- Oct 5, 2017
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A week after our season comes down to being happy if we get to 10 wins we shut out a team at home for the 3rd time this season. I haven't found a season, granted I haven't looked at all 113 seasons of Gators football, where we have done that. We had a QB throw for 363 yards, without looking it up I knew it was the most since Tebow's send off where Addazio (more on that SOB later) actually decided to be aggressive and throw the ball. We had 6 sacks, 3 by a true freshman possibly beginning to make a name for himself. We shut down one of the best RB's in the SEC. We had a safety make multiple picks. It was our best SEC shut out in at least a decade and I had a lot of fun.
It reminded me of the annual tune up game before FSU that we don't have this year. You know, like in 2014 when we waxed Eastern Kentucky 52-3 and people were calling into Steve Russell's Extra Point Show saying that maybe we were wrong about Champ and should "unfire" him. Or in 2017 when Randy Shannon lead us to a rousing 36-7 route of the mighty UAB Blazers after they had restarted their football program and people were calling into Steve Russell's Extra Point Show saying that maybe we should hire Shannon because of that win. So, I made it a point NOT to listen because I had already begun seeing on the Twitter machine what some people were doing, the Vandy Overreaction. That any naysayers or those questioning anything in Jacksonville were wrong and Florida proved it against a mighty SEC team on their 3rd and 4th string QB's that even with the first string would lose to Towson this year. Yes, they beat Mizzou, but they also got beat by UNLV.
Don't get me wrong, plenty of negative overreaction during the game as well. People speaking ill of Trask while he throws for a ton of yards, like he's done no matter the competition, behind an offensive line starting two true freshmen. Some fair criticism as well about how long Trask was in the game. I think at first it was simply to break the 350 yard mark, but kept going.
Again, fun when, enjoy it, just don't overreact one way or the other.
Offense
14 points in the first half was poor, we left a number of points on the field whether from a missed field goal or two interceptions. The second half was as good as you can ask for with 2 TD's on 3 plays to start the second half, including our second 66-yard screen pass TD of the season. Trask was over 300 yards with 10 minutes to go in the 3rd, it's been a long time since we've seen that. Am I surprised we didn't see more rushing attempts? Yes, because Mullen is usually rigid about 50/50 playcalling no matter what is/isn't working and because why not try and work out some kinks against Vandy. However, I won't complain that he let the team throw it all over the yard.
Trask did very well. I know that there are some fans that believe that a QB can't do well unless they have a Franks vs. UT-Martin type day (nvm, that wasn't good enough for some either), but a guy with a 67% completion percentage and throws for over 350 has a great day. Only 12 incompletions, could be better, but a few drops, two incompletions caused by slippage around the south 40-yard line, and two picks (at least one that shouldn't have been) is what it is throwing 37 times. I'll address one of the drops, but it was deflected. On the very good playcall on the early 4th down that had a Perine TD had he caught it. The defender did get a small piece of the ball blindly throwing his hands up, something I wish our DB's tried more...except they rarely are close enough for that to matter. Anyways, decent pass, maybe a little further out with a little more air, but that doesn't mean there would have been more separation of a different ball angle. Hits Perine in the hands, have to make that catch. The two slips? Trask bounced a ball on a screen losing his footing in the first quarter and then the no-catch on Copeland, it appeared live that he lost his footing coming back for the ball. Watching the replay, you can see that Copeland has no momentum coming back for the ball. If not, poor decision by Cope to not dive back toward the ball. The INT's, I have seen argument that the first one was an option route that was not read correctly by the receiver (Lee McGriff and others) and I have seen that he threw it straight to a defender, I don't know. The second INT, well, how you don't call PI there should cost a few officials their jobs. Seriously, without the PI it's a perfect back shoulder throw and a TD. The announcers here acting like a player has a right to make early contact and wrap their arms is embarrassing.
Jones did well, but despite what some seem to want, I don't think there should be a QB controversy going into the off-season. I'm not arguing Jones isn't the future, I'm arguing that Trask has taken this offense to a new level. Imagine Trask with an off-season as the guy.
Defense
Diabate played decent against UGA and had a heck of a game against Vandy. This guy with experience could be the next Polite/Greenard. Yes, this might be a Vandy overreaction, but seeing this performance as a true freshman gives me hope. Also, I want to give Elam a shout out. Still good in coverage and might be the best corner on the team at getting body position. Most times this year when I've seen a pass thrown his way he has the receiver boxed out like it is basketball. JAlso it helps we were actually blitzing from the line of scrimmage. Giving the o-line less time to react to a blitz seems to work. Not sure why that wasn't done much since Auburn. Also, nice seeing press and close coverage again. Seems to buy some time for the blitz. Stiner gets two picks, many people saying that perhaps he was over criticized, he's not, probably under criticized, good game from him against an overmatched opponent, moving on. Defense got a shut out, TD, and three turnovers, not much else to say.
Special Teams
McPherson barely misses a FG, but he needs to make those, especially lined up between the hashes as opposed to on one. Still I like this kid and we haven't lost to a team by a margin of him missing an extra point yet. Of course, that's how you get people thinking you're a god and chanting your name. We finally saw some semblance of a punt return game. Made me happy even if barely effective. Can we not do the pop up kick and just kick touchbacks? Yes, it worked more times than not yesterday, but not everyone is Vandy.
Around the Nation
Well, on to next week's last SEC game of the season. It hasn't always gone how we've liked, but it has been fun.
Special shout out to BNA and happy birthday to you sir.
Go Gators!
