Captain's Cogitations - Florida State

Captain Sasquatch

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Well we've finally moved past the lost decade against FSU. There's no reason it should have been this long between home wins against those assh*les, but after taking a few wrong turns, we're back on the right path.

I was so happy to see us come out and stomp on their throats from the get go. As we all know, we've had far too many games where we kinda piddled around for half the game before pulling away down the stretch. And while the end result is still the same if we're winning, I still like to see us put some points up right off the bat and remove all doubt before halftime. Even after FSU's initial TD drive where they threw the entire Coach Cline green playbook at us, it was obvious they were in WAY over their heads if they wanted to keep the game even remotely close. When you think about where we were as a program just two years ago, right up until the day before Mullen was hired, and we dicked around in this game and got waxed for the umpteenth time in a row, the turn around has been remarkable. We've gone from being barely competitive with a rival that was having a VERY down year, to running them off the field and embarrassing them in back to back years, all in a span of just over two calendar years.

I really can't say enough about Kyle Trask and what he did for us this season. I thought teams were going to adjust to him after a few games and it was going to be rough sledding after that, but he never flinched and continued to improve every single week. A lot of credit needs to go to Mullen, as well, for making sure he was prepared and ready to go when Franks went down. Last night might have been his best game as a Gator so far. He didn't take a sack for the first time this season, he hit a couple checkdowns to keep the chains moving (and for a TD to Swain when FSU didn't bite on the fake screen), and he didn't make a single bad decision that I can recall. This kid was a godsend this year, and I can't wait to see how he performs next year.

It was great to see the senior wide receivers all kinda get their own moments last night, as well. Every one of them has each had their own individual big games and big moments both this season and throughout their careers, and they all contributed in big ways last night. I just wish Cleveland could have scored on that last tunnel screen they called for him, but someone whiffed BADLY on a block. Oh well, he'll always have the 98 yarder and the Heave.

Defensively, what can you say about the way they played at home this year? Even though we had a lot of easier opponents at home, three shutouts and only 33 points given up in six games is NOT easy. FSU kinda got some cheap ones with that busted coverage on the first drive and Akers slipping away on the last TD, but it's hard to complain about 8 sacks and only 13 first downs given up. Here's hoping they continue to get better away from home next year and we can clean up 3rd down in some of the bigger games.

I also can't say enough about Jonathan Greenard and what he did this year. I would think it's unheard of that a guy coming off a serious injury to join an SEC team for one year would become an absolute wrecking ball like he did. Hopefully he gets the All-SEC recognition he deserves, as well as an NFL roster spot, because he's earned it. I wish we could clone him and give the clones four years of eligibility.

So that's that. I said before the season I thought 10-2 was a very realistic goal for this team, and while it's bittersweet knowing a handful of plays were all that stood between us and 12-0, we're getting there. We need to see this on-field success get followed up by recruiting success, but we're on the cusp of something great here again. And again, it can't be stated enough how different things are now compared to the day before Mullen got hired. He deserves every bit of credit thrown his way for grabbing the wheel of the ship and yanking that son of a b*tch around 180 degrees back the other way. It's not easy to do in college football, but he did it. We still have that next step to take, but I couldn't be more confident that we'll take it.

Go Gators, and everyone keep your fingers crossed for an Orange Bowl bid!

:chomp:
 

gardnerwebbgator

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I said 9-3 starting the season, splitting Mizzou and Barn. We won both.

Yes, Trask saved the season. Franks would have lost at least two more.

We need Brenton Cox to step in where Greenard leaves off.
 

NavetG8r

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Well said sir. It's been a very fun year. A few plays away from 12-0 is entirely accurate. If the defense could've made just a few more stops against the 2 teams we lost to... What could've been. Now it's time to piss off the Donk-a-donk and say "wait till next year". We lose a lot of players that have been very productive for us, but we also have some guys waiting in line that seem to be maturing right before our eyes.
 

gardnerwebbgator

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If the Fat Slob would have found a way to get us off the field just three more times on third down against UGA, we'd be playing Saturday.
 

Captain Sasquatch

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Well said sir. It's been a very fun year. A few plays away from 12-0 is entirely accurate. If the defense could've made just a few more stops against the 2 teams we lost to... What could've been. Now it's time to piss off the Donk-a-donk and say "wait till next year". We lose a lot of players that have been very productive for us, but we also have some guys waiting in line that seem to be maturing right before our eyes.
"Wait till next year" is reserved for 129/130 teams every season, it is what it is. Just have to learn from your mistakes and improve next season. We did that from last year to this year, gonna have to keep doing it in the following years.
 

Gator By Marriage

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Well we've finally moved past the lost decade against FSU. There's no reason it should have been this long between home wins against those assh*les, but after taking a few wrong turns, we're back on the right path.

