Gators Notebook: Defense Lifted by Dominant Second Half, Elam Watch, Crawshaw Can Run, More Tidbits

Gators head coach Dan Mullen was not pleased at the end of the first half when he spoke briefly to the SEC Network as he headed to the locker room. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath/UAA Communications)

Gators Notebook: Defense Lifted by Dominant Second Half, Elam Watch, Crawshaw Can Run, More Tidbits

Saturday, October 9, 2021 | Football

By: Will Levenson, FloridaGators.com Student Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Despite the goose egg flashing on the scoreboard, it wasn't always pretty.

"Awful."

That was all Gators head coach Dan Mullen had to say to the SEC Network when asked how he would assess the defense's first-half performance as he headed toward the locker room Saturday afternoon.

At the break, the Gators had allowed 200 yards. Vanderbilt entered Florida territory three times. Despite all three drives ending without points — two missed field goals and a turnover on downs — Mullen knew the unit could play better.

Motivated by the potential of its first shutout since the 2019 season, Florida's defense made the adjustments.

"[We] just wanted to keep that zero on the board," said redshirt freshman edge rusher Antwuan Powell. "Get them to nothing, give them nothing."

Redshirt freshman **Antwaun Powell** reacts after his first career sack in Saturday's victory. (Photo: **Anissa Dimilta**/UAA Communications)

Powell helped lead the second-half defensive charge, recording his first career sack in the third quarter of Florida's 42-0 homecoming win over the Commodores.

Florida allowed just 87 yards after halftime, including minus-11 yards on the ground. Vanderbilt amassed just four first downs in the second half, despite having 14 through the first two frames.

The UF defense was down two top secondary players in cornerback Kaiir Elam (out with a knee injury) and Tre'Vez Johnson (ejected in the first quarter for targeting).

Defensive back Rashad Torrence II stepped up in their place. The sophomore Georgia native recorded a career-high and game-high 15 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss.

"It just showed our depth and the preparation that we put in during the week," Torrence said of replacing Elam and Johnson. "I have full confidence in anybody that we put on that field."

After Johnson was disqualified, newcomer Jadarrius Perkins replaced him at the STAR position and finished with seven tackles.

Mullen named missed tackles and giving up third downs as reason for frustration from the first-half performance.

"Then in the second half, I saw us go back to where we were, kind of those first two drives at the start to the second half, where we completely slammed the door on them and played with an intensity," Mullen said.

OVERCOMING INJURIES, BOTH SIDES

Elam missed his third consecutive game and did not dress with a knee injury. An SEC Preseason First-Team All-Conference selection, Elam led the team with three passes defended and one interception through the first three games.

In his place, freshman cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. made his third straight start in relief. Florida has allowed an average of 187 pass yards per game in the three games without Elam.

A true freshman from Miami, Marshall has impressed with his increased role. He was credited with a pass deflection while in coverage on a crucial second-quarter fourth-down stop at the goal line.

Fifth-year senior safety **Trey Dean III** has provided leadership and stellar play in the secondary in the absence of junior cornerback **Kaiir Elam**. (Photo: **Courtney Culbreath**)

On offense, the Gators were without fifth-year senior running back Malik Davis. Davis' 279 rushing yards was the most among Florida's running backs entering Saturday. With Davis sidelined, redshirt sophomore Nay'Quan Wright saw an increased workload and took full advantage. Wright's 103 total yards (46 rushing, 57 receiving) led all non-quarterbacks.

Even though he wasn't dressed, Wright says Davis still made an impact from the sideline.

"He's a great leader," Wright said. "He was still on the sideline being a vocal leader, being one of the leaders that we needed. So, it was still like he was playing."

Wright's 46 yards rushing gives him 185 on the year to go along with 118 receiving yards. Florida now has five ball carriers with at least 180 rushing yards through six games.

Florida also played without starting left tackle Richard Gouraige, who did not dress due to an unspecified injury. Redshirt sophomore Michael Tarquin started in his place.

YOUNG PLAYERS SEE ACTION

With the Gators up by six touchdowns in the fourth quarter, plenty of new faces made plays.

Sophomore linebacker Lloyd Summerall made an impact in the Vanderbilt backfield, recording three tackles, including a tackle for loss. Summerall and freshman defensive lineman Justus Boone combined for a sack — the first of both of their respective careers.

Freshman cornerback Ethan Pouncey made a nice play in the run game, flying quickly from the outside for a tackle at the line of scrimmage. Sophomore linebacker Derek Wingo recorded three tackles, equaling his career total entering Saturday.

GATORS OLYMPIANS

The Florida contingent at the Tokyo Olympic Games attended Saturday's homecoming game and were honored on the field Saturday.

Those who won medals also served as Honorary Mr. Two Bits, including swimmer Caeleb Dressel and hurdler Grant Holloway.

A look at the Gators Olympians during their Mr. Two Bits routine Saturday. (Photo: **Tim Case**y/UAA Communications)

AUSTRALIAN WHEELS

Perhaps the most surprising moment of the day came on special teams. Gators punter Jeremy Crashaw performed his best Tommy Townsend impression with a 28-yard run on a fake punt.

The Australian native found the open lane and showed off the wheels for a big first down on the first drive of the second half.

Punter **Jeremy Crawshaw** on his 28-yard run. (Photo: **Tim Casey**)

"I thought he was going to score, actually,'' said Wright. "Honestly, I didn't know he was that fast. He showed me something. We gotta put him on offense, maybe throw him at receiver or something."

Mullen explained that he and special-teams coordinator Greg Knox noticed Vanderbilt was overloading to one side on punts.

"He's a great athlete," Mullen said.

With Crawshaw's speed, Mullen was confident making an aggressive call despite being backed up inside their own 30-yard line on fourth down.

EXTRA POINTS

The Gators recorded their first shutout since a 56-0 win over Vanderbilt in 2019, a 21-game span ... Florida has outscored the Commodores 98-0 in the past two meetings at "The Swamp" ... Florida's 181 yards rushing increased its season total to 1,642, the most through six games since 1975 ... UF has rushed for 150 yards or more in all six games, the first time that has happened since 1993 ... The Gators had three sacks Saturday, giving them 20 through six games ... DT Daquan Newkirk recorded the first interception of his career in the second quarter ... Mullen improved to 11-0 in his coaching career against SEC teams from the state of Tennessee: Vanderbilt (6-0) and Tennessee (5-0).