Bits & Pieces: Florida vs. Kentucky

cover2

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Let me first apologize for being a bit tardy with this article. My real job got in the way. Due to a shortage of quality officiating crews, the Georgia High School Association moved some of their first round playoffs to Saturday. We pulled that straw and played last evening at 6:00 pm, which put a little damper on my typical college football Saturday afternoon. But the Bearcats won handily, defeating the Seminoles of Westside Macon (at least there was a part of that tribe willing to play) and will advance to round two. And our Gators prevailed also, 34-10.

I suppose the tête-à-tête between Mullen and Grantham in-game yesterday caught your attention. However you feel about the display, I’d say it was high time and I’m only guessing, but I can’t help but feel that it’s an overt expression of what must be a sore subject. And rightly so. It’s one thing to be inconsistent fundamentally, but the Keystone Cops routine trying to get aligned and balanced has moved beyond ridiculous. I’m certain Mullen is fed up, his body language said as much. I can only imagine the dialogue. Surely any sailors in attendance who might have overheard blushed in embarrassment. At least that’s what I would expect.

Breaking this situation down purely to coaching protocol and expectations, Mullen is the HC and bears all of the responsibility for the outcomes, good, bad, or otherwise. Grantham is a subordinate. It’s his job to follow the direction of the HC by preparing his groups and the unit as a whole as best as possible. It is no stretch to say he has not done a very good job in that regard this year. But the fact that we are now eight games in and eating the same crap sandwich defensively each week is ultimately Mullen’s fault.

Maybe the exchange will help. We did appear to play some better defensively in the second half, shutting out the Wildcats for the final two quarters. We also gained a couple of turnovers, a stat that has been too low this season and belies a lack of aggression from the defense (paralysis from the required player analysis, perhaps?). Maybe best of all was that we actually got the UK offense off of the field, something that we couldn’t do in the first half. Pardon me, however, if I don’t get too excited. It’ll only be an improvement and a trend if it carries forward.

*Kyle Pitts, welcome back! He certainly looked to have been fully recovered. Five catches, three for TDs, was a good way to return. His catch on the little slant was beautiful. Trask put it where the DB had no chance and Pitts extended his arms and used his hands. That was a moneymaker. Nice play design, too, with the motion to the flank opening the window.

*Trask has spoiled us. Yesterday he was 21/27 for 256 and three TDs. Very efficient, but I’m ashamed to say that the first word that came to mind was “pedestrian!” And maybe that’s not unfair by his previous standards. After all, he is a Heisman contender. But you’ve got to give Grantham and the D a nod for limiting his first half opportunities by their inability to keep UK off the field. Still, I wish my average days were as good!

*I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot of the 8 Shell look that the Wildcats employed from here on out. We’ll need to be able to rush for more than 104 against that type scheme. We’ll also need to be able to block three pass rushers a lot better. DeLance stuck out like a sore thumb. Reminded me of an Iranian security detail in his efficiency. Mullen has talked about the need to run it a lot better and I agree, but one way he could help that in my opinion is to not worry about giving all three backs equal carries ;)!

*The punter earned his hamburger with that “coffin corner” at the one yard line. That’s a dying art with most nowadays opting for either the pooch with backward rotation or a high hanger and good coverage. It was still beautiful to see.

*Toney’s punt return was a beaut. Whether it was by design or a screw up by the Wildcat punter, it was a dagger to the heart. We’ve been waiting a while for him to break one, very difficult these days with the great kickers and return teams we see each week.

*I’ve fussed for a while now about poor technique and fundamentals defensively, but dang if there didn’t seem to be a bunch of open UK receivers yesterday. Confusion related, I’m sure. A better QB would have made us pay. Really hoping that the Mullen / Grantham dust up will result in some positive change in this regard. If not, it’ll be a shame to see an offensive magnum opus ruined by a lousy woodwind section.

*Have we been successful with a corner blitz this season? The DL looks better and better. Let Cox, Carter, Slaton, and the rest of that bunch do their thing. Hell, we have a hard enough time covering with our full compliment in the secondary without wasting one on an unsuccessful blitz attempt.

*Shout outs to Copeland, great athletic catch on a 50/50 ball, Diabate who’s got the instincts even if he’s built like a distance runner, and Davis for stepping his game up some. From my standpoint as a fan, I kinda feel like a proud dad watching his kids ride their bikes without training wheels, finally. These three will be alright even if they have skinned their knees quite a bit.

