Gators Notebook: Plan for Hargreaves, Lewis' rare feat, ECU respect, more tidbits
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – At SEC Football Media Days in July, junior cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III mentioned he was trying to convince first-year Gators head coach Jim McElwain to give him a look on offense.
McElwain is convinced.
In Saturday's season-opening victory over New Mexico State, Hargreaves caught his first career pass, a 6-yard reception from Will Grier in the second quarter.
“I honestly didn't know that was going to happen,'' defensive lineman Bryan Cox Jr. said. “I just looked up and they said, 'Vernon Hargreaves on the catch.' He's a freak. I would use him on offense if I was the coordinator.”
Hargreaves was all over the field Saturday, defending receivers, returning punts and serving as a gunner on kick coverage. Hargreaves' best play came in the third quarter when he picked off Aggies receiver Teldrick Morgan's deep pass and returned it 43 yards, which led to a Jordan Cronkrite 3-yard touchdown run.
His turn at receiver was not by accident.
“We've got some packages for him; it's all part of what we're doing,'' McElwain said. “Dynamic playmakers, you need to get the ball in their hands. We need to find guys and continue to do that. He's a weapon. I'm glad he's on our team.”
McElwain said it's not a guarantee the Gators will use Hargreaves on offense each week, but he'll continue to take practice reps there and see where it leads.
The screen pass to Hargreaves on Saturday is one of the simpler plays they have installed for him.
“There's some things we do with him that I'm not sure is game-ready,'' McElwain said. “It's all about those things being game-ready. Hopefully they're successful.”
After his catch Saturday, Hargreaves fumbled out of bounds as he was hit on the sideline. If he wants more chances on offense, McElwain said Hargreaves must emphasize ball security.
Otherwise, the Gators sound convinced Hargreaves can contribute to the offense if needed.
“He always talks about if he gets the ball, he'll make something happen,'' receiver Brandon Powell said. “It was nice to see him catch a ball in a game and do a little something. Hopefully during the season he can do a little more.”
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A GOOD TEST
The Gators host East Carolina on Saturday, marking the first time since Auburn in 2000 they have played the same school twice in the same calendar year. Florida defeated the Pirates 28-20 on Jan. 3 in the Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field.
ECU quarterback Shane Carden threw 66 times, completing 34 for 427 yards as East Carolina rolled up 536 yards – nearly 200 more than the Gators (339) had.
However, Carden is gone, as is his favorite target from last season, receiver Justin Hardy. Kurt Benkert, named ECU's starting quarterback Aug. 19, is out for the season with a knee injury, leaving Blake Kemp as the starter. Still, the main Pirate is back, head coach Ruffin McNeill, and that's enough to concern McElwain.
“That guy knows what he is doing,'' McElwain said. “Ruff is an unbelievable guy. A guy I consider a real good friend. I know how hard their guys play. I know they have had this one circled obviously from the absolute end of last season. They are going to come after us.”
The Pirates opened the season with a 28-20 victory over Towson. They are making their first trip to Florida Field since a 24-17 loss at Florida 32 years ago.
Running back Chris Hairston rushed for 154 yards on 18 carries and scored four touchdowns in the victory over Towson. Kemp finished 29 of 37 for 230 yards.
Gators defensive back Jalen Tabor expects some similarities to surface as the Gators study East Carolina this week while watching film of what the Pirates did in the Birmingham Bowl. Hargreaves' interception in the end zone sealed Florida's victory in the final moments.
“I know they are going to be coached well,'' Tabor said. “They put up a lot of yards on us. But we got key turnovers in the red zone. It's going to be a good game for us. It's the same coach, so a lot of the same tendencies are going to carry over.”
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BACKFIELD DEPTH
Quarterbacks Grier and Treon Harris owned the headlines for their stellar play in Saturday's victory.
But the Gators rushed for 224 yards as the three tailbacks on top of the depth chart each scored a touchdown. Junior Kelvin Taylor (8 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD), freshman Jordan Scarlett (8-34-1) and freshman Jordan Cronkrite (5-24-1) each contributed.
Taylor entered the season as the starter and Scarlett and Cronkrite both showed in preseason camp they are ready to produce as first-year players.
“I think we have some guys there. And that's a good thing,'' McElwain said.
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TERRIFIC DEBUT
Redshirt freshman tight end C'yontai Lewis emerged in preseason camp as a player to watch in 2015.
He didn't disappoint in his debut for the Gators.
Lewis became the first UF player to catch two touchdown passes in his first career game since Ike Hilliard in 1994. Coincidentally, Hilliard also accomplished the feat against New Mexico State in a 70-21 victory 21 years ago.
McElwain praised Lewis for putting in the preparation to be ready when his number was called. Lewis caught a 12-yard touchdown from Grier to put Florida up, 21-0, and added another score on a 32-yard reception from Grier in the final minute of the first half to give the Gators a 34-13 halftime lead.
“When you execute in practice you probably got a pretty good chance of having a decent ballplay on a Saturday,” McElwain said. “He does a great job, there again of paying attention to detail and what he needed to get done and the quarterbacks, therefore, become comfortable with him. He showed up.”
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QUOTE OF NOTE I
“I hope that's every Saturday. That helped us a lot. When we came out slow and the crowd was still in it, that gave us the confidence to keep going.'' – Receiver Brandon Powell on atmosphere at opener
QUOTE OF NOTE II
“I don't have any secrets. I don't know what they look like. Hopefully they look pretty decent. That's kind of the goal. You'd have to answer that question. I don't really know what one looks like.” – Gators head coach Jim McElwain when asked what a Jim McElwain-style quarterback looks like
QUOTE OF NOTE III
“As an offensive line we came in here to prove a point. I think we did that. We showed we're very capable and in the weeks coming we're going to keep showing that we're capable.” – Mason Halter on offensive line's solid performance in season opener
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EXTRA POINTS
Junior WR Demarcus Robinson is listed third on the depth chart for the East Carolina game behind Ahmad Fulwood and C.J. Worton due to not meeting certain off-the-field expectations … Robinson led the Gators with five receptions in the opener … Freshman OL Martez Ivey (knee) and S Keanu Neal (leg) remain questionable … DL Alex McCalister and S Marcus Maye are eligible to play Saturday after serving one-game suspensions due to University Athletic Association policy.
