Florida senior defensive back Devin Moore snagged his second interception of the season in the first quarter of the Florida-Georgia game Saturday to set up a short field for the Gators — less than 40 yards to the endzone.
But UF, led by Billy Gonzales in his first game as interim head coach, came up short of the endzone once again, in what became a 34-yard drive that fizzled out just four yards from the goal line. Although Florida still nailed a 22-yard field goal, the drive represented the culmination of Florida’s offensive struggles thus far.
It has become a common theme through Florida’s eight games this season: UF’s defense continues to produce while the offense often looks lackluster and fails to support itself with points. Most notably, Florida lost to both USF and LSU, despite allowing 20 points or less.
Struggling to convert third downs and move the ball laterally upfield, Florida’s offense has left its defense on the field far too often. Against Georgia, UF had possession for only 9:45 in the first half while the Bulldogs held the ball for over 20 minutes. Additionally Florida had just six first downs in the first half and finished two of 11 on third down. It also turned the ball over on each of its two fourth-down attempts.
“Our defense did a great job,” Gonzales said following the loss. “Our defense did a great job in keeping them out of the endzone. So, we’ve got to be better than that and make sure we’re better than two of 11 on third down.”
Although Florida’s defense is allowing just 20.5 points per game on average, the Gators have one of the worst-ranked offenses in the SEC, averaging just 22 points per game.
Despite the offensive miscues and numerous quarterback keepers that didn’t pan out for Florida in its 24-20 loss to the Bulldogs, Gonzales remained confident in his team. While complementary football has rarely been seen for the Gators, he expressed faith in his players, saying they need to keep working.
“I love them and we’re here for our players,” Gonzales said. “We’ve got to continue to grind and put them in a position where they can be successful.”
Although it would be easy for frustrations to arise and for fingers to be pointed, the Gators are focused on accountability and supporting one another. “Play for the patch,” has become a new slogan under Gonzales’ leadership, and the defensive unit has made sure to communicate that the team’s offensive struggles won’t derail its confidence or change the standard expected of Florida football.
“Coaches told us stay together, don’t splinter away from each other, because no matter what, we the only ones that can get each other through these moments,” said redshirt senior edge rusher Tyreak Sapp. “Just because your helmet got that Gator logo on there and it's a rich history and it's a whole lot of tradition to it, you still have to go out there and play and get it done.”
With a 2-3 SEC record, the Gators will look to get back on track against Kentucky (3-5, 1-5 SEC) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
“Play for the patch, play for the logo on the front and then honor the name on the back,” Sapp preached. “That's all it is. We just owe it to each other to play for that Gator logo and that Gator brand.”
Contact Curan Ahern at cahern@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @CuranAhern.
Curan is a third-year journalism-sports & media major who currently serves as the football beat reporter for The Alligator, now in his third semester with the paper. When not at his computer screen writing, Curan enjoys spending time outdoors, hanging with friends, family and pets, and watching the Patriots lose (no, he doesn't miss Brady).
