Florida's Defense Chops Through Seminoles in Rivalry Rout

The Gators made life miserable for FSU quarterback Luke Kromenhoek, sacking him eight times on Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium. (Photo: Bryce Mitchell/UAA Communications)

Florida's Defense Chops Through Seminoles in Rivalry Rout

Sunday, December 1, 2024 | Football

By: Noah White, FloridaGators.com Student Writer

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — "Once you get one, you smell blood in the water."

For Jack Pyburn, sacking the quarterback is a task of momentum. Once your team notches one, the next comes all that much easier. Lucky for the Florida edge rusher, fellow defenders Jaden Robinson and Tyreak Sapp had already gotten to FSU quarterback Luke Kromenhoek before Pyburn placed himself along the line late in the first quarter on Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Florida State had a challenging season, winning only two games after a New Year's Six bowl berth, and UF has been trending up with ranked wins in back-to-back weeks. But that doesn't always matter in a rivalry setting.

Early in their 31-11 win over FSU, the Gators were quickly learning that.

With three minutes remaining in the opening quarter, Florida State's offense had already gained first downs on multiple drives. The Gators' defense, which had dominated throughout the past two weeks against teams ranked in the top 60 in scoring, struggled to get stops against the 133rd-ranked scoring offense in the nation. For context, there are 134 teams in the FBS.

As the possibility of a scoreless first quarter built, Pyburn hopped onto the field with his usual vigor. He knew his teammates had already gotten a hold of Kromenhoek. It was time for him to feast this Thanksgiving weekend.

"Jack has improved over the year. The kid works hard," Sapp said. "We use him in a plethora of ways."

Pyburn eyed Kromenhoek from the left side of Florida State's offensive line, waiting for the rattled true freshman to call for the ball. He was a Gator circling his prey, counting the seconds until he could strike. As the ball shot from the center's grasp, Pyburn sprinted past Florida State left tackle Darius Washington and slammed into the FSU signal caller's chest. Upon the Gator's attack, the ball flew into the air, and with a recovery by teammate D'Antre Robinson, the game had swung. UF's offense skipped onto the field, lining up 14 yards from the end zone.

The image of Pyburn tossing Kromenhoek to the ground would've been foreign early this season, but over the past three games, no team has pressured the quarterback more than the Gators. UF began the year with 20 sacks over its first nine games, but against LSU and Ole Miss, the Gators turned in 10, which leads the nation over that short stretch.

"I think players did a good job of kind of keep putting their blinders on in the first month," Napier said. "[They] didn't allow excuses. Didn't allow blame."

Florida added eight sacks to its total on Saturday, a single-game high this year, and seemed to have Kromenhoek's number constantly. That was without defensive lineman Caleb Banks, though.

In the wins over LSU and Ole Miss, Banks notched 3.5 of his 4.5 sacks this season, providing a pass-rush threat at defensive tackle that was otherwise vacant for Florida. Entering the rivalry contest, Banks expected to contribute to the Gators' defensive line. But with four minutes left in the first quarter, he departed with a leg injury. The junior never returned to the field.

Despite Banks' removal from the contest, UF took advantage of a weak Florida State offensive line. Entering the final week of the regular season, the Seminoles had utilized a rotating cast of starters along its offensive front throughout the season. In turn, FSU had allowed 41 sacks — the most in the nation.

"Just guys being comfortable in the defense," linebacker Shemar James said, is the reason for Florida's improved pressure. "I think it's just guys that got that confidence." He also noted how Florida's defense has disguised its blitzes better over the last few weeks.

Jaden Robinson and defensive lineman Cam Jackson led the way with two sacks, while the Gators added 14 tackles for loss during their Florida State feast.

Napier's program emphasizes forcing turnovers. Footballs are buried throughout the Heavener Football Center. Beside them are signs that say winning the turnover margin equates to winning 78% of games and that the Gators need to "own the ball, attack the ball."

Every day, UF's athletes see those messages a handful of times. They sink into their subconscious.

"That's what we preach every week," Sapp said. "We gotta go out there and set the tone."

The Gators followed their teachings to the fullest extent on Saturday night. In the 60 minutes of play, UF forced seven fumbles and recovered five. Before the evening, the Gators had recovered six fumbles for the season.

Of Florida's five scoring drives, three began following Florida State turnovers. When its offense couldn't get going early in the game, the defense sparked UF.

"We practice that during our takeover circuit throughout the week," James said. "That's our standard to get the ball out. Get it back to our offense."

Pyburn's first quarter chow down on Kromenhoek opened the buffet, and fittingly, the Gators' meal concluded similarly. With less than two minutes left in the game, Kromenhoek, who had already become acquainted with the Florida defensive front, took off down the field. After a few steps past the line of scrimmage, UF edge rusher Kamran James greeted the SEC-baptized true freshman. Moments later, Florida defensive lineman T.J. Searcy stood up with the ball as Kromenhoek stared into the distance as if seeing a Florida defense of 22 men.

The Gators fought throughout the night, including after the game, and showed how they've grown. Earlier in Florida's season, stopping the opposing team was a constant worry. Miami and Cam Ward tormented UF, Texas A&M and Marcel Reed demoralized the Gator fanbase, and Quinn Ewer's Texas squad outright embarrassed the Gators.

But now, things have changed.

The Gators are on the hunt. Napier's squad doesn't just want to stop the other team — they want to terrorize them. Against Florida State, their terror reigned. The reeling Noles showed up on Thanksgiving weekend, and the Gators' defense feasted.

"The mission was to come here and put a bunch of identity clips on tape," Napier said. "I think we did that."