Gator Bowl Notebook: Gators Out to Contain Ohio State QB Miller; Chaz Green Makes Progress
Saturday, December 31, 2011 | Football, Scott Carter
JACKSONVILLLE, Fla. – Ohio State's 2011 season has been a tumultuous one, but one thing that hasn't changed for the Buckeyes is a dangerous and multi-threat quarterback with Heisman potential leading their offense.
That player was expected to be Terrelle Pryor until off-the-field issues ended his collegiate career. Enter freshman Braxton Miller, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound true freshman who will be the primary focus for Florida's defense in Monday's Gator Bowl against Ohio State.
“Braxton Miller is a fabulous athlete,'' Gators head coach Will Muschamp said. “When he touches the ball, he can take it anywhere.''
Much like Pryor, Miller is equally effective on the ground and through the air. He rushed for seven touchdowns and a team-high 695 yards. He passed for 997 yards, 11 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Miller completed only 50 percent of his passes (67-for-134) but showed improvement as he gained more experience. He is expected to be the centerpiece of next season's Ohio State offense once former Gators coach Urban Meyer takes over the program.
Miller was perhaps at his best in Ohio State's 40-34 loss to Michigan in the regular-season finale, rushing for 100 yards and passing for 235 yards and two touchdowns.
The Gators know they must line up on every play equally concerned about Miller's running and passing ability.
“It's like having an athletic, shifty running back who can also drop back and pass it," Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said. “This guy has really got something to him. He is certainly going to be a challenge to stop.''
Quinn said the closest quarterback the Gators faced in matching Miller's skill set was probably Florida State's E.J. Manuel. The Gators played their best defensive game of the season, limiting Manuel to 65 yards passing (no touchdowns) and sacking him four times.
Florida linebacker Jon Bostic said the same approach is needed to limit Miller's effectiveness.
“Everybody's got to be gap sound," Bostic said. “We've got to know who's got the quarterback when they're running the option."
GREEN GETS GOING
Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Chaz Green has been one of the better performers in Gator Bowl practices according to interim offensive coordinator Brian White.
Green missed four games during the regular season due to a severe ankle sprain but returned to the starting lineup against Florida State. Since returning, Green has focused on developing better technique and improving for next season.
“I want to be someone the team can depend on,'' Green said. “I can still get better and that's what I've been trying to do since coming back. We want to end the season on a good note.''
BRANTLEY AND CO.
The last media availability prior to Monday afternoon's game at EverBank Field takes place Saturday morning. Muschamp has an 11 a.m. press conference scheduled and select players will be available, including fifth-year senior quarterback John Brantley.
Brantley was knocked out of his final game with a concussion in Florida's 21-7 loss to Florida State on Nov. 26. He returned to practice prior to the holiday break and Muschamp said there are no health concerns for Brantley as he prepares to make his final collegiate start.
Brantley needs 88 yards passing Monday to reach 2,000 yards for the season. He has completed 132 of 234 passes for 1,912 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.
SWAMP NUGGETS
--An interesting sidebar to this year's Gator Bowl is that Ohio State is making its first appearance in the game since 1978. But more than that, the 1978 Gator Bowl, played on Dec. 29, marked the beginning of the end of legendary Buckeyes coach Woody Hayes' career. He was fired the next morning for punching Clemson's Charlie Bauman near the end of Ohio State's 17-15 loss. Friday was the 33-year anniversary of Hayes' dismissal.
--The Gators are playing in their 39th bowl game and 21st consecutive bowl game, the second-longest active streak in the country. Florida is 19-19 in bowl games and 6-2 all-time in the Gator Bowl.
--Former Gators running backs coach Stan Drayton is in his first season as Ohio State's wide receivers coach. Drayton will be retained by incoming Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer.
