Bits & Pieces: Florida vs. Charleston Southern

cover2

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Ten years ago or longer, the title might have read "Gators Easily Dispose of the Bucaneers; Tune Up for SEC Opponent a Success." And maybe it still could, but this one was a little different coming off of a decade of misery. So many unknowns to be found out about (as much as you can in a game against Charleston) and maybe even the specter of Georgia Southern looming for a few! Really, one of the biggest things everyone wanted to see, myself included, was what the QB picture looked like, at least as much as we could in a warm up, and what would we look like with Mullen's offense, termed "middle school" and other such descriptors? I don't know that we have complete answers, but the results were maybe better than many expected, but what was hoped for. The key will be if they carry over against UK and progress each game thereafter (injuries, suspensions, etc. notwithstanding). So, let's talk about last night...

*I'd have to say I was pleased with Mullen's plan and execution for the opener. We threw the ball much more with the ones than I expected, special teams were solid and featured some of the established players (very Meyer-like), and the D, while pretty vanilla with the exception of a couple of blitzes, flew around and made plays and looked to tackle much better than with the previous staff. Mullen clearly wants to be here and be successful and that came through to me in his words, demeanor, and what we saw on the field. A welcome change.

*What has been gained in the S&C program with Savage was very evident to me. We not only looked leaner and more fit as well as stronger in most positions, but I don't recall seeing the multitude of cramping nor injuries that a first game can bring. So we must have shelved the Pilates, PB&J's, and the optional workouts!

*We looked to have some playmakers that want to step forward on D. Polite gave us a glimpse last year and he looks like he's ready to be the next big DE. Great first step on the rush and a motor that doesn't quit. But maybe his most impressive play was the feather technique on the option when he forced the bad pitch and turnover. You don't see that everyday. Secondary was solid in coverage, even if it was against a team not noted for a vaunted passing attack, the LB's had some good plays, and the front was pretty good as well. All in all what you want to see in the warm up.

*McPherson looks like he will be a solid kicker. Maybe not quite as much fanfare as Edie, but we should have him longer and with just as much if not more effectiveness. I looked around, but couldn't find any shots of him and Mullen riding around campus taking selfies in an Escalade. Kinda warmed my old heart!

*OL was good in pass pro, a little less blocking the run IMO. Not ready to run for the hills just yet because we all know just how poorly or erratic this group has been for so long, but we need to see improvement each week and the building of depth. Hevesy should be an upgrade to what we've had, but he's still got his work cut out for him.

*Got to give a shout out to my man from Bainbridge Dee Pierce. Even though his carries were in the second half with the two's against Charleston, he ran like he did in HS. His lower body strength, which has grown even more under Savage, was impressive and even on the shorter runs he can move the pile. The RB position really looks to be as strong and deep as reported. Dee also made the highlight reel on a kick cover. Great way to start for a young guy with a lot of promise.

*Last but not least, it was clear why Frank's was named the starter. I have some crow to eat because I didn't think he would be able to show the development that he displayed. He was very efficient and showed some touch on many of his passes that most expected would be the missiles he would previously have thrown. There were even a few check downs that were here to fore unseen and not the typical forced throws that we had come to expect. In short, it looked as if he'd actually been coached and put more time into his own preparations than was expected. Mick and Lee made a good point post game when they pointed out that of his five TD passes, four were under ten yards and could have been run in for scores, so clearly Mullen was trying to build confidence with his plan for Franks and his continuing development. He also looked very comfortable in the pocket and his decision making was much better than expected, particularly when he ran. Looking for carry over and the next step up from him against UK and something tells me he won't get the uncovered receivers this time around! As for Trask and Jones, they'll remain the back up and work in progress respectively, so we all should root for Felipe's continued development and good health.

A lot to like for the beginning of the Dan Mullen era. Not quite ready to crown him king just yet, but the throne may be out there somewhere, at least comparing him with the last two HC's. I'm excited enough that I'm planning to try and get down for the Colorado State game and the tail gate. Got to cover a cross country event first thing that morning, but hopefully can get there in time to meet you guys in real life. Should be a blast. It's early, but the vibe is that Gator football might just be fun again. Go Gators!
 

stephenPE

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what he said.........looking forward to your arrival.............It certainly was fun again.............
 

LongTooth

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Yep. OL not getting a good push in run game. Davis and Scarlett look rusty. Pierce’s new nickname should be “beast boy”. More touches for him please Dan.
 

G8trwood

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Thanks C2,

Franks was much better than I thought he would be, great energy level and his reads were better. Keep working on the accuracy.

OL protection was pretty good, will have to wait until next week to have a better idea. The early run game looked somehow disfunctional, but I was expecting running to be off the charts and I did pregame a bit too much:) The OL was bad when Trask and Jones were in, was that 2,3’s?

