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Check out the latest episode of The Gridiron Growl Podcast as Mark McLeod and Jake Hitt discuss what else? quarterback play. The two share their thoughts on the brewing quarterback controversy and discuss what Dan Mullen will do.
Additionally, the guys talk to Drew DeArmond of “Talkin’ Ball” from ESPN Radio’s 97.7 to preview the Alabama matchup this week.
They then discuss what the Gators need to do to win the game.
Click play on the following audio player to listen to this week’s episode of The Gridiron Growl Podcast:
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The Florida Gators went down to Tampa and took care of business with a 42-20 win over the University of South Florida Bulls. The quarterback situation continues to become more confusing and a bigger topic of discussion given how both signal callers performed. Just like the Florida Atlantic game, this one was a mix of some good and some bad on both sides of the ball.
Offense: B
It’s hard to argue against over 650 yards of offense and another game of over 350 yards rushing. The Gators’ offensive line looks better in the run game compared to the last few years and that amount of yardage is a result. Anthony Richardson continued his electric play as well. Emory Jones also made some great plays including a dime to Xzavier Henderson and a great run on a speed option as both of those went for touchdowns. At one point, Florida’s offense scored on five consecutive possessions in the first half sandwiched between two punts. Not to mention, Florida’s wide receivers made several explosive plays led by Jacob Copeland and his two long touchdown grabs. The reason for the “B” is what happened in the second half. The Gators turned the ball over on four straight possessions coming out of halftime and were outscored 17-7 in the final 30 minutes. Some of those turnovers came on poor decisions by Emory Jones plus two different fourth-down stops, one of which was inside the 10. Mistakes will happen but Florida needs to limit them from happening consecutively.
Emory Jones not to be out done. Dropped a dime to Xzavier Henderson. (🎥 @lib_gator) https://t.co/HMYEn9a8a0
The Gator defense allowed just 283 yards from scrimmage with 188 passing yards allowed and 95 on the ground given up. The defensive front once again took some time to get going in the pass rush and the secondary continues to be an adventure. Against a better team, there likely would’ve been more yardage or points given up. But, the pass rush was able to affect USF’s quarterbacks at times including one that resulted in the first interception of the year for the Gators secondary. The second cornerback spot opposite Kaiir Elam is still a work in progress/problem area for Todd Grantham’s squad. But, on several occasions, the Gator defense stiffened up and got the stops it needed for Florida’s offense to go to work. Ty’Ron Hopper seemed all over the place along with Mohamoud Diabate who filled in at middle linebacker for Ventrell Miller.
Once again, not much for the special teams unit to showcase. But, what was shown looked good for the most part. The Gator kickers have yet to attempt a field goal this year but went six-for-six on extra point attempts. Xzavier Henderson didn’t have a single punt return as it seemed South Florida consistently kicked away from him. Florida only had two kick returns in the game between Malik Davis and Ja’Markis Weston. The Gators did some great things on kick coverage too including two big hits from Diwun Black creating short returns by the Bulls. And Jeremy Crawshaw had three punts including two over 50 yards and one downed inside the 20. The only real bad thing that happened on special teams was a missed tackle on a punt return that resulted in a fairly long USF gain, giving the Bulls great field position.
Conclusion:
It’s another win for the Gators and that really is all that matters. But, with some of the issues Florida’s shown the last two games, things will need to improve as the Gators head into conference play. And they don’t start it off with the easiest of teams as Alabama rolls into town.
The Gators lost the first match of the weekend home series in four sets. Florida held a five-point advantage midway through the first set before Baylor closed the gap and knotted it up at 25. Consecutive attacking errors on Florida gave the Lady Bears the opening set, but the Gators bounced back in the second set in which they maintained a narrow advantage en route to a three-point victory. Though neither team’s hitting percentage eclipsed .125 in the first two sets, both offenses landed more kills with fewer errors in each of the final two sets. Baylor tallied 33 kills combined with just 10 errors (.307 hitting percentage), while Florida racked up 27 kills combined with only eight errors (.268 hitting percentage). Four different Gators served at least one ace, but it was the second straight match in which Florida committed double-digit swerving errors. Florida middle blocker Lauren Dooley was a menace near the net where the 6-foot-6-inch senior recorded a season-high nine block assists.
