The Opening Kickoff (Part III): Gators Defense Faces Test, Storylines, Players to Watch, Notable Numbers

Florida Notes | Alabama Notes | Gators Game Day

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The last time the Gators faced Alabama, defense was an afterthought. That's the reality of a 52-46 game to decide the SEC championship.

Florida fell short that night in Atlanta nine months ago and seeks to stop the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide from rolling into the end zone too many times on Saturday afternoon at "The Swamp."

Can Florida's revamped defense rise to the challenge?

"All we know is they're a physical team,'' Gators linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. said this week. "That's all Alabama's ever been, a physical team. So we're coming to play hard-nosed football."

Traditional look for Game 3. #GoGators pic.twitter.com/5dfGBVfTHR
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 16, 2021

Once again, Alabama has a potent offense led by first-year starting quarterback Bryce Young despite the departures of 2020 Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, star running back Najee Harris and quarterback Mac Jones. While most of the focus has been on Florida's offense this season — specifically the Gators' two-quarterback system — the defense is receiving attention this week with the challenge ahead.

News broke late Wednesday that Gators linebacker Ventrell Miller is out indefinitely due to an arm injury, which adds to the challenge of stopping an Alabama offense that is averaging 462.5 yards and 46 points per game. Florida's defense surrendered 318 yards and 17 points a game in wins over Florida Atlantic and South Florida.

Still, one of the Gators' strengths is their front seven on defense, anchored by fifth-year senior defensive lineman Zachary Carter. And if Alabama has a weakness on offense, it's a young offensive line that remains untested against the caliber of talent the Gators will line up on Saturday.

Carter leads the way with 3.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss.

"We have a lot of guys that have a veteran presence on the defense," Carter said. "We got some guys that transferred in that, you know, they're pretty much some of the oldest guys on the defense with the most experience. "Ventrell, he's a great guy and a great teammate, great leader, but I feel like we shouldn't have an issue picking up with that leadership role. Guys just have to step up."

The guys Carter is talking about include sixth-year linebacker Jeremiah Moon, who leads the team with 11 tackles and moved inside to spell Miller after he went down in the USF game, and veterans such as Amari Burney, Mohamoud Diabate, Antonio Valentino, Daquan Newkirk and Tyrone Truesdell. Valentino (Penn State), Newkirk (Auburn) and Truesdell (Auburn) are transfers who were not on Florida's roster when it faced Alabama last December.

Meanwhile, the Gators could use a breakout game from Cox, who has played sparingly in the first two games as defensive coordinator Todd Grantham inserted young players into the lineup for them to gain valuable experience.

Grantham is not concerned Cox has only two tackles in the season's first two games.

"He's graded out a winner," Grantham said. "He's done a good job of setting the edge in the run game. If you go back and look at some of the rushes, he's had some good rushes. You have a choice to make as a quarterback: do I take this sack or this hit, or do I get rid of this ball pretty quickly. So some of those incompletions and things that have happened have been the product of Brenton with his pass rush. Those things will come."

Cox is eager for another shot at Alabama and perhaps to make a statement.

He had his own question when meeting with the media this week.

"We're ready," Cox said. "Big question is: Are they ready?"

THREE STORYLINES

The Gators have had some big home wins under Dan Mullen since he took over the program, most notably against LSU in 2018 and Auburn in 2019. However, this is the biggest game at "The Swamp" since Alabama last visited Gainesville in 2011. A win over the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide would boost the Gators into early contention for a College Football Playoff berth and snap a seven-game losing streak to Alabama.
The 11th-ranked Gators enter the game with questions surrounding their most dynamic player, quarterback Anthony Richardson. Richardson came up with a tightened hamstring after his 80-yard touchdown run at USF, which has cast doubts about his availability and/or potential effectiveness on Saturday. Needless to say, the more Richardson can do the better for the Gators. If not, starter Emory Jones will have to cut down on the mistakes in the passing game that have plagued him in the first two games.
Win or lose Saturday, and not much changes in season outlook for the Gators. They likely will have to beat Georgia to return to the SEC Championship Game and a potential rematch with Alabama. Of course, a win Saturday would do wonders in reshaping the perception of this year's Gators and their potential. Simply put, it would be Florida's biggest win since winning its last national title in 2008. The following season is when the tide turned in favor of Alabama in not only this rivalry, but in the SEC and national landscape.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

All eyes are on Jones and Richardson. Both quarterbacks have played in the first two games and both are expected to play Saturday if Richardson is healthy. While Jones is the more experienced passer, Richardson has shown his ability to make big plays in the passing game and running game. Jones is a dangerous runner, too, but against Alabama's physical defense, Richardson's size could benefit the Gators and keep the Crimson Tide guessing. The worst-case scenario is for Richardson to be ineffective due to his hamstring injury and Jones forced to throw the ball excessively if the Gators fall behind early.
Alabama sophomore quarterback Young has replaced Jones and Alabama has not missed a beat, averaging 46 points in its first two games. Young has completed 70.8 percent of his passes and thrown for 571 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. The Gators' young secondary must be on point to limit Young's big plays in the passing game.
Alabama outside linebacker Will Anderson, the FWAA National Freshman of the Year in 2020, is a disruptive force for the Crimson Tide when healthy. He took a hit on his right knee in last week's win over Mercer and is listed day-to-day for Saturday's game. At 6-4 and 243 pounds, Anderson is the latest in a long line of overstuffed and physically gifted linebackers the Crimson Tide have relied upon as playmakers.

FIVE DIGITS

763 – Rushing yards for the Gators through the season's first two games, which ranks first among FBS schools.
609.5 – Yards per game for the Gators after two games, tops in the SEC and third nationally.
8 – Longest losing streak the Gators have ever had against Alabama, which started in 1964 and ended with a 23-14 win on Sept. 19, 1987.
19 – Years since the Gators faced the No. 1-ranked team at home, a 41-16 loss to Miami on Sept. 7, 2002.
100 – Career wins for Gators head coach Mullen, who will try to get his first against Alabama (0-10) on Saturday.

Gators Calendar