2022 [W13:UF] Looking Behind, Looking Ahead

[Weeze]

Looking Back...

Defensive Effort Falls Short

Offense Couldn't Take Advantage of Defensive Takeaways

 

 

UGA tops Florida in 21-16 Slug Fest

A bitter loss for the Florida Gators last Saturday as they fell to SEC East Rival Georgia 21-16 in Jacksonville for the world's largest cocktail party. The Defense Had itself a day forcing turnovers and getting after Georgia QB Will Outman. Outman was Sacked once, and threw three picks to the Florida defense. The defense also managed to force a fumble from WR Elliot Delabar though it failed to recover it. Outman also managed just over 52% of his passes on the day. They did let the Georgia offense run for 173 yards, but in a bend but don't break mentality, the runningbacks failed to score.

 

So how did they fail to secure the win in Jacksonville? In short, Georgia showed why they are considered the best defense in the SEC. Senior QB Morgan Neal managed just under 60% competitions and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions, but for all their limited success in the air, the run game just was non existent. 51 yards on the ground from Bowman, and 16 from Haynes. Just not enough to help keep drives alive and keep the new found Georgia offense off the field. The nail in the coffin was the outlandish performance by Georgia WR Georges Garcia. He was targeted 9 times, and only manage to catch three of those. But when he did manage to catch the ball, he exploded. 3 receptions for 114 yards and 3 Touchdown. Its probably safe to say, Georgia does not win without his contribution.

 

Where we Are...

 

Kevin Moore, 4* CB, North Miami FL

 

Week 13 is a bye-week for the Gators. The players might have Saturday off, but the coaches continued to stay busy as they watched FSU and prepared for their instate rival. But more importantly for this program, the Coaches also spent the week hitting the recruiting trail. They were rewarded with some top talent to help infuse this team in the seasons to come.

Forename

Surname

Stars

Pos

City

St

Defense

Joseph

Kloeckner

4*

DE

Ft Myers

FL

Arnold

Mullins

4*

OLB

Jacksonville

FL

Edgar

Mendoza

4*

CB

Davenport

FL

Kevin

Moore

4*

CB

N. Miami

FL

John

Lee

4*

FS

N. Olmsted

OH

Offense

Kevin

Jones

4*

QB

Alabaster

AL

Kelvin

Williams

4*

OG

Lakeland

FL

Frederick

Cook

3*

C

Davenport

FL

NCAA Rank: 8th, Conference Rank: 2nd

 

Last season Coach Weeze brought in a lot of defensive talent for the Razorback. With a background as a defensive coach, he has made it known he wants to have a strong defense to help give his offense as many chances as they can get. Given the over all performance of the defense this season, it was a priority to bring in some top talent and the Gators coaching staff delivered.

 

Defensively, the Gators struggled with the run. That is being nice about it. The first four games, they gave up 1220 yards on the ground. The first two players to sign their commitment to UF, Joseph Kloeckner and Arnold Mullins, should help solidify that front seven and slow down their opponents next season. Joseph Kloeckner should be joined by current Fr Brandon Martin on the opposite side. The Freshman DE was redshirted this season. Mullins, Will be joining an OLB room that will be getting thin, but also struggled. Joining Keenan Williams in the middle and Kendrick Locke on the opposite side, hopefully the LB unit takes a major step forward next season. The strength of the defensive has been the secondary. They've been one of the top units not only in the SEC, but the NCAA. Coach Weeze has only made it better with the three additions he has made so far. Trayvonn Johnson will be leaving at the end of this season, hopefully to have a very successful NFL career, but he will be replaced by a duo of 4* corners. Starting FS Auden Busenitz will also be leaving, only to be replaced by Ohio born John Lee.

 

The Gators took a major punch in the gut when they loss a coin flip commitment to Colt McIntrye. They thought for sure they had him locked down, and a win over then #21 Kentucky only it made all the more certain, only to be suckered punch by FSU as they landed potentially one of the best QBs in the class. But the coaching staff went back to work to find a replacement for Morgan Neal who will be leaving at the end of the Season. Albaster Alabama is where they found the replacement. Kevin Jones, 4* QB is the future leader of this offense. While he isn't the same as Mcintyre, he should be a excellent addition to Coach Weeze first recruiting class. The team needs to find a few targets to throw to, but they have the QB figured out. Beefing up, and adding talent to the line, the Gators see Kelvin Williams and Fred Cook. Both future starters on the line.

 

Looking Ahead...

Fr QB Kelly Jarwin 240 of 440 for 3097 yards, 16 TD, 8 Int 122.03 QBR

Florida is going about 2 hours west to Tallahassee to play spoiler for the 5-6 Seminoles of Florida State. Florida State is the 12th ranked in the ACC in points, 11th ranked in total yards in the ACC, 13th ranked in rushing, and 7th ranked in Passing. Offensively, the Gators are very similar in rankings in their own conference. 8th in points, 10th in total yards, 11th in passing and 6th in rushing. Both teams are toward the bottom in total offense, and rely heavily on one part of the offense, and struggle with the other.

 

Offense

Defense

Florida St

Florida

Florida St

Florida

173

Pts

180

217

Pts Allowed

210

3943

Tot off

3749

4143

Tot yds all

4281

3097

Pass Yds

2306

2666

Pass yds all

1980

846

Rush Yards

1443

1477

Ru yds all

2301

17

Off Pen

23

8

Def pen

15

 

As we look at stats side by side, we can see just how similar these two teams are. While this game is far more important for the Seminoles, whose bowl hopes are still alive, the Gators come into this game with little to play for...however that doesn't mean this game isn't important. A battle between two major programs in the state, a win by either can help with recruiting in the long run. In a rivalry game, bragging rights between fans is always important, but for perspective recruits, seeing who can beat who can help make it easier to decide which team has the better prospect in the long run. A win for Florida can also spoil the season for FSU and help ensure they won't see a post season.

 

Florida will be at a disadvantage though, and a win will be hard fought and well deserved. They will be playing on the road in a loud environment. The defense will need to show up and play sharp. So far, if a team has scored more than 9 points, they have beaten the Gators. The offense also needs to fire on all cylinders and make up for the poor performance last week against the Bulldogs. They can't let themselves be swept by all their rivals this season. No matter what though things are looking to be really exciting next week in Tallanasty.

 

For the last time this season, Go Gators!

[Sarge]

As always, great write up and the cocktail party was a great game. Regardless of how SEC scheduling goes in the future when we add OUT to the conference, this game will always be a must watch.

[Weeze]

We will let Tenn have their year, but starting next year we show them this is our conference and this game decides the division

[Sarge]

Idk Tennessee's recruiting classes are just too good.

[Kirby]

Great read as always @Weeze

 

It's a shame you guys didn't win last week because it would of been even more exciting if we was both 5-6 heading into this showdown, but either way, you guys can play spoiler on our bowl hopes. Good luck, let's hope it's a great battle!

[Weeze]

Thanks you!

 

Yeah its a shame we couldn't get one last drive late to take the lead, but still have pride and rival spoiler left to play for.

[Weeze]

They are...but im trying to hype ourselves up