The Florida defense has been much more welcoming this year than in the past.
Through eight games, the Gators rank eighth in the SEC with 15 sacks. Florida led the conference in that category last season, bringing the quarterback down behind the line 40 times in 14 games.
“We can do a better job,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “We’re getting decent pressure, but we’ve got to win some one-on-ones. We got to disrupt some passes.”
While he doesn’t think the drop off in sacks is significant, defensive tackle Terron Sanders said his group needs to get in the backfield more.
“We’re not getting there,” he said. “They’re getting rid of the ball a lot, like real quick. There’s a couple things that factor into it. I feel like, as an interior defensive linemen, we got to get to the quarterback a little bit more. But I feel like, all in all, our pass-rushing is pretty good.”
To create that pressure, Austin was forced to call more blitzes than he wanted last week against Georgia. Linebacker Jon Bostic and strong safety Ahmad Black recorded both of Florida’s sacks Saturday.
“We ramped (the blitzes) up a little bit, and it was kind of feast or famine for us,” Austin said. “Luckily, we had enough feast to win.”
One of the most notable “feasts” for the Gators was on Black’s sack. The senior stunted with freshman linebacker Jelani Jenkins, and no Georgia player picked up Black.
Running into the backfield untouched, Black corralled quarterback Aaron Murray, who fumbled, and Jenkins scooped up the ball at the Georgia 39-yard line.
But bringing so much heat left the Gators’ defensive backs vulnerable, Austin said, which is why Murray passed for a career-high 313 yards.
Still, Austin said Murray’s success against the Florida blitz will not affect his play calls for the rest of the season. He said his pass rushers’ inability to shed blocks on those blitzes is a greater concern.
“You’re not always going to get guys (rushing) completely clean,” Austin said. “When guys do get one-on-ones, they have to win. As far as blitzing, we’re still going to bring it. Our guys operate better when we’re bringing some pressure and making some [tackles for loss].”
Injuries: Guard Carl Johnson (calf) is probable for Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt.
Running backs Emmanuel Moody (thigh) and Mike Gillislee (hamstring) have practiced at full speed this week.
“They are both 100 percent for the first time in quite a while,” Meyer said.
Last Thursday, two days before the Georgia game, Meyer said Gillislee was 100 percent and that Moody was “good.” Neither back played against the Bulldogs.
Cornerback Moses Jenkins (elbow) will play against Vanderbilt, Austin said. Wide receiver Andre Debose (ankle) has been limited in practice, defensive tackle Jaye Howard (ankle) has not practiced, and kicker Caleb Sturgis will not play this week.
Brown still starting: Jeremy Brown will start at cornerback this week, Austin said. Brown has started seven games this season, but he was pulled for freshman Cody Riggs in the second quarter Saturday after surrendering a 63-yard touchdown to Tavarres King and missing two tackles.