It reminded me of the annual tune up game before FSU that we don't have this year. You know, like in 2014 when we waxed Eastern Kentucky 52-3 and people were calling into Steve Russell's Extra Point Show saying that maybe we were wrong about Champ and should "unfire" him. Or in 2017 when Randy Shannon lead us to a rousing 36-7 route of the mighty UAB Blazers after they had restarted their football program and people were calling into Steve Russell's Extra Point Show saying that maybe we should hire Shannon because of that win. So, I made it a point NOT to listen because I had already begun seeing on the Twitter machine what some people were doing, the Vandy Overreaction. That any naysayers or those questioning anything in Jacksonville were wrong and Florida proved it against a mighty SEC team on their 3rd and 4th string QB's that even with the first string would lose to Towson this year. Yes, they beat Mizzou, but they also got beat by UNLV.
Don't get me wrong, plenty of negative overreaction during the game as well. People speaking ill of Trask while he throws for a ton of yards, like he's done no matter the competition, behind an offensive line starting two true freshmen. Some fair criticism as well about how long Trask was in the game. I think at first it was simply to break the 350 yard mark, but kept going.
Again, fun when, enjoy it, just don't overreact one way or the other.
Offense
14 points in the first half was poor, we left a number of points on the field whether from a missed field goal or two interceptions. The second half was as good as you can ask for with 2 TD's on 3 plays to start the second half, including our second 66-yard screen pass TD of the season. Trask was over 300 yards with 10 minutes to go in the 3rd, it's been a long time since we've seen that. Am I surprised we didn't see more rushing attempts? Yes, because Mullen is usually rigid about 50/50 playcalling no matter what is/isn't working and because why not try and work out some kinks against Vandy. However, I won't complain that he let the team throw it all over the yard.
Trask did very well. I know that there are some fans that believe that a QB can't do well unless they have a Franks vs. UT-Martin type day (nvm, that wasn't good enough for some either), but a guy with a 67% completion percentage and throws for over 350 has a great day. Only 12 incompletions, could be better, but a few drops, two incompletions caused by slippage around the south 40-yard line, and two picks (at least one that shouldn't have been) is what it is throwing 37 times. I'll address one of the drops, but it was deflected. On the very good playcall on the early 4th down that had a Perine TD had he caught it. The defender did get a small piece of the ball blindly throwing his hands up, something I wish our DB's tried more...except they rarely are close enough for that to matter. Anyways, decent pass, maybe a little further out with a little more air, but that doesn't mean there would have been more separation of a different ball angle. Hits Perine in the hands, have to make that catch. The two slips? Trask bounced a ball on a screen losing his footing in the first quarter and then the no-catch on Copeland, it appeared live that he lost his footing coming back for the ball. Watching the replay, you can see that Copeland has no momentum coming back for the ball. If not, poor decision by Cope to not dive back toward the ball. The INT's, I have seen argument that the first one was an option route that was not read correctly by the receiver (Lee McGriff and others) and I have seen that he threw it straight to a defender, I don't know. The second INT, well, how you don't call PI there should cost a few officials their jobs. Seriously, without the PI it's a perfect back shoulder throw and a TD. The announcers here acting like a player has a right to make early contact and wrap their arms is embarrassing.
Jones did well, but despite what some seem to want, I don't think there should be a QB controversy going into the off-season. I'm not arguing Jones isn't the future, I'm arguing that Trask has taken this offense to a new level. Imagine Trask with an off-season as the guy.
Defense
Diabate played decent against UGA and had a heck of a game against Vandy. This guy with experience could be the next Polite/Greenard. Yes, this might be a Vandy overreaction, but seeing this performance as a true freshman gives me hope. Also, I want to give Elam a shout out. Still good in coverage and might be the best corner on the team at getting body position. Most times this year when I've seen a pass thrown his way he has the receiver boxed out like it is basketball. JAlso it helps we were actually blitzing from the line of scrimmage. Giving the o-line less time to react to a blitz seems to work. Not sure why that wasn't done much since Auburn. Also, nice seeing press and close coverage again. Seems to buy some time for the blitz. Stiner gets two picks, many people saying that perhaps he was over criticized, he's not, probably under criticized, good game from him against an overmatched opponent, moving on. Defense got a shut out, TD, and three turnovers, not much else to say.
Special Teams
McPherson barely misses a FG, but he needs to make those, especially lined up between the hashes as opposed to on one. Still I like this kid and we haven't lost to a team by a margin of him missing an extra point yet. Of course, that's how you get people thinking you're a god and chanting your name. We finally saw some semblance of a punt return game. Made me happy even if barely effective. Can we not do the pop up kick and just kick touchbacks? Yes, it worked more times than not yesterday, but not everyone is Vandy.
Around the Nation
- I hate when FSU plays BC because I find myself cheering for Addazio. But just like his time as OC at Florida, all he does is disappoint me. Is there a worse human being in college football that still grades out as a champion in his own mind?
- LSU won, but arguments will still be made for Bama to be #1 will be made on Finebaum's show and others I'm sure. At this point, what is Bama's best win?
- Minnesota is my dream National Champion at this point, mostly because its so random.
- Buckeyes, just like when they beat Rutgers, get too much credit for beating a blind kid. Think they sold them a dead bird as well.
- Muschamp loses again to a former FCS National Champion and current member of the Fun Belt...if Taggart has been fired, then you can't fire Muschamp, it's not right.
- Mizzou continues to disappoint, but don't worry, they'll be a threat next week because its what happens.
- Kentucky blew a game to UT, Guano comes on and becomes a hero...what's next?
- Clemson going to get a lot of love for hammering a team even FSU hammered.
Well, on to next week's last SEC game of the season. It hasn't always gone how we've liked, but it has been fun.
Special shout out to BNA and happy birthday to you sir.
Go Gators!