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OGTFlorida Gators (3-2, 1-1 SEC) vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (2-4, 0-2 SEC) 10/7 4:00 pm

Discussion in 'RayGator's Swamp Gas' started by GatorGrowl, Oct 5, 2023.

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  1. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    Florida Gators (3-2, 1-1 SEC) vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (2-4, 0-2 SEC)
    10/7 4:00
    Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field (88,548

    SEC Network
    Play-by-Play: Dave Neal
    Analyst: Matt Stinchcomb
    Reporter: Tori Petry
    Channel (Cox): 68 / 1068 [HD]
    Channel (DirecTV): 611 [HD]

    Gator Sports Network from LEARFIELD
    Play-by-Play: Sean Kelley
    Analyst: Shane Matthews
    Reporter: Tate Casey
    Channel: Local Affiliates
    SiriusXM Channel: 109 or 190

    2023 SCHEDULE
    Aug. 31 at No. 14 Utah L, 24-11
    SEPT. 9 McNEESE W, 49-7
    SEPT. 16 NO. 11 TENNESSEE W, 29-16
    SEPT. 23 CHARLOTTE W, 22-7
    Sept. 30 at Kentucky L, 33-14
    OCT. 7 VANDERBILT (Homecoming) 4 P.M.
    Oct. 14 at South Carolina 3:30 P.M.
    Oct. 21 Bye
    Oct. 28 vs. Georgia (Jacksonville) 3:30 P.M.
    NOV. 4 ARKANSAS TBA
    Nov. 11 at LSU TBA
    Nov. 18 at Missouri TBA
    NOV. 25 FLORIDA STATE TBA
    Overall: 3-2 // Home: 3-0 // Away: 0-2 // Neutral: 0-0
     
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  2. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    Overall: 3-2 // Home: 3-0 // Away: 0-2 // Neutral: 0-0
    TEAM INFORMATION
    FLORIDA

    Head Coach: Billy Napier
    Career Record: 49-21 (27-5 Sun Belt) [5th season]
    Record at UF: 9-9 (4-6 SEC) [2nd season]
    Record vs. VU: 0-1
    Rankings: NR (AP) / NR (Coaches)
    2022 Record: 6-7, 3-5 SEC (T-4th East)

    VANDERBILT
    Head Coach: Clark Lea
    Career Record: 9-21 (2-16 SEC) [3rd season]
    Record at VU: same
    Record vs. UF: 1-1
    Rankings: NR (AP) / NR (Coaches)
    2022 Record: 5-7, 2-6 SEC (7th East)

    SERIES HISTORY

    Overall: Florida leads, 43-11-2
    Last Meeting: Vanderbilt 31, Florida 24
    November 19, 2022
    Recent History: Vanderbilt, W1 - UF has won 30
    of last 32 meetings since 1989
    In Nashville: Florida leads, 20-8-1
    In Gainesville: Florida leads, 23-2-1
    Neutral: Vanderbilt leads, 1-0
     
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  3. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    NUMBERS OF NOTE
    9.0 / 236.5
    Across the team’s four-game winning streak in The Swamp dating back to last season, the Gators have allowed just 36 points (9.0 PPG) and 946 scrimmage yards (236.5 YPG). This season alone (three games), Florida is allowing just 10.0 PPG and 236.3 YPG at home.

    Overall, the Gators are in line to post their best marks in total defense (275.6) and scoring defense (17.4) since the 2009 (252.6) and 2019 seasons (15.5), respectively.
     
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  4. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    THE STORYLINE
    • Week 6 marks the 57th meeting between Florida and Vanderbilt including the 27th matchup in Gainesville.

    • Florida wields a 43-11-2 series lead with wins in 30 of the last 32 meetings.

    • Vanderbilt has not scored in The Swamp in its last two visits (combined 98-0). The Dores last scored in Gainesville in 2017.

    • The Gators are 21-1 against the Commodores in Gainesville dating back to 1960 including an active-four game streak.

