Florida Gators need to solve three main issues.
SALT LAKE CITY: After losing 24-11 to No. 14 Utah on Thursday night in their season opener, Florida football has problems that need to be addressed.
The Florida Gators (0-1) collapsed in all three game phases, losing only their second opener in the previous 32 years. Offense drives stalled, defense gave up big plays, and special teams made mistakes. It was awful football all around.
Billy Napier, the coach of Florida, stated, “We have a lot of players that will continue to get better as they gain experience.” However, there’s no denying that we are capable of playing and coaching better than we did tonight. We have a lot of kitties out there for our players, and we can do our part to support them.
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In light of the Gators’ opening-week defeat to the Utes, the following three queries are for them:
Is Florida able to resolve its red zone issues?
After their first three possessions inside the 20-yard line, the Gators managed just three points. The illegal procedure penalty on right tackle Dameion George Jr. on a fourth-and-one and the shovel pass to tight end Dante Zanders on a fourth-and-3 play that resulted in a 1-yard loss were two of the penalties and dubious calls that led to UF’s problems in the red zone.
“We just had too many penalties,” Napier remarked. “Three procedural penalties occurred during short yardage scenarios. We formed in violation of the law. We are able to improve on such aspects.”
Can Florida limit the number of big plays that its defense allows?
Under first-year defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, UF’s defense made progress, but they gave up a big play early on when Bryson Barnes of Utah connected with wide out Money Parks for a 70-yard touchdown pass. R.J. Moten, a safety for Florida, was out-covered.
Utah quarterback Nate Johnson rushed for a 27-yard touchdown run later in the half to give the Utes a 14-3 lead.
Shemar James, UF’s linebacker, was a bright spot on defense with 13 tackles, but Florida’s pass rush was insufficient with only two quarterback hurries and no sacks.
James stated, “It just came down to execution.” “We beat ourselves, you know, just guys maybe getting too impatient or like forgetting their role or like their job on that play.” I’m not sure whether they really had a play where they outplayed us player-for-player, 11-on-11.
Is Florida able to revive its struggling ground game?
In part because it surrendered 48 yards on sacks, Florida just managed 13 yards on rushes on 21 carries against Utah. Trevor Etienne, a sophomore tailback, led UF with seven carries for 25 yards, but he was never really counted on.
UF has only gained 11 points and run for 53 yards through its last two games. O’Cyrus Torrence, an All-American right guard, has not played this season due to injury.