It’s time for the Florida Gators to pull the plug on their running back carousel.
Sophomore running back Jordan Scarlett led the Gators with in rushing for the third time in five games and scored Florida’s only touchdown of the game. Scarlett has been the Gators best running back despite averaging just over 10 carries a game.
“I just feel like I got to play my part, you know I’m not really here for any individual stuff,” he said after Florida’s 13-6 win over Vanderbilt. “I’m just here to bring the team together and come for a win, so whatever coach wants me to do. Whether it’s goal line, short yardage, or whatever. I’m all for it.”
Scarlett leads the Gators with 55 rushing attempts on the season. Junior college transfer Mark Thompson comes in second with 47 followed by freshman Lamical Perine (37) and Jordan Cronkrite (23). Only twice as an offensive coordinator at Alabama or as the head coach at Colorado State did McElwain have this kind of balance in the backfield.
In theory the running back rotation should help. If you’re rotating running backs everyone should be healthy and rested when the fourth quarter comes. Instead, Florida’s rushing attack is tenth in the SEC (160.8 yards per game). The Gators are also just tenth in the SEC in terms of fourth quarter yards per rush (3.87 yards per attempt). Scarlett has been a team player, but does admit that the rotation can be challenging at times.
“You feel like ‘Dang, I want to be in there right now, I can do this I can do that’, but then you got another dude who can do it just as good as you,” Scarlett said after the game.
He hasn’t been perfect. McElwain brought up a fourth quarter run where Scarlett kind of eased up and didn’t score when he possibly had the opportunity to. His 24-yard run against Vanderbilt is a season high, so the coaching staff would like to see more explosiveness from the second year back as well.
“I feel like I’m having a pretty good year, I’m having some tough physical runs. But I need to extend my game, like you know catching out of the backfield and breaking for touchdowns,” he said.
On Florida’s only touchdown drive Scarlett carried the ball twice for 28 yards. He didn’t get anther carry until 21 offensive plays later, none of which came in the third quarter.
He isn’t perfect but he’s been the Gators’ best back and he should start getting carries like it.
Scarlet, Perine, Cromarte in that order!