Staying on Script Early in Games Has Paid off in Points for Gators
Thursday, September 22, 2011 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Sometime before Saturday night's game at Kentucky – Gators quarterback John Brantley said it's usually about 24 hours before kickoff – offensive coordinator Charlie Weis will hand over a script for Brantley to read.
This one has nothing to do with drama class. In fact, Weis likes to script between a dozen and two dozen plays for the Gators to run at the start of games specifically to avoid any early drama.
“I do think when players get into the game and know what you're going to call, it's easier when they first walk out there'' Weis said. “When I tell them what's coming, that's what's coming.''
After three games, there is no denying staying on script is paying off for Florida on the scoreboard.
The Gators have outscored opponents 33-0 in the first quarter, a dramatic reversal from a season ago when the Gators scored just 14 points in the first quarter – all coming in a 48-14 win over the Wildcats – in their first eight games of the season.
In the season-opening win over Florida Atlantic, Florida scored 10 points in the first quarter, opening the game with a 13-play series capped by a Caleb Sturgis field goal. Florida scored 13 first-quarter points in the second game against UAB, including a 73-yard drive capped by Hunter Joyer's 1-yard run.
And in last week's 33-23 win over Tennessee, the Gators took control by driving 80 yards on nine plays on the opening drive, capped by Brantley's 1-yard touchdown pass to Trey Burton.
If these scripts were written in Hollywood, they would be Oscar contenders considering that Florida has scored on all eight of its first-quarter drives in the first three games – four touchdowns, four field goals.
A year ago Brantley and former offensive coordinator Steve Addazio came under fire early for the offense's struggles early in games. Brantley said they scripted plays a year ago as well, but not as many as Weis likes to.
When Weis hands over the script, Brantley expects enough plays for the first two or three drives.
“He'll try to stick with it as much as he can,'' Brantley said. “I think it's a real good idea. It gives you a chance to look at what you are going to be running to get really familiar with it. He asks you what you feel comfortable with. I think it's real important going into the game.”
Gators coach Will Muschamp allows Weis freedom to run the offense and call plays. Most of their communication on game day involves decisions like when Muschamp told Weis in the win over Tennessee that he had four downs to work with when Florida got inside Tennessee's 5-yard line early in the third quarter.
On fourth-and-goal, the Gators went for it and Burton scored on a 1-yard run to open a 23-7 Gators lead.
Muschamp said Weis' play scripting and his communication with Brantley to execute the plays has worked out well.
“Charlie, I think, does a great job on the sideline as far as finding out what's working and what John feels good with,” Muschamp said. “His experience speaks for itself, and the experience he's had with quarterbacks. He manages it the way he likes to manage it, and I think it's been very productive obviously for us to this point.''
While the script can change under special circumstances, Weis' intent entering each game is to stay with it since he and Brantley have already formulated a plan. Weis also likes to script a few plays at halftime if the game situation calls for it.
“Unless a situation comes up like a third-and-one where you didn't script the third play -- might not be a third-and-one on your script -- but now it's third-and-one, so you also go to, 'The first call on third-and-one is going to be this,' '' Weis said. “At least early in the game, the players already have a good idea for what you're going to call. Starting both halves are critical, not just starting the first one.''
So sometime on Friday, Brantley can expect the latest script from Weis. He'll read it, they'll talk it over, and then he'll try and execute it the way the Gators have in the first three games.
If that happens, the Gators will likely be in good shape on the scoreboard at Commonwealth Stadium come Saturday night.
“It's always important to have a fast start in any game,'' Brantley said. “We've just got to keep doing that. We've got to go out there and start fast.''
