Dan Mullen was the only SEC coach Wednesday on the SEC Coaches Teleconference who could say his team was 1-0 to start the season.

Florida is the only SEC team to have played in Week 0.

The Gators beat the Miami Hurricanes 24-20 in a slopfest last Saturday. Florida’s defensive line mauled Miami’s offensive line (10 sacks), and the Gators special teams and fourth down play also excelled. That’s about all the bright spots other than getting the win.

During the game, Florida’s (and Miami’s) defense struggled tackling. Defenders were bouncing off ball carriers in stunning fashion.

Mullen discussed those issues on Wednesday’s coaches’ teleconference (paraphrased below):

  • We didn’t tackle great. That’s always a challenge in Week 1.
  • On the safety of college football: I’m going to be honest with you, I’ve been in the meetings, when it comes to the people that care the most about the players are the coaches… When you are trying to implement safety, it’s about learning how to tackle… How we practice, ability to thud, finishing. The transition from that to game week… I don’t think was good, but I’m used to that. That’s often the case the first week.

Now with Week 0 in the rearview, Florida essentially has another bye week slated for this weekend. Mullen said he and his team treated the Miami game like a bowl game — a special one-season game.

Now, the Gators turn their attention to UT Martin and correcting some of the major issues seen during the game against Miami.