Truth Takes: It's About Perspective (and more)

GatorTruth133

Alethea
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I'll admit that I had to re-watch the game today as it didn't have my full time attention the first time through. I was at the insanity that was the first Orlando City MLS playoff match in franchise history (bonus discussion at the end because Donk asked me to). We had three phones streaming the Gators game, my brother's, my wife's, and mine. Watched most of it, but the thing that surprised me the most, we expected to watch the majority of the second half from home or a sports bar. The Gators game ended as we walked out of the stadium. Enough about that, for now.

We went to Vandy, played the first SEC vs. SEC game on ABC in well over a decade, if not longer. Seriously, contracts don't allow this and I would be surprised if there wasn't some rumbles about this later. Vandy, yes Vandy, is the first SEC school to host a national broadcast on ABC for a home game in a long, long time. The game was an 11 am kickoff, just like Ole Miss, just like A&M, and noon eastern, just like Carolina. The defense was not great, but got some stops in each of those games. Don't worry, I'll get to them. We didn't use a locker room and if I could have gone, I might have beaten them to the stadium. It was an interesting day. Oh, and the all-white was worn for its first victory. Just like that blue top/orange bottom has a lone victory over North Texas.

The thing is, I'm seeing that many UF fans are disappointed in this game. And I mean, depending on the perspective, I understand. Did you want Trask's 4+ TD streak to continue? That would be disappointing (even if you predicted it). Did you want the defense to not allow 300 passing yards to a Vandy true freshman QB? That would be disappointing. Did you want to win be multiple scores, have 500+ yards, Trask to throw for 380, and get out relatively unscathed? Then this was the game for you.

Offense
I would love to be disappointed in an offense for winning by 3 scores on the road in the SEC. I would love to complain about 383 yards passing by Trask and a 30 yard passing TD by Emory (more on Gamble in a bit). I would love to complain that we ran for almost 200 yards and had over 500 yards of total offense and that we did this without arguably our top weapon. But like Nick Saban being asked about Hurts vs. Tua, I'm not going to, so quit asking.

Let's start with Trask. It is disappointing to see the streak end. If it doesn't, he either ties or sets an NCAA record for TD passes through 7 games and does so with an all-SEC schedule. However, he did well, completing 74% of his passes, with at least one Hendo drop. Throwing for 383, even last season we would have freaked out if you said a UF QB would do that to an SEC opponent. It was also done while we played pretty conservative at times. We definitely did a lot of the run-run-pass technique throughout the game. We also tried to force the screen a few times as well. Dan Mullen seemed to call this game in a way to shorten it and get out. Trask may have been victimized because of it. But if the game he had against Vandy is him being victimized, sign me up.

Still not a fan of Emory coming in when the game is still in the balance. Even less when he is the only back up available. He did take Trask's 4th TD pass, but that isn't him, it's the gangster known as Kemore Gamble. A guy who I have said in the past is a good TE who just happens to be behind a generational talent. He has 3 TD's since Pitts went out against UGA. On his send TD against Vandy, he displayed some speed that I didn't realize he had as he sped up the sideline for 30 yards and a score.

The running backs were solid. Pierce and Davis averaged 5 and 4.8 ypc carry respectively. The backs only combined for 4 catches, but Davis set up a score with an 11-yard scamper.

Donkey, could you please call out Grimes more? Since I first saw the "what has he done" comment before UGA, he's had 4 TD's and two of them have been ridiculously awesome. And I want to clarify, I am mentioning Donkey in a way like my brother does about me complaining about Orlando City's offense in one game right before they put up 4 goals. The universe seems to be responding to the comments, perhaps now make them about Stiner...though the universe could probably use its entire power and not fix that issue. Justin Shorter looks like a beast in the making. Hendo will have a good catch and then drop the next target. Poor Wells, dude had a long ball thrown to him that was intercepted by Shorter and then couldn't get his feet down in the endzone.

In perspective, this offensive day was a great day. Can't complain with over 500 offensive yards.

Defense
Two sacks, a late pick and 5 tackles for loss. That's pretty good. Allowing only 87 yards rushing, that's good. Forcing 6 punts, that's good. Allowing only 7 in the final 3 quarters, that's good.

Allowing a true freshman to throw for 319 at a 65% clip is awful. Allowing a 58 yard TD pass with both starting safeties whiffing hardcore on the tackle is awful. Allowing 10 points to Vandy in the 1st quarter is awful.

We know this defense overall is booty and it won't get us where we want to go from what we see right now, but it is good enough to get us past most of our schedule.

Instead of spending lots of paragraphs dogging Stiner and friends, I want to say some good things. Hopper and Pierre looked good overall from my watches of the game. We did have a lot of young guys rotating on D before Vandy scored their last touchdown. The future, with the right coach, looks like it could be bright.

Also, for those wanted Grantham fired yesterday, and I know there has been ongoing discussions on this board about that, he isn't fired until the end of the season, if he is. He especially isn't getting fired while the Gators are still technically in National Title contention.

