Truth Takes: WAR GATOR

GatorTruth133

Alethea
Lifetime Member
Oct 5, 2017
2,303
6,263
In 2007, I had the most obnoxious Auburn fans in my section, we lost on a last second Wes Byrum field goal, my brother's g/f at the time couldn't walk through crowds so I had to sit in that stadium for a good while before walking to my car (and here comes the text message), then I was directed to Museum instead of my usual route which added 45+ minutes to getting out easily, and it was a bad taste I have waited a dozen years to get out of my mouth. And when Perine extended the lead to 11, I couldn't help chanting "War Eagle!" (as I chanted "Roll Tide" during the Nelson pick in our last throwback game against Bama in '06)...which then turned into "War Gator!" That happened multiple times during the final bit of the game with 4 of us getting into it.

Starting the way we did and ending with the dominant defense. That's the Gator Standard.

This wasn't just a game it was a statement. As I've said before many times, Gus Malzahn is the best OC/Playcaller in football. Of the 15 real Auburn drives (not counting the last play of the game), the Gators gave them a 3 or 4 and out (I'm only counting the 4 play drives that were turnover on downs, if you count the drives with 4 plays where they got the 10 yards on the first play it's higher) on 9 of those drives. A team that just beat the ever loving hell out of #FailState last week was held to one series on 60% of their drives. That's insane. Yes, field position yielded some points on those, but still, could have been MUCH worse with the field position.

Offense
Our offensive line is still an issue. I think Delance or Bleich just got called for another holding. Speaking of the line, I was so happy that Swain gave them a piece of his mind after Trask went down. Speaking of, what a gutsy performance by Trask to go down and comeback. Was he perfect? No. Are all the strip sacks on him? No. Things for him to improve, but this team will only go as far as the line. Second fumble, he had less than 3 seconds, no one open, but I think someone was just making a break who he is trying to throw to.

I didn't like Emory coming in when he originally did. I did like what he did when Trask went down and think playcalling hindered him at the end leading to the FG. Either way, good job by him.

Happy to see good things from Swain and Perine. Guys that have been here for 4 years, done the right things, and have had slow starts this season. If we can get Perine in space, he will do damage. I thought when he first got free it would go for 20-30, but him shrugging off the safety sealed it. I didn't see him cross the goal line because I was looking for a flag. Same type of big run we saw him make at FSU and against Michigan to end last season. Perine also had multiple 7+ yard runs besides the 88 yarder.

The good news going forward? This was the best D-line we will see this season. Now that doesn't mean others are chumps, but they aren't quite Brown and co.

