Jon Sumrall ‘increases’ involvement with Florida defense after South Carolina debacle
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Even when the Florida Gators were winning games in September, their defense had serious red flags. The unit yielded 396 total yards to Florida Atlantic, 39 points to Auburn and 426 total yards to Ole Miss despite the Rebels possessing the ball for just 23:01 of game time.
Since October arrived, those struggles have developed into massive issues. Florida allowed LaNorris Sellers to resemble the highly projected NFL Draft pick people once thought he was in its 38-19 loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks in Week 6. Now, Sumrall is getting his hands dirty in cleaning up the defensive mess, he said at his weekly press conference on Monday.
Sumrall said his involvement with Florida’s defense “increased” on Monday, though he added he isn’t taking over the defensive from Brad White.
“I have a lot of confidence in our defensive staff,” Sumrall said.
Sellers torched the Gators, completing 65.7% of his passes (23/35) for 279 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. It was the quarterback’s first game with more than two touchdown passes since South Carolina’s Week 1 victory over Kent State.
The week prior, Missouri signal-caller Austin Simmons threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns on Florida’s defense in the Tigers’ 45-17 win. Now, Arch Manning gets to battle the unit coming off an underwhelming showing in the Red River Rivalry.
The Gators’ chance to avoid a third straight loss comes at noon E.T. on Saturday (ABC).
