Florida co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison approached head coach Urban Meyer about the possibility of deferring to the second half if Florida won the coin toss. Meyer wasn’t exactly sold on the idea, but obliged his struggling defense. Like most everything else that surrounded the Gators in their 49-22 victory, it was a move that quickly proved to be very promising.
A thrilled homecoming crowd of 90,222 watched as the inspired play of the Florida defense held Vanderbilt to 37 yards of total offense in the first quarter, establishing the fact that the Commodores offense needed better make some adjustments. All-Southeastern Conference wide receiver Earl Bennett was shut down in the opening quarter of play.
That is especially pleasing considering the Commodores starting field position in the first quarter was at the 34 yard line.
In the Commodores first three possessions, the Florida defense held their Eastern Division rivals to six plays, five plays, and three plays, forcing punter Brett Upson into duty to kick the ball to the always dangerous Brandon James. The sophomore leads the nation with seven kick returns of 50 or more yards so far this season.
The impact of true freshman Mike Pouncey in the middle of the Florida interior defensive line paid enormous dividends. Pouncey’s job was simple – clog up the middle and allow linebacker Brandon Spikes and company to make plays.
Mission accomplished.
The veteran Commodores offensive line couldn’t knock him backwards. They failed to move him out of the play. Finally, they sought to double team him. Advantage Florida. That is precisely what the Florida coaches had hoped for. Strike that- the Florida coaches received more than they had hoped for with the insertion of Pouncey.
“On defense, we were waiting for that,” Meyer said in the post game. “The Gator nation has been waiting for that. The head coach has been waiting for that. That was excellent defense to hold a very talented group to a very limited number of yards and plays. We didn’t have a sack that entire game because we played against the run. Mike Pouncey certainly took care of that- true freshman, back-up center who at Tuesday’s practice moved to a starting inside player. That’s just courage. That tells you a lot about the kind of people the Pouncey’s are, specifically Michael, how unselfish he is to go over there and play in the four, he brings energy to our defense.”
The Gators limited the Vanderbilt quarterbacks to a single reception for three yards in the first quarter and a lowly 2.64 yards per play. The tone was set and the Commodores, who had hoped to establish a running game, were forced to throw the football more often.
The Commodores came away with only seven points on three possessions in the second quarter and that was on their first drive. The Vanderbilt touchdown drive consumed 79 yards of real estate. The Commodores only gained 60 total yards throughout the first half. In fact, their other two second quarter possessions averaged six plays and 15 yards. One of the keys for the Florida defense was that Vanderbilt offense started each of their drives at either their own 20 or 21 yard line. The Gators led 35-7 at the break.
Field position took a dramatic turn against the Gators in the third quarter. The Commodores set up shop at their own 41 yard line after the onside kick. They began their second drive at the Florida 42 yard line after the Tim Tebow interception, and at their own 49 yard line after D.J. Moore returned Joey Ijjas’ kickoff 46 yards.
Despite the fact that the special teams and offense didn’t help the defense, Vanderbilt was only able to score once and managed to keep the football on their side of the field.
The end of the third quarter saw the ‘Dores in the red zone knocking on the Gators door. The defensive unit battled and even watched their fortunes fall after linebacker Dustin Doe stripped quarterback Mackenzi Adams of the football on a quarterback sneak. Doe took the ball all the way back for the Florida touchdown. However, one official ruled that Adams had indeed broken the plane of the goal line before being stripped of the ball. After review, the officials in the replay booth ruled that the play stand and Vanderbilt had scored to close the gap to 42-16.
Earl Bennett was limited to just 31 yards on five receptions. His long of the day was a miserable 10 yards.
Florida moved to 4-3 in the conference and 6-3 overall. They are still in the hunt for the Eastern Division title. However, the inspired play of the Gators defense with their big man in the middle served to fire up homecoming. And who knows, perhaps this freshman will decide that playing on the defensive line is not only his present, but future as well.