After entering the game cautiously optimistic, I have to admit to having a feeling that the chance to grab that elusive road win was slipping away with the blocked field goal attempt in the 4th quarter (Heavens! The ’Reverse Cock Block?!’). Despite some signs of life in a downfield passing attack, a response to calls far and wide to attack vertically more than horizontally, the OL was unable to provide a consistent pocket and untimely penalties seemed to continue popping up at the worst times and
voila, a 10 point late 4th quarter deficit was sneering “not today Gators!”
The entire game to this point had played, in my mind at least, like a rambling, up and down, Bob Dylan ballad. “Tangled Up in Blue” maybe. Not what I was hoping for against the 2-3 Cocks. I was more in the mood for “Mama Said Knock You Out” or even a celebratory “Jump Around!” It was looking like it wasn’t meant to be. And then almost as suddenly, it was. A Mertz to Boardingham pass with 4:40 remaining culminated a drive to cut the USCe lead to 3. Then after forcing a punt and converting on a long 4th down to Pearsall and a deflection off Pearsall’s hands to Trey Wilson, Mertz hit “Pretty Ricky” on a skinny post for the go-ahead and ultimate winning score with :47 seconds remaining. Spencer Rattler, who was 23-30 with 4 TDs, had one last shot but was intercepted and after a series of kneel-downs, a safety, and a successful kick cover, the road woes were temporarily over and the Gators had a two game winning streak. Someone on the “SEC Final“ quoted the Old Ball Coach…”God smiled on the Gators!” Yes He did.
* Good Numbers: Mertz 30-48, 423 yds, 3TDs. Pearsall 10 rec, 166 yds, TD. Boardingham 5 rec, 55 yds, TD. Trey Wilson 8 rec, 83 yds.
* Bad Numbers: UF 71 rushing yds. Mertz sacked 3 times. 6 penalties for 48 yds including a pressure resulting in intentional grounding and a roughing the passer that kept a USCe drive alive. As previously mentioned, Rattler 23-30, 313 yds, 4 TDs.
* SEC pre-game crew was 1-3 on their picks for the USCe / UF game with Timmy being the only host picking the Gators to overcome the road woes on this Saturday! Great Gator to a fault!
* Not happy with several No-calls by the officiating crew Saturday, but struggling and poor teams can’t expect to be bailed out with calls and to our credit we were able to win without them. A step toward maturity?
Even though it’s nice to get to bask in the glow of a much-needed win that featured an offensive coming-out of sorts, the reality is that after a bye week we’ve got the grinder facing us the rest of the way, starting with the Dawgs in Jacksonville. But we’re heading in at 5-2 instead of the reverse and on a two game upswing. The Mutts looked a little more pedestrian against spunky Vandy, it’s a rivalry, so who’s to say we can’t make a game of it? But the offensive improvements will have to expand beyond the passing game numbers and include much, much better protection and the ability to run more effectively once more. Defensively, we’ve got to pressure and cover better, lest Beck continues his good QB play of late.
The theme of one game at a time, improve incrementally, continues. It looks daunting and many forecasters give us a chance for maybe, maybe one more win. But that’s not what we’re playing for. I think despite the struggles, you’ve got to give Billy some credit for the aggressive changes to the offense and for a little up-tick in the in-game and sideline energy. Mertz and Pearsall attested to the upbeat and focused preparation that obviously played a hand in the overall attitude and determination that helped make Saturday’s victory possible. Young team growing up and believing? Why not? It’s about time and what’s expected, isn’t it? Football and sports in general are greatly affected by generated momentum. The possum made it across the road. Let’s build on it and keep it going in Jax in two weeks!
Go Gators!