    • Vanderbilt’s lone wins in Gainesville came in the first-ever meeting in 1945 (VU 7, UF 0) and in 2013 (VU 34, UF 17).

    • Florida is 30-2 overall against Vanderbilt since 1989. UF has outscored VU by 19.6 PPG in that span (1,111-485).

    • The Gators have totaled 445-plus yards against Vanderbilt while scoring 24-plus points in six-straight meetings.

    • Despite that track record and 400 yards passing from QB Anthony Richardson, Florida had its eight-game winning streak against Vanderbilt snapped last season with a 41-24 defeat in Nashville.

    • Week 6 marks Florida’s 2023 Homecoming game. Last season, the Gators defeated Missouri, 24-17, to win its fourth-straight HC matchup. The Gators are 28-5 across their last 33 HC games and own a 70-26-2 all-time record.

    • Week 6 is also Hall of Fame Weekend for the Florida Gators (see page 44 for complete 2023 HoF Class).

    • HC Billy Napier is going for his 50th career victory including his 10th at the helm of the Gators. With a win, he would become the ninth coach with 50 or more wins since 2018: Nick Saban (66), Kirby Smart (65), Dabo Swinney (63), Lincoln Riley (59), Luke Fickell (57), Brian Kelly (57), Jim Harbaugh (51) and Josh Heupel (50).

    • QB Graham Mertz has completed 70% of his passes or better in each of his first five starts as a Gator - the only Florida quarterback to accomplish the feat in five-consecutive games across the past 20 seasons.

    • Mertz has completed 79.1% of his passes (110-for-139), which leads the SEC and ranks third nationally behind Oregon’s Bo Nix and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.

    • In year one under DC Austin Armstrong, Florida ranks second in the SEC, 10th in the P5 and 13th in the FBS in total defense with 275.6 yards allowed per game. Through five games last year, UF had allowed 421.0 yards per game.

    • Florida boasts the top passing defense in the SEC (144.0), ranking third in the FBS behind Penn State and Marshall.

    • The Gators have limited teams to 17.4 points per game (20th in P5), an 11.5-point improvement from 2022 (28.9).

    • Conversely, Vanderbilt ranks 56th in the FBS in scoring offense with 31.3 points per game and 83rd in total offense (371.5) while averaging the 36th-most passing yards (274.2).

    • Florida vs. Vanderbilt features a matchup of two of the top net punting teams in the nation: Florida’s 47.0 ranks 12th in the FBS and third in the SEC, while Vanderbilt’s 50.9 mark paces the country.

    • The Gators have won 12 of their last 14 games in The Swamp (including seven of eight), but have fallen in 13 of their last 14 contests outside The Swamp and are 1-9 in their last 10 true road games.

    • Florida boasts a 358-113-13 (.753) all-time record at The Swamp, holding the second-highest home winning percentage in the nation since 1990 with a 177-34 (.839) record.

    » The Gators have outscored opponents, 7,928 to 3,399 in 211 games inside The Swamp since 1990, putting the average outcome at 37.6 to 16.1 (21.5 points).

    • Florida has scored in 441-consecutive games dating back to 1988 - an NCAA record and 54 games longer than any other college football team in the history of the sport
     
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  5. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    THE OPENING DRIVE (WEEK 5 @ KENTUCKY) -
    • By finishing with an 83.0% completion percentage, QB Graham Mertz became the first Florida quarterback in the last 20 seasons with five-straight games completing 70% of his passes or more.

    • Mertz accomplished this feat in his first five career starts as a Gator (70.5%, 82.4%, 79.2%, 87.5%, 83.0%).

    • Mertz finished with a 167.0 passer rating at Kentucky – his fourth-straight game over 150.0 and his third of the
    season at 165.0 or better.

    • After starting 0-for-3 passing, Mertz completed 22-of-27 passes (81.5%) for 244 yards and two touchdowns.

