leon scored a career-high 17 points, KeVaughn Allen added 13 and the Gators handled Mercer 76-54 on Sunday night.Playing in Jacksonville for the second time in three days, Florida (2-0) celebrated another lopsided victory. Leon, Allen and the Gators improved free-throw shooting had a lot to do with the latest one.Leon was 6-of-10 shooting, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range, and had five rebounds. Allen was 3-of-12 shooting and made all five of his free throws. He added five assists, three boards, two blocks and two steals.Maybe the biggest positive for Florida was its free-throw shooting. The Gators, who ranked 323rd (out of 346 teams) in the NCAA from the stripe last season, hit 20 of 26 in the season opener and then 24 of 30 against Mercer.Hopefully a season-long trend, Florida coach Mike White said. Wed take that in a heartbeat. It feels good to see that thing go in. ... I know its got to feel good for our guys, especially the guys that have struggled in the past and are seeing the rewards of their labor.Rian Holland led the Bears (1-1) with 21 points. Jordan Strawberry, the son of former Major Leaguer Darryl Strawberry, finished with four points.Mercer trimmed a 24-point deficit to 49-34 midway through the second half, but Florida answered with a 15-5 spurt that pushed the lead to 25. The Gators coasted from there, offsetting 36 percent shooting with 20 offensive rebounds and 22 points off 17 turnovers.You can tell they still have another place they can go, Mercer coach Bob Hoffman said. They definitely havent arrived yet. ... I think that teams going to be really special, and theyve only begun. Ive seen a lot of good teams. Im an old dude as you can see by my gray hair, and that team has the pieces to be special.I will definitely enjoy watching them now that I wont be playing them.Devin Robinson chipped in 12 points and nine rebounds for Florida, which had all 12 players score.It feels good when everybody gets to pick off the tree, Leon said.BIG PICTUREMercer: A preseason pick to finish third in the Southern Conference (behind Chattanooga and Wofford), the Bears have enough talent to do well in league play. Venturing out against power conferences could be a tougher challenge, evidenced by the performance against Florida.Florida: Although playing against an overmatched opponent, the Gators showed again they have the talent and depth to return to -- and maybe make a run in -- the NCAA Tournament after a two-year hiatus.STAR WATCHTwo Basketball Hall of Famers were on hand for the game. Artis Gilmore, who lives in Jacksonville, and Rick Barry, whose youngest son, Canyon, plays for Florida, spent time chatting in the stands at halftime.ROAD WARRIORSThe Gators have won two neutral-site games and will have plenty more chances to build a solid resume. This was the second of 11 consecutive games outside Gainesville for the Gators, who are waiting on completion of a $64.5 million renovation to the OConnell Center. Their nonconference schedule includes neutral-site matchups against Seton Hall, Duke and maybe Gonzaga. They also play at Florida State. That slate could benefit the Gators when it comes time for the NCAA Tournament.UP NEXTMercer gets a week off before playing at Georgia Southern next Sunday, the first of three games in six days.Florida plays St. Bonaventure in Lakeland on Thursday night.---More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.orgMike Alstott Jersey . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. Vita Vea Womens Jersey . The team says the Spain international has a muscle pull in his right leg. Barcelona hosts third-division side Cartagena in the return leg of their round-of-32 tie after winning their first meeting 4-1. http://www.authenticbuccaneerspro.com/Gerald-mccoy-buccaneers-jersey/ . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. Ronde Barber Youth Jersey . Brad Jacobs and his Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., team took control of the game early. Devin White Womens Jersey .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again.NEW ENGLAND (7-2) at SAN FRANCISCO (1-8)Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBSOPENING LINE -- Patriots by 14RECORD VS. SPREAD -- New England 7-2, San Francisco 2-7SERIES RECORD -- 49ers lead 8-4LAST MEETING -- 49ers beat Patriots 41-34, Dec. 16, 2012LAST WEEK -- Patriots lost to Seahawks 31-24; 49ers lost to Cardinals 23-20AP PRO32 RANKING -- Patriots No. 3, 49ers No. 31PATRIOTS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (8T), RUSH (13), PASS (8).PATRIOTS DEFENSE -- OVERALL (18), RUSH (14), PASS (19).49ERS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (29), RUSH (7), PASS (30).49ERS DEFENSE -- OVERALL (32), RUSH (32), PASS (14).STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES -- Patriots only road win vs. 49ers came in 2008 with Matt Cassel at QB. Tom Brady, who grew up in Bay Area, has never played at San Francisco. ... With win, Brady ties Brett Favre for second most for QB with 199. Peyton Manning holds record with 200. ... New England opened season with record 258 straight passes without INT until Brady threw one vs. Seattle last week. Brady missed first four games this season while suspended. ... Wiin would assure Patriots of 16th straight non-losing season.dddddddddddd ... New England RB LeGarrette Blount has 12 TDs on ground, two shy of Curtis Martins franchise record. ... Niners have lost eight straight games, one shy of franchise worst set in 1978. ... San Francisco QB Colin Kaepernick threw four TD passes in only meeting vs. Pats in 2012, season 49ers went to Super Bowl. ... 49ers K Phil Dawson needs one FG to become 10th in NFL with 400 for career. ... San Francisco had allowed 100-yard rusher in NFL record seven straight games before holding David Johnson to 55 yards and Arizona to 80 total last week. ... Fantasy Tip: Patriots TE Martellus Bennett coming off third 100-yard game of season and could be in for another big day with Rob Gronkowski nursing injury and listed as out for the game on Fridays injury report.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '