It was a long day for Florida’s defense in Saturday’s brutal loss to the Razorbacks. The Gators couldn’t stop quarterback KJ Jefferson or running back Raheim Sanders as they combined for 35 carries for 216 yards and a touchdown while leading the Razorbacks to a game-winning scoring drive.
A season-high of five sacks, while tying a season-high of two turnovers and six tackles for loss would usually win the Gators a football game, but this defense didn’t make adjustments and held this team back in the second half.
The Gators’ 12 missed tackles against Arkansas was the biggest issue as it put this Florida team in some rough situations. If the Gators make one or two tackles on third down, that game-winning field goal attempt is never even needed.
“Yeah, I think we knew that — the quarterback is well-documented. He’s a terrific player. He’s been a good player for a long time,” Billy Napier said on KJ Jefferson. “Heck, I feel like he’s been around forever. He’s big, and that’s part of what makes him a challenge is getting the guy on the ground he’s unique in his ability to throw but also in his ability to take off. We struggled to tackle the guy. We struggled to finish on the quarterback today. I think you throw a good back, probably one of the better backs in this league in the mix, and you can tell he’s big, he’s physical, he can lean on you. Both of those players were a huge factor in the game today. There’s no question about it.”
Just two weeks ago the Razorbacks made a change as they relieved offensive coordinator Dan Enos of his duties while wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton stepped in and took over. This little change proved to pay dividends for the Razorbacks as the up-tempo and continuous threat of Arkansas’ running game was way too much for the Gators to handle.
“Yeah, I think there was no question they did a good job, especially early, the tempo being the main difference. There were wrinkles,” Napier said in Arkansas change offensively. “The pace with which they played on the earned 1st downs in particular was a factor, and then they did a good job spreading the field. The quarterback’s ability to run the ball was a factor. The read game, the empty Q-draw game, and then the GT counter. They did a lot of things well. I think they were probably 8 of 18 on 3rd down, 8 of 17, like that. Man, I’m just like the players right now. I’m right in the middle of that thing competing, so I think when we go back and look at it, I’ll be able to give you a better answer. But very evident that his legs were a factor today.”
The Florida Gators (5-4, 3-3 SEC) are now sitting at five wins with just three games left to play on the season. If a bowl game is a priority for this team, this group must stay locked in for the remainder of the season.
“We won’t have that problem with this group. My message to them is be who you are, and I know who they are. I think we’ve got a group consistently that has showed up and put it on the line,” Napier said on if this team will stay locked in. “That’s what I would say. You know, it’s what you do it for, to play and compete against the best. In our league every week is a challenge. You know, it’s going to be no different next week than it was this week. You’ve got to go earn the right to win, and ultimately I’m hopeful that the experience that these guys are getting is going to pay off. You know, Arkansas went toe-to-toe with about everybody they’ve played this year, and the same thing can be said for today. We play good players and good coaches every week, and that group is up for the challenge. There ain’t nobody running and riding in there, I can promise you. I appreciate the question, but we’re not going to have that problem.”
I think the regression of this defense through ten weeks proves that this unit has talent but is too young and inexperienced to have consistent success throughout an entire season right now. These players must continue to grow and become more physical if they want to keep up with how Coach Austin Armstrong runs his defense.
The Gators started three true freshmen on defense in linebacker Jaden Robinson, safety Jordan Castell and safety Bryce Thronton. With the youth movement underway on the defensive side of the football, I think this group only gets better with the added experience throughout the next year.