Carter's Notebook: Addazio Talks About The Jump Pass, Henry Steps Up
Sunday, October 3, 2010 | Football, Scott Carter
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The play is one they run in practice regularly in case the right time pops up in a game.
On Saturday night against No. 1-ranked Alabama, the Gators used the jump pass near the goal line that former Heisman winner Tim Tebow made famous during his career at Florida.
On Florida's first drive of the game Saturday night, the Gators drove from their 24 to the Alabama 2 after the Crimson Tide took a 3-0 lead on Jeremy Shelley's 28-yard field goal. On fourth down, true freshman quarterback Trey Burton, who drew comparisons to Tebow for his six-touchdown game against Kentucky seven days earlier, tried to connect with tight end Jordan Reed on a jump pass.
As Reed had trouble clearing his block and getting open in the end zone, Alabama's Nico Johnson picked off Burton's pass to set a tone that seemed to loom over Bryant-Denny Stadium the rest of the night.
“I felt like I could get it to him,'' Burton said. “I knew he was caught up by something [at the line], but I had a feeling I could get it to him, that's why I threw it at a low angle.''
Offensive coordinator Steve Addazio liked the play's chance of working, but the execution just wasn't there.
“That's what we practice. It was fourth-and-close on the goal line. [Reed] couldn't get separation,'' Addazio said. “It just didn't come together. The play is like that. It's either there or it's not. We feel good about what we called. We felt it was the right time.''
SPECIAL SITUATION
With regular place-kicker Caleb Sturgis injured and unable to play on Saturday, senior punter Chas Henry took over the place-kicking duties.
Two other players took on special roles as well. John Crofoot was the holder and walk-on Brandon Phillips handled the kickoffs as the Gators shuffled their special teams.
Henry accounted for all the Gators' scoring with field goals of 39 and 21 yards.
With Sturgis suffering a back injury that could keep him out an extended period, Henry was informed on Thursday that he might be needed to kick field goals.
“I did it all through high school,'' he said. “I don't have the leg like Caleb does, but I can kick about 50, 52 [yards], that's where I max out. I'm just glad I made the kicks when they called my number.''
While Henry took on another assignment Saturday, it didn't hurt his punting. Henry averaged 62.3 yards on three punts, including a career-high 75-yard punt that pinned the Crimson Tide at its own 2 in the second half.
DEMPS ABLE TO PLAY
Gators coach Urban Meyer called running back Jeff Demps a “game-time'' decision leading up to kickoff.
Demps played from the opening drive, rushing for four yards on the Gators' first play of the game. Demps finished with a team-high 47 yards on 11 carries.
However, Addazio said the foot injury Demps is nursing limited him at times.
“Obviously, he wasn't himself,'' Addazio said.
THE FOUR HOLDERS
Crofoot was one of the final additions to Florida's travel roster.
While Saturday's game was his first significant contribution in a game, Crofoot is no stranger to college football. He is the fourth member of his family to hold in the SEC, joining brothers Ike, Chas and Clayton.
“He did an unbelievable job of stepping in,'' Henry said. “I thought our special teams did a pretty good job of helping out.''
Ike Crofoot was a holder and long snapper at South Carolina from 2003-06, and both Chas (2004-05) and Clayton (2008-09) served as holders at Auburn.
EXTRA POINTS
Sophomore RB Mike Gillislee suffered an injury late in the second quarter. Gillislee was on crutches with a protective boot on his right foot in the second half … Senior DT Duke Lemmens had a busy first half, recording seven tackles. Lemmens' previous career high came in the Gators' win at Tennessee last month when he had five against the Volunteers playing in a hybrid linebacker role … Gators freshman Matt Elam recorded the first sack of his career on Alabama's opening drive, dropping Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy for a 1-yard loss on third down … The Gators failed to score in the first quarter for the fourth time in five games … Florida's streak of scoring on 15 consecutive drives in the red zone ended on Burton's interception … Florida held Alabama to 71 yards of total offense in the second half (67 rushing, 4 passing).
