Three completions in six attempts for a grand total of 27 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions; that was the passing stat line for then true freshman Treon Harris, who was making his first start against one of the Florida Gators biggest rivals. Harris was the first true freshman to start a game at quarterback since 2003 when Chris Leak started and led a fourth quarter comeback against Kentucky.
Nearly a year later, Treon Harris has been thrust into duty to lead the Gators again this time with more on the line. Last year Florida was coming off a homecoming loss to Missouri where fans called for the job of Will Muschamp. Many believe had the Gators lost to the Bulldogs last year that would have officially ended the Muschamp era. It turns out Florida steamrolled Georgia, upsetting the Bulldogs 38-20 and only delaying the inevitable firing of Will Muschamp for another two weeks.
This time around the head coaches’ job is not on the line, but something bigger, a chance to be one step closer to claiming the SEC East championship for the first time since 2009 and keeping any playoff hopes alive is.
Last year against Georgia, Florida physically pounded away calling run after run after run racking up 418 yards on the ground, and protecting the young Harris. This time around I don’t suspect that will be the gameplan.
Treon Harris is completing 61% of this passes this season with four touchdowns and zero interceptions. In nine games last year he completed only 49.5% of his passes for nine touchdowns and four interceptions. Two weeks ago in Death Valley he threw for a career high 271 yards in a valiant effort that just fell short. If Florida is to reach its goals, Harris will need to continue to improve in the passing game.
Harris has gone through ups and downs on and off the field, but one thing that never shakes him is the moment. There has never been a moment too big for him.
Trip Thurman agreed with that sentiment. “”He’s a gamer. He trusts his line and receivers to make plays. He’s definitely a gamer.”
Opportunity has once again been given to Treon Harris to lead this Florida football team, and this biggest moment of his career will come Saturday afternoon. I believe we would all be surprised if Florida threw only six passes against Georgia. I just have to believe Georgia Defensive Coordinator Jeremy Pruitt is smart enough to make an adjustment this time around. I expect they will attempt to force Treon to actually throw more than a few meaningful passes in the game.
When Harris is called upon to make a play in the Gators aerial attack, he has to make it count. There have been notable points of needed improvement, his short to intermediate throws need to be more accurate and his pocket presence needs to improve. Coach McElwain believes Harris can excel in those areas.
When asked about Harris’ pocket presence McElwain doesn’t see it as much of a problem as some others have. “I thought his pocket presence was pretty good [against LSU]. Sometimes you need to maybe shift and find angles to get the ball through when maybe you’re a little vertically challenged, but there’s been a lot of really good quarterbacks that are shorter than I am and they’ve figured it out. So we don’t look at it as any kind of negative.”
Treon is 5-3 as a starter and has appeared in 14 games in his young career. Saturday in Jacksonville will be the biggest one yet.
“You look at the historical background of Treon himself, he won a few ball games in high school. That was a pretty darn successful program he came from. The stage is not too big for him. That’s the least of the worries. I’m just glad he’s our quarterback and looking forward to seeing how he progresses this week.” McElwain said.
If McElwain is right, the Cocktail Party will be another step in the Treon Harris project.