The D looked much more physical (as well as the receivers!) glaring on the D will be maintaining coverage and gaps on the 2nd level when we had an edge rusher as we seemed to lose a guy or abandoned the middle. Some good D line play helped cover this up.

Kicking game looked good, I was a bit worried. We didn’t muff a punt, blocked two kicks. Kick coverage was a bit soft until the freshman rb (brainlapse on name) lit it up and then got some carries!

We have some guys with great hands! Also saw some good receiver and TE blocking

All in all some good vitamin G for an opening game. Clearly Mullens was not interested in running the score up and used the time to evaluate other players. I liked it.

Go Gators
 

GatorJ

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Haven’t read this yet – but this is the thread I’ve been waiting on.
 

GatorJ

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I can’t recall who it was – but I think that big run play that occurred before the end of the first half was due to a missed tackle by Slaton.

@cover2 – did you see much stunting or blitzing last night? Was much shown or are we expecting much more exotic packages against the Vols?

Also @ltraz – I don’t know much about the Star position But Chauncey was all over the field. What are your thoughts on how he did? And maybe you can elaborate on the position a little bit?
 

ergator920103

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Have to disagree on the pass protection. Most passing plays the OL collapsed and the CSU DL was making Franks and Trask, when he came into the game. shuffle and move in the pocket and/or scramble literally as soon they received the snap. Not impressed with the OL. This OL should have absolutely DOMINATED CSU last night. Very few times there was an actual pocket for Franks or Trask - in his limited playing time. Hevesey needs a size 12 EEE to anal cavity to start improving the OL after the staff watches the game film today. UF should have CLEARLY owned CSU on the line of scrimmage...

However, we finally have a coach, at least for this game, who realizes when you play an inferior team you dismantle them. And, then play your 2nd, 3rd and 4th teams to build depth. This game could have very easily been the 65 - 0 or, worse, butt kicking I called for yesterday.

I was also very pleasantly surprised by the special teams putting heat on kickers and blocking two kicks while returning one for a 2 point conversion. Finally, we are going to try and block kicks again!

I was very pleasantly by Franks. I really thought he was going to come out and throw 60 yard bombs into double and triple coverage as he did so many times last season. He looked good tonight and made some very good reads. I only saw a couple of instances where WR's were running free and he threw to another WR.

We should dismantle KenSucky next week as we did under SOS and Meyer... However, even if we dismantle them, they will be a much tougher test that Charleston Southern...
 

TN G8tr

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Been looking for this thread/post since I got up today. Cover, you never disappoint. You need to get up in the booth with Mick and Lee, if not the coaches booth. Lots of good takeaways, but I think the most deserved would be Franks. I will say it, I did not want him being QB. It's just one game but I saw several things I liked. One, he seemed relaxed. Two, knew where he had to go with the ball (Mullen Coaching), I counted on one pass play 4 progression checks prior to releasing the ball. If Mullen can keep coaching him up, we should continue to see a confident Felipe. He doesn't have to be all world. But he does have to be adequate. He has weapons around him. Use them. I feel Mullen will make that happen without FF having to do it alone. As far as the OL, not too worried....YET. It was obvious Mullen was working on the passing game last night. I am, as well as many, pleased and enjoyed the game. We haven't done that in a long time.

Your are spot on with everything else. We can somewhat enjoy Gator Football and have something to grow off of.
 

cover2

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I can’t recall who it was – but I think that big run play that occurred before the end of the first half was due to a missed tackle by Slaton.

@cover2 – did you see much stunting or blitzing last night? Was much shown or are we expecting much more exotic packages against the Vols?

Also @ltraz – I don’t know much about the Star position But Chauncey was all over the field. What are your thoughts on how he did? And maybe you can elaborate on the position a little bit?
Thanks J. We looked pretty vanilla for the most part. Couple of blitzes were Chauncey and Moon that I saw. Lot of Nickel and some five fronts. The big run at the end of the first was also, I think, maybe Charleston's first 1st down of the game. I also think missed tackle might have been by the transfer from VaTech. But Polite was also in position on that play, but was a little slow to untangle and react. My question was where were the LB's?
 

Swamp Donkey

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Also @ltraz – I don’t know much about the Star position But Chauncey was all over the field. What are your thoughts on how he did? And maybe you can elaborate on the position a little bit?
It is just a nickel. A hybrid LB/safety. They don't seem to like any of our backers in coverage so they went this way.

As for Chauncey, I noticed him correcting the newer guys on the field often. We need that leadership and for him to step into it.
 

ergator920103

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Thanks J. We looked pretty vanilla for the most part. Couple of blitzes were Chauncey and Moon that I saw. Lot of Nickel and some five fronts. The big run at the end of the first was also, I think, maybe Charleston's first 1st down of the game. I also think missed tackle might have been by the transfer from VaTech. But Polite was also in position on that play, but was a little slow to untangle and react. My question was where were the LB's?

