- Jun 12, 2014
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Though a relatively easy 45-28 victory over the Bulldogs of Miss State was a welcome diversion, if only momentarily, from the dark drama surrounding the Gators and beleaguered HC Billy Napier, the fact remains that all eyes are squarely focused on Fuchs, the Board of Trustees, the Bulls, and anybody else connected with the impending decision on who will next pilot the Gators’ program. Too bad that we can’t fully enjoy the break from what has unfortunately yet conclusively become the rot of our once proud program. I can liken what has transpired to a beautiful and thriving farm, once both bountiful and profitable that has withered from lack of consistent and careful upkeep, inattention to major and minor details like routine soil analysis and supplementation or simply staying on top of invasive weeds and getting rid of them. Maybe we are finally coming to the realization that proper stewardship and maintenance of a top-flight Football program doesn’t simply “just happen“ or maintain momentum on tradition alone. It’s certainly high time!
* Make no mistake, a victory was welcome! But I’m pretty sure most everyone agrees that it is not going to change the trajectory of Billy and his staff. These were two of the bottom dwellers of the SEC, so for a week at least, we aren’t the worst (Dang, it hurts to have to put it in THOSE terms), but time and the meat grinder that is the remainder of our schedule do not favor us. UCF in two weeks looms large in terms of remaining games that might be considered realistically winnable from where we presently stand.
* Even keeping things in perspective, you had to appreciate the QB play yesterday. Mertz looked really sharp with his passes and went 19/21 for 201 yds and 3 TDs with no INTs. He displayed both touch and zip as needed and it’s pretty clear that he’s our best QB. Young Lagway, the heir apparent (if we can keep him) did some good things with his snaps, going 7/7 passing and carrying the ball 3 times for 22 yds. No INTs was a good stat.
* Another good stat was no sacks allowed. Got to highlight a positive for our OL, which for one Saturday at least was not a row of turnstiles. That we were able to amass 503 total yds (277 passing, 226 rushing) was due in some part to the OL play. Not to mistake, but I’m not suggesting they are on a trajectory toward “Great Wall” 2.0 and, again, perspective must be considered, but ANY improvement in play and the commensurate results are noteworthy. Now, how will we look in 3 weeks against the Hillbillies?
* I can’t say that the defense exactly dominated the Bulldogs yesterday as their total yds (480 total, 240 passing, 240 rushing) was very close to ours. But they did enough to secure the lead. As a unit, we just aren’t very strong up front and don’t cover or tackle consistently in the secondary. If the offense can move the ball and score like yesterday, we can have a chance, but there aren’t anymore Miss State’s on the SEC portion of the schedule.
* Hats off to the Receivers, TEs, and RBs as they had a pretty good day catching balls thrown their way. 10 different players got open and made receptions. Hope that it continues.
* I don’t know the whole story, but personally it is INFURIATING to even hear of players possibly refusing to play because of our current troubles, optics resulting from Billy’s impending fate or embarrassment from getting stomped by Miami and Texas A&M, or simply wanting to transfer to greener pastures. Part of this, depending on the validity, is on the HC and staff. Another part is on the whole ideology of the NIL framework and the entitlement it encourages. But the rest is on the erosion of commitment and loyalty that seems to be a part of what humanity has slid toward.
Nothing has really changed, though. Nor will it until we SEE tangible positive moves by the top echelon of the administrative ranks and the major financial supporters. Right now speculation is still predominant. I’m hoping for the program’s sake with regard to the remainder of the season that yesterday wasn’t the condemned’s last meal, the high water mark. Maybe a couple of wins are realistically still possible, to let everybody know that even though we’re suffering and big changes are coming, we aren’t dead yet…not by a long shot!
We can only wait and hope. Go Gators!
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