    • Florida allowed more than 24 points for the first time this season.

    • UF allowed fewer than 200 passing yards for the eighth time in the Napier era including the fourth this season.

    • Florida limited Kentucky to 36 passing yards in the first half - the Gators’ fourth-straight game limiting its opponent to under 100 passing yards in the first half (216 first half passing yards in that span
     
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  6. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    THE GRAHAM MERTZ FILES -
    • QB Graham Mertz leads the SEC with a 79.1% completion percentage entering Week 6, ranking third in the FBS.

    • Mertz has started all 37 games he has played in since 2020, tied for ninth among FBS quarterbacks.

    • Of those with 100 pass attempts, Mertz is one of four FBS QBs with a 70%+ comp. pct. and 160+ passer rating (JJ McCarthy, Dillon Gabriel, Bo Nix).

    • Mertz’s 163.2 passer rating ranks 19th in the P5, and is line to be the highest by a UF quarterback since Kyle Trask in 2020, while ranking eighth all-time in single-season program history (second-highest since Tebow in 2009).

    • In Week 5 at Kentucky, Mertz threw his first interception in 95 pass attempts – since Week 1 at No. 14 Utah – on a deflected pass to WR Arlis Boardingham in the first quarter.

    • Mertz’s 87.0% comp. pct. in Week 4 was the ninth-best of any FBS quarterback in any game this year.

    • Mertz has thrown a touchdown pass in 20 of his last 23 games.

    • In Week 4 vs. McNeese, Mertz’s 87.0% completion percentage (20-for-23) was the highest from a Gators QB since Kyle Trask’s mark of 90.0% (18-20) against Towson on Sept. 28, 2019 (minimum 20 attempts).

    • In Week 3 vs. Tennessee, Mertz completed 17-of-20 passes (85.0%) for 146 yards and one touchdown in the first half, equating to a passing efficiency of 162.8. He finished 19-of-24 for 166 yards and one touchdown.

    • Mertz finished with 193 yards passing and one touchdown vs. McNeese for a 197.1 passing effieciency - the best by a Florida quarterback in the Billy Napier era and the third-highest by a UF QB across the past three seasons.

    • In his Gators debut at No. 14 Utah, Mertz became the fourth Florida quarterback in program history with 300 yards passing, 30 completions and a 70% completion percentage in a game, joining Rex Grossman (2002 vs.
    Georgia), Tim Tebow (2010 vs. Cincinnati) and Kyle Trask (three times).

    • Mertz finished 31-for-44 (70.0%) with a career-high 333 yards, one touchdown and one interception for a 139.8 passing efficiency in his first start in Orange & Blue.

    • Mertz produced Florida’s first 300-yard passing game since Anthony Richardson’s 400 against Vanderbilt on Nov. 19, 2022, and the first in a season opener since Kyle Trask went for 416 yards against Ole Miss in 2020.

    • Mertz entered 2023 with more career games, starts, completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns than six other SEC quarterback rooms: Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Missouri and Vanderbilt.
     
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  7. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    MONTREVOR TAKEOVER -
    • RB Trevor Etienne sits eighth in the SEC with 6.0 yards per carry and is one of 13 running backs in the country with over 350 yards rushing, 6.0 yards per carry and multiple rushing scores (min. 60 attempts).

    • Etienne rushed for a career-high 172 yards on a career-high 23 attempts while posting the third 100-yard rushing game of his career in Week 3 vs. Tennessee, earning numerous national weekly honors.

    • Etienne’s 172 rushing yards were the most by a Gator in a single game across the past nine seasons (2015-2023). His performance ranks eighth in UF history across the last 25 seasons (1999-2023).

    • Etienne’s 172 rushing yards is the third-highest total of any SEC player this season, ranking 10th in the P5.

    • Etienne tied the game at 7-7 with a 62-yard touchdown scamper in the first quarter, the second-longest rush of his career and his longest since breaking off an 85-yard touchdown run against South Carolina on Nov. 12, 2022.

