Five things we learned from the Florida Gators 63-13 victory to open the season against New Mexico State.
1) The QB Battle is close and far from over
Fans came into the Florida Gators season opener expecting to see just what all the fuss was about regarding the quarterback competition. They left with the same feeling Jim McElwain has had since the spring, dang, this really is close.
Both Treon Harris and Will Grier played well in Florida’s 61-13 drubbing of New Mexico State and the only thing that we learned about the quarterback competition is that it isn’t any closer to a resolution than it was when it began back in spring camp.
Harris completed 14-of-19 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns, adding five carries for 23 more yards. Will Grier completed 15-of-17 passes for 164 yards, two touchdowns and also ran for 43 more yards and a score.
There was no discernible play in the game from either player that you can point to and say, that won him the job.
The battle will continue on into next week as Florida prepares to host ECU.
2) The Gators will be able to run the ball
Junior Kelvin Taylor looked like the high school kid who set a national rushing record and less like the back who had been fighting to find carries in an offense the past two seasons. Taylor led the Gators in rushing with eight carries for 54 yards and a score.
Behind Taylor the Gators enjoyed production from their two freshmen running backs Jordan Scarlett and Cronkrite. Scarlett carried the ball eight times for 34 yards and a score, while Cronkrite became the first true freshman to score this season and finished with five carries for 24 yards.
In total, Florida had 11 different players register rushing statistics, running the ball 42 times for 224 yards (5.3 yards per carry). The Gators rushing attack will continue to flourish as the offensive line builds more cohesion and the freshmen continue to acclimate to the speed of the game.
3) Balance and efficiency are the goals on offense
There was nothing flashy about the 61 points the Gators scored on Saturday night and that’s just the way Jim McElwain wants it. Florida presented a balanced attack with 42 carries to 30 passes. Doug Nussmeier called a very tight football game and the offensive coaching staff really put Florida’s playmakers in positions to succeed.
A nice change of pace in Gainesville.
4) Third down defense was fantastic
Geoff Collins preaches to his defense to know the situation. When you’re in the red zone or when it’s third down he wants his defense to shut the door and get off the field.
The Gators didn’t just shut the door on third down, they slammed it shut and boarded it up.
New Mexico State was just 1-of-8 on third down on Saturday night.
Additionally, Florida made some major halftime adjustments on Saturday night.
The defense gave up 201 yards in the first half before shutting the Aggies down completely in the second half, holding New Mexico State to minus one yard in the second half.
A collegiate football team couldn’t even manage to gain no yards against the Florida Gators in a half. They lost a yard.
5) Tight ends are back in the offense
The position that had come to be known as the offensive defensive end position can finally be renamed tight end.
Jim McElwain featured the tight end in his offense in a big way on Saturday night. Redshirt freshman C’yontai Lewis led the way with two catches, both for touchdowns and 44 yards. DeAndre Goolsby had three receptions for 38 yards and redshirt senior Jake McGee had two catches for 18 yards.
The Gators tight ends bring versatility and an additional wrinkle to the offense and it’s a welcome sight to behold.
You’re right about the quarterbacks. There is still no resolution to who will become UF’s permanent starter. As for the rest, we didn’t learn anything from playing such an awful team. You say that next week’s game is another tuneup. East Carolina didn’t look great in it’s opening game, so that may be true. But it’s never smart to take too much from ant opening game. Remember Texas A&M last year. I’m also sure that East Carolina has spent all their time preparing for Florida, not Towson. The bowl game was a close contest, and East Carolina may have lost their starting quarterback, but to characterize them as a tune up game is implying that Florida is a good team. That’s a hypothesis that hasn’t been validated yet.
#6. There will be a lot less penalties this year