For many, the USF game felt like an extension of the FAU game for the Gators. In both games, Florida played well at times, but also lost focus at times. There was never a moment in either game where the outcome was in question. Twice, though, the Gators have failed to maintain their momentum and limped home with solid wins instead of blowouts. Disappointing, perhaps, but a better problem to have than most.
The post-game superlatives are also similar. Florida piled up running game yardage in huge chunks in both games. Florida leads the nation in rushing offense with an average of over 380 rushing yards per game and nearly 8.5 yards per carry. In both games, the Gator defense was solid until the 4th quarter when the younger players had opportunities to play. Florida has given up only 13 total points in the first three quarters of the two games with two of the scores occurring after Gator turnovers provided USF short field opportunities. Opponents have had just one sustained scoring drive in the first three quarters of games, thus far.
Both games were also similar in the eye-popping individual statistics amassed by Anthony Richardson. Combined, Richardson has thrown for 192 yards on 11 attempts (17.45 yards per attempt and 32 yards per completion). As a runner, Richardson has been even more prolific. He has 11 total carries for 275 yards (25 yards per carry). Excluding the 4 interceptions, Emory Jones has been solid, as well. He’s had 31 completions in 49 passing attempts (63%) for 264 yards and has run for 155 yards. Jones’ interceptions combined with Richardson’s amazing athleticism has fueled the “quarterback controversy” discussion for the media. Interestingly, the commonality for the Jones interceptions has been that, in each case, he wasn’t pressured. He’s played better when acting instinctively than when he has had time to overanalyze/reconsider decisions.
Contrary to what the game scores might suggest, the Florida defense improved from week one to week two. They allowed 3 less first downs, 70 less total yards, and 1 less yard per play. They also only allowed a 26% success rate on 3rd and 4th down conversions in the USF game compared to 36% in the FAU game.
The number of weapons in the running game has been impressive. Four different ball carriers have gained at least 85 rushing yards with three of them running for over 130 each. An additional bright spot this week was the emergence of a couple of additional receivers. Through the first two games, four receivers have caught at least five passes.
To maintain perspective, it is important to note that FAU and USF are not even SEC caliber teams, let alone Alabama. Still, with many new faces playing key roles for the Gators, the goal is to improve week over week and that has occurred. Without defensive leader, Ventrel Miller, and with a (likely) hobbled, Anthony Richardson, the odds of Florida beating Alabama are long. In any case, the game provides another opportunity to improve week over week.
October 5, 2019 — Comments are off for this post.
From Where I Sit: UF vs. Auburn
Today’s solid win over a really good Auburn team was a big step for the Gators. Not only is today Florida’s tenth consecutive win (over two seasons), but it came against a national top ten team. The Gators continue to make head-scratching mistakes each game, but have also shown an impressive resilience. Just when you think they’ve made a fatal mistake, they come up with a big play to restore order. The Florida defense has the ability to erase mistakes and keep this team in games. The offense, while erratic, has the capacity to move the ball in a variety of ways.
Here’s the good from today. Auburn has a very good defensive line. Two of their starters will be high draft choices in this next NFL draft. Despite this, Florida was diverse enough on offense to deflect the pressure and roll up nearly 400 yards of total offense. Almost half of it (184 yards) came on three big plays. The anecdote for high-pressure defenses is big plays. The Gators kept moving the ball around, spreading the field, and looking for seams. Lamichael Perine’s fourth-quarter 88-yard touchdown run was a major nail in Auburn’s coffin. Kyle Trask managed the game well for the most part and made three or four NFL caliber throws. He made good reads and delivered the ball to the right receivers. It was his best week yet for resisting the urge to force the ball into coverages. Freddie Swain and Kyle Pitts (again) had big games. Pitts is a mismatch nightmare for defenses.
The Gator defense was impressive all day. This week, both CJ Henderson and Marcus Wilson we’re available. Having two very good cover corners allows Todd Grantham to be very aggressive with the front seven. Wilson seems to have moved past the early season struggles he endured after sitting out injured all of last year. The defense, as a whole, tackled very well today. Auburn is a national leader in the run game and Florida controlled that threat very nicely. David Reese had 13 tackles. Greenard is a powerful force in both run and pass defense. Once Auburn was forced to throw, the Gator secondary (DBU) picked Bo Nix off three times. I think Auburn might have had only one play for 25+ yards today.
Special teams were good for Florida. Converted on all placekicks. Covered three punts inside the Auburn twenty yard line and recovered one muffed punt. The Gators take special team play seriously and it shows.
Now the areas for improvement. Defensively, there is very little to complain about. One 46 yard pass completion on what may have been a busted coverage. Only two sacks, but constant pressure leading to three interceptions and a completion rate of about 40% for Nix.>> The offense (Trask) must take better care of the ball. Three sack/fumbles usually means a loss. In every case, Trask held the ball too long and was hit from behind by guys who had been blocked beyond the pocket. He simply must step up further and/or get rid of the ball a half second sooner. Florida’s receiver’s had several uncharacteristic drops today. Perhaps four and all in the second half. The O line is still a work in process.
I haven’t heard why we didn’t see Zuniga today, but presume he’s still recovering from the injury in the Kentucky game. His return will strengthen an already impressive defense. Assuming Trask’s knee is okay, Florida is banged up (Delance, Peirce, and Shawn Davis), but didn’t lose any additional players for next week.
Dan Mullen made a couple of shaky decisions this week. I typically prefer a coach who isn’t afraid to be unpredictable, but...the fake punt and the throwback pass were both I’ll-advised. The fake punt occurred while Florida led, but was trying to recover from back to back turnovers on their own end of the field. The Gator defense was playing well enough to where flipping field position with a good punt was a better choice than risking giving Auburn a third consecutive short field. Happily, the gift of 7 points wasn’t the difference in the game. The throw-back pass was also an unnecessary risk. With an 11 point lead and less than five minutes to play, the better choice is to play field position and trust your defense. My site line was perfect to see that Krull threw a blind pass to Trask. A pick-six at that time would have placed a game well-in-hand back into serious question. Again, happily the pass was completed and helped Florida by making Auburn begin burning time outs. Still, an unnecessary risk.
Auburn/Florida was the marquee game for the SEC today, so you’d expect the best officiating crew to be assigned. Perhaps they are a strong crew, but it just didn’t seem like it today. I may change my mind once I’ve watched the replay, but there were several questionable no-calls. I thought the Peirce injury/fumble was caused by a head to head hit that could/should have been targeting. It looked like Townsend was intentionally tripped on the fake punt attempt. There were also several likely pass interference calls ignored on crossing routes before this crew finally began throwing flags.
This was a great win for Florida, but the reward is an even tougher opponent (LSU) at their place next week. Such is life in the SEC. Joe Burrow is a more experienced quarterback than Bo Nix and the Gators should not expect to get three interceptions. Florida must take care of the ball themselves next week to have a chance of winning.