    • RB Montrell Johnson Jr. scored two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) in Week 3, marking his second-straight game with multiple scores and the sixth of his three-year career.

    • Johnson Jr. and Etienne have combined for at least one touchdown in 14 of 18 games together, scoring 23 total TDs (rushing TDs in 14 of 17 games). The duo has combined for 21 total rushing touchdowns in 18 games at Florida.

    • The Gators have rushed for 100-plus yards in 13 of their last 18 games dating back to last season, although the team’s active three-game streak was snapped at Kentucky in Week 5.
     
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  8. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    UFormula
    • Florida brought in a plethora of experience this past
    offseason, adding 13 players via the transfer portal.

    • UF’s group of 2023 transfers wields more than 10,000
    combined snaps and 123 career starts, helping to fill
    vital voids at quarterback, offensive line, defensive end and inside linebacker.

    • Over 70% of UF’s scholarship players are in their first or second year at Florida.

    • 93% of the 2023 roster was on campus for the off season, featuring 27 midyear enrollees (17 HS, 10 transfer).

    • Staff attrition was minimal during the 2022-23 off season, as seven of Florida’s 10 full-time assistants returned.

    • Despite last year’s 6-7 record, Florida outscored its opponents, 384 to 375, including 70-42 off turnovers.

    • Florida lost six regular-season games in 2022 by a combined 61 points.
     
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  9. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    BACKFIELD
    • Florida has three RBs with over 4.0 yards per carry and two-plus rushings TDs (Treyaun Webb, Johnson Jr., Etienne).

    • Webb scored his first-career touchdown with a two-yard dash in the second quarter vs. McNeese in Week 2 – the first Gators true freshman running back to do so since Trevor Etienne vs. Kentucky in 2022.

    • Also in Week 2, Johnson Jr. rushed for 100-plus yards for the sixth time in his career and for the fourth time as a Gator – his first 100-yard performance since Nov. 12, 2022 vs. South Carolina.

    • In their first seasons as Gators, Johnson Jr. (155 carries, 841 yards, 5.4 YPC, 10 TD) and Etienne (118 carries, 718 yards, 6.1 YPC, 6 TD) teamed up to form one of the top backfield duos in the country.

    • Florida averaged 5.5 YPC and 200.2 rushing YPG, posted eight 200-yard games and eclipsed 100 yards 12 times.

    • As a duo, Johnson Jr. and Etienne averaged 5.7 YPC and 120.0 rushing YPG. They were one of 15 RB duos in the FBS to rush for over 700 yards apiece last season, including one of three duos to do so while each averaging over 5.4 YPC.

    • Johnson Jr. is one of nine FBS players with 10-plus rushing TDs and 800 yards rushing each of the last two seasons.

    • Etienne’s ‘22 FBS ranks among true freshmen RBs: YPC (fourth - 6.1), TD (T10th - six), rush yards (eighth - 719).

    • Etienne ranked fourth in the FBS among true freshman running backs with 6.1 yards per carry and was one of nine true freshman RBs in the FBS with over 700 rushing yards.

    • Over the last two seasons, 24 FBS RBs surpassed 800-plus yards and 12 RBs eclipsed 10-plus rushing TDs in consecutive years. Johnson Jr. is the only player on either list to accomplish the feats at two different schools
     
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  10. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    PEARSALL PACING YOUNG RECEIVING CORPS -
    • Although Eugene Wilson III paced UF receivers in receiving in Week 3, WR Ricky Pearsall has led the way in every other week this season (four times). He has surpassed 90 yards three times and posted a season-high 123 yards on six grabs and one score in Week 2 vs. McNeese. He has six-plus grabs in four games.

    • Pearsall has recorded a reception in 33-consecutive games, the eighth-longest streak in the FBS.

    • TE Hayden Hansen made his second-career start and put Florida on the board with his first-career touchdown reception on his second-ever catch in Week 5 at UK.

