Defense is working to get off field quicker
Thursday, October 21, 2010 | Men's Basketball, Football, Scott Carter
Most of the scrutiny during the UF football team's three-game losing streak has been aimed at the offense. Gators coach Urban Meyer and his staff are taking a close look at the unit this week and contemplating changes.
The defense has been steady most of the season, and during the Gators' 4-0 start, provided the offense with much-needed points regularly. In the first four games, the Gators returned three interceptions for touchdowns and the offense scored six touchdowns after the defense forced a turnover.
However, in the past three games, UF has forced only two turnovers – both came against LSU and led to offensive touchdowns.
“We can't win ballgames if we don't get turnovers,'' senior safety Ahmad Black said. “We've just got to create turnovers … strip the ball more and intercept passes.''
Another key factor that is perhaps getting overlooked during the Gators' recent slide is the defense's inability to force many three-and-outs. Over the past two seasons, Florida's defense held opponents to three-and-out 35 percent of the time – 56 of 159 drives (35.2 percent) in 2009 and 60 of 172 drives (34.9 percent) in 2008.
During the Gators' four-game win streak to open the season, they forced opposing offenses to go three-and-out 15 of 50 drives (30 percent); during their three-game losing streak, that percentage has dropped to 24.1 (7 of 29 drives).
In the loss to Mississippi State, the Bulldogs had three drives of eight or more plays in the second half to eat up a large chunk of the clock. Black said holding opponents to fewer plays has been an emphasis in practice.
“We can't sit on the field and just let the offense take control of the game by the clock,'' Black said. “That's one of the things that help you win games. Getting off the field is a huge key in the game.''
