Turnovers were the Gators’ saving grace in 2012. In 2013, turnovers are their damnation.
A four-giveaway effort with no takeaways in Saturday’s 34-17 loss to Vanderbilt dropped Florida’s turnover margin to minus-two this year. Last season, UF ranked third in the Southeastern Conference and tied for seventh nationally with a turnover margin of 15.
“You're not going to win many games turning it over four times,” coach Will Muschamp said.
Gators quarterback Tyler Murphy was responsible for all four turnovers against the Commodores, throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble. Before Saturday, he had thrown only two interceptions in 139 pass attempts.
“When you throw three interceptions, you put the defense in a bind,” Murphy said. “You kill your momentum offensively. I've got to play better.”
Three of the turnovers occurred before halftime.
Late in the first quarter, Murphy overthrew Quinton Dunbar on the second play of Florida’s second drive. The ball sailed into the hands of Vanderbilt’s Andre Hal, who returned it 20 yards to the 10-yard line.
“I tried to put it on him and the ball just sailed on me,” Murphy said. “That's just something I've got to fix and get better.”
After a three-and-out drive to begin the second quarter, Murphy threw his second pick on the first play of the following possession. Hit as he threw, Murphy unleashed a lame duck intercepted by Kenny Ladler, who returned it to the Gators’ 22-yard line.
“The ball got away from me,” Murphy said. “I hung it out in the air and it's just unfortunate. I've got to play better.”
Shortly before halftime, Murphy led off yet another possession with a turnover. Sacked by Walker May, Murphy fumbled in Vanderbilt territory, robbing Florida of the chance to tack on a field goal before the midway point.
“It hurt a lot,” Murphy said. “Same thing kind of happened to us against Missouri. Anytime you turn the ball over right before half and kind of miss on some quick points it hurts.”
Murphy’s final turnover helped set up the Commodores’ game-winning score. On the Gators’ third play from scrimmage in the second half, Murphy threw a ball behind Trey Burton that hit the receiver in the hands before safety Andrew Williamson caught the ricochet and returned it 38 yards to Florida’s four-yard line.
Two two-yard rushes from Jerron Seymour later, Vandy increased its lead to 24-3. But Muschamp did not blame the fourth giveaway on his signal-caller.
“Trey's got to make, the ball's a little behind him, you got to make that play,” Muschamp said. “You got to make that play. That's a senior. You make that play.”
Meanwhile, the Gators defense could not equal the Commodores’ takeaways. But freshman cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III came close.
Hargreaves nearly made his team-leading fourth interception, instead recording his team-best eighth pass breakup when he knocked away a pass from Patton Robinette to Jordan Matthews early in the second quarter.
“We had an opportunity for a pick early,” Muschamp said. “Vern made a heck of a break on the play. We just got to try to reel that one in.”
Etc.: Damien Jacobs recorded his first sack of the season Saturday. … Brad Phillips kicked a 23-yard field goal on Saturday. On Monday, Muschamp said the kicking competition was between Austin Hardin, who missed an early 44-yard attempt, and Frankie Velez. UF kickers are 10-of-17 this year. … Florida, which entered Saturday ranked 115th nationally with 7.8 penalties per game, drew 11 flags against Vanderbilt. … Redshirt junior Ian Silberman began the game at left guard for his first career start.
Follow Joe Morgan on Twitter @joe_morgan.
Will Muschamp watches from the sideline during Florida’s 17-6 loss to LSU on Oct. 12 in Baton Rouge, La.
