Coach Bill Napier and the Gators will try to redirect their season on Saturday when Vanderbilt visits Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Photo: Gabby Whisler/UAA Communications)
Game Day: Florida vs Vanderbilt (SEC Network, 4 pm)
Saturday, October 7, 2023 | Football, Chris Harry
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By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The circumstances look very much like those the Florida Gators faced a month ago. Unfortunately.
In their 2023 season opener, the Gators made enough mistakes (several self-inflicted ones, at that) to lose two games, fell behind by three touchdowns early in the second half, and lost 24-11 in lopsided fashion at 14th-ranked Utah. The next order of business was to get to the next game – ASAP – and commence working through the issues. UF proceeded to make easy work of a heavy underdog, trampling FCS-classified McNeese 49-7 at Spurrier/Florida Field, for the first of three straight wins.
Fast forward to present day. Florida is coming off another troubling, blowout loss. The Gators were gashed at Kentucky last week 33-14, with the unbeaten Wildcats running at will in a game they led 23-0 early in the second quarter. UF missed tackles, committed confounding penalties (10 in all) and was overmatched in the trenches.
On Saturday, Coach Billy Napier will be looking for another bounce-back response against a big underdog in the "Swamp," much like he got four weeks ago. That's where the similarities end, however, what with the Gators (3-2, 1-1) facing Southeastern Conference East Division foe Vanderbilt (2-4, 0-2), which is not exactly McNeese. True, the Commodores have not had a winning record in a decade (and only six winning seasons since 1960).
Also true: Vandy beat UF last season at Nashville, Tenn., one of just two victories for the Commodores since the two teams began playing annually as divisional rivals in 1992. The Gators have beaten the Commodores by a combined 98-0 in the last two meetings in Gainesville.
[Read senior writer Scott Carter's comprehensive "Opening Kickoff" setup here]
Whether this Vanderbilt team is better than the last is up for debate, but it's worth pointing out that the '22 Commodores in their upset of the Gators were led by 122 yards rushing from tailback Ray Davis. That's the same Davis who transferred to Kentucky in the spring and last week steamrolled the Gators for 280 yards and four touchdowns (3 rushing, 1 receiving). UF doesn't have to see him again. Anywhere. That's a good thing.
Two weeks ago, the Commodores faced Davis and the Wildcats and held him to 78 yards on 17 carries, but with two touchdowns, in UK's 45-28 road win. That would seem to be a good sign of what the Commodores can do up front. Then again, Vandy lost 38-21 at home against No. 24 Missouri a week ago and surrendered 532 yards of total offense, including 395 through the air.
So what do these numbers mean? Pretty much nothing.
Yes, Vandy has played two SEC teams that are ranked and unbeaten through five games. It's really a matter of which Florida team shows up at the "Swamp." If it's the version that put together a super-solid effort on both offense and defense in the 29-16 upset of 11th-ranked Tennessee it should make for a happy UF homecoming. If the Gators are going to be that team they need to be it every week, no matter the venue.
UF quarterback Graham Mertz (league-high 79.1 percent, 1,220 yards, 6 TD, 2 INT) and his offense are averaging 371.5 yards per game, which is ninth in the SEC and 68th nationally. The Gators are dealing with some injuries on that side of the ball, including banged-up tailback Trevor Etienne, who is questionable. The Vandy defense is giving up 408.8 yards per game, which is 12th in the league and 108th overall (111th in passing yards surrendered per game at 261.0).
Vandy quarterback AJ Swann, who started the season's first five games, missed last week's loss to Missouri with an elbow bruise.
The Commodores, whose two wins have come against Hawaii and FCS Alabama A&M, might get back quarterback in AJ Swann (53.8 percent, 1,290 yards, 11 TD, 7 INT), who started the first five games before suffering an elbow contusion against Kentucky. If Swann can't go, it'll be Ken Seals (64.3 percent, 355 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT), who put up decent stats in defeat against Mizzou. Vandy will lean on two tailbacks in Patrick Smith (57 carries, 238 yards, 2 TD) and Sedrick Alexander (44 carries, 180 yards, 4 TDs). They have two very good wideouts in Will Sheppard (32 catches, 443 yards, 7 TD) and London Humphreys (12 catches, 299 yards, 3 TD), who averages a whopping 24.9 per reception.
The circumstances may look a tad familiar.
The stakes, however, are higher.
Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. on SEC Network, with Dave Neal on play-by-play, Matt Stinchcomb providing analysis and UF graduate Tori Petry working the sidelines. The Gators Sports Network from Learfield will air with pregame coverage beginning at 1 p.m. and eventually give way to Sean Kelley, Shane Matthews and sideline reporter Tate Casey for kickoff. For stations, click here.
The game will be replayed Monday at 12 a.m. and Tuesday at 11 a.m., both on SEC Network.
Finally, follow senior writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete post-game coverage from the game Saturday.
