Following Georgia’s lead may sound like an odd desire for Florida, but if the Gators are seeking a blueprint for an offensive resurgence, the Bulldogs are a good example.
After a 55-7 win against Louisiana-Lafayette in the season opener, UGA dropped its next four games, averaging just 17 points and falling to 0-3 in the Southeastern Conference.
Since then, the Bulldogs have reeled off three conference wins in a row to break even, scoring more than 40 points against Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky, a turnaround that has them back in the conference title race.
“It’s been tough,” quarterback Aaron Murray said. “It’s been up and down, a pretty crazy season. We start off with a great first game and then went downhill for a little bit on a four-game skid and it got a little rough. We managed to dig ourselves out of the hole.”
Receiver A.J. Green has been the shovel.
UGA coach Mark Richt cited Murray’s growing confidence and more intense practices as reasons for the offense rebounding, but the biggest change was Green’s return.
Green was suspended for the first four games after he admitted to selling his jersey, but he didn’t miss a beat when he returned to the field.
In the last four games, he has racked up 365 yards and four touchdowns on 22 catches, better production than any Florida receiver through seven games.
He made his presence felt early with a leaping, spinning, one-handed touchdown grab in a loss to Colorado, and he has a reception of 30 yards or longer in every game (UF has three total).
“He’s a difference-maker for them,” UF defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “Their offense was functioning well without him, but he’s really opened some things up for them. Obviously he has the big-play capability and can make some catches you can’t defend. You can be in great shape, think you have great coverage and he makes the catch anyway.”
But his impact goes beyond big plays.
Murray said he hasn’t seen a team leave Green in single coverage once this season, and the focus on Green has made life easier for the other 10 players.
Georgia has three 100-yard individual rushing performances since Green’s return compared to none in the opening four contests.
“They’ll put a safety position to help a corner or whoever it might be on [Green], and that’s presented more one-on-one coverage for our other receivers and tight ends, and I think it’s also removed a safety a little bit further from the running game,” Richt said. “When you get to the safety and he’s a little further away, you have a chance to make that guy miss. I think he’s helped a lot.”
