- Jun 12, 2014
- 8,934
- 32,370
Founding Member
Im late again. My excuse was recovering from a high school playoff trip that started at 7:00am and ended at 4:00am the next morning. Great trip though as the Bainbridge Bearcats beat the undefeated Wayne County Yellow Jackets to advance to the third round of the 5A playoffs to take on Buford the Friday after Thanksgiving. The trip, however, left me watching our game in a semi-comatose state. Better Idaho than F$U. the 63-10 outcome was better than we have seen lately against the cupcakes on the schedule, what is always expected but not always produced. The starters did what was needed in a half and should be well-rested for the Nole$ next week who are coming off a win in a physical game against Boston College that went down to the wire. We got to play a lot of the youngsters that included 15 true freshmen, a big benefit of the new redshirt rule.
So, what's the take away?
Maybe as mentioned we are rested and will be better focused for the first time in a few years for our regular season finale against the rivals from Tallahassee? Maybe the vibe for the players is we have a chance to end the season on several high notes like beating the Nole$ (in their stadium no less), turning the record around from last year, and getting a decent bowl bid? We take care of these items and we've started turning a corner with the program where rebuilding is concerned. Can't help but think that it would have a huge impact on recruiting moving forward and we all know how much headway in that department is required. For many of us, it will or at least should, wash out the awful taste we've been spitting out for a decade. While this year wasn't a championship season that we've yearned for, it has been fun again for me to watch a team that is growing and being better coached than of late and shows some needed potential compared to what we have been fed despite a couple of disappointments along the way. There's still more left to this season, but our expectations should be higher than in several seasons.
*We took care of business against an undermanned opponent. It seems like more often than not we would sleep walk our way through these games, looking ahead maybe to the next opponent. Yesterday didn't seem to be the case and we finally blew out a weak sister, rested the real players, and got the youngsters a chance to play and feel what it was like competing in the Swamp. A win in a lot of areas.
*Franks had a good day going 19/27 for 274 yards passing with 3 TDs. He also rushed for a TD on a nice read option, even if it was against Idaho. And there was no shushing! If I have a criticism it was that he was still inaccurate on some throws, the biggest being overthrowing a wide open Jefferson with a deep ball. This just seems to be a throw he can't make since the "Heave to Cleve" with any reliability. There were a couple of the usual behind the receiver tosses and some completions even that weren't in stride. But enough rain, he was not intercepted and did what was needed. A step beyond next week would be great.
*Jones showed promise. His passing was pretty good, maybe a little better than expected. One such that stood out to me was the roll left where he stopped and set his feet before throwing a nice strike to the sideline. He's a work in progress, but showed some good signs (nice accuracy on the long one that was dropped for example). Mullen said in the post game that he knew he was an athlete. Now to see how far you can take him at the position.
*600 yards of offense with the kids playing the second half was respectable. 399 passing and 201 rushing with one lost fumble was what should happen in these games (save the turnover of course). Pierce led us in rushing with 77 yards on 13 carries. More experience for him, but a lot of rest for Scarlett and Perine. Hammond had a big day with two TDs. Lewis led in receiving yards with 57 on three catches. Toney had six receptions and a couple of runs in a half or so. Whatwe want from him.
*Chauncey's interception on the game's first play was a tone setter and a great individual play, covering seven yards of separation to pick the pass that was a little behind the receiver. Ventrell Miller's 82 yard interception return was an obvious big play. Joseph had a big hit and Polite and Moon had sacks, pressures, and hurrys that were notable. Again, a lot of youngsters got to get on the field in the Swamp. Not much to complain about.
*Crowd listed was 81,000+ which was pretty good for the opponent that Pat tried to convince everyone that they were worth coming to see, ceremonial sacrifice or other. The big thing was a grand send off for the seniors. Even though some might say they were part of a group that were under coached and under performed, they are Gators and I hope it means a lot to them as they move forward in life, particularly for those who graduate with a degree from our beloved university.
Next up...the accursed Seminole$ from that bastion of lawlessness and political malfeasance. They're high after a win; we're high after two in a row. We cruised yesterday and they struggled until Daz decided not to go for the throat late (4th and short which they had been doing previously) and then promptly gave up a big play to lose ingloriously. We shall see which trumps which. I'm thinking that as Feleipe goes, maybe so go we? Of course there are other intangibles, but if he can somehow keep his head for once against them and we are able to run it, and the D comes to play and keeps Frenchy on the run, the good guys will come out on top. Franks just can't lose it. Play with composure and keep the mistakes to a minimum. That's all I ask. No doubt, F$U will bring their best for us, whatever that may be, but if we bring ours we will prevail. Any year, any record, this is always a game worth watching. Go Gators!