Trask:
  1. Good throw, even better run by Swain for 64 yards and a TD to put the Gators ahead for the rest of the game.
  2. Screen to Pitts for 4 yards.
  3. Decent throw to Copeland, good play by Auburn's DB to break it up.
  4. Swing to Perine for 10 yards and a first down.
  5. Dump to Perine for a loss of 1 yard.
  6. Great Strike to Swain for 26 yards.
  7. Screen to Cleveland for a yard. If blocked well, this goes for quite a bit more.
  8. High throw for Hammond. Hit him in the hands so technically a drop, but would've been hard to catch.
  9. Throw down the sideline to Pitts...PI, not counted in stats. (We will get to the PI or lack thereof calls)
  10. Decent throw to Jefferson, but a bang bang play that may have been PI, but not blatant, yet.
  11. Swing to Perine for 3 yards
  12. Swing to Perine for 3, Grimes whiffs on a block or this may go for more.
  13. In route to Hammond for 13 yards and a TD.
  14. Floats one well over Swain.
  15. Stop route to Pitts for 7 yards.
  16. Slant to Pitts incomplete...still wondering why you don't have a quick snap play.
  17. 11 yard stop route DROPPED by Hammond...Trask goes out.
  18. Lobs a ball over Pitts head. Pitts slanted, I think Trask thought he was going deep.
  19. Stop to Hammond for 9 yards. FLAG for holding...Doesn't count.
  20. High throw on a screen. Its a longer play to run the clock. For the height of the throw see #5 of Emory, but with no pressure on the reception end.
  21. Throws it away to go to the half without Auburn getting a chance to make something happen.
  22. The "incompletion" to Swain. He catches it, turns and then it's poked out. Should've been a first down and fumble in my opinion.
  23. Bobbled by Pitts on the in route, lucky not picked.
  24. Rolling right, hits Swain running left for 12 yards and a first down.
  25. 4 yard stop route to Pitts
  26. Slant to Pitts for 6. I think the review overcorrects this spot. Hell, when the rules analyst doesn't agree with the call on the field, you know its bad.
  27. Get a lucky PI on a one hop pass. Doesn't count.
  28. Pass to Cleveland incomplete...PI?
  29. In route knocked down...PI? Hand on back
  30. PI on throw to Jefferson, Ridiculous that the Official right there doesn't throw the flag.
  31. See #30.
  32. Great throw to Swain for 10 yards.
  33. Good throwaway by Trask...HOLDING, doesn't count.
  34. Screen to Grimes for 4.
  35. Brilliant back shoulder throw to Pitts for 32.
  36. Good throw to Hammond for 10 in a tight window though he had running room for days if he wanted it.
  37. Deep slant to Pitts for 17. We would fumble on this drive. If I told you that Trask would throw his last past with 12 minutes left, you'd probably call bs.
Emory:
  1. Screen route I guess by Pitts who is tripped with the chance for a big gain if he keeps his feet.
  2. Little too much on a deep ball to Swain. Last year I was upset that Jefferson had a habit of not laying out on close balls, I won't forget to mention it for Swain here.
  3. Swain makes up for it by catching a striking down the middle for 14 and a first down.
  4. Post to Swain for 20 yards.
  5. Screen to Cleveland for a loss of 2. The LB is in the passing lane which raises the ball trajectory. This takes Cleve wider than he should be and suddenly Forsythe is out of position. If it could be a direct ball, Forsythe has the man sealed outside.
  6. Overthrows Pitts on the corner route.
  7. Screen to Pitts for a loss of 4 on a 3rd down. Questionable call.
Krull
  1. 3 yard trick pass to Trask for a first down. Same play Trask ended his season practicing last year. I had just said to someone in between plays I was shocked we hadn't seen a trick play and there it was.
Defense
As I said above, this defense was dominant. I would like to address one issue, Safety. In Auburn's lone touchdown and in their lone big drive, guess who was at Safety...Stiner. On the drive, Stiner missed two tackles on the first two plays and then didn't play over the top for Hendo on the big pass. I won't repeat the string of four letter words I used to describe him, but he did catch a ball thrown right at him. Kid called me out, "Bet your glad he stayed in", I said "nope, ball thrown to him and Auburn doesn't get that far without him." Seriously, does anyone make such big plays while doing as little as Stiner? Also, luckily Nix missed a guy Stiner blew a coverage on 3rd down after Perine's TD.

Davis was a sure tackler coming up to the plays after that.

We still haven't seen our best 11 on the field, but seeing what we had without Zuniga gave me confidence going forward. The picks by Davis and Wilson were things of beauty. We rushed only 4 most of the game, why? Because we were fine doing it. We still blitzed some, but if your getting pressure with 4, no need to blitz and one more in coverage to make smaller windows.

Make no mistake this defense treated Auburn like they were Tennessee.