    • RB Montrell Johnson Jr. led the receiving corps with a career-high six receptions in Week 5.

    • RB Trevor Etienne posted a career-high 38 yards receiving while his four catches tied his career high.

    • WR Kahleil Jackson set career highs with three receptions and 41 yards receiving in Week 5.

    • Freshman WR Andy Jean also caught four passes for 33 yards to set new personal bests in his young career in Week 5 (previously had just one catch for 62 yards across two games).

    • Pearsall finished one yard shy of his fifth-career 100-yard receiving game in Week 4. In Week 2 vs. McNeese, he posted the third-such performance of his Gators career with an 123-yard showing.

    • Pearsall ranks t-16th in the P5 (t-seventh in SEC) with 29 receptions and eighth in the SEC with 84.5 receiving YPG.

    • Jean was the 17th UF player to catch a pass in 2023, whereas Florida saw 18 players catch a pass all of last year, the team’s most since having 21 players do so in 2018.

    • Pearsall has recorded a reception in 33-consecutive games, the eighth-longest streak in the FBS.

    • Wilson III caught each of the first-six passes of Florida’s opening drive in its Week 3 win over Tennessee, setting career highs in receptions (six) and yards (44) before the Vols even touched the ball.

    • In Week 2, Wilson III became the first Gators true freshman wide receiver to start a home opener since Antonio Callaway in 2015 vs. New Mexico State.

    • Pearsall ranked fourth in the FBS with 20.0 yards per catch in 2022 - which ranked third in program history.

    • Pearsall was one of six FBS players with 110-plus rushing yards and 650-plus receiving yards last year
     
  11. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    STATE OF THE O-LINE -
    • Florida added three experienced offensive lineman out of the transfer portal this offseason in Micah Mazzccua (Baylor), Lyndell Hudson II (FIU) and Damieon George Jr. (Alabama).

    • UF has allowed 29 sacks in 18 games under Billy Napier, which ranks fourth in the SEC (1.6 per game).

    • C Jake Slaughter ranks as the No. 14 center in the FBS while G Knijeah Harris ranks as the No. 41 guard.

    • Across the last three seasons (2021-23), Florida is tied for the 13th-fewest sacks allowed in the P5 and second in the SEC behind Georgia. During that span, the Gators have out-sacked opponents by a plus-23 margin (66-43).

    • Austin Barber ranked as the No. 22 tackle in the FBS in 2022.
     
  12. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    OFFENSIVE GRAB BAG -
    • Over the last four seasons (2020-23), Florida ranks 13th in the P5 and third in the SEC with 456.1 yards per game.

    • Since 2018, UF ranks eighth in the P5 in passing efficiency (153.0) and 16th in TD-INT ratio (2.87).

    • Florida has out-gained its opponents in 21 of 31 games across the past three campaigns (2021-23).

    • The Gators totaled 500-plus yards in four of the last 15 games and in 16 of their last 42 contests.

    • Florida has amassed 400-plus total yards in nine of 18 games across the last two seasons, as well as 25 times in its last 41 games, and 38 of the last 60.

    • UF has rushed for over 200 yards 15 times since 2021 including nine occasions in the Billy Napier era.

    • UF has scored 30-plus points in 27 of the last 45 games. UF has scored 40 points seven times in 29 games from 2021-23
     
  13. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    CHARTING UF’S DEFENSIVE TURNAROUND
    • Through the first five games of the 2023 season, the Gators have only allowed 87 points (17.4 per game) compared to 2022, when Florida allowed 135 total points - a 48 point improvement.
    » Additionally, Florida is limiting opponents to 275.4 total yards per game this season, a 146-yard
    improvement from last year’s 421.4 yards per game through the first five games.
    » The Gators rank 13th in the FBS and second in the SEC in total defense with 275.4 YPG.
    » In the last four games in The Swamp, opponents have totatled 36 points (9.0 points per game)

