Barber Earns SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week Honors
Monday, September 23, 2024 | Football
The redshirt junior tackle led an offensive line that did not allow a sack and made program history in the process.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida left tackle Austin Barber has been named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the week for his efforts in Florida's 45-28 victory over Mississippi State in Starkville. The redshirt junior anchored an offensive line that did not allow a sack or quarterback hurry, and put Florida's offense in position to pile up 503 yards of total offense.
In the fourth quarter, Barber capped a 93-yard drive by Florida's offense by pouncing on a fumbled ball in Mississippi State's endzone, recording a rushing touchdown. The score was the first rushing touchdown by an offensive lineman in the FBS this season.
The score was also the first by a Gator offensive lineman since Nov 11, 2000, when Thomas Moody hauled in a 6-yard touchdown pass against South Carolina.
After the win, Barber said of his touchdown, "Coach always told us to chase the ball. You see the ball, get on the ball… I saw it on the ground and did my best to just get on it as fast as I can."
Barber's pass protection efforts led to the highest single-game completion percentage by a Florida quarterback room in program history, as Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway completed 26 of their 28 pass attempts for a 92.8% rate. Barber graded out as Florida's most effective pass blocker per Pro Football Focus.
The SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honor for Barber is the first for a Gator since O'Cyrus Torrence claimed the award for his performance against Texas A&M on November 5, 2022.
Florida's next contest will be in Gainesville on October 5, when the Gators take on UCF.
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A limited-number of single-game tickets are still available for the other four home games including matchups against UCF, Kentucky, LSU, and Ole Miss by clicking here. For more information on football tickets, call the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683, or fill out this form to be contacted by a ticket office representative.
Fans can click here to join the 2025 Season Ticket Waiting List. Ticketmaster.com is the only verified resale partner of the Florida Gators.
In the fourth quarter, Barber capped a 93-yard drive by Florida's offense by pouncing on a fumbled ball in Mississippi State's endzone, recording a rushing touchdown. The score was the first rushing touchdown by an offensive lineman in the FBS this season.
The score was also the first by a Gator offensive lineman since Nov 11, 2000, when Thomas Moody hauled in a 6-yard touchdown pass against South Carolina.
After the win, Barber said of his touchdown, "Coach always told us to chase the ball. You see the ball, get on the ball… I saw it on the ground and did my best to just get on it as fast as I can."
Barber's pass protection efforts led to the highest single-game completion percentage by a Florida quarterback room in program history, as Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway completed 26 of their 28 pass attempts for a 92.8% rate. Barber graded out as Florida's most effective pass blocker per Pro Football Focus.
The SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honor for Barber is the first for a Gator since O'Cyrus Torrence claimed the award for his performance against Texas A&M on November 5, 2022.
Florida's next contest will be in Gainesville on October 5, when the Gators take on UCF.
2024 FLORIDA FOOTBALL TICKETS
A limited-number of single-game tickets are still available for the other four home games including matchups against UCF, Kentucky, LSU, and Ole Miss by clicking here. For more information on football tickets, call the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683, or fill out this form to be contacted by a ticket office representative.
Fans can click here to join the 2025 Season Ticket Waiting List. Ticketmaster.com is the only verified resale partner of the Florida Gators.
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