Quick Hits
  • Underrated Gators storyline, Randy Russell still gets to patrol the sidelines in a jersey each home game.
  • Shocking that Josh Hammond who had no drops in over a year, if ever, had two in this game.
  • Delance should be benched once the coaches see how badly he whiffed on the first fumble recovery possibiliy.
  • After the game, I saw a Wes Byrum sign being carried as I was getting in my car...guy got a "War Gator" for his efforts.
  • UF had scored on the first drive against an FBS school ONCE in the Dan Mullen era before the season. They have gone 3 for 4 this season. At UK, we threw a pick...then scored like 5 game plays later.
  • Nix is still the greatest QB in the history of the SEC, but had 118 attempts without a pick...we got 3 today. Almost like he hadn't played a defense.
  • Townsend did have some touchbacks...on 60+ yard punts.
  • Why run Trask after injury, why run Emory during it?
  • Anyone think the fake punt was a good call with the momentum and circumstances?
  • Kudos to Chuck Oliver for saying he didn't know how Florida was going to score.
  • Kudos to the crowd for being the best atmosphere from start to finish since probably LSU 2012 in my opinion.
  • All of Auburn's 13 points came on some sort of turnover, yes I am counting that abortion of a fake punt call. Oh, and Mullen not calling a TO after Auburn lined up in a way he hadn't seen before is a joke. That's the obvious time to call a TO. And that information is from his post game.
  • Last time UF had back to back Gamedays I can remember? '06 beat LSU at home and lost to Auburn on the road.
  • Won't Back Down is easily the best new tradition in college football in the last decade.
  • I bought the Throwback jersey, I've never owned a blue Gators jersey.
Around the Nation
  • Insert UCF here
It was a fun game. Still issues to fix, but when our O-line is the best player for the other team and not one of their players, shows how much we can still rise above. This defense stepped up. The crowd stepped up. Next week I will make my first trip to Baton Rouge. I'll be interested in seeing how their offense does against a real defense and how their defense does against this offense. We beat an Auburn team that many thought would wreck us. I'll take it. Without stupid mistakes (and that fake punt call) we shut these guys out.

Go Gators.
 

maheo30

WiLLLLLLLie! WiLLLLLLLie!
Lifetime Member
Jul 24, 2014
9,118
22,729
Delance isn’t getting benched for a third string true freshman in Tarquin. I say third because Forsythe is usually the backup RT and Gouraige plays LT. Well, Gouraige may have earned a starting spot at LG. The running blocking improved a bit once Heggie moved to RG for Bleich and Gouraige to Heggie’s spot. Hevesy cross training guys has helped us a lot this year.
 

chferg

#CousinEddieTime
Aug 5, 2014
3,440
4,734
Delance isn’t getting benched for a third string true freshman in Tarquin. I say third because Forsythe is usually the backup RT and Gouraige plays LT. Well, Gouraige may have earned a starting spot at LG. The running blocking improved a bit once Heggie moved to RG for Bleich and Gouraige to Heggie’s spot. Hevesy cross training guys has helped us a lot this year.

our OL coach is actually pretty decent. He just doesn’t have much talent to work with but that is improving
 

Cozumel Gator

Living in paradise, streaming all games
Lifetime Member
Jun 3, 2016
229
478
Truth, glad you had fun yesterday. Being a lawyer is a stressful job. Thank you for the write up, and yes you and cover are MY breakfast with the Gators!
 

G8trwood

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
Nov 29, 2015
4,084
6,041
The D certainly showed up to play. From the first effen snap. None of the usual lazy bs to start games. Some breakdowns but Reese and Greenard. D definitely gives up a bunch of speed when some of the twos come in.

I typically don’t count horrible throws straight to a defender as an interception, just a turnover. Davis’ pick, that was a interception! Did Davis come back after he got his bell wrung?
 

kepler

Founding Member
Senior Member
Lifetime Member
Jun 16, 2014
761
829
Founding Member
I’m inclined to actually give the line some credit. There were holds, their # 5 was pushing our guys backwards with ease and got a fumble, and everyone told us they’re the best line in the nation. And we still manufactured some time for Trask and Jones to perform and score. We need to get better obviously, but today Is a good day.
 

BMF

Bad Mother....
Lifetime Member
Sep 8, 2014
25,399
59,221
Good stuff Truth.

I was at the 2006 and 2007 UF/Auburn games, both losses. The one at Auburn, I had just gotten back from the desert/deployment, it was my first UF game since returning....and I earned a hatred toward those entitled redneck fans (I still don't understand wearing a tie to a football game!).

