If Jeff Driskel were a defensive coordinator, he knows how he would try to slow down Florida’s offense.
“I would load the box,” Driskel said. “That’s what teams are going to start doing. … Obviously, we haven’t made that many plays in the passing game.”
Through six games, Florida has the least productive passing offense in the Southeastern Conference, throwing for only 145 yards per contest.
While UF’s rushing attack is second in the SEC with 233.3 yards per game, Driskel has thrown only four touchdown passes, failing to eclipse 100 yards in either of the past two weeks.
But Driskel and offensive coordinator Brent Pease are concerned about only one stat: six wins, zero losses.
“That’s all that matters,” Driskel said. “If you’re winning, everything’s all right. Obviously we’ve got to get better in the passing game, but we’re winning games.”
Said Pease: “I don’t really care how it gets done, as long as we’re productive with what we do and score points.”
Pease added that he would prefer Florida be more balanced offensively so opponents can’t load the box on every play, but not at the expense of the game plan the Gators have drawn up to exploit the opposition’s weaknesses.
Counting sacks as pass attempts, Florida has run the ball on 65.2 percent of its offensive plays this season. That imbalance is a far cry from Pease’s offense at Boise State last season, which attempted 485 passes and 484 rushes.
Still, the coordinator isn’t tempted to get back to his roots. He just wants to stick with what’s working.
“Let’s not get greedy here as a coach and say, ‘I don’t like that. I’m throwing the ball because that’s what we all love to do,’” Pease said. “If Jeff Driskel can carry the ball 70 yards and outrun everybody, he’s getting the ball. If Mike Gillislee can get the ball and outrun everybody, he’s getting the ball. And if our O-line blocks like they block, we’re giving them the ball. I’m not going to be stubborn.”
Clowney to challenge UF: No player on the talented South Carolina defense commands more attention than defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
“You need to account for him,” coach Will Muschamp said. “He can ruin your day.”
Clowney, a sophomore, has racked up 6.5 sacks this season. At 6 feet, 6 inches and 256 pounds, Clowney has the size, athleticism and quickness to be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
Clowney enrolled at South Carolina as the top-ranked player in the 2011 class, according to Rivals.com. Although Clowney won’t be eligible to turn pro until 2014, some scouts have projected him as an eventual top-five pick in the NFL Draft.
“He’s what you’re looking for,” Muschamp said.
Muschamp and Frankie Hammond Jr. said the Gators will likely try to slow Clowney by chipping him with a back or tight end.
Pease said cut blocking Clowney won’t work because he has the ability to jump over the block. The key, Pease said, is to be physical and run at him. At least that way, Clowney won’t be able to chase the Gators down from behind. “He’s a talented guy,” Hammond said. “He’s going to get his plays. ... We’ll look at film, break things down and find ways just to slow him down.”
Contact Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.