    • In the last 18 quarters, Florida has limited opposing offense to a total of 1,145 yards (63.6 yards per quarter).
    » At No. 14 Utah, the Gators held the No. 14 Utes to just 38 total yards in the second half - the team’s lowest total in a half since 18 vs. Vanderbilt on Nov. 9, 2019.
    » In the home opener vs. McNeese, UF held the Cowboys to 46 rushing yards - fewest since 44 vs. South Carolina last season. Florida also held McNeese to 66 passing yards - fewest since Charleston Southern in 2018.
    » In Week 2, UF posted its best defensive performance (112 yards) in 86 games (Sept. 17, 2016 vs. North
    Texas - 53).
    » Florida held No. 11 Tennessee to its third-fewest points (16) in the Josh Heupel era, the Gators also hold the mark for second-fewest in the head coach’s tenure with 14 points allowed in 2021
     
  14. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    2023 IN THE SWAMP
    • Joining new defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong are seven defensive transfers this year: DL Caleb Banks (Louisville), EDGE Quincy Ivory (East LA CC), DL Cam Jackson (Memphis), LB Teradja Mitchell (OhioState), S R.J. Moten (Michigan), LB Mannie Nunnery (Houston) and LB Deuce Spurlock II (Michigan).

    • The new Gators bring in a combined 44 starts and over 4,170 snaps played compared to 30 defensive
    returners with 69 total starts and 8,792 snaps.

    • Moten, whose dad played LB for UF from 1982-86, made 10 starts in 2022 including the Big 10 Championship.
    » He has 15 career starts and 1,033 snaps played, which is 10th-highest on the roster and third-most by a defensive player behind Jason Marshall Jr. (1,417) and Mannie Nunnery (1,259).

    • Jackson also comes with double-digit career starts (13) on top of 34 games in three seasons at Memphis.
    » He finished with 41 tackles last season, which would have ranked second among Gators defensive
    lineman last year behind only Gervon Dexter Sr., a second round pick by the Chicago Bears.

    • Twelve rookie defenders also joined the program this season including four cornerbacks, three EDGEs, two defensive linemen, two safeties and one linebacker.
    » Half of the first-year players were consensus four-star recruits and are all HC Billy Napier’s recruits.
    » Five played in the 2023 Under Armour All-American Bowl Game with EDGE Kelby Collins named M
     
  15. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    GATORS DEBUTS
    • Six Gators returners - CB Jalen Kimber, WR Kahleil Jackson, TE Jonathan Odom, DL Tyreak Sapp, OL Jake Slaughter and ILB Scooby Williams each made their first-career starts at No. 14 Utah, while six offseason transfers DL Caleb Banks (first-career start), DL Cam Jackson, OL Damieon George Jr., OL Micah Mazzccua, QB Graham Mertz and S R.J. Moten all started in their UF debuts.

    • A total of 14 true freshmen made their collegiate debuts in the season opener: S Jordan Castell, EDGE Kelby Collins, TE Hayden Hansen, OL Knijeah Harris, CB Ja’Keem Jackson, EDGE Kamran James, CB Dijon Johnson, TE Tony Livingston, DL Will Norman, ILB Jaden Robinson, EDGE T.J. Searcy, S Bryce Thornton, RB Treyaun Webb and WR Eugene Wilson III.
    » Wilson III earned his first-career start in the home opener and caught four passes for 36 yards with a rush of 18 yards. He has started the last two consecutive games and is second on the team in catches (12) and receving yards (104).
    » Castell has also started the last four games at safety and led the team in tackles (10) vs. No. 11
    Tennessee. He paced the defense with six tackles (team-leader) in the first-half at Utah.
    » Searcy logged three tackles (one solo) in the first half at Utah, including a stop (zero yards gained).

    • Linebackers Terajda Mitchell (three tackles) and Mannie Nunnery (two) also made their UF debuts.