The one play that bothered me was the play that ended the 1st quarter (Trask fumbles, w/ a long Auburn return). The clock was winding down and we could have ended the quarter, instead it seems we rushed the play - resulting in the fumble - when we could have ended the quarter, gotten a free timeout to talk it over, then run the play (which likely doesn't result in a fumble and we - at least - get a FG out of it).

OL has been discussed enough, but Hevesy's hands are tied (nothing to work with). In hindsight, I'm sure they wish they had a grad transfer (or they were hoping Banks was going to return). Hopefully it holds up, if we have some injuries I can't imagine how bad it could get.

Stiner redeemed himself w/ the INT, but I just don't get why he's on the field so much.

Diabate was on the field in the 4th quarter, did he play earlier?

Lastly, the only reason this whole "throwback" thing started in all of sports is: to make money (i.e. sell merchandise) and you fell for it hook line and sinker (buying a jersey). Also, grown men shouldn't be wearing jersey's, so I hope you bought that for your son/daughter or niece/nephew!
 

G8trwood

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
Nov 29, 2015
4,084
6,041
Completely agree on the 1st qtr fumble, the previous play was bad and we needed to settle down, but we rushed instead
 

Concrete Helmet

Hook, Line, and Sinker
Lifetime Member
Jul 29, 2014
22,047
23,183
Something has to change with the oline…..blocking scheme and manipulating the defensive alignment are non existent for some reason. Maybe Trask isn't accurate on the move? I would think maybe giving Jones 2 or 3 series where he takes RPO outside the tackles because teams are giving us a World of space out there...throw in a couple of reps of speed option and then come back inside with misdirection....I'd bet more than a grand it would open up BOTH running and passing lanes.
 

Concrete Helmet

Hook, Line, and Sinker
Lifetime Member
Jul 29, 2014
22,047
23,183
It may also be time to address our offensive line blocking scheme. I watched OSU and LSU games paying close attention to the line play. We're trying to move sideways too much rather than trying to create an concentrated push the way OSU's and LSU's line were doing on running plays. OSU'S line was particularly impressive with their push against a good defensive line.
 

Swamp Donkey

Founding Member
7-14 vs P5 Fire Stricklin First
Lifetime Member
Jun 9, 2014
78,161
109,977
Founding Member
It may also be time to address our offensive line blocking scheme. I watched OSU and LSU games paying close attention to the line play. We're trying to move sideways too much rather than trying to create an concentrated push the way OSU's and LSU's line were doing on running plays.
As much as I mock Crete and his runlust, he is DEAD RIGHT on this. I know the casual fan might not get it but what we are asking these kids to do is very technically complex. Frankly, they just arent agile and capable of doing it. Really, we've had very few who were, basically the Pounceys. Even Halapio couldn't and he had a decent pro career.

I just don't know how much we are going to change in the middle of the season. Changing playbooks isn't easy.

We have some of that Cowbell simple power stuff in there somewhere, but it is like Mullens put it away on arriving at UF thinking he'd have better athletes, I guess.
 

Concrete Helmet

Hook, Line, and Sinker
Lifetime Member
Jul 29, 2014
22,047
23,183
As much as I mock Crete and his runlust, he is DEAD RIGHT on this. I know the casual fan might not get it but what we are asking these kids to do is very technically complex. Frankly, they just arent agile and capable of doing it. Really, we've had very few who were, basically the Pounceys. Even Halapio couldn't and he had a decent pro career.

I just don't know how much we are going to change in the middle of the season. Changing playbooks isn't easy.

We have some of that Cowbell simple power stuff in there somewhere, but it is like Mullens put it away on arriving at UF thinking he'd have better athletes, I guess.
As good as Savage is I am having a hard time believing we are too physically "weak" to create a crease in the d front....I believe were worrying about pulling inside instead of pushing forward and letting our backs determine a gap....OSU's offensive line inside the tackles was on some running plays creating a 3 to 4 yard open area for the QB/RB to operate and observe gaps/lanes and I feel our RB/QB's don't have that luxury...Perine didn't suddenly turn mediocre.....did we change blocking scheme's?
 

