Defense mostly does job during Gators loss
GAINESVILLE — Florida’s defense has too often been a bystander and a millstone as the offense shouldered the load the past two seasons.
During a mistake-filled loss at Kentucky, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s Gators offered signs of progress and hope, holding the Wildcats to 224 yards and two offensive scores during a 20-13 loss.
“There’s a lot that we can build off there,” coach Dan Mullen said.
Then again, one-dimensional and quarterback-challenged Kentucky could have been the perfect matchup rather than a panacea.
The Wildcats prevailed courtesy of a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown, an interception of Emory Jones to set up another TD and Florida’s 15 penalties.
Grantham viewed the defensive effort as another step forward. The Gators look to make another one during Saturday’s visit from Vanderbilt, a 35-point underdog averaging an SEC-worst 4.42 yards per play.
“I like our guys and I’ve kind of said that from Day 1,” Grantham said. “I like our character, I like our work ethic, I like the way they embrace each other ... and work together. We’ve progressively gotten better each week in all areas.”
Missed tackles during a 41-yard touchdown catch-andrun by Wan’Dale Robinson on Kentucky’s second series continued a season-long theme for the Gators. The play also showcased the Nebraska transfer’s striking explosiveness.
Florida adjusted and subsequently limited Robinson to 24 yards on three catches.
The Gators accomplished that without All-SEC cornerback Kaiir Elam, out with a knee injury for the second straight game, and first-year freshman Jason Marshall Jr. starting in his place. Following early September struggles Marshall, who lines up opposite redshirt freshman Avery Helm, is on a trajectory fitting the five-star recruit out of Miami.
“He’s gotten more comfortable the speed of the game,” Grantham said. “He’s a very talented guy. He’s got size, he’s got play strength, he’s got speed, and he has a desire to be a really good player. The sky’s the limit for him; we’ve just got to continue to keep him grounded. He’s going to get challenged the rest of the year because he’s a freshman.
“But I told him that’s an opportunity for him to go make plays.”
The Gators’ most reliable playmaker continues to be end Zachary Carter. The redshirt senior’s five sacks are tied for the SEC lead and set the tone for a defense with 17, one behind Georgia and LSU for tops in the league.
Carter anchors a defensive line proving to be a team strength as transfer tackles Daquan Newkirk and Antonio Valentino continue to fit in and sophomore Gervon Dexter improves.
“Y’all see, the D-line is one of our strongest [positions],” sophomore defensive back Tre’Vez Johnson said. “Zach’s doing a great job of leading them boys.”
The Gators’ linebacking play is showing the effects of a season-ending loss of linebacker Ventrell Miller (torn biceps tendon), though redshirt sophomore Ty’Ron Hopper has emerged of late. Expected to be a leader on the back end, senior Trey Dean’s second season at safety has been hit or miss. He recorded 27 tackles the past three games but missed too many opportunities, including a whiff of Kentucky’s Robinson on his touchdown.
“There’s still some things that we got to work to clean up,” Grantham said.
But after a historically bad 2020 season, the Gators’ D undoubtedly is headed in a better direction.