Coach Urban Meyer said Monday the one thing he's hoping to improve on offensively is scoring in the red zone.
Against Tennessee on Saturday, UF was around the 20-yard line twice but wasn't able to punch it in the end zone.
"That is going to come back to get us," Meyer said. "We would like to become a little bit better at scoring touchdowns in the red zone."
The Gators were successful at scoring in the red zone against Hawaii and Miami, their first two opponents, kicking only one field goal. Going on the road, however is a different story. Meyer said the Gators have to get the ball in the end zone more consistently against Southeastern Conference opponents.
PHILLIPS STILL PERFECT: If there's one person who has benefited from the Gators not scoring in the red zone, it's been senior kicker Jonathan Phillips.
He is a perfect 4 for 4 on the year with hits from 29, 39, 40 and 27 yards.
After some fans expected freshman Caleb Sturgis to be the kicker, Phillips had a more consistent preseason. And that consistency has translated onto the field.
"There's always nerves, but it's knowing how to control them," Phillips said.
Phillips almost went to law school at Miami, but when Meyer told him he wanted Phillips to come back, law school was put off for a year.
Phillips said he'd like to get into UF's law college, but he said he would still apply to Miami. And after he kicked a late field goal, which caused Miami coach Randy Shannon to hint that Meyer ran up the score, that detail could make for an interesting application letter sent down to Coral Gables.
"I'm still working on it, but (I would write) I was going to come (to your law school), but I ended up kicking a field goal against you," Phillips joked.
ASSISTANTS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE: Meyer has praised his assistant coaches, specifically defensive line coach Dan McCarney and offensive line coach Steve Addazio, as two of the biggest reasons for the Gators' success against the Volunteers.
"The competitive team that showed up to Knoxville was a result of Coach McCarney and Coach Addazio, the way they went after these players."