Box Score
No. 17 Baylor: 27-22-25-25
No. 7 Florida: 25-25-18-23
Stat Leaders
Aces
Hall/Monserez/McKissock: 2
Kills
Ceasar: 15
Hall: 13
Forte: 8
Assists
Monserez: 36
McKissock: 4
Ceasar: 1
Digs
McKissock/Monserez: 10
Ceasar: 9
Blocks
Dooley: 9
Beason: 6
Monserez: 3
Match Two
Florida failed to seek revenge Saturday night at the O’Connell Center where Baylor prevailed in straight sets. The Lady Bears dominated around the net where they out blocked the Gators 12-5. Florida’s offensive efficiency hit rock bottom as its hitting percentage fell below .200 in all three sets. The Gators played an extremely sloppy third set in which they committed 11 errors while landing only 11 kills (.000 hitting percentage). The match marked a season-low in Florida’s team hitting percentage (.111). Outside hitter T’Ara Ceasar provided Florida’s lone offensive spark as she notched her second double-double in the past week with 19 kills and 10 digs.
Box Score
No. 17 Baylor: 25-25-25
No. 7 Florida: 19-18-16
Stat Leaders
Aces
Victoria: 1
Kills
Ceasar: 19
Hall: 8
Beason: 3
Assists
Monserez: 34
McKissock/Hall: 1
Digs
McKissock/Ceasar: 10
Hall: 5
Blocks
Dooley: 4
Hall/Beason: 1
Next Up
The Gators will return to the court Wednesday in Tallahassee to face Florida State. The match is scheduled for 6 p.m and will air on the ACC Network.
After a large-margin win against Florida Atlantic, the No. 13 Florida Gators stay consistent with annihilation over the unranked South Florida Bulls.
The Gators remain undefeated after two weeks of play and downed the Bulls 42-13 with an offensive blitzkrieg.
Senior running back Dameon Pierce opened the scoring spree for the Gators with a seven-yard touchdown burst through the Bulls defense.
The running game was prominent Saturday afternoon after redshirt freshman quarterback Anthony Richardson led the way for a touchdown and 155 yards on four carries. Pierce was right behind Richardson with a touchdown and 55 yards on five attempts.
Redshirt senior Malik Davis and redshirt sophomore Nay’Quan Wright also combined for 14 carries and 58 yards to add momentum to the Florida run game
Florida head coach Dan Mullen stuck to a dual-quarterback system and both redshirt junior Emory Jones plus sophomore Anthony Richardson shined under center by scoring five total touchdowns.
Both quarterbacks showed comfort in the pocket but Jones threw two interceptions for a second week in a row while taking majority of the reps on Saturday afternoon. The redshirt junior threw for 151 yards and rushed for 82 more.
But Richardson stole the show on Saturday with another long rushing touchdown that went for 80 yards this time around. Overall, the sophomore ran for 115 yards and threw an additional 152 yards.
The Gator defense did show signs of life in the week two matchup to only give up 13 points to the Bulls mediocre offensive game plan.
Junior cornerback Kaiir Elam made a remarkable one-handed interception in the second half and ended the day with three total tackles. Meanwhile, junior linebacker Mohamoud Diabate had an elite day to record seven combined tackles and four solo take downs.
Redshirt senior linebacker Jerimiah Moon outshined his unit with five tackles and the only recorded sack for the Gators defense.
Florida returns to the Swamp next week to take on the biggest challenge of the regular season: hosting the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide. Kickoff from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m. and will be broadcast to CBS next Saturday.
r opening the season with a 35-14 win over FAU last week, the Gators will head down the I-75 corridor to Tampa to face South Florida at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday.
The two programs have met just one time on the gridiron, a 38-14 Gators victory at The Swamp in 2010.
The following are our staff’s predictions for this week’s matchup:
And, for those keeping score at home, Faith actually landed on the right score in the FAU game. Faith Buckley 1, the rest of us, 0.
Last week I opened with… “this is a game that, on paper, shouldn’t even be close…”
While I still agree with that sentiment, I didn’t foresee the struggles that Florida would endure in the passing game. Unfortunately, through one week of cupcake action, I don’t have a lot of answers for this Gators team, in fact I’m full with even more questions.
The problem is, Florida is about to face an even worse opponent this week and my guess is, they’ll look like world beaters. And, all is forgiven, right?
Florida is a 28-point favorite and if they don’t cover, I’d expect a slaughter at the hands of Alabama one week later. USF is a terrible team and UF should take every opportunity to correct the mistakes from last week and put the Bulls away early. Gators, 51-14.
Based on USF’s horrific 45-0 loss last week against NC State, I am led to believe that Florida will take the cake. The Gators held the advantage throughout the FAU game’s entirety but ultimately won by a smaller difference than intended. In my opinion, the winner of the game is undeniably the Gators, but the quarterback of choice stays in question. Will Florida put No. 15 Anthony Richardson on the field in hopes of replaying last week, or will it give Emory Jones another chance to prove himself? Gators: 45-9.
