For Florida, the USF game was more of what we'd seen in the Gators first two games. I’m not sure we learned a great deal more this week. The first fifty nine minutes this week looked a lot like the Kentucky game and the last one minute was similar to the finish of the Utah game. Florida caught a couple of breaks to take a double digit lead in the second quarter both last week against Kentucky and this week against USF. In both games, they squandered the opportunity to take full control of the game by giving up late points in the first half and struggling offensively in the second half. A defensive stop in the waning minutes to end the half and points on offense on their offensive possession to open the second half would have given Florida a three score lead and created a very tough path for the visitors. Instead, the Gators allowed both teams back into the game and suffered the consequences.
The good news this week, against USF, was that Florida was able to regain footing late to score last and win 31 - 28. The finish wasn’t without tense moments, though. USF, like Utah in game one, moved the ball down the field in their last possession to be in position for an easy tying field goal. Again, like Utah, USF made a critical error to blow their opportunity. This week, with 50 seconds remaining and a first down at Florida’s 19 yard line, USF sandwiched a 14 yard loss between two short runs and had to settle for 49 yard field goal attempt instead of a chip shot. USF mishandled the placement and the kick was awkward and wide right.
There were certainly positive things to highlight from this week’s game, but clearly a great deal of work needs to be done before Florida is ready to contend for titles. When the Gators have the ball, the offensive line continues to do well and the running backs have been a bright spot. Defensively, Florida has been gritty and has battled hard despite tough circumstances created, in large part, by the Gators’ offensive struggles. Earning three turnovers from USF was a critical component in this week’s win.
The Gators offensive struggles surround Anthony Richardson’s challenges in running Billy Napier’s system. In each of the last two weeks, opponents have committed to taking away Richardson’s running productivity and forced him to complete passes. Both weeks, he made mistakes, lost confidence, became tentative, and failed. Once a defense has made an offense one dimensional, it becomes very difficult for that offense to be productive.
In second half possessions, Florida ran ten first down plays. Of these plays, five gained three yards or less, two were incompletions, and one resulted in an interception. Only two of Florida’s second half first down plays were productive.
The Gator staff may want to consider altering the passing part of the offense to emphasize more timing type routes where there are less variables to be read and decisions to be made. Perhaps also some designed QB runs, with blocking, that are not the read option.
The Florida defense hung tight throughout the game and avoided many gaffes resulting in big plays. The 4th and one misdirection play that went for 51 yards is a notable exception. USF, however, was able to move the chains relatively successfully by converting on a high percentage of third down plays (8 for 13) and 4th down plays (2 for 2). Disappointingly, 5 of these conversions gained more than 7 yards. Not surprisingly, Ventrell Miller was missed in the middle. His experience and leadership are critical. Interior defensive line depth is also a challenge that will continue to impact the team until the younger players gain much needed experience and new recruits arrive.
Gator fans should be content with this team’s 2 - 1 start with a new coaching staff and a schedule that includes two top twenty teams and no patsies. The schedule doesn’t get any easier this next week with an away SEC game against another Top Ten team. Playing away in the SEC is always an adventure and Knoxville is among the tougher venues.
