Five Things We Know Now About the No. 13 Florida Gators, We Didn't Know Last Week
Updated: Sep 10, 2021
The first game of any football team’s season can be a mixed bag of results. There is rust to shake off, new packages to try out and players putting their chemistry to the test for the first time with real opposition. As a result, Week 1 often gives teams a blueprint on everything that needs to be addressed for the rest of the season.
It also allows for some possible overreaction and claims that may or may not be true, but are fun to consider nonetheless. So as the No. 13 Florida Gators prepare for their second week of play, we examine the five things we learned about this team in their season opener, and what it can be going forward.
The Front Seven Can Be That Unit
“I thought we got after the quarterback…a lot of times when they got the drop back pass we got a bunch of pressure, got some sacks,” noted Head Coach Dan Mullen after the Gators 35-14 win over the FAU Owls on Saturday night.
Some sacks, six sacks, it’s all the same. In addition to the six sacks the Gators defense racked up, they had eight total quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
With an incredibly young secondary, the key to assist in their coverage is to provide a better pass rush up front. Pressure the quarterback, and it either sends him on the run giving the secondary more time, or causes an errant throw. So while the youthful backend catches up and takes their lumps, the front seven full of upperclassmen and older transfers can provide the key to a successful defense.
But defensive end Zach Carter promises last Saturday was just the beginning.
“This is just a sneak peek. I know we can do a lot better. We’re just scratching the surface. It’s the first game. We have a lot to correct.”
For Dan Mullen’s part, he sees that correction coming quickly. Now that the guys have had a full offseason in which they were allowed to be physical again, plus finally played in a game instead of a practice with a quarterback in a non-contact jersey, the coach predicts an even “stouter” week 2 from the front seven.
“Those [sacks] were all done up front; a little bit soft in the run game at times so you know that I want us to be a little bit stouter on that part of it.
“But overall, you know, and I think those guys, especially older guys, they have a pretty high expectation for themselves so I think they want to get better, you know, and this transition into playing games and how different it is, you know from all the practice stuff so you know I think we'll see a big jump this week."
Zach Carter Can Be That Dude
If the front seven can be that unit, then Zach Carter can be that dude. He had three of the Gators six sacks and was a disrupter all night. Before one sack—in which he forced a fumble—Carter showed a twitch on the line that should’ve alerted everyone in the state that he was coming…but his pure power allowed him to still push into the backfield and force the turnover.
“Well I gotta give credit to my back end, they did a great job covering tonight, helping me get back there,” said Carter on Saturday. “Especially my guys inside for giving me that push. It was just one of those games. I was feeling it tonight and, you know, I’m excited for this year. I’m planning on having a big year. I’m excited.”
Carter’s decision to return for another season and put the NFL off until next year changed the complexity of the defensive line. Putting him on the opposite edge of Brenton Cox provides the Gators with two dynamic pass rushers. You can’t cover them both. So if the stout Carter can continue to push into the backfield—or just demand double teams, freeing up Cox, or vice versa—his decision to return will pay off in dividends for both he and the Gators.
The Tempo Can Be Even Faster
The Gators ran 81 plays while holding the ball for 30:13 in time of possession. In each of their five scoring drives, the Gators practically flew down the field, averaging 3:44 on each scoring possession. They weren’t quick strike, chunk drives, but instead methodical, short yardage drives. Each scoring drive averaged nine plays, indicating a quick succession from one play to another.
It’s the style of the game these days, with offenses dictating so much of what happens. Mullen wants to take advantage and plans to kick up the tempo even more.
“We really want to play with tempo, you know obviously what goes on in the situations, you know, determine that and the yardage and where the ball is but we'd like to do a lot more tempo this season."
Trey Dean Belongs At Safety
Defensive back Trey Dean should’ve been at safety this entire time. It’s the position he played in high school and where he looks most natural. After a year at corner, a year at nickel, and a year rotating in at safety, Dean is finally back in the starting lineup at his old position.
On Saturday night against the Owls, he looked smooth, quick and decisive. He finished with six tackles and a pass breakup. On one play in particular, he cheated up from the secondary and met a receiver at the point of attack for a sideline throw. Dean waited for the receiver to jump then pushed him out of bounds, while also tracking the ball and knocking it away. He blew up the play two different ways. And arguably from a position he wouldn’t have been able to make the play had he been at corner, where he could’ve been flipped as the receiver passed.
In a young secondary, Dean’s vocal and cerebral approach can provide a necessary veteran presence. And finally back in the spot where he can play more comfortable and most free, he can bring the boom the Gators defense needs.
Emory Is Learning To Speak Up
On a 4th a goal that quickly became infamous, Emory Jones ran a QB power that went nowhere. It looked strange and off from the snap and even Dan Mullen’s face was broadcasted with a befuddled look. Naturally the question arose on whether or not Jones had audibled with a bad play. It turns out, he’d simply ran the wrong play.
“He got the wrong signal from the sideline, thought we called something we didn’t and missed communication,” explained Mullen.
The miscommunication was a bad missed opportunity in the moment. But it provided for an invaluable lesson for the newly starting quarterback.
“Great things there to learn from, I mean, if he’s not sure with the communication I didn’t know he wasn’t sure when we’re running a play because it looks like we’re in the right formation and all that stuff he wasn’t sure with the play call. That’s an experience deal in a first start right there. He’s sitting out there and saying I got to make plays. You called this and I got to make a play and he got the wrong signal from the sidelines. In that situation it doesn’t seem right, he’s got to take a timeout for us and say, this doesn’t seem right, just let me just make sure and have the, you know, fix errors that come from the sideline fix it on the field.”
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