The week 2 matchup with USF should prove to be less of a challenge for the Gators. The Bulls are coming off a 45-0 loss to NC State whose program is known to be subpar at best. Defensive lineman Zachary Carter had a field day behind the line of scrimmage to record a strip sack and three tackles for loss in the Gators’ win over FAU. After a great start against the Owls, Carter will keep his energy going to shut down the mediocre Bulls offense. This will also be a “prove it” week for Emory Jones to see if he truly is comfortable under center and can lead this team to the top of the SEC East. But I still expect backup quarterback Anthony Richardson to take a few snaps in the first half to keep the Bulls defense on their toes. I think Jones will find his comfort in the pocket to connect with his receivers and tight ends. Gators 40-3.
The Florida offense left a lot of points on the field last weekend. The offensive line did a good job opening holes, which resulted in 400 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, the passing game needs a lot of work before the Gators host the top-ranked Crimson Tide. Dan Mullen has had them working on those mistakes- reads, decisions, timing, and accuracy. They should be able to correct some of them against a porous USF defense that surrendered 45 points and 525 yards of total offense in just 66 plays. Defensively, the Gators defensive front looked strong. NC State racked up six sacks against the Bulls. The Florida secondary should be better in coverage this week. Two more things must happen: The back end of the Gators defense must create some turnovers and Florida has to get a FG attempt or two in this game. Gators 48, Bulls 3.
…
The Gators and Bulls are set to kickoff from Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium at 1:00 PM on Saturday. The game will be broadcast live on ABC.
A double rainbow following a 45 minute storm delay did not provide the Gators with any good fortune as they were unable to find their groove against the Tar Heels Thursday night.
UNC remains undefeated after a 7-1 victory over Florida. The Gators fall to 1-5-1.
The Tar Heels got on the board quickly. Freshman Emily Colton found the back of the net in the tenth minute when she set up in front of Florida goalkeeper Alexa Goldberg. Colton took a right-footed shot to the bottom right for the goal, her third of the season.
Control was an issue early and often for the Gators, who often found themselves clearing the ball rather than taking possession. Nine first half corner kicks for the Tar Heels would present itself as a problem for the Gators defense.
On their fourth corner of the game, the Tar Heels were able to create a 2-0 lead, with some Gators help. Gators senior defender Taylor Baskay attempted to clear the ball off the corner. Unaware of her positioning, Baskay accidently headed the ball into the net for an own goal.
Four corners later, sophomore Avery Patterson bent the ball in from the corner, through the Gators defense. Her second goal of the season would give the Tar Heels a three goal lead before the half.
After half, the Gators were still unable to find answers for the heavy Tar Heel attack. UNC piled on two quick goals, with Colton scoring her second of the game a minute into the half and freshman Emily Murphy scoring UNC’s fifth of the game.
Those two quick second half goals led to Amato making the switch in net from Alexa Goldberg to junior Francesca Faraci.
Faraci’s 2021 debut would begin on the opposite end of a highlight reel. Senior Rachel Jones took a 22-yard shot, hitting the far upper ninety, making it a six goal game.
Excitement finally reached the crowd at the Diz when a Tarheels own goal put Florida on the board.
A seventh Tar Heel goal of the game scored by Racheal Dorwat would add to the team’s season high.
“There were a few goals that North Carolina created,” Amato said, “ a few goals that I thought we could have cleaned up and prevented.We have to do a better job in some of those situations and we have no choice, but to get better at that in the week ahead.”
Conference play kicks off next Friday when Florida heads to Nashville to face Vanderbilt at 8 p.m.
Redshirt senior DL lands honor after explosive performance against Florida Atlantic
Photo by Courtney Culbreath | UAA Communications
After a defensive rampage on Saturday night, Florida Gators defensive lineman Zachary Carter was named SEC co-Defensive Lineman of the Week.
Florida downed Florida Atlantic in the home opener, 35-14, and Carter’s performance on field was a key factor in shutting down Willie Taggert and the Owls offense.
The redshirt senior tallied four combined tackles to wreak havoc with three takedowns behind the line of scrimmage. Carter strip sacked FAU senior quarterback N’Kosi Perry in the first quarter to bolster his career-high three sacks.
The Tampa native’s three sacks is tied for most in a game since former UF lineman Jonathan Greenard’s performance in 2019 against Florida State.
Cater credited his teammates for igniting the spark and he expects to put up big numbers on his stat card this season.
“I have to give credit to my backend. They did a great job covering the line and helping me get back there,” Carter said. “I want to give credit to my guys inside for giving me that push. It was just one of those games and I was feeling it tonight. I’m excited for this year. I’m planning on having a big year.”
