Gators’ Mullen stands by embattled Franks
GAINESVILLE — UF coach Dan Mullen plans to stick with quarterback Feleipe Franks.
Mullen made it clear after Saturday’s win that Franks is not on a short leash. Mullen plans to stick with his choice at quarterback through thick and thin.
Things looked bleak for Franks during the opening quarter against Colorado State Saturday in the Swamp.
Boos rained down on the much-maligned redshirt sophomore during the game’s opening 15 minutes. Franks would end the quarter 0-of-6 passing, with an interception and a -33.3 QB rating.
Following the game, Mullen even made light of his quarterback’s nightmarish start.
“He did complete one, just not to our team,” Mullen joked.
Franks kept his coach’s faith because he weathered the adversity.
If a time comes when the 20-year-old gives in to his doubts and doubters, Mullen might consider making a change. Until then, Franks will be under center for the Gators.
“I told him this, if he goes out there and throws a bunch of
picks, he throws a bunch of picks,” Mullen said. “If he pouts about it and whines about it and stops taking coaching and drops his head, I might pull him. But I’m not going to pull him for throwing picks or making mistakes.
“That’s our coaching. That’s teaching and we need to coach and teach that.”
Known for his ability to develop quarterbacks, Mullen wants to see Franks adjust more quickly to changing defenses and make quicker decisions.
CSU flummoxed Franks with some defensive looks the Rams had not shown this season. Franks also had receivers open but was late with his throws.
Josh Hammond was streaking down the middle of the field with no one around him.
By the time Franks saw Hammond and threw the ball, two CSU defenders had closed in, leading to an interception.
“I don’t see him make poor decisions,” Mullen said. “I see him maybe needing to make them a little quicker and I see him sometimes missing one.”
Franks would bounce back and complete eight of his final nine passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
Mullen was encouraged.
At Tennessee Saturday, he hopes Franks can start like he finished against CSU.
“Next week’s goal is to coach him up to start 8-of-9, then not finish 0-of-6, either,” Mullen said. “But let’s start 8-of-9 and build on that there.”
Pass rush better
Expected to be relentless off the edge in Todd Grantham’s 3-4 alignment, the Gators failed to record a single hurry during a loss to Kentucky and Wildcats elusive quarterback Terry Wilson.
On Saturday, UF tallied five sacks and six quarterback hurries to slow down a CSU passing attack averaging 369 yards a game.
UF had three sacks during the second quarter — 2.5 by Jabari Zuniga.
After Zuniga dumped Rams quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuels for a 7-yard loss at the CSU 28, UF freshman Amari Burney blocked a punt that was recovered in the end zone by Tyrie Cleveland.
Carta-Samuels entered Saturday fifth in the nation in passing, but he ended it in need of a long soak in the ice tub.
The Gators’ pass rush was minimized a week earlier by the fleet-footed Wilson, who rushed for 110 yards and threw two touchdowns.
With Zuniga leading the way, UF’s pass rush rebounded Saturday with a performance to build on.
Jachai Polite, who had a sack, and Jeremiah Moon, who shared one with Zuniga, are long and athletic.
Cornerback C.J. Henderson picked up a sack on a blitz, and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson had two in the season opener.