Grading The Gators vs. UGA

For only the third time in the last eighteen tries the University of Georgia defeated the Florida Gators 42 – 30 in the game formerly known as the World’ s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Georgia used a dominating running game and an effective play action passing attack to befuddle the Gators young defensive unit. Meanwhile Florida’s offense tried to keep the Gators in the game, but couldn’t make the plays when needed.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

IMPRESSIVE: Couldn’t think of anyone

SOLID: Percy Harvin and the receivers, Tim Tebow

NEED WORK: The defense in general, tackling specifically

THE GRADES

DEFENSIVE LINE: For the most part, Florida’s defensive line got whipped at the line of scrimmage as the Bulldogs gutted the Gators for 196 yards on the ground. Injuries to Javier Estopinan, Terron Sanders, and Justin Trattou didn’t help matters, but it probably wasn’t that much of a factor GRADE D+

LINEBACKERS: Florida’s defense is designed to allow the linebacker to make most of the tackles.  On several occasions the defensive line was able to stop the Georgia running back at the point of attack, only to have the running back bounce off the pile for a big gain because the linebackers were out if position.  Other times the linebackers just didn’t make the tackle. GRADE D+

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Wondy Pierre-Louis’ 25-yard interception return for touchdown was the highlight of the secondary’s day.  Unfortunately, penalties, busted coverages, and poor angles meant the secondary got burned for 217-yards and 3 touchdowns. GRADE C

OFFENSIVE LINE: Florida’s offensive line didn’t fare much better than the Gators’ defensive line.  The Gators gave up 6 sacks and couldn’t run between tackles.  All of Florida’s 107 yards rushing came on outside runs by Percy Harvin and Brandon James. GRADE D

RECEIVERS: Florida’s offense ran through the Gators receivers on Saturday.  Andre Caldwell had the most catches, Jarrod Fayson had the most yards, Louis Murphy caught the only touchdown pass.  Percy Harvin produced 97 yards on 10 carries to provide Florida with its most effective rusher. GRADE B

RUNNING BACKS: It was not Kestahn Moore’s best game.  Moore fumbled his first carry and muffed the direct snap on his second attempt, after that Percy Harvin and Brandon James became the featured back.  James had 5 carries for 26 yards, Moore finished with 3 carries for 20 yards. GRADE D

QUARTERBACK: Tim Tebow was pretty solid considering he was playing with an injured right shoulder.  At the same time, Tebow was not nearly as effective as he has been in his previous seven games.  Tebow seemed tentative at tines with regards to running the ball, especially when under pressure on designed passing plays.  Tebow did score 2 rushing touchdown and threw for another touchdown. GRADE B

KICKING/SPECIALTY: Brandon James supplied a 52-yard return as part of a 5 return 122-yard performance.  This almost offset the 146-yards given up by the Gator’s kickoff coverage unit.  The rest of the kicking/specialty units were uneventful. GRADE C

COACHING: Offensive coordinator Dan Mullen was clearly influenced by Tin Tebow’s injured shoulder.  No better evidence is needed than when faced with fourth and 2 at the Georgia 25-yard line and the Gators trailing 28 – 24 in the fourth quarter, Mullen chose a reverse play rather than let Tebow bulldoze for the much needed first down.  The reverse call resulted in a 3-yard loss and a turnover on downs.  Defensive coordinators Charlie Strong and Greg Mattison can’t find a defense that works for the Gators.  Defensively, the Gators couldn’t get the Bulldogs off the field, allowing Georgia to convert

10 13 third down conversions.  Special Teams coach Urban Meyer’s kickoff coverage unit is struggling. GRADE Offense C, Defense D, Special Teams C

FANS: The Florida faithful gave a great effort; unfortunately they don’t play on the field. GRADE A

FINAL THOUGHTS

Take nothing away from the Georgia Bulldogs, they came well prepared and came emotionally ready to play, they deserved to win.  You win as a team and you loose as a team; there is plenty of blame to go around offensively, defensively, and special teams.  Give the Gators credit, they fought back rather than fold despite playing from behind most of the bight.  Games like Saturday’s are the reason I hate Georgia so much.  Note to this young Gator team, it is the moment of decision, do you pack in this season or do you stand tall and continue to work and get better.  Your choice! OVERALL GRADE: D

Randy Platt

The Armchair Quarterback

Later GATORS, after while the rest!