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Florida Gators

Report Card: Running game powers Florida upset over bitter SEC East rival

Drew Laing

By Drew Laing

Published:

OFFENSE: A-

The section is titled “Offense” but “Running Game” is much more applicable. The Gators threw the ball just six times and leaned heavily on running backs Matt Jones and Kelvin Taylor. The tailback duo combined for 389 yards and four touchdowns. There was absolutely no mystery to Florida’s game plan as head coach Will Muschamp and offensive coordinator Kurt Roper were clearly not going to show off Treon Harris’ arm. Harris threw just one pass in the second half.

Despite the lack of balance, it’s tough to argue with the results. Florida racked up 445 total yards and scored 38 points. I can’t imagine the same offensive approach will be as successful in the rest of the Gators’ games this season, but it’s a legitimate step forward for an offense that’s struggled virtually all season.

DEFENSE: A-

Florida’s defense has played well at times this season, but either they were on the field too long and got worn down or they had serious communication breakdowns. In yesterday’s game, they avoided both and were put in the somewhat new position of playing with a lead.

The defense’s confidence grew all game with Florida extending its lead over UGA. The Gators’ punishing run game allowed their defense to rest up on the sideline, which helped tremendously in handling Nick Chubb and the rest of UGA’s offense. Dante Fowler and the UF defense pressure Hutson Mason all game and the Florida defensive backs  made some key pass breakups at crucial times.

Florida’s defense looked more like the unit from 2012 and that’s a good thing.

SPECIAL TEAMS: A

It was one of the best games of the season for the Gators’ special team unit. After being embarrassed two weeks ago by allowing two special teams touchdowns, Florida bounced back in a big way. Not only did the Gators execute a fake field goal to perfection to tie the game up at seven points apiece in the first quarterback, but several big hits on kick coverage and long punts by Kyle Christy kept the momentum going throughout the game.

COACHING: A-

You have to give the Gators’ coaching staff credit. For as much criticism as Will Muschamp and the rest of the coaches received this season, they called a heck of a game. It wasn’t pretty, flashy or complicated, but it was exactly what the Gators needed.

Could they have balanced the offensive game plan more? Sure, but an 18-point victory is tough to argue no matter how a team gets there. The Gators simply outcoached UGA and it was one of the big reasons why Florida was able to snap its three-game losing streak to the ‘Dawgs.

OVERALL: A-

Yesterday’s performance for the Gators couldn’t have come at a better time. They played yesterday for Muschamp and they dominated. Florida clicked on all cylinders and play virtually mistake-free football (except for one fumble). Coming into this game as a 13-point favorite, hardly anyone gave the Gators a chance but finally we saw what this team can do when it executes the game plan. The results were impressive and finally it appears Florida’s got some of its confidence back heading into the latter part of its schedule.

Drew Laing

Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.

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