Powell out at Tennessee, Muschamp on Vols, more tidbits from SEC media teleconference
Wednesday, October 1, 2014 | Football, Volleyball, Scott Carter
Gators defensive lineman Leon Orr (No. 8) will miss Saturday's game. (Photo: Tim Casey)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gators coach Will Muschamp made his regular appearance on the SEC Coaches Media Teleconference this morning.
Here are some quick-hit items from the call:
--Muschamp said freshman running back Brandon Powell will miss Saturday's game at Tennessee with a hamstring injury that has limited him. Muschamp also reiterated defensive tackle Leon Orr (knee) won't play Saturday.
--Senior linebacker Michael Taylor practiced Tuesday and remains questionable for Saturday due to a knee injury. “We'll see how he progresses throughout the rest of the week.”
--Junior left tackle D.J. Humphries (ankle) “looked great” at practice on Tuesday and will play. Humphries has missed the last two games after suffering a high-ankle sprain in the season opener.
--Muschamp said a combination of bad throws and drops has prevented quarterback Jeff Driskel from thriving in the shotgun the way the Gators expected in their new offense. “We've had over 10 drops at the receiver position. We've had a couple of drops at the tight end position. Our protection has been good,” Muschamp said. “We've had our opportunities and it's not all on Jeff. We've got to do a better job as an entire offense executing. Certainly Jeff is part of that. I think as we continue to work through the season we'll continue to see good numbers.”
--“I would say really at the skill positions offensively,'' Muschamp when asked where he sees the most improvement in this Tennessee team. “There is no question the third-down defense has been outstanding. Execution of what they do has been the key for them defensively.”
--Muschamp was asked about the Florida-Tennessee rivalry in the 1990s when the winner often won the SEC East. “It was good for college football and good for both universities.”
--Muschamp said the secondary is to blame for most of Florida's defensive struggles. “We haven't played very well. We've given up too many big plays. We've played well enough up front. We need to get more pressure with four guys rushing. Our linebackers have fit the runs well and done some nice things in coverage and pressures. But we have not played well enough in the secondary. We're looking for different combinations of guys and we're going to continue to do that. Guys are going to go out and communicate and do things the right way.”
--Coming off loss to Alabama, Muschamp was asked about team's confident level heading to Tennessee. “I think we're confident. We've had good prep in the open week and I think we've had good preparation through this week, and through your preparation builds confidence in what you do. What I've tried to do is look at from fall camp to this point – of the positive things we've done [amidst] obviously a lot of the negativity that surrounds us here. I think our guys have seen that and understand the type of football team we can have when we put it together and that's what we are looking forward to.”
--Muschamp on college football being on pace for record number of 500-yard passing games, 700-yard total offense games this season: “As much as anything, total yardage now because of the number of snaps that you are taking defensively is not as important a stat as maybe some people think. I think it's more about yards per play. That's a little more reflective on how you are playing defense.”