So next up are the Vols. At 2-5, it’ll be hard not to be overconfident going into our game at Neyland. Of course, if our D continues the way it has for the balance of the season, it will allow them an opportunity. Here’s to the thought that we’ll finally see an improvement based on the aforementioned displeasure that boiled over. A complete game against the Creamsicles would be just what the doctor ordered and at just the right time. But I’ll take a win, however it comes. I can still dream though! Go Gators!

:chomp:
 
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NavetG8r

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I suppose the tête-à-tête between Mullen and Grantham in-game yesterday caught your attention. However you feel about the display, I’d say it was high time and I’m only guessing, but I can’t help but feel that it’s an overt expression of what must be a sore subject. And rightly so. It’s one thing to be inconsistent fundamentally, but the Keystone Cops routine trying to get aligned and balanced has moved beyond ridiculous. I’m certain Mullen is fed up, his body language said as much. I can only imagine the dialogue. Surely any sailors in attendance who might have overheard blushed in embarrassment. At least that’s what I would expect.

I wasn't blushing in embarrassment. I was blushing in ecstasy. It's about time TG got his @ss reamed for the terrible product he's been putting on the field this year.
 

LagoonGator68

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Granthum appears to try to confuse the offense with his superior intellect by making late calls that flip flop players and assignments for the element of surprise or trickery. All he is doing is confusing his own players.

After the assschewing, the defensive play was like night and day improved.
 

LagoonGator68

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“STAGGERING STATISTIC: Kentucky ran 41 plays (to Florida's 21) and possessed the ball for 23 minutes, 23 seconds (to UF's 6:37) in the first half and still trailed 14-10 at the break because of Toney's timely punt return. The numbers weren't nearly (or as as oddly) lopsided in the second half. UF ran 41 plays over 20:04 to UK's 16 and 9:56 on the way to outscoring the Cats 20-0 after the break.”
 

gatorev12

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Love the writeup, as always.

As much as I loved Mullen going off on Grantham (beyond overdue), I wasn't pleased whatsoever with Mullen's gameplan or calls in the 2nd half. It bears mentioning, but Trask throwing for "only" 256 yards and 3 TDs isn't exactly going to turn heads when his Heisman competitors are putting up more yards against better competition. Grantham and the defense were giving us the ball back consistently in the 2nd half...that was an opportunity to run up some points, passing yards, and TDs against a defense that was missing several players. I completely understand wanting to work on the run game and getting our RBs the chance to deliver...but getting the Heisman trophy should be as big of a priority as winning out is from here on out.

From a program perspective, it adds prestige to be the SEC school with the most Heismans; from a Mullen perspective, it'll help recruit more elite QBs in the future. Mullen needs to bear that in mind going forward and keep his throat on the jugular every game until Trask has his 300 yards passing and 4 TDs.
 

cover2

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“STAGGERING STATISTIC: Kentucky ran 41 plays (to Florida's 21) and possessed the ball for 23 minutes, 23 seconds (to UF's 6:37) in the first half and still trailed 14-10 at the break because of Toney's timely punt return. The numbers weren't nearly (or as as oddly) lopsided in the second half. UF ran 41 plays over 20:04 to UK's 16 and 9:56 on the way to outscoring the Cats 20-0 after the break.”
Absolutely. Bears out what you stated about the “night and day” between first and second half D performance.
 

cover2

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Love the writeup, as always.

As much as I loved Mullen going off on Grantham (beyond overdue), I wasn't pleased whatsoever with Mullen's gameplan or calls in the 2nd half. It bears mentioning, but Trask throwing for "only" 256 yards and 3 TDs isn't exactly going to turn heads when his Heisman competitors are putting up more yards against better competition. Grantham and the defense were giving us the ball back consistently in the 2nd half...that was an opportunity to run up some points, passing yards, and TDs against a defense that was missing several players. I completely understand wanting to work on the run game and getting our RBs the chance to deliver...but getting the Heisman trophy should be as big of a priority as winning out is from here on out.

From a program perspective, it adds prestige to be the SEC school with the most Heismans; from a Mullen perspective, it'll help recruit more elite QBs in the future. Mullen needs to bear that in mind going forward and keep his throat on the jugular every game until Trask has his 300 yards passing and 4 TDs.
Thanks Ev. I would certainly like to have seen more output by Trask. As mentioned in the OP, I think a good bit of that had to do with the 8 coverage we were seeing and maybe we’ll continue to see, necessitating the need for a more effective run game, which we don’t have yet. The first half TOP was a killer as well. I’m pulling for Trask to win it. These next couple of games will be interesting.
 

