Gators look to rebound from loss to Kentucky
GAINESVILLE — The Florida Gators look to move past a sloppy, frustrating loss at Kentucky. What better cure than a homecoming visit from SEC pushover Vanderbilt, a five-touchdown underdog under a first-year coach?
The Commodores’ last visit to the Swamp ended in a 56-0 beatdown. Florida could go through the motions Saturday and come away with a win. But Dan Mullen’s squad needs to make strides with an Oct. 16 date at LSU followed by an Oct. 30 matchup with Georgia in Jacksonville.
VANDERBILT AT NO. 20 FLORIDA Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium When: Noon
TV: SEC Network
Radio: ESPN FM 98.1/AM 850 WRUF, Sirius/XM Ch. 138/190
Weather: 85 degrees, 35% rain
Favorite: UFby35
Quick slant: Mullen is 5-0 against Vanderbilt, including 3-0 with the Gators. Under Mullen, the Gators’ 35.4 points per game ranks seventh and 460.6 average yards ninth among 65 Power Five schools. Florida’s minus-3 turnover margin is the same as 2020 following five
of six seasons with a plus-turnover margin.
Coaches: Clark Lea, first season, 2-3; Dan Mullen, fourth season, 32-11 (101-57 overall)
About Vanderbilt (2-3, 0-1 SEC): Lea left his defensive coordinator role at Notre Dame to assume the SEC’s toughest job. Under Lea, the Commodores’ three losses are by an average of 33.7 points, including a 62-0 drubbing by Georgia. Promising sophomore quarterback Ken Seals encapsulates the struggle — his 106.5 passer rating is lowest among 13 qualifying starters in the 14-team SEC. Vanderbilt averages an leaguelow 4.42 yards per play and 30% third-down conversion rate. The defense allows 6.52 yards, second worst to Missouri. Lea’s long road reaches Gainesville this weekend. About UF (3-2, 1-2 SEC): The Gators should coast against the Commodores, but look to better execute in the red zone and run a clean operation on offense. Florida
has scored 80% of the time inside their opponents’ 20-yard line, 13th in the SEC. At Kentucky, the Gators committed 15 penalties, the most by a team under Mullen during 13 seasons as a head coach. Florida’s offense will be able to choose its course of attack and could use a jolt of confidence in the passing game. Emory Jones’ 126.42 passer rating is 11th among SEC starters. The Gators’ defense allowed just 224 yards at Kentucky, a trend it would like to continue as better offenses await.
3 things to watch
1. Anthony Richardson’s workload
The Gators backup quarterback played just 6 snaps at Kentucky following a two-game absence (hamstring). Richardson would liven up a snoozer and give the redshirt freshman much-needed experience. 2. Zach Carter’s sack count
The redshirt senior end pushed for double-digit sacks, a plateau reached at Florida by just eight players. At 5 sacks going into Saturday, big game or two could bring into play the school record, 13 by Alex Brown in 1999.
3. Swamp crowd
The Gators averaged 88,732 the first three homes games, including 90,887 against top-ranked Alabama. Even on homecoming weekend, Vanderbilt is a tougher sell after the Kentucky loss dimmed fan enthusiasm.