Florida’s offensive line was inconsistent in its 36-30 triple-overtime win against Kentucky on Saturday.
After losing starting left tackle D.J. Humphries (ankle) one week earlier, UF’s front five struggled early against the Wildcats and allowed seven quarterback hurries, five tackles behind the line of scrimmage and two sacks.
Miscommunications forced quarterback Jeff Driskel to be quick on his reads at times, forcing the redshirt junior to get rid of the ball earlier than he anticipated.
But despite the rough start and the issues that ensued, offensive coordinator Kurt Roper was impressed with how the offensive line regained its form as UF’s first Southeastern Conference contest progressed.
"With what Kentucky was doing to us and for us to go in and rush for 230 yards was really a credit to them," Roper said. "I mean, they were a physical group the other night and they’ve been sore the last couple days because it was one of those games, but they did a really good job."
And with the Gators (2-0, 1-0 SEC) traveling to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to face the No. 3 Crimson Tide this weekend, Florida will face its second tough test in the trenches in as many weeks.
Alabama (3-0) boasts a deep defensive front, rotating players often to keep them fresh.
Sophomore defensive lineman Jonathan Allen leads the Crimson Tide with four tackles for loss, and Alabama has 10 other players who are credited with at least sharing a tackle behind the line of scrimmage. Linebackers Xzavier Dickson and Ryan Anderson each have two sacks this season.
"They’re deep across the board," offensive lineman Chaz Green said. "They have good talent and they’re also coached well, they bring a lot of different fronts. It’s something we definitely have to pay attention to this week with film and at practice."
Green, who shifted from right tackle to left tackle on Saturday due to Humphries’ injury, admitted to having struggled with his technique early against the Wildcats, but felt better as the game proceeded.
"The first half I had some issues cutting off the back side," Green said. "We knew that was going to be an issue last week with the scheme that they ran with those ends."
Center Max Garcia, the unspoken leader of the offensive line, respected how the linemen played against Kentucky, especially Florida’s guards.
"They did a good job, just listening to my call," the redshirt senior said. "They were on the same page with me. They pulled like every other play, they were doing a lot of running that people don’t really realize you know the type of effect that has on conditioning and them running sideline to sideline it takes a toll on your body."
And with Florida facing the task that is its first road game of the year, Garcia knows the group is not going to bow down against Alabama.
"We played 96 snaps last week, I played every single one of them. I think we have guys that are willing to go the distance, they’re not going to tap out," Garcia said. "That’s the way it’s been since the spring, going on with the same guys. … We don’t have much experience after the first five to six guys, so we know we’re going to be the guys that take this game and put it on our shoulders. We’re ready to go the distance."
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Florida center Max Garcia (76) blocks Kentucky defensive tackle Melvin Lewis (90) during the Gators' 36-30 triple-overtime win against the Wildcats on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
