Fiery coach, improbable comebacks highlight Gators’ surprising season
The pieces are in place for future success, but the Gators are not a finished product
GAINESVILLE — The 2012 Florida Gators caught college football by surprise.
No one outside the program envisioned a five-win swing, four wins over teams in the upper half of the BCS standings and a spot in major bowl game.
Yet, after twotumultuous seasons, Florida returned to college football’s elite. The Gators (11-1) have many of the pieces in place to remain there but are not a finished product.
Here’s five things we learned headed into the bowl game and looking ahead to 2013:
Will Muschamp is the right coach.
Even after a 7-6 season, school officials believed Muschampwas the manfor the job and have since tacked on two years to his contract — through 2017. Onlookers, though, wondered whether he really was a Ron Zook repeat.
The Gators often were sloppy and undisciplined, while their first-year coach a powder keg on the sideline.
But Florida fed off Muschamp’s intensity in Year Two. A veteran team smarting from an embarrassing season channeled his grit to grind out wins week after week.
Gators fans accustomed to flash and offensive fireworks have since embraced a team and a coach with a blue- collar approach. There is no reason to believe either will not stand the test of time. Gators defensive backs Jaylen Watkins, right, and Loucheiz Purifoy react during a game against Kentucky.
Florida always finds a way.
The Gators trailed in eight games and staged five second- half comebacks. Even in a 17-9 loss to Georgia, Florida reached inside the Bulldogs’ 5-yard line before the Gators’ sixth turnover ended their chances.
Coaches showed a sixth sense for adjustments. Meanwhile, the players were unfazed when Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel initially ran circles around them or when Florida State took the Gators’ best shot, then took the lead.
Florida trailed Louisiana-Lafayette late in the game, but the Gators scored twice in the final two minutes.
Even when things look bleak, Florida is never out of a game.
The Gators are loaded at cornerback.
Big plays at corner were rare in 2011. A season later, Jaylen Watkins, Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Roberson are play-making ballhawks for one of the nation’s best defenses.
Roberson is second in the SEC with 14 passes defended, including two interceptions, while Watkins has 11 passes defended, including three picks. Purifoy continues to refine his coverage skills, but he is the most physical of three. A special teams demon, too, Purifoy has 51 tackles and leads Florida with three forced fumbles.
Looking ahead, De’Ante “Pop” Saunders, who started nine games in 2011, hopes to rebound from an injury-riddled season. And coaches like Brian Poole, who primarily played special teams but was the No. 2 cornerback recruit in 2012.
Florida needs help at wide receiver.
The jury is out on freshmen Raphael Andrades and Latroy Pittman, but recruiting oversights and misses otherwise left the Gators without playmakers on the perimeter.
Sanford’s Andre Debose has not become even a poor man’s Percy Harvin. Redshirt junior Stephen Alli has three career catches.
In 2011, the Gators signed two quarterbacks, Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett, but just one wide receiver, JaJuan Story, who transferred to TCU. Florida did sign four wideouts in 2010, but only sophomore Quinton Dunbar, a three-star recruit, has made an impact.
Dunbar led wide receivers with 31 catches for 306 yards and four touchdowns this year. Those numbers are solid for a No. 3 receiver and highlight why Florida’s passing game ranked last in the SEC.
No player may be missed more than kicker Caleb Sturgis.
Florida faces some major offseason losses: linebacker Jon Bostic, running back Mike Gillislee and, potentially, defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and safety Matt Elam — both juniors who could go high in the NFL draft.
But when a UF drive stalls next season, coaches can no longer count on an automatic three points. The greatest kicker in school history will be playing on Sundays.
With one game to go, Sturgis has a school-record 69 field goals, including seven from 50 yards or longer. Even with the way Florida recruits, no one will replace that any time soon.