G8trwood

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
Nov 29, 2015
4,084
6,041
We definitely have cardio for days and fantastic conditioning, do we have the stump pulling strength to go with it?

Completely agree on the OSU blocking. Of course having Field’s roll out on some throws really stresses the D too.

Need to stretch the D more because LSU will be playing tight man with pressure. Hopefully their O line is still slow
 

Concrete Helmet

Hook, Line, and Sinker
Lifetime Member
Jul 29, 2014
22,047
23,183
Completely agree on the OSU blocking. Of course having Field’s roll out on some throws really stresses the D too.

Need to stretch the D more because LSU will be playing tight man with pressure.
Yup. Been screaming this for 4 weeks now. We have a slight obstacle though because Trask is certainly not as mobile as a Fields or guy like that and I'm not sure how accurate he is when moving, he likes to plant his feet. EJ may be a viable option(literally) and if our WR's are running against tight man there will be al sorts of running room on the outside.
 

GatorTruth133

Alethea
Lifetime Member
Oct 5, 2017
2,303
6,263
Correct title to War Damn Gator.

I left out the middle part for the kids. I had it, but then deleted it.

our OL coach is actually pretty decent. He just doesn’t have much talent to work with but that is improving

I think there is talent, just so much of it is raw or a true freshman.

Truth, glad you had fun yesterday. Being a lawyer is a stressful job. Thank you for the write up, and yes you and cover are MY breakfast with the Gators!

I went from corporate/real estate/about anything to public criminal. I find this fits me better, but my routine sure has changed. I wanted to get it up early since I was in this morning as well.

The D certainly showed up to play. From the first effen snap. None of the usual lazy bs to start games. Some breakdowns but Reese and Greenard. D definitely gives up a bunch of speed when some of the twos come in.

I typically don’t count horrible throws straight to a defender as an interception, just a turnover. Davis’ pick, that was a interception! Did Davis come back after he got his bell wrung?

To be honest, I think he did, but I didn't look for it on replay to confirm.

I’m inclined to actually give the line some credit. There were holds, their # 5 was pushing our guys backwards with ease and got a fumble, and everyone told us they’re the best line in the nation. And we still manufactured some time for Trask and Jones to perform and score. We need to get better obviously, but today Is a good day.

They deserve some credit and some blame. I do think a new starting line up is needed to replace either Bleich or Delance. If anything it will make the one out work harder or it will show why they shouldn't be starting. Right now the line is mostly unbalanced until people shift when Gouraige comes in.

Good stuff Truth.

I was at the 2006 and 2007 UF/Auburn games, both losses. The one at Auburn, I had just gotten back from the desert/deployment, it was my first UF game since returning....and I earned a hatred toward those entitled redneck fans (I still don't understand wearing a tie to a football game!).

Stiner redeemed himself w/ the INT, but I just don't get why he's on the field so much.

Diabate was on the field in the 4th quarter, did he play earlier?

And those GD pom-poms. UGA, AU, Bama, all with that nonsense.

Stiner should catch a ball, and my comment was written before I heard it said on broadcast, "thrown right at him". Guy is overall a liability, but did come up big in that spot. I can't pretend like we have seen plenty of dropped INT's this year so makes it even better.

Yup. Been screaming this for 4 weeks now. We have a slight obstacle though because Trask is certainly not as mobile as a Fields or guy like that and I'm not sure how accurate he is when moving, he likes to plant his feet. EJ may be a viable option(literally) and if our WR's are running against tight man there will be al sorts of running room on the outside.

The poor guy trying to cover Pitts in tight man.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Help Users

You haven't joined any rooms.

    Birthdays

    Members online

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    31,642
    Messages
    1,615,698
    Members
    1,642
    Latest member
    fishermb