COLUMBIA, Mo. — Drew Lock may have had the answers to his first test last week against South Carolina but the Florida Gators defense proved to be too much for the 18-year old passer.
The Gators defense may be the best unit in the entire country and each week they take the field with the mentality that they need to prove that.
The No. 11 Gators (6-0, 4-0 SEC) took down the Missouri Tigers (4-2, 1-2 SEC) on Saturday night but it wasn’t the high-powered offensive attack that they used to beat Ole Miss. Not this time. It was back to the basics and back to a punishing brand of football.
Lock came into this game fresh off of his first start against South Carolina, a game in which he threw four touchdowns and completed 75% of his pass attempts. The Missouri offense had sputtered through their first four games but Drew Lock looked to be the answer.
That was until Florida came in and imposed their will on not only the baby-faced quarterback but the entire Tiger offense as a whole.
“We feel like if our offense puts up at least 14 points, it’s going to be hard to beat us because we’re going to buckle down,” sophomore cornerback Jalen Tabor said.
We know we’ve got the right players.”
Florida’s offense drove down the field for a touchdown on their first possession of the game and the defense took the field with a lead. Then Lock hit Wesley Leftwich for 19 yards, Russell Hansbrough picked up eight on the next play and Lock found J’Mon Moore for 32-yards. It looked like the last time the Gators were playing at Memorial Stadium in 2013.
The defense buckled down in the red zone as they seemingly always do, holding Missouri to a field goal. On the season, Florida has allowed just five touchdowns when opponents reach the red zone in 15 attempts.
From that drive until the fourth quarter started, the Gators defense held Missouri to just 97 yards on their next 40 plays.
“They’re tuned in, they’re locked in, they’re challenging each other, they’re challenging the offense,” Jim McElwain said of his unit. “It’s fun to watch and I’ve got to tell you, they play the game fast. They’re definitely one heck of a unit.”
The unit prided themselves on being the best the best in the nation. Some laughed as they struggled some the first weeks of the season but the Florida Gators defense is hitting their stride just as the schedule dips in to the most challenging month.
They’ve handled the Ole Miss Rebels, Kentucky Wildcats and now the Missouri Tigers — and other than missed tackles, they took care of Tennessee as well — but their biggest challenge now leers down at them from under the lights of Death Valley.
“What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?”
We’re about to find out, Leonard Fournette is waiting.
“Without a doubt, best defense in the country against the best player in the country,” Jalen Tabor said.