After the Florida Gators 34-10 win over the Vanderbilt Commodores Saturday night, head coach Will Muschamp discussed the differences in his team as compared to the infamous Missouri loss three weeks ago. As many coaches would, Muschamp discussed the things the team still needed to work on, some of the same things said all year, such as eye discipline.
However, Muschamp did acknowledge the hard work the team has put in throughout the season finally paying off.
“You work hard in this game, and you’ve got to see some benefit from your labor, and our guys are seeing that right now,” Muschamp said.
In my first year of covering the Florida Gators football program, I’ve seen a rollercoaster of emotions that would make the engineers at Universal Studios jealous. A season-opening Eastern Michigan blowout led many to think that the team would return to prominence. The following week, a triple-overtime Kentucky win caused doubt among the supporters. The Gators’ loss to Alabama seemed to beat the fan base down, the negativity continuing to permeate over the following three games, coming to a boil after the homecoming loss to the Tigers.
Florida’s big win over Georgia last week served as a reward for those who still believed in the Gators, and changed the opinions of others that had written them off. However, the constant disappointment Gator fans have experienced over the past two seasons, led to caution against the Commodores. Florida dominated a top-ten ranked opponent in the Bulldogs, but the pessimism, while less prevalent than it was earlier in the year, still existed heading into Vanderbilt, who beat Florida in The Swamp last year.
Last night’s win over Vanderbilt was the second straight week Florida played like the team many expected them to coming into the season. Florida adapted offensively in Saturday night’s game, coming off a 418-rushing yard performance last week. Against the Commodores, Florida passed for one more yard than they ran (215-214), and had success running the ball out of a Wildcat offense that featured Jeff Driskel. Treon Harris also showed his ability to throw the ball, going 13-21 with no interceptions. Harris also ran 10 times for 49 yards and two touchdowns.
The team is playing with a new found focus, but more importantly, they’re having fun, something that didn’t seem to be the case earlier in the season. The players seem to perform with a sense of freedom, thinking about making plays instead of making a mistake. More players are contributing on the defensive line, while younger corners, such as Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson are seemingly turning a corner in their progression. The offense has new life under Harris, and the receivers are taking advantage of making plays with or without the ball.
Sure, the defense will have to tighten up on some of the big plays allowed, and the offense will have to work on finishing drives at the goal line, but Florida handled business against a lesser opponent, something not seen last year.
Coming off a rough 2013 and a rocky half of 2014, Florida now sees what it takes to win are building momentum as they head towards the end of the season.
The time and dedication put in has been rewarded by players and fans alike.
Solid article that points to the overarching theme the past few weeks. EVERYONE is called upon to make plays. We’re no longer leaning on the theoretical legendary experience of Driskel to guide us through the season. That is no knock on him, but rather our coaching staff / philosophy.
We can now see that baptizing turn overs and stratifying the percentage of influence that our players have over this team, we experience drastic improvement.
For the remainder cord, I believe that if Jeff was reeled in a bit more on the conservative side with his throws being limited and Matt Jones not being asked to be our only workhorse rb, we may have seen better results in the beginning of the season. But Treon is exactly what Florida not even exactly when we needed it; whether his success is due to the coaching staff limiting his throws or because his veins pump top grade freon.
BUT, Mark my words, in order to be truly successful this season we have to get Jeff Driskel back in good mental form to be a viable backup quarterback from the bench in preparation of the ever possible injury concern.