Urban Meyer seems to have figured out a sure-fire way to win games at UF: block a punt.
Freshman Jeff Demps knocked a Miami punt through the back of the end zone for a safety just before halftime in the Gators' 26-3 win, running Meyer's record to 11-0 when UF blocks a punt.
Demps said the block was a much bigger accomplishment than his 62-yard touchdown against Hawaii last week.
"The punt block, definitely the punt block," Demps said. "Because coach Meyer always tells us that you win nine out of ten times when you block a punt."
The Gators only other points in the first half - a touchdown catch by Aaron Hernandez - were also a result of the Hurricanes' problems punting, as Miami's Matt Bosher managed just 14 yards on his first punt, giving UF the ball at its opponent's 35-yard line.
The Gators usually high-powered offense was held in check for most of the game, but the special teams unit picked up the slack to end the Hurricanes' six-game win streak in the series.
The last time the teams met - a 27-10 Miami win in the 2004 Peach Bowl - the script was reversed. The Hurricanes took an early lead on a blocked field goal return for a score by Devin Hester, and they pulled away on a 72-yard punt return by Roscoe Parrish.
Those plays kept momentum on Miami's side, and Meyer said this week that poor field position played a big role in that contest as well.
"It was not a bad offense. It was not a bad defense. It was about as bad as you get in the kicking game," Meyer said. "All I remember is the defense going out about the 40-yard line every time instead of playing field position."
Things were different on Saturday, and it was a breath of fresh air for UF since it didn't get the big plays it usually sees from its offense.
UF punter Chas Henry averaged 45.6 yards on the night, pinning the 'Canes inside their 20-yard line 3 times on 7 punts, including one in the second quarter that rolled out of bounds at the 1.
"I could go on and on about special teams. To have a punter look at you on a long punt and ask, 'Do you want me to hit it out of the end zone?' It's like, sure, absolutely. That's like 60 yards, so to have a punter be able to do that is pretty nice," Meyer said.
Returner Brandon James did his part as well, ripping off 82 yards on 3 kick returns and adding a 31-yard punt return in the fourth quarter to set up UF's final score, a field goal.
