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Thursday, March 28, 2024
<p>Michael Taylor and Caleb Brantly force Eastern Michigan quarterback Reginald Bell to fumble the ball during the Gators' 65-0 win against the Eagles on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.</p>

Michael Taylor and Caleb Brantly force Eastern Michigan quarterback Reginald Bell to fumble the ball during the Gators' 65-0 win against the Eagles on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

In Florida’s season opener against Eastern Michigan, all eyes were focused on the offense.

They looked to see if first-year UF offensive coordinator Kurt Roper could increase the tempo the Gators have lacked since Will Muschamp took the helm of the program in 2011.

After all the hype surrounding Roper’s spread offense since his hiring on Dec. 26, fans thought the offense had something to prove.

But the offense isn’t the only group that has a chip on its shoulder.

"Everybody has something to prove, not just the offense," linebacker Michael Taylor said. "We’re a team as well. … If we’re playing together and working for a common goal which is a win on Saturday morning or Saturday night, then it’s everybody playing well together."

And even after Florida’s 65-0 win against Eastern Michigan, a game in which the Gators’ defense limited the Eagles to just 125 yards of total offense, Muschamp still said there is room to grow, especially in the secondary.

"I don’t think we were as physical as we needed to be as far as playing blocks and tackling," Muschamp said. "We were really soft. But, you know, again, you are coaching some guys with some ability and they’re going to continue to improve, they’re going to continue to take steps forward."

Florida’s secondary has just two upperclassmen with starting experience in Jabari Gorman and Brian Poole.

And while the Gators have talented freshmen such as Jalen Tabor, Duke Dawson and Quincy Wilson, their lack of experience at the collegiate level was evident at times against the Eagles.

"A couple of them commented to me after practice, ‘now I understand what you talk about, urgency in getting aligned,’" Muschamp said. "We had some times we got lined up late, we didn’t get in the right spot. It caused our eyes not to get into the right spot."

In addition to the young secondary, perimeter run defense is something Muschamp and defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin want improved before Florida opens its Southeastern Conference schedule against Kentucky on Saturday.

"(Eastern Michigan) gained some positive yards on us in that game on the perimeter and doing some different ways of getting to it, which is similar to things Kentucky already does, things they did against us last year," Durkin said. "It’s part of what they already do so that’s obviously been an emphasis for us this week. Linebackers and DBs, all the same."

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The Wildcats have scored seven rushing touchdowns and are averaging 233 yards per game on the ground this season.

Patrick Towles, Kentucky’s starting quarterback, adds an extra dimension to the Wildcats’ offense. Towles leads Kentucky with 27 rushing attempts and has the ability to make plays with his feet.

"When you’ve got a quarterback that can move that can get out of the pocket when pressure’s coming and stuff like that, it’s always a challenge, because you’ve got to cover for that much longer, you’ve got to rush for that much longer," Taylor said. "That’s always a challenge, but like I said before and like ‘Champ said, if we get good edge on the perimeter of the defense, we keep the quarterback in the pocket. There’s nowhere he can run, so keep him inside the pocket, make him be a pocket passer. I think our guys are good enough to cover their guys."

Follow Jordan McPherson on Twitter @j_mcpherson1126

Michael Taylor and Caleb Brantly force Eastern Michigan quarterback Reginald Bell to fumble the ball during the Gators' 65-0 win against the Eagles on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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