Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
McElwain understands frustration with offense
GAINESVILLE — Jim McElwain is not happy, either.
Two days after his offense stumbled during the final minutes of a 17-16 homecoming loss to LSU, UF’s head coach did not deny the obvious: his offense has major issues and must improve.
Fans and even former players took to social media to make sure McElwain is aware, just in case.
While the Gators’ attack floundered late against LSU, former defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. posted on Twitter, “Time is running out on Floridas predictable high school offense …. Trash.”
On Monday, McElwain acknowledged Cox’s tweet — “That’s Bryan, man. I love him,” — and vowed to clean up the mess.
The question is where to begin.
The final series against LSU was filled with breakdowns in communication, execution and pass protection that raised questions about both UF’s coaches and players.
Play calls were late coming from the sideline. Players were slow to line up. Once the ball snapped, execution was lacking.
“It’s on me,” McElwain said of the miscommunication.
Meanwhile, junior guard Tyler Jordan blamed players for failing to show a sense of urgency. At one point, Jordan said Monday, left tackle Martez Ivey to yelled at his teammates, “Get to the ball! Get to the ball!”
The chaos did nothing to calm quarterback Feleipe Franks, who was struggling himself during just his fourth college start.
With Franks under center, the Gators managed just 108 passing yards against LSU — their fewest since a 2014 loss to South Carolina. The redshirt freshman also suffered five sacks.
Other than a third-quarter surge ignited by the running game, UF’s offense bogged down, failed to convert on third down and ended the day with just 54 plays.
McElwain said converting on third-down and increasing the tempo on offense are top priorities entering preparations for Saturday’s visit from high-powered Texas A&M.
The Gators are last in the 14-team SEC in thirddown conversions. UF also ranks 124th of 129 teams nationally with an average of 60.8 snaps — a number coaches have shared with the players in an effort to pick up the pace.
“We need it. We gotta run more plays,” sophomore receiver Freddie Swain said. “We gotta keep [punter] Johnny [Townsend] off the field. I mean, we just gotta get the ball in the end zone."
The Gators (3-2, 3-1 SEC) have scored an offensive touchdown during just nine of 20 quarters this season.
With Franks under center, UF’s offense has scored during just five of 14 quarters. But while McElwain said Franks must improve his command of the offense and ability to find secondary receivers, the problems run deeper.
“He by no means was the reason we didn't get a ‘W’ this week,” McElwain said.
Suspensions, injuries and inexperience have not helped the process of developing a young quarterback. The Gators have been without receiver Antonio Callaway and Jordan Scarlett all season. Leading receiver Tyrie Cleveland sat out the LSU game with an ankle injury.
The Gators’ offense consequently has relied heavily on dynamic first-year freshmen Kadarius Toney and Malik Davis. The duo averaged 7.4 yards on a combined for 21 touches against LSU, but also lack experience in tough situations.
“Not every play is going to be perfect,” McElwain said. “But we need to be perfect on those ‘got-tohave-it downs.’ ”