Carter shares Defensive Lineman of the Week with Georgia Bulldogs nose guard Jordan Davis, who helped his defensive unit to shut down the Clemson Tigers to three points in a prime time matchup.
Carter returns home on a road trip down I-75 to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa for a bout with the South Florida Bulls. Kick off is set for 1 p.m and the game will be broadcast on the ABC Network.
The Gators defeated FAU 35-14 in the season opener on Saturday to give Mark McLeod and Jake Hitt plenty to talk about.
Among the topics: the two-quarterback system employed by Dan Mullen to beat the Owls. While on the subject, Anthony Richardson is everything we heard about during August camp.
Additionally, did we see a new and improved Florida defense?
How about that running back room!
What they saw from the big men up front.
Click play on the following audio player to listen to this week’s episode of The Gridiron Growl Podcast:
You can also follow The Gridiron Growl Podcast on the following platforms:
Down 23-22 in the fourth set, Florida freshman Merritt Beason landed back-to-back kills before an attack error on Minnesota gave the Gators match point at the O’Connell Center Sunday.
Florida dominated the first two sets — outhitting Minnesota by 12 kills combined while committing fewer errors — but the Golden Gophers’ resilience shined in the third set. They landed 15 kills and committed only a pair of errors en route to a three-point victory.
Though the Gators won the fourth and final set, it marked Florida’s lowest hitting percentage of any set (.239). Minnesota’s inefficiency (.182) in the fourth set allowed Florida to hop out to an early 7-1 advantage before clinching the win.
Florida middle blocker Lauren Forte landed 16 kills on 24 attempts with no errors, which marks a new program record in single-game efficiency (.667). Forte is one of only two SEC players with a season hitting percentage north of .500 (.563).
“Me and Marlie [Monserez] have been really working all week on our connection and I think it really showed up tonight,” Forte said. Senior setter Marlie Monserez had a whopping 56 assists — just shy of her career-high 63 — and added 14 digs.
Florida’s 69 kills and 69 digs mark season-highs in both categories. Four different Gators recorded double-digit kills and sophomore libero Elli McKissock tallied a season-high 19 digs. Redshirt senior T’ara Ceasar matched her career high in kills (19) and is the first Gator to record 60 kills this season.
While Beason filled the stat sheet and landed those clutch pair of kills in the fourth set, her serving struggles continued as she made three more service errors to add to her season total of 13.
Box Score
No. 10 Minnesota: 20-19-25-23
No. 5 Florida: 25-25-22-25
Stat Leaders
Aces
McKissock: 4
Hall: 3
Ceasar: 1
Kills
Ceasar: 19
Beason/Forte: 16
Assists
Monserez: 56
McKissock: 4
Hall: 3
Digs
McKissock: 19
Monserez/Ceasar: 14
Blocks
Dooley: 4
Hall: 3
Beason: 2
Next Up
The Gators will return to the O’Connell Center Friday to face another top-10 opponent: No. 9 Baylor. The match is scheduled for 8 p.m and will air on the SEC Network.
Madison Alexander pushed the ball forward to find junior Alivia Gonzalez, who would redirect it to Nicole Vernis. Vernis sent the ball right back to Gonzalez at the top right of the box. A shot off the junior’s right foot rolled past the reach of FGCU goalkeeper Mia Krusinki, giving the Gators the lead and ultimately the win.
The goal by Gonzalez would be the only of the match for either side. A 1-0 victory would be the first of the season for Florida, putting them at 1-4-1, while dropping FGCU to 2-3.
Lightning reverberated through the sky in Fort Myers just six minutes into the match, forcing a delay of over an hour.
Action would slowly resume at Pickering Field as the thunder cleared. However, rain would continue to come down in the first half, impacting play.
Both sides got just one shot on goal in the first half, and both goalkeeper’s got in front of the ball for a save each.
An opportunity to break the scoreless draw was created early in the second half when sophomore Nicole Vernis took a throw-in downfield to find Madison Alexander at the top of the box. Alexander took a strong right footed shot which would be saved by a diving effort from the FGCU keeper.
The rebound would fall to the right of the net where Anna Deleon was positioned for her first goal of the season. However, Krusinski would quickly get back to her feet to make her third save of the match.
Six minutes of play later is when Florida native Alivia Gonzalez would score her third collegiate goal. Her goal in the 54th minute is Gonzalez’s second career game winning goal.
FGCU would get their final shot to tie the game with two minutes remaining when they were presented with a corner kick.
The ball bounced around before freshman Rosa Horskjaer found an open lane. She was unable to put enough on the ball as Goldberg would make the game sealing save.
The Gators head back to the Diz on Thursday at 7 p.m. to face North Carolina.
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