So, what's the take away?
Maybe as mentioned we are rested and will be better focused for the first time in a few years for our regular season finale against the rivals from Tallahassee? Maybe the vibe for the players is we have a chance to end the season on several high notes like beating the Nole$ (in their stadium no less), turning the record around from last year, and getting a decent bowl bid? We take care of these items and we've started turning a corner with the program where rebuilding is concerned. Can't help but think that it would have a huge impact on recruiting moving forward and we all know how much headway in that department is required. For many of us, it will or at least should, wash out the awful taste we've been spitting out for a decade. While this year wasn't a championship season that we've yearned for, it has been fun again for me to watch a team that is growing and being better coached than of late and shows some needed potential compared to what we have been fed despite a couple of disappointments along the way. There's still more left to this season, but our expectations should be higher than in several seasons.*We took care of business against an undermanned opponent. It seems like more often than not we would sleep walk our way through these games, looking ahead maybe to the next opponent. Yesterday didn't seem to be the case and we finally blew out a weak sister, rested the real players, and got the youngsters a chance to play and feel what it was like competing in the Swamp. A win in a lot of areas.
*Franks had a good day going 19/27 for 274 yards passing with 3 TDs. He also rushed for a TD on a nice read option, even if it was against Idaho. And there was no shushing! If I have a criticism it was that he was still inaccurate on some throws, the biggest being overthrowing a wide open Jefferson with a deep ball. This just seems to be a throw he can't make since the "Heave to Cleve" with any reliability. There were a couple of the usual behind the receiver tosses and some completions even that weren't in stride. But enough rain, he was not intercepted and did what was needed. A step beyond next week would be great.
*Jones showed promise. His passing was pretty good, maybe a little better than expected. One such that stood out to me was the roll left where he stopped and set his feet before throwing a nice strike to the sideline. He's a work in progress, but showed some good signs (nice accuracy on the long one that was dropped for example). Mullen said in the post game that he knew he was an athlete. Now to see how far you can take him at the position.
*600 yards of offense with the kids playing the second half was respectable. 399 passing and 201 rushing with one lost fumble was what should happen in these games (save the turnover of course). Pierce led us in rushing with 77 yards on 13 carries. More experience for him, but a lot of rest for Scarlett and Perine. Hammond had a big day with two TDs. Lewis led in receiving yards with 57 on three catches. Toney had six receptions and a couple of runs in a half or so. Whatwe want from him.
*Chauncey's interception on the game's first play was a tone setter and a great individual play, covering seven yards of separation to pick the pass that was a little behind the receiver. Ventrell Miller's 82 yard interception return was an obvious big play. Joseph had a big hit and Polite and Moon had sacks, pressures, and hurrys that were notable. Again, a lot of youngsters got to get on the field in the Swamp. Not much to complain about.
*Crowd listed was 81,000+ which was pretty good for the opponent that Pat tried to convince everyone that they were worth coming to see, ceremonial sacrifice or other. The big thing was a grand send off for the seniors. Even though some might say they were part of a group that were under coached and under performed, they are Gators and I hope it means a lot to them as they move forward in life, particularly for those who graduate with a degree from our beloved university.
Next up...the accursed Seminole$ from that bastion of lawlessness and political malfeasance. They're high after a win; we're high after two in a row. We cruised yesterday and they struggled until Daz decided not to go for the throat late (4th and short which they had been doing previously) and then promptly gave up a big play to lose ingloriously. We shall see which trumps which. I'm thinking that as Feleipe goes, maybe so go we? Of course there are other intangibles, but if he can somehow keep his head for once against them and we are able to run it, and the D comes to play and keeps Frenchy on the run, the good guys will come out on top. Franks just can't lose it. Play with composure and keep the mistakes to a minimum. That's all I ask. No doubt, F$U will bring their best for us, whatever that may be, but if we bring ours we will prevail. Any year, any record, this is always a game worth watching. Go Gators!
Last edited:
. Franks did a hero for LSU, was spanked by the dawgs and here comes his last 'muscle' team to secure some season glory. I'm rooting for Franks to take 2 out of his big 3... wouldn't be shabby at all. As for Mullen, I'm ribbing the head play caller not to get too cute, unless of course we're blowing them out, then it's let's have some fun time. I think we have enough standard game if we show up with better maturity and wisdom. And of course my favorite unit, the D... what can I say, there is that tendency this season to keep hitting the snooze button until the second half. I think we can help Franks and send the 25K bent arm whore chanters home much earlier and secure the Mo if they get to business fast. Gosh I hope so, nothing worse than engaging my 'nole friends, especially since this is one of their worse teams in a while. 