    • Out of the 58 players that played in the season opener at No. 14 Utah, 22 Gators played for the first time
     
  16. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    THE YOUTH MOVEMENT
    • The 2023 Florida defense features a majority of underlcassmen players (two seasons or fewer) that lead the team in multiple categories.
    » Sophomore LB Shemar James is first in total tackles with 35 and freshman S Jordan Castell is second with 27.
    » James (4.0) and redshirt DL Jamari Lyons (2.5) rank first and third in TFLs. Lyon’s tackle-for-loss
    resulted in a three-yard loss and safety in the home opener against McNeese.
    » Freshman CB Ja’Keem Jackson leads in pass breakups with three, which he recorded his first two on the same drive vs. McNeese - tied for most by a first-year player in the SEC.

    • The trio of Castell (229 snaps), James (229 snaps) and Mitchell (199 snaps) rank one-two-five in defensive snaps played, with three-year starter DB Jason Marshall Jr. third overall at 227 snaps and LB Scooby Williams fourth (207 snaps).

    • Through the first four games, a combined 23 starts have come from players in their second season or less, including second-years James and Mitchell starting each game.
    » Eight starts have been by true freshmen this season.

    • Castell started at safety in the home opener and was first Gators true freshman to start at the position since Kamari Wilson in 2022 vs. Eastern Washington.

    • Nine of the 12 Class of 2023 defensive signees have played in all three games to start the season and have totaled 660 defensive snaps.
     
  17. GatorGrowl

    GatorGrowl Forum Admin Moderator VIP Member

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    SPECIAL TEAM FLIPPING THE GAME
    • K Trey Smack finished 5-for-5 on fields goals vs. Charlotte with a career-long of 54 yards.
    » The 54-yarder is tied for the ninth longest in the country andthird in the SEC.
    » He became the first Gator to make five field goals in a single-game for the Gators since Eddy
    Pineiro in 2017.
    » He was also a perfect in kickoffs for the second straight week with a career-best seven touch-
    backs. Smack was 6-for-6 in touchbacks vs. No. 11 Tennessee and has hit 21 in last 24 kicks.

    • Smack has recorded 23 touchbacks in 27 attempts for an average of 62.56 per kick.
    » Smack made his first-career field goal on a 27-yarder vs. the Volunteers in the fourth quarter.
    » He has successfully made field goals from: 23 (2x), 27 (2x), 36 and 54.
    » Smack is also a perfect 6-for-6 on extra points this season.

    • P Jeremy Crawshaw averaged 47.94 yards per punt in 35 attempts last season featuring 13 kicks of 50-plus and a season-long of 67 yards vs. South Carolina.
    » In the 2023 season opener at No. 14 Utah, he recorded his 10th career-game of multpile 50-yard
    punts in a single game.
    » In the Las Vegas Bowl, he hit a career-high of four 50-plus-yard punts for an average of 56.5.
    » Crawshaw has 104 career punts for an average of 47.4 per attempt with 42 going 50-plus yards
    and 40 inside the opponents-20 yard line.
    » At Kentucky, he had 5 punts for an average of 53.8 with four going 50-plues yards with a long
    of 61 yards.

    • K Adam Mihalek’s three 50-yard field goals tied for the most in a season by a UF kicker (sixth to do so) last season (52 yards vs. No. 1 Georgia, 50 yards vs. No. 20 Kentucky, 50 yards at Texas A&M).
    » His field goal vs. the Bulldogs was Florida’s longest since Evan McPherson’s 53-yarder on Oct. 10, 2020 vs. Texas A&M. The 52-yarder was tied for fifth-longest in the SEC in 2022.
    » Mihalek was one of nine FBS kickers with three-or-more 50-yarders last year.
     
  18. ETGator

    ETGator Long-Time Gator Stuck In East Tennessee Moderator VIP Member

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  19. eastowest

    eastowest GC Hall of Fame

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  20. Bazza

    Bazza Moderator

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