Shortcast

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Thanks to Cover for my Sunday morning library material. ALWAYS an informative read. Reliving that beat down on Grantham by Dan helped to move a massive compaction that has been building since our first game. I said last week Dan had to know there were problems, but we aren't privy to what goes on behind closed doors...however, yesterday's encounter was out in the front yard where all the neighbors are now aware there's a problem in our house. Would like to have been a fly on the wall in the locker room at halftime.
Definitely improved play defensively in the second half...hopefully this carries through for the year, but they got to show me first, after all, that was a very depleted Kentucky team we played. I'm happy with the DL, but after that, its a clusterf#&k.
Pitts is off the charts good, but he is a once in a generation athlete that we are blessed to have, and we have someone in Trask who is able to get the ball in his hands. Will be a shame for both of them if we have anything less then a NC...
Can't forget Toney, he is just fun to watch and its been a pleasure to watch him grow as a receiver...what great hands to go with those moves ATC.
 

lizardbreath

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Very enjoyable and insightful as always. I totally agree with your take in general and on the crappy defense and the need for action by CDM in particular. If we could just line up and know what the hell we're supposed to do on defense, we'd be a match for anyone in the country. It will be a real shame if we fall short of our full potential due to a failed D scheme and a coach who's too damned stubborn to to address a glaring problem - namely, TG and his verkakte coaching. Well done as always.
 

jdh5484

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I heard the Mullen-Grantham flare up was about mustard vs tomato based BBQ sauces. (TG had some on his mask)
 

CaribGator

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Putting covid aside,, we are too far in to this coaching's staff tenure to keep seeing a lousy game plan - unprepared start. Against the real contenders, it will bury the team. There needs to be some house cleaning, Grantham being the top target to unload. We are also fortunate to finally make half time adjustments, something once again that this staff seems to struggle with. I'll take the win, but the first half almost caused a Chump/butters deja vu feeling.
 

gatorev12

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Thanks Ev. I would certainly like to have seen more output by Trask. As mentioned in the OP, I think a good bit of that had to do with the 8 coverage we were seeing and maybe we’ll continue to see, necessitating the need for a more effective run game, which we don’t have yet. The first half TOP was a killer as well. I’m pulling for Trask to win it. These next couple of games will be interesting.

I get that, but the dump-off passes to the RB in the flats were working to the tune of 5-6 yards a pop for much of the 2nd half too.

More than one way to skin the cat and that's another way to have the RBs involved in the game, controlling clock, and moving the ball.
 

BMF

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Good stuff C2. Are fans allowed to attend your HS games? Good luck w/ the rest of the playoffs.

- The Grantham issue needs to be addressed; if Mullen doesn't make changes after the season we'll know he's nutless and his program at UF has peaked.

- It was nice to see the ST's look 'special', for a change.

- Rick Wells with two catches was surprising.

- C2 is right about UK's defense, playing 8 in coverage slowed us down in the first half quite a bit.

- I know we all complain about not being able to recruit an elite HS RB, but why would any 'elite' RB want to play in this offense? Going into the 4th quarter we had 24 yards rushing and 15 was on the fake punt.

- Jean Delance. It's mind blowing that he's still starting.

- This game was another missed opportunity to get our 2's significant playing time. Two games in a row we allowed teams we should have beaten by 28+ to keep it close into the 4th quarter. That's not championship football and it's not how you build depth.

- Anyone in the chatbox yesterday got a surprise when @oxrageous signed in under Law's (SwampDonkey's) username, made a bunch of angry posts about how bad TG and Mullen are, then Ox banned him again. It was good for a laugh during the ugly part of the game!
 

Ancient Reptile

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Thanks Ev. I would certainly like to have seen more output by Trask. As mentioned in the OP, I think a good bit of that had to do with the 8 coverage we were seeing and maybe we’ll continue to see, necessitating the need for a more effective run game, which we don’t have yet. The first half TOP was a killer as well. I’m pulling for Trask to win it. These next couple of games will be interesting.
Cover, when I saw UK's defensive alignment, I thought our running game would gash them for huge gains. It didn't. Can the failure be simply explained?
 

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