Also, on that long run where they got their first, first down... Moon came running on to the field late while other players ran off. Moon looked like he had ZERO clue where he was supposed to line up...Saw several instances tonight where the DL did not know where they were supposed to line up...
 

ChiefGator

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Great as usual. I thought some of those throws would not have worked against a decent defense. Late throw on one TD, somewhat inaccurate as well. I was disappointed that the two's were not spying a QB who mostly could only make plays running. Giving up that TD late was also a disappointment.

As noted we need continual improvement, we should get it. I hope someone is breaking down each play and every mistake that any player made.
 

LongTooth

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I can’t recall who it was – but I think that big run play that occurred before the end of the first half was due to a missed tackle by Slaton.

@cover2 – did you see much stunting or blitzing last night? Was much shown or are we expecting much more exotic packages against the Vols?

Also @ltraz – I don’t know much about the Star position But Chauncey was all over the field. What are your thoughts on how he did? And maybe you can elaborate on the position a little bit?

Shuler, 95, was the one who got run over on the big run. He was in position and got trucked. He also got blown up and pushed out of the hole on the TD we gave up. UK will take note.
 

Swamp Donkey

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Shuler, 95, was the one who got run over on the big run. He was in position and got trucked. He also got blown up and pushed out of the hole on the TD we gave up. UK will take note.
He looked like a guy who apparently didn't work out much while finishing his degree. There is a reason he was out there with the walkons on the #4 defense. Don't think he plays much.
 

5-Star Finger

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Got to give a shout out to my man from Bainbridge Dee Pierce. Even though his carries were in the second half with the two's against Charleston, he ran like he did in HS. His lower body strength, which has grown even more under Savage, was impressive and even on the shorter runs he can move the pile. The RB position really looks to be as strong and deep as reported. Dee also made the highlight reel on a kick cover. Great way to start for a young guy with a lot of promise.

I think the kid is a going to be difficult to keep off the field. I love seeing the effort on that kick off play.
 

Nomadigator

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So riddle me this, G-Lasses/Lads...when is the last time you watched our men hang a HAH Chain around the opposition's neck, blocked 2 kicks and gave up only a net 4-point TD, hmmm?

As for mine eyes to see such glory...such trifecta never envisioned or seen, potentially ever, again.

Game 1 of the DM OGGA Era III was unique as a butterfly stinging like a bee :rimshot:.

Book it and eyes forward to Kentucky....gonna watch their game today if I can...

For Sun Tzu be like: :rabbi: "If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles."

Agreed?
 
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GatorJ

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Shuler, 95, was the one who got run over on the big run. He was in position and got trucked. He also got blown up and pushed out of the hole on the TD we gave up. UK will take note.

Doesn’t surprise me. I thought it was Slayton and was perplexed.

A lot of people think Shuler is going to be all world. I’ve never thought he would. I’ll be surprised if gets much PT at all.
 

GatorJ

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Thanks J. We looked pretty vanilla for the most part. Couple of blitzes were Chauncey and Moon that I saw. Lot of Nickel and some five fronts. The big run at the end of the first was also, I think, maybe Charleston's first 1st down of the game. I also think missed tackle might have been by the transfer from VaTech. But Polite was also in position on that play, but was a little slow to untangle and react. My question was where were the LB's?

Having Reese back is going to be tremendous. I’m surprised V. Miller isn’t getting more time.
 

Swamp Donkey

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So riddle me this, G-Lasses/Lads...when is the last time you watched our men hang a HAH Chain around the opposition's neck, blocked 2 kicks and gave up only a net 4-point TD, hmmm?

As for mine eyes to see such glory...such trifecta never envisioned or seen, potentially ever, again.

Game 1 of the DM OGGA Era3 was uniquely, uh, unique...

Book it and eyes forward to Kentucky....gonna watch their game today if I can...

For Sun Tzu be like: "If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles."

Agreed?
Rog?
 

Gator Fever

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Not really sure what to think after watching the replay.

Pros: Franks hit some receivers in the end zone that he might have missed last season with a bad throw.

Special teams you have to give credit for blocking those kicks even if it was Charleston Southern. Just hope it isn't like someone said it was at Miss State and most of that stuff just happens against these lowly teams.

Receivers seem to have been upgraded.

Cons: Offensive line wasn't getting that good of push at all until late in the first half considering the opponent - especially on the plays where there was no pulling. Davis would have been off to the races on one of those early pulling plays if he cut just a bit sooner when the hole opened however.

Franks: Except for just a couple of passes it appeared he was able to get away with just going right to his first read keeping pressure from becoming an issue for him. He did what was needed but we need better defenses to see how he has really progressed.
 

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