Quick Hits
  • Tweet of the day goes to @DustinJKent "FSU might retire the No. 19 forever after COVID got them out of games against Florida AND Clemson this year." Seriously, unless you grew up a major FSU fan, do any top recruits want any part of a program that from what I see ducked a big game? Especially with the rumor that Clemson offered to play either Sunday or Monday.
  • Derek Mason wouldn't be the worst replacement for Grantham if both are fired this year.
  • Does T-Rob teach safeties? I'd bring him in from Carolina to do that.
  • Kentucky comes to us for another noon game next week. Bama just beat the crap out of them, but they were without their top back, which is huge for a running team. Will he miss the trip to Gainesville?
  • Franks couldn't beat LSU, but not for lack of trying. 339 yards passing. We could throw for 500 against them.

This game could have been better, this game could have been worse. For this week, I'm taking the perspective to look at we put up another 500 yard offense game and won by 21 on the road. I know that a time will probably come when the defense lets us down, but it was not this day. Have a safe Thanksgiving!

Go Gators

************************

Bonus: Top 5 In Person Sports Moment

This soccer take is dedicated to our favorite soccer lover, Swamp Donkey. I have experienced plenty of nuts moments live with sports including '97 FSU, the Cock Block, Heave to Cleve, and that '15 UT game. Yet, I might have seen one of the most improbable feats I have ever seen live in Orlando on November 21, 2020. I wouldn't say this is the best, but probably the most improbable.

Orlando City with the first playoff game in franchise history after 5 frustrating years. They faced the team they opened their MLS franchise run with, their expansion rivals, and one of the most hated rivals, NYCFC. Orlando City scores on a penalty kick 5 minutes into the game, then NYCFC tied it up two minutes later. Several phenomenal saves kept the game tied and then in the 84th minute, their top defender and a big offensive threat, Ruan, is hard fouled, retaliates and is sent off leaving Orlando City with 10 men. Orlando City misses an open net at the end of regulation. Overtime went scoreless despite over 40 minutes (regular and overtime) of a 11 on 10 advantage for NYCFC. Then it went to one of the most intense overtimes in sports; penalty kicks. I can tell you these were my first that I've seen live and they are as intense, if not more, as they look on TV.

Orlando City's fantastic goalkeeper, Pedro Gallese, nicknamed the Octopus, stops NYCFC's first shot. Then each team traded goals until Gallese stopped NYCFC's last shot for the win............until it wasn't. It was determined he left his line just a hair early and then he was sent off with a red card. Then after 5-10 minutes of debate, a substitution was not allowed for the re-kick. Argentinian centerback, Rodrigo Schlegel (whose grandparents might have immigrated from Germany in the 40's), is put in at goal despite no real experience at the position and NYCFC scores the re-kick and international superstar Luis Nani was stopped when his penalty would have won it for Orlando.

Then, in a twist of fate, Schlegel miraculously came up with a stop on the next kick by NYCFC. After a massive celebration, everyone realized that Orlando still had to make the next kick. Montverde Academy and UCF player, a hometown guy, Benji Michel steps up the take the kick and drills it for the first playoff win in franchise history. This whole situation is something that will probably never happen again in my lifetime, surviving 40+ minutes a man down, having the goalie sent off during PK's, have a center back play goalie and get the game winning save, and having the hometown kid win the game. Watching the 4 minute highlights doesn't do it justice. I can say that I wouldn't watch any game other than Vandy via phone if I could help it (bro got married during UK '17). This game's ending made me feel like I made the right choice as I saw magic.

Go City!
 

Zambo

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I'm glad when you got done watching soccer you were able to watch the game on tape that we all watched live so you could recap it for us.
 

GatorJB

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What bothers me about the game is the slow start and that Trask's streak ended, and both really shouldn't have happened. Props to you for calling it, but it would have been nice to see Trask finish that drive that started on the 1. Also, while I couldn't give the game my full attention until midway through the second quarter, it seemed to me that there were several more drops than Hendo's easy miss.

Toney is overdue for a big game. He would have had one if it weren't for the fumble, which also contributed to the break of Kyle's streak. That said, it was nice to finally see a big kick return.
 

t-gator

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So that's 99% of the men in the world? ok. Its a great game, second only to what we call football. Takes time to see it. Once you do, its great.
Look man, I'm not interested. I like girls. Hell I'm married , for shcit sakes.
 

YLGator

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Look man, I'm not interested. I like girls. Hell I'm married , for shcit sakes.
You're hilarious. I once held your view about soccer. Then my daughter started playing. I sat on the sideline for a couple of years watching and finally understood it. Its a great game. My second favorite to CFB. Your loss. Carry on.
 

Zambo

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You're hilarious. I once held your view about soccer. Then my daughter started playing. I sat on the sideline for a couple of years watching and finally understood it. Its a great game. My second favorite to CFB. Your loss. Carry on.
Oh you liked watching your kid play sports? Fascinating. :lol:
 

Theologator

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@GatorTruth133 - Great write up as always. Vandy is a depressing place to play, especially in November and we tend to yield every QB’s best game ever. I’m happy we won by 3 TD’s, happy to see 9 different receivers & backs get receptions. And I was very happy to see Hopper make some plays. Is there defensive hope on the bench? We are going to need turnovers to beat good teams; we won’t get enough stops.

Re: Your passion for MLS and Orlando City... Do you also follow AA baseball? And what is up with the faux-Euro names in that league? Is there a 1-goal cap on scoring?
 

itsgr82bag8r

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