Quincy Wilson skies for his first-half interception. (Photo: Adler Garfield/For UAA Communications)
Wilson and Tabor Reunited ... and They Look so Good
Saturday, September 10, 2016 | Football
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UF's secondary looked different with preseason All-American Jalen Tabor back and opposite Quincy Wilson.
By: Alex Peterman, Writing Intern
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Maybe the most spectacular play in Saturday's game -– a play in which Gators cornerback Quincy Wilson secured a dramatic one-handed interception – was described by Wilson rather matter-of-factly.
"Just my ability to play football," Wilson said.
Besides the incredible display of athletic talent that sent the crowd at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium into a frenzy, it was the play that began the chain-reaction of good news for the home team – and which led to an insurmountable hole for the Kentucky Wildcats and, later, a 45-7 blowout victory for the Florida Gators.
UF coach Jim McElwain could only encapsulate the moment by calling it "a big-time play." It was the defensive highlight of a game in which Kentucky didn't eclipse 60 yards passing and Wildcats starting quarterback Drew Barker threw more interceptions (three) than completions (two).
Many pundits have selected Wilson and his partner on the opposite side of the field, preseason All-American Teez Tabor, as the go-to cornerback tandem to watch in this year's college football season. For the Gators, the contest against the Wildcats marked the first time the two defensive stars took the field together this year.
To fully appreciate what Tabor brings to the table, it's easiest to recognize what the defense looks like without him. With Tabor missing Week 1 due to an incident at a practice last month, Chris Williamson struggled against Massachusetts in last week's season opener. The opposing team's first two completions were good for 77 combined yards, both to targets covered by the sophomore defensive back.
Gators cornerback Teez Tabor made his 2016 debut Saturday and picked off a pass in the second quarter. (Photo: Tamara Dobry/For UAA Communications)
And so based on last week's performance, Kentucky figured to take aim at the UF secondary, especially after throwing for 360 yards, although in a loss against Southern Miss.
That wasn't the case, and part of the Gators' success can certainly be attributed to the return of their star.
And reunion of their stars.
Three series after Wilson's highlight-worthy pick, Tabor jumped a bubble screen before Barker ever released the pass. His interception set up a 13-play, 58-yard drive by the Gators that put Florida up 24-0 at halftime.
"When you see what Jalen did and how quickly he reacted to what was film study, it tells you about Jalen," McElwain said. "In other words, this is important to him. In the way he studied, he knew the tendencies, he knew the look, he knew the split. He broke on it perfectly."
In the first half alone, both Tabor and Wilson secured interceptions against Barker. Wilson's dynamic interception came on a deep pass down the sideline, and three series later, Tabor picked off Barker to begin a drive that would result in a touchdown pass from Luke Del Rio to Brandon Powell.
"I feel like we're the best in the nation as a cornerback duo, and I felt that really showed today," Wilson said.
Speaking on Tabor, Wilson only described him as being like his brother. "We've just grown to get to know each other and make each other better. Having two good corners like that just makes it so that the ball isn't always going to one place."
Adding to the attention surrounding both Tabor and Wilson, redshirt freshman linebacker Kylan Johnson explained that "they execute and they play together."
In fact, Johnson echoed what Wilson had to say about himself and Tabor by putting it simply: "We've got the best corners in the nation."
Once the tandem had done the damage, Marcus Maye added to the defensive showing with an interception on Kentucky's first play of the second half. If the first half had not been one-sided enough, Maye's steal maintained an impossible uphill battle for Kentucky. During a breakdown in coverage three plays later, Del Rio found Freddie Swain wide open for a 26-yard touchdown.
Up until a point in the fourth quarter, the Gators secondary had more catches than Kentucky's offense. Even then, that statistic was only broken once the Gators placed their second-string defensive backs in the game.
For reassurance, with the final score listed as a 45-7 rout, the game was never in question. But we did see how large of a difference one player can make. With a tough SEC lineup this year, having Tabor back lends the Gators comfort in allowing its secondary to dictate a defense full of emerging talent.
