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This weekend, ‘pray’ for Eastern Michigan in The Swamp
By Drew Laing
Published:
Disappointment and frustration were probably the two most prevalent emotions inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium last Saturday night around 10:30 p.m.
After nearly three hours of lightning delays, one kickoff return and then another 30-minute weather delay, the Florida – Idaho game was finally “terminated.” Imagine the emotions of the fans, who travelled from all over to watch their Gators open their 2014 season. Imagine the Florida players, unable to play a game they had spent all summer preparing for.
As it turns out, however, the group of people who may dread the cancellation the most is the Gators’ next opponent – the Eastern Michigan Eagles.
We’re talking about a Florida Gators football team that finished a season on a six-game losing streak. How frustrated were they about how things turned out in 2013? They literally buried last season underneath the practice field. That’s how much they wanted to forget and move on from last year.
The effect of the game’s cancellation delaying their season has spilled over into practice this week for the Florida players.
“Out at practice, I got mad because I’m like dang, I can’t take anyone to the ground,” Gators linebacker Michael Taylor said on Wednesday. “You don’t want to unleash on your teammates…”
Once the dust settled on Florida’s 4-8 season, the Gators eventually recovered from the injury bug that plagued them all last season. Quarterback Jeff Driskel is fully healthy again and a new offensive coordinator in Kurt Roper has reenergized what was considered lifeless offense. Last Saturday marked the first real opportunity to turn the page on last season and write a brand new chapter for the Gators and Will Muschamp, but Mother Nature denied them that chance.
And now all of that pent up aggression and eagerness to show the college football world what they’re really made of has to wait another week. The Gators’ advice for their opponent? Pray.
“So it’s just like when I finally get out there, pray for them. That’s how we all feel because we’ve got to let some stuff out. It’s been a while, so we’re just ready to take the field.”
It’ll be 280 days, actually, when the Gators and Eastern Michigan square off on Saturday. 280 days of hearing about how that 2013 Gators team was the worst in school history since 1979. Nine months and seven days of those little constant reminders can fire up a team, especially one filled with players who aren’t used to losing.
Dante Fowler echoed Taylor’s sentiments.
“Me too,” Fowler said about being ready to hit somebody. “Especially when you get your hopes up high and then nothing really doesn’t happen. It’s just a lot of stuff built up we’re ready to get out. We’re just going into this week, hoping it doesn’t happen again and that we’re able to take everything out on Eastern Michigan.”
Fowler and Taylor, along with the rest of the front seven for Florida should get plenty of chances to let out that rage on the Eagles Saturday afternoon. Behind senior running back Bronson Hill, the Eagles rely heavily on the run game and carried the ball 56 times in their season opener. EMU also likes to play an up-tempo, no huddle offensive style with the goal of snapping the ball as many times as possible. Last week, the Eagles ran 86 plays.
This isn’t the first time the Gators have been forced to deal with a season-opening game cancellation. In 2004, the Gators’ game against Middle Tennessee State was postponed due to Hurricane Frances. The Gators then faced the next opponent on their schedule a week later and beat them 49-20. Who was it? The Eastern Michigan Eagles.
As for this year’s Florida team, only one thing will be on their minds.
“I wish tomorrow was Saturday,” defensive back Jabari Gorman said. “That’s all we can think of, is Saturday.”
During the final weather delay last Saturday, Fowler tweeted out “Never felt this rage before..”
I can only imagine the 180 days worth of rage that awaits Eastern Michigan when they make their way into The Swamp.
Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
