Nussmeier upbeat about Gators’ offense

TAMPA — It was 11 p.m. on a school night when UF quarterback Austin Appleby ended a long night of film study.

After he walked past the Gators’ football offices, Appleby did not to turn off the lights when he reached the exit. Doug Nussmeier was just getting his second wind.

In his quest to fix UF’s struggling offense, the embattled offensive coordinator burns the midnight oil — and needs daily refills.

“The only things we can control is the way that we come to work every single day, and I know Doach Nussmeier, he grinds like no coach I’ve ever been around,” Appleby said. “He sacrifices more for us and takes away from his family to be in here late, late, late, late.”

Nussmeier maniacal workdays often stretch until 2 or 3 a.m. But after two seasons in Gainesville, those might be the most impressive numbers he consistently has produced.

The Gators enter the Outback Bowl against Iowa ranked 115th out of 128 teams nationally in total offense.

Yet Nussmeier and coach Jim McElwain say they are certain things will improve in Year 3.

“There’s no doubt about it,” McElwain said.

Gator Nation might not be so confident. But Nussmeier offers reasons for optimism, beginning with experience.

Appleby and receiver Ahmad Fulwood are the only seniors to start a game on offense for the 2016 Gators. Due to injuries, junior left tackle Sharpe is UF’s only offensive player to start every game.

“We’re playing a lot of young players,” Nussmeier said. “We’ve got everybody coming back and that’s an exciting thing. The more they play together, the better they’re going to be.”

UF’s inability to identify a quarterback or develop playmakers did not begin with Nussmeier’s arrival in 2015. But he insists the seven-year trend dating to quarterback Tim Tebow’s departure is about to end.

Nussmeier began the season with four new quarterbacks — a first during his 16 seasons coaching. Next season, he will return three — redshirt sophomore Luke Del Rio and freshmen Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask.

“I really like the growth that we’ve got from the position, where we’re moving into the future,” Nussmeier said.

Meanwhile, sophomore Antonio Callaway and freshman Tyrie Cleveland headline a group of young receivers who can stretch the field.

“We’ve got some explosive playmakers on the perimeter,” Nussmeier said. “We’ve struggled to find the consistency in the running game — a team that can take the box through the run. We’ve gotta find that weekin, week-out approach where we can be a physical and explosive team at the same time.”

The Gators’ loss to topranked Alabama in the SEC title game encapsulated Nussmeier’s concerns.

Behind Appleby, Callaway and junior tight end DeAndre Goolsby, UF scored two first-half touchdowns against a defense that had not allowed one score in four games. But the Gators’ inability later to score on four chances from the 2-yard line iced the game for Alabama.

Nussmeier no doubt watched those four plays over and over again.

Appleby said the 46-year-old is looking for answers, not excuses.

“I’ve never been around a coach who has been so committed and so dialed in because of us,” Appleby said. “When he’s in his groove, there’s no one better. At the end of the day, we’ve got to go out there and execute for him. It takes all of us.

“It’s not just one person.”

AP FILE PHOTO Ahmad Fulwood, above, is one of two UF seniors to start on offense this year. Having many returning players is reason for optimism, the team’s offensive coordinator says.