The Florida Gators jumped three spots to No.22 in the AP Poll after a sloppy 22-7 win over Charlotte in week four.
Gator Country provides you with five takeaways from the contest.
MISSED REDZONE OPPORTUNITIES
The Florida Gators moved the ball well at times against Charlotte but couldn’t get it done in the red zone. Although the Gators’ offense scored on all five of their trips to the red zone, they were only able to generate one TD and four field goals, resulting in 19 points.
“We’ve just got to have better red zone production,” Billy Napier said postgame. “We want to be 70 percent touchdowns in the red area, but we want to be 100 percent red zone scoring, and it was a factor.”
The Gators also had two drives end after fumbles from QB Graham Mertz and WR Caleb Douglas.
“We’re sitting here a little bit disappointed because of red zone issues and a couple sloppy turnovers in the game,” Napier said. “Trust me, nobody is more pissed about that than I am.”
Florida totaled 395 offensive yards and averaged 6.7 yards per play against Charlotte; the later would rank 26th in the FBS.
The Gators were just 1-9 on third downs in the contest, many of those coming in the redzone.
“Some of those were two-down approaches, right, and I think that affected a little bit,” Napier said postgame. “They’re in the red area, right. Got to get it better, there’s no doubt. That’s one of the stats that’s going to stand out.”
ANOTHER DOMIANT DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE
The Florida Gators’ defense held Charlotte to just 210 yards of offense in week four, which marks the 6th time since the start of the 2022 season that the Gators have held an opponent to 300 yards or fewer. Florida held the 49ers to under 200 passing yards in the contest (133), accomplishing the feat for the 7th time in the Billy Napier era.
Florida created constant pressure on the 49ers, generating three sacks (season high) and a team pressure grade of 88.1, the highest mark of the season for the Gators, according to PFF.
The Orange and Blue totaled just four missed tackles in week four, the second lowest total of the season (Utah, 3).
Florida held Charlotte to just three third down conversions on 13 attempts, an area the Gators continue to thrive in under new defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong. The Gators rank T-22nd in the FBS in third down conversion defense on the year, holding opponents to .314% on third downs. In 2022, Florida was among the worst teams in the country in this category, allowing over 50% of their third downs which ranked 129th in the FBS.
Armstrong’s defense continues to tackle well in open space while limiting explosive plays downfield.
“I’ll say effort and just teamwork, and I’ll say just the physicality up front and in our back seven,” LB Shemar James said on the defensive improvement this season.
Through four weeks of the 2023 season, Florida ranks 5th in the FBS in total defense and T-13th in scoring defense.
TREY SMACK’S CAREER DAY
Sophomore Kicker Trey Smack delivered in his first career start at place kicker for the Gators, connecting on all five of his FG attempts while converting his only extra point attempt of the game.
The Maryland native drilled a career long 54-yard field goal midway through the second quarter, giving the Gators a 16-0 lead over Charlotte.
Smack hit a new career high in single game scoring with five field goals, totaling 163-yards. The five field goals mark the most in a single game since Eddy Pineiro in 2017 (five against UAB (11/18/17) and the third most in a single game in program history.
Smack also sent all seven of his kickoffs through the back of the endzone for a touchback.
“My leg is really sore right now,” Smack said postgame. ” My leg is not doing so great right now. That last kickoff, I was lucky it even got in the end zone.”
GATORS NEED TO STAY HEALTHY ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE
There’s no question that the absence of two of Florida’s veteran offensive linemen in Kingsley Eguakun and Micah Mazzccua hurt the Gators on Saturday night. The two interior offensive linemen have combined for 39 starts at the collegiate level and bring a level of experience and comfortability to this offense. The only game the duo has played together was in week three vs Tennessee, where the Gators posted their highest running and run block grade of the 2023 season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Florida was forced to start a trio of reserve offensive linemen due to Eguakun’s injury, Dameion George’s first half suspension, and Micah Mazzccua’s full game suspension given by the Gators’ staff.
THE DUO OF GRAHAM MERTZ AND RICKY PEARSALL
The duo of QB Graham Mertz and WR Ricky Pearsall have established a great relationship both on and off the field since January. Through four games of the 2023 season, Pearsall’s combined for 26 catches, 362 yards, and one touchdown.
Pearsall leads the Gators in receptions and yards while ranking 24th in the FBS in receptions per game and total yards.
The 6-1, 190-pound receiver has two 100+ yard games this season, including a six catch, 104-yard game against Charlotte.
“I think I’m a mismatch for any DB to be honest, but that’s just the mentality that I’ve got to have as a receiver,” Pearsall said postgame.
Mertz continued his efficient 2023 season in week four, completing 20 of his 23 passes for 259 yards and one touchdown against the 49ers. Mertz ranks 4th in the FBS in completion percentage (.78%).
“That guy loves football,” Pearsall said on Mertz’s efficiency. ” That’s a simple answer right there. He loves football. He’s always in the building. He’s always studying. He’s always asking questions. He’s just one of those guys that really wants it that bad, and you can tell, and hard work pays off obviously what he’s been doing on the field.”
“It’s a very catchable ball. He’s got arm talent as well,” Pearsall added on Mertz.
No.22 Florida is set to take on Kentucky in Lexington at noon eastern in week five.