Cornerback CJ Henderson is expected to play on Saturday when Missouri visits Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)
Gators Notebook: Henderson's Status, Defending The Swamp, More Tidbits
Tuesday, October 30, 2018 | Football
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Sophomore cornerback CJ Henderson's back injury on the opening drive against Georgia was one of the biggest moments in the game. Without Henderson lurking on the back end for the remainder of the game, Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm had his way with Florida's usually dominant pass defense.
With the pass-happy Missouri Tigers headed to the Swamp on Saturday, the secondary figures to face its toughest challenge yet. However, it looks like they'll have Henderson back.
On Monday, UF coach Dan Mullen said it's just a bruise and that he expects Henderson to play.
Combined with a season-ending torn ACL suffered by sophomore cornerback Marco Wilson against Kentucky on Sept. 8, the Gators were missing arguably their two best defensive players against UGA.
"Anytime you look at a spot that is really not deep but has some of your best players, and then you don't have both of them play in a game, and they did a good job of taking advantage of that," Mullen said. "That's how they were able to move the ball."
However, sophomore defensive tackle Kyree Campbell said the Gators have adopted a next-man-up mentality.
"The game plan stayed the same," he said. "Coach expects everybody to be on the same page, so when a guy gets hurt, backups should be able to come in and do what they got to do."
Mullen said if the secondary loses any more players, they might have to put more linebackers on the field and adjust their scheme.
MULLEN'S REDSHIRT PHILOSOPHY
Prior to this season, the NCAA passed a new rule that allows football players to play in four games and still retain their eligibility to redshirt.
Of the Gators' 20 newcomers this season, about half of them appear poised to redshirt. Meanwhile, others, such as cornerback Trey Dean and kicker Evan McPherson, have received extensive playing time.
"If we're going to play someone, I want them to play," he said. "So, if we're going to redshirt him, let's redshirt him.
"The rule helps give you a little flexibility because you used to try as early on is decide, 'If we're going to play him, let's find a way to play him on special teams, on this and that and get over a hundred reps in the season type of deal. If we're not, let's try to protect him.' That rule though does help allow you to protect guys more."
Mullen said he likes the new rule because it keeps young players motivated and engaged in practice. Previously, a player usually found out he was redshirting prior to the season, and he would be tempted to ease up in practice. However, freshmen now have an opportunity to play in up to four games but only if they earn it in practice.
For a player like quarterback Emory Jones, who made his second appearance of the season in the loss to Georgia, Mullen said he plans to devise packages in at least two more of Florida's four-regular season games to get Jones playing time.
"If you think you have an opportunity to play all throughout the season, you're going to be much more engaged in your development in every aspect of things," Mullen said. "Every part of the program. You even think academically —God forbid somebody thinks, loves football more than school out there —even discipline factors. Guys thinking, 'Hey, I get opportunities to play in a game, I better make sure I'm going to class. I better make sure I'm taking care of my business so when I have my opportunity, I'm ready to take advantage of it.' That's the reward."
MISSOURI ENIGMATIC BUT DANGEROUS
No team in the SEC is a bigger mystery than the Tigers. Against non-conference opponents, they went 4-0 and averaged 49 points per game. Against SEC foes, they are 0-4 and averaging just 22 points per game.
Their non-conference schedule wasn't bad, either. They beat Memphis 65-33 on Oct. 20. A week prior, Memphis nearly ended UCF's nation-best winning streak, which now stands at 20 games. Missouri also won at Purdue, something No. 8 Ohio State couldn't do.
However, just because the Tigers are winless in the league doesn't mean the Gators can take them lightly. Missouri hung with No. 6 Georgia for the better part of three quarters and lost by a combined three points to South Carolina and No. 11 Kentucky. In the latter game, the Tigers entered the fourth quarter with a 14-3 lead and squandered it.
Needless to say, they'll come to Gainesville hungry and perhaps overdue for a league win.
They also have a quarterback who is more than capable of exploiting the depth concerns in UF's secondary. Senior Drew Lock has thrown for 2,144 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. He is considered by most analysts to be a first round NFL Draft pick.
"They've got explosive wide receivers and probably the best quarterback in the league," Mullen said. "Can make every throw you want to make. He's got experience. He's got poise. Guys run to the ball on defense really well. Defensive head coach that's always been known to play great defense for them. It's going to be a big, big challenge for us coming back playing this team."
Missouri beat Florida 45-16 a year ago in the Gators' first game under interim head coach Randy Shannon.
DEFENDING THE SWAMP
After four weeks away, UF returns home to play three consecutive home games. While the Gators are likely out of the SEC East race, Mullen believes that championship programs should never lose at home, regardless of the opponent or the situation. Re-establishing the Swamp as one of the toughest places for a visiting team to play is a huge component of Mullen's plan to return the Gators to glory.
To get this message across, Mullen makes his team do one additional stadium run exercise during the summer conditioning program for each home loss the season before. When he was at Mississippi State, he would even play the loss on the video boards while the players ran.
"Home field advantage is so critical," he said. "You have to win at home. One of the things we always do, you know, when we're in the Swamp, this is our home. Protect our stadium. What we do is it's kind of like that offseason reminder.
"There's a certain expectation when you step on that field or you're in the stadium of what it's supposed to be like."
