The Florida Gators have managed just one sack through two games this season, which on the surface is a concerning statistic given the level of competition.
Against LIU, Florida didn’t have many opportunities to sack the quarterback as the Sharks ran a speed option style offense for the entire game, attempting just 11 passes. The Gators still managed to create six pressures in the contest with redshirt senior edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. leading the way (3).
In week two, Florida sacked Byrum Brown once in 36 passing attempts. USF made an effort to get the ball out quickly for a majority of the game. The Bulls had nine third downs from six yards or further and Florida stopped USF from converting the first down eight times. In total, the Gators generated 10 pressures, six QB hurries, and three QB hits vs USF.
“You’ve got to create opportunities. I think you’ve got to try to play well on first and second down and try to create advantageous D-and-Ds on second and long, third and long,” Napier said on Florida’s pass rush. “I do think that how teams play you also contributes to that. The first team we played was a triple-option team, and obviously I think South Florida did a nice job of managing third down. They played with tempo on third down, they kept third down manageable throughout the game. And ultimately I think it’s a two-game sample size, so don’t panic on the edge room just yet.”
Florida will now travel to Baton Rouge to take on the No.3 LSU Tigers in week three. If you recall from last year’s game, the Gators were able to find defensive success by generating 28 pressures and seven sacks on quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks was a huge part of that, totaling nine pressures, one sack, and a forced fumble. Banks hasn’t appeared in a game this year and will likely be listed as questionable on the first SEC availability report as he recovers from a lower body injury.
The Gators will face a less athletic quarterback in Nussmeier compared to what they’ve seen so far this season. Nussmeier is certainly capable of extending plays and using his legs, but he doesn’t have near the level of athleticism of Byrum Brown.
LSU is a team that’s going to be more aggressive in the passing game behind one of the best pure throwers in college football and a stable of wide receivers. This will give us a better idea of where Florida’s pass rush is at. The Tigers have thrown 80 passes through two games and have been sacked four times including three against Louisiana Tech.
Disrupting Nussmeier in the pocket will be the key to victory for Florida’s defense on Saturday. Getting Banks back along Florida’s defensive line would be a huge boost towards making that a reality.
“Every week in college football, one of the things that contributes to the game is protecting your quarterback and affecting their quarterback,” Napier said on Monday. “So nothing will be different this week. We need to keep our guy clean and we need to try to affect their guy as many ways as possible.”