It wasn’t the start many fans had hoped for, specifically on defense, but the Gators looked like a different group in the second half and held the Aggie offense to no points and just 106 total yards after halftime. The Gators didn’t miss a beat in the absence of Brenton Cox. Princely Umanmielen and Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr. had two pivotal strip sacks in the second half to ultimately put the Aggies out of reach. It wasn’t the best showing from the defensive backs, but the Gators got it done in the end and arguably played the best defense they’ve played all year late in the third and fourth quarters.
Offensively, Anthony Richardson made some of the best decisions he’s made all season and made some great throws. Richardson utilized his legs when he needed to while Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne thrived. However, nothing compares to how this defense played in the second half to dwindle Texas A&M’s hopes of a making a bowl game this season.
“I think we could’ve easily got frustrated with our defensive performance in the first half, but man, in that locker room, you would never know. It’s really a group that stuck together,” Napier said on the defense. They knew exactly what the issues were. The ownership in each position group. Being vocal about the things that they could do better and I think the staff did a terrific job making adjustments. Just really proud of the overall response here.”
Defensively, these players know that they haven’t executed well the last few weeks. It was clear that a switch was flipped in that locker room Saturday.
“I think it had to do with the halftime speech from some of the coaches and players,” Ventrell Miller said. “It was a little bit of tough love, like let’s go, it’s still a game and we aren’t playing like how we are supposed to play. We told them to shut it out, and the boys stood on that, so I’m definitely proud of them. We started off flat-footed and just taking ownership of that. It got the boys motivated in the second half, and everyone came out and did their job, and we showed them how the Florida Gators defense could play. Missed tackles don’t show up when everyone is flying to the ball.”
This football team has worked extremely hard on their approach and execution on the football field over the last few weeks. This was evident Saturday.
“I think that it’s a certain part of this game that we’ve been working hard on, I think showed up today. The execution was there,” Napier said. “Really proud of the defense to shut that group out in the second half. We’ve gotten takeaways. We’re starting to play football the way it’s intended to be played. Just the energy and the approach. So, extremely proud of the players and of the staff.”
Third down defense has been brutal all season long for Florida. They have ranked last in third down defense for more than just a few games this season.
That all changed Saturday after the Florida defense forced Texas A&M to punt the football five times in the second half.
“Again, I go back to what I mentioned earlier. I don’t think it’s about the play call. I don’t think it’s about the fundamentals. I think it’s about what’s going on between the ears. I think it’s about the relationships in the room. It’s about being committed to the people around you and playing the game with those intentions,” Napier said on third down defense.
It wasn’t the best start for the defense as Texas A&M only punted the ball once in the first half, but this team is great when it comes to fighting through adversity.
“I think that early-kick, we stumbled out of the blocks. Obviously, we all watched it. There’s nothing to be proud of about it,” Napier said. “Ultimately, when adversity is presented to you, it gives you an opportunity to prove what you’re made of. It gives you a chance to refine and develop your character, and I think that’s what we saw. We took a step in the right direction in that regard today.”
After the departure of Brenton Cox just this past week, it was time for Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr. to shine this weekend against Texas A&M and he did not disappoint.
Not only did Powell-Ryland Jr. have a game changing strip sack, but he set a career high with six total tackles Saturday afternoon.
“Antwaun has been in the rotation. He’s played and he’s deserving. Antwaun’s a good football player. He’s been productive when given opportunities in the past,” Napier said on Powell-Ryland Jr. “Sometimes, you don’t know until that opportunity’s presented to you. One thing I know about Antwaun is that it means something to him to do his job for the other players. Great to see him step up and do big things that impacted the game today.”
It wasn’t a perfect game from this Florida defense, and there’s still work to be done, but the important thing to note here is that it was Florida’s best performance of the year from a defensive standpoint. Players were flying to the football and the defensive line bullied Texas A&M’s diminished offensive line. This team last year would’ve quit and given up in some of these games the Gators have battled through this year. The culture is evolving here at Florida and that’s vital. With three more games left to play on the year, Florida’s performance on defense Saturday is exactly what Gator fans wanted to see with South Carolina coming into town next weekend.