The players will already have one extra stadium run this summer for losing to Kentucky at home, and they have no plans to tack on another.
"We don't want to do this," Campbell said. "So, we can't lose. So, we refuse to lose any more home games."
With the pass-happy Missouri Tigers headed to the Swamp on Saturday, the secondary figures to face its toughest challenge yet. However, it looks like they'll have Henderson back.
On Monday, UF coach Dan Mullen said it's just a bruise and that he expects Henderson to play.
Combined with a season-ending torn ACL suffered by sophomore cornerback Marco Wilson against Kentucky on Sept. 8, the Gators were missing arguably their two best defensive players against UGA.
"Anytime you look at a spot that is really not deep but has some of your best players, and then you don't have both of them play in a game, and they did a good job of taking advantage of that," Mullen said. "That's how they were able to move the ball."
However, sophomore defensive tackle Kyree Campbell said the Gators have adopted a next-man-up mentality.
"The game plan stayed the same," he said. "Coach expects everybody to be on the same page, so when a guy gets hurt, backups should be able to come in and do what they got to do."
Mullen said if the secondary loses any more players, they might have to put more linebackers on the field and adjust their scheme.
MULLEN'S REDSHIRT PHILOSOPHY
Prior to this season, the NCAA passed a new rule that allows football players to play in four games and still retain their eligibility to redshirt.
Of the Gators' 20 newcomers this season, about half of them appear poised to redshirt. Meanwhile, others, such as cornerback Trey Dean and kicker Evan McPherson, have received extensive playing time.
"If we're going to play someone, I want them to play," he said. "So, if we're going to redshirt him, let's redshirt him.
"The rule helps give you a little flexibility because you used to try as early on is decide, 'If we're going to play him, let's find a way to play him on special teams, on this and that and get over a hundred reps in the season type of deal. If we're not, let's try to protect him.' That rule though does help allow you to protect guys more."
Mullen said he likes the new rule because it keeps young players motivated and engaged in practice. Previously, a player usually found out he was redshirting prior to the season, and he would be tempted to ease up in practice. However, freshmen now have an opportunity to play in up to four games but only if they earn it in practice.
For a player like quarterback Emory Jones, who made his second appearance of the season in the loss to Georgia, Mullen said he plans to devise packages in at least two more of Florida's four-regular season games to get Jones playing time.
"If you think you have an opportunity to play all throughout the season, you're going to be much more engaged in your development in every aspect of things," Mullen said. "Every part of the program. You even think academically —God forbid somebody thinks, loves football more than school out there —even discipline factors. Guys thinking, 'Hey, I get opportunities to play in a game, I better make sure I'm going to class. I better make sure I'm taking care of my business so when I have my opportunity, I'm ready to take advantage of it.' That's the reward."
MISSOURI ENIGMATIC BUT DANGEROUS
No team in the SEC is a bigger mystery than the Tigers. Against non-conference opponents, they went 4-0 and averaged 49 points per game. Against SEC foes, they are 0-4 and averaging just 22 points per game.
Their non-conference schedule wasn't bad, either. They beat Memphis 65-33 on Oct. 20. A week prior, Memphis nearly ended UCF's nation-best winning streak, which now stands at 20 games. Missouri also won at Purdue, something No. 8 Ohio State couldn't do.
However, just because the Tigers are winless in the league doesn't mean the Gators can take them lightly. Missouri hung with No. 6 Georgia for the better part of three quarters and lost by a combined three points to South Carolina and No. 11 Kentucky. In the latter game, the Tigers entered the fourth quarter with a 14-3 lead and squandered it.
Needless to say, they'll come to Gainesville hungry and perhaps overdue for a league win.
They also have a quarterback who is more than capable of exploiting the depth concerns in UF's secondary. Senior Drew Lock has thrown for 2,144 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. He is considered by most analysts to be a first round NFL Draft pick.
"They've got explosive wide receivers and probably the best quarterback in the league," Mullen said. "Can make every throw you want to make. He's got experience. He's got poise. Guys run to the ball on defense really well. Defensive head coach that's always been known to play great defense for them. It's going to be a big, big challenge for us coming back playing this team."
Missouri beat Florida 45-16 a year ago in the Gators' first game under interim head coach Randy Shannon.
DEFENDING THE SWAMP
After four weeks away, UF returns home to play three consecutive home games. While the Gators are likely out of the SEC East race, Mullen believes that championship programs should never lose at home, regardless of the opponent or the situation. Re-establishing the Swamp as one of the toughest places for a visiting team to play is a huge component of Mullen's plan to return the Gators to glory.
To get this message across, Mullen makes his team do one additional stadium run exercise during the summer conditioning program for each home loss the season before. When he was at Mississippi State, he would even play the loss on the video boards while the players ran.
"Home field advantage is so critical," he said. "You have to win at home. One of the things we always do, you know, when we're in the Swamp, this is our home. Protect our stadium. What we do is it's kind of like that offseason reminder.
"There's a certain expectation when you step on that field or you're in the stadium of what it's supposed to be like."
The players will already have one extra stadium run this summer for losing to Kentucky at home, and they have no plans to tack on another.
"We don't want to do this," Campbell said. "So, we can't lose. So, we refuse to lose any more home games."
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