The Florida Gators take on an FCS opponent this weekend — the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. Although Florida is a heavy favorite in this game, this was the same kind of matchup where the Gators faltered last season against Georgia Southern.

To give Florida fans an idea of what to expect from the Gators’ next opponent, Nathan Hutchinson, the Sports Editor of the Richmond Register, took time for us to answer some questions about EKU.

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Drew Laing: EKU is not a team many UF fans know a lot about, but junior running back Dy’Shawn Mobley seems to be the anchor of the offense. Talk about his impact on the Colonels.

Nathan Hutchinson: Mobley has been a God-send for the EKU offense. The Colonels used a four-man running back rotation last year (all of which were about 5-foot-9) and it was very ineffective, as you might expect. Mobley has come in and been that dominant, carry-the-load kind of back that they want to have in this offense, much like Matt Denham was for them a couple of years ago. It’s a run-first offense, that usually passes on play action.

Laing: Saturday’s game is the regular-season finale for EKU. What’s the general feeling about this season’s results? Will EKU have a shot at the postseason in the FCS?

Hutchinson: After last week’s come-from-behind win over Murray, the EKU coaching staff believes it has locked up an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs. Jacksonville State has already clinching the OVC’s regular-season championship and the league’s automatic playoff bid. EKU coach Dean Hood said this after the Murray win — “I don’t think they can keep us out.” The Colonels were 6-6 last year, so this has been a nice bounce back year for the team. Only 14 seniors on this team, so seems like the program is heading in the right direction.

Laing: Are there any areas where EKU feels they could exploit against the Gators this weekend?

Hutchinson: Obviously, it’s not a good matchup for the Colonels at almost any position, but I would think that the EKU coaching staff believes its receivers can make some plays … EKU’s top two pass catchers — Jeff Glover (6-foot-4, 200-pound junior) and Devin Borders (6-foot-5, 220-pound sophomore) — are big and strong with good hands. They both have more than 1,000 yards receiving for their careers and can make plays down the field. Both of them routinely go up and over the DBs in this league to make catches. Also, tight end Matt Lengel is 6-foot-7 and can be a threat in the passing game.

Laing: What’s the greatest challenge for the Colonels when they play the Gators? What area do you believe Florida has the biggest advantage in?

Hutchinson: The Colonels like to run the ball and its not likely they will be able to do that against an SEC defense. Against Miami (Ohio) earlier this year, EKU had just 82 yards rushing on 32 attempts — and that was against a MAC defense. So, moving the ball on the ground won’t be easy. The quarterback play has been a little uneven at times … they have switched back and forth between a sophomore transfer, Bennie Coney, and a senior, Jared McClain, all year. Neither has really been able to win the job outright.

Laing: How do you see Saturday’s game playing out? Does EKU stand any chance of hanging around?

Hutchinson: The Colonels already have one win over an FBS school this season. But that was Miami, one of the worst teams in the MAC. This is a different story. EKU has SEC-level talent at some positions — Mobley (Kentucky transfer), Coney (Cincinnati transfer) and fullback Channing Fugate (Tennessee transfer), but it will still take a tremendous effort to even stay in the game with the Gators. If the Colonels can get a couple of early defensice stops and maybe some turnovers, they could make a game of it for a while. EKU won the game against Miami with a trick play — wide receiver pass on a reverse. Don’t be surprised if they try some trickery against the Gators.

A huge thanks to Nathan Hutchinson for participating!