I was so happy to see us come out and stomp on their throats from the get go. As we all know, we've had far too many games where we kinda piddled around for half the game before pulling away down the stretch. And while the end result is still the same if we're winning, I still like to see us put some points up right off the bat and remove all doubt before halftime. Even after FSU's initial TD drive where they threw the entire Coach Cline green playbook at us, it was obvious they were in WAY over their heads if they wanted to keep the game even remotely close. When you think about where we were as a program just two years ago, right up until the day before Mullen was hired, and we dicked around in this game and got waxed for the umpteenth time in a row, the turn around has been remarkable. We've gone from being barely competitive with a rival that was having a VERY down year, to running them off the field and embarrassing them in back to back years, all in a span of just over two calendar years.

I really can't say enough about Kyle Trask and what he did for us this season. I thought teams were going to adjust to him after a few games and it was going to be rough sledding after that, but he never flinched and continued to improve every single week. A lot of credit needs to go to Mullen, as well, for making sure he was prepared and ready to go when Franks went down. Last night might have been his best game as a Gator so far. He didn't take a sack for the first time this season, he hit a couple checkdowns to keep the chains moving (and for a TD to Swain when FSU didn't bite on the fake screen), and he didn't make a single bad decision that I can recall. This kid was a godsend this year, and I can't wait to see how he performs next year.

It was great to see the senior wide receivers all kinda get their own moments last night, as well. Every one of them has each had their own individual big games and big moments both this season and throughout their careers, and they all contributed in big ways last night. I just wish Cleveland could have scored on that last tunnel screen they called for him, but someone whiffed BADLY on a block. Oh well, he'll always have the 98 yarder and the Heave.

Defensively, what can you say about the way they played at home this year? Even though we had a lot of easier opponents at home, three shutouts and only 33 points given up in six games is NOT easy. FSU kinda got some cheap ones with that busted coverage on the first drive and Akers slipping away on the last TD, but it's hard to complain about 8 sacks and only 13 first downs given up. Here's hoping they continue to get better away from home next year and we can clean up 3rd down in some of the bigger games.

I also can't say enough about Jonathan Greenard and what he did this year. I would think it's unheard of that a guy coming off a serious injury to join an SEC team for one year would become an absolute wrecking ball like he did. Hopefully he gets the All-SEC recognition he deserves, as well as an NFL roster spot, because he's earned it. I wish we could clone him and give the clones four years of eligibility.

So that's that. I said before the season I thought 10-2 was a very realistic goal for this team, and while it's bittersweet knowing a handful of plays were all that stood between us and 12-0, we're getting there. We need to see this on-field success get followed up by recruiting success, but we're on the cusp of something great here again. And again, it can't be stated enough how different things are now compared to the day before Mullen got hired. He deserves every bit of credit thrown his way for grabbing the wheel of the ship and yanking that son of a b*tch around 180 degrees back the other way. It's not easy to do in college football, but he did it. We still have that next step to take, but I couldn't be more confident that we'll take it.

Go Gators, and everyone keep your fingers crossed for an Orange Bowl bid!

:chomp:
Well said, sir. Couldn’t agree with you more.
 

Gator by the Sea

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10-2 with wins over scUM and F$U is great...but the best part about it is that Gator football was actually fun to watch again. Even when we were winning in '12, the team just wasn't exciting. And the last few years with Butters were downright unbearable. Thank goodness for Coach Mullen, these seniors, and especially Kyle Trask. What a great season (with one more to go...)

GO GATORS!
 

Okeechobee Joe

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Mullen had perfect training for the UF head coaching job. He was here under the regime of one of the best in Urban Meyer. He had significant head coaching experience at another SEC school. He knew the culture at Florida before he got here and he knows the culture and what it takes to win in the SEC.

He doesn't appear to be a strict ideologue in the type of offense he runs but is rather turning out to be a pragmatist whose main goal is winning.
 

Gatorphan

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Well said. Your best post of the season. Trask is bonafide, the paterfamilias!

C27F9CCB-391A-40D9-9534-ED9DDD58E880.png

I’m watching the replay and was going to start a thread about how good Jefferson is and how much we will miss him. It probably would of been merged and I would of been verbally assaulted for not putting in the proper space, but here will do. Your words make me realize that Swain has been just as good if not better. Both will play on Sunday. Then there is Cleve and Hammond.... so many options this year. Next year Pitts and Grimes (if he stays) will be off the charts, but who else besides Cope will fill the shoes of this senior WR group?
 

Homer J

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I said 9-3 starting the season, splitting Mizzou and Barn. We won both.

Yes, Trask saved the season. Franks would have lost at least two more.

We need Brenton Cox to step in where Greenard leaves off.

Yes & Yes

I have been asking this for the last few weeks. What would our record be if Franks was healthy and would CDM been man enough to make the change?

I am excited to see Cox line up at that position next year. He could be a one & done, if he has a Greenard kind of year.
 

Homer J

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10-2 with wins over scUM and F$U is great...but the best part about it is that Gator football was actually fun to watch again. Even when we were winning in '12, the team just wasn't exciting. And the last few years with Butters were downright unbearable. Thank goodness for Coach Mullen, these seniors, and especially Kyle Trask. What a great season (with one more to go...)

GO GATORS!

Hallelujah - for the first time in years, I felt we could move the ball on anyone, even with no running game
 

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