Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida fans left Ben Hill Griffin Stadium after Week 1 with their heads down, scrambling for something to spark hope in the Florida football program.

Miami throttled the Gators in a 41-17 opening-week loss, marking Florida's first loss in a home opener since 1989. Only adding to the misery was coach Billy Napier's ill-time comments two days later about silencing the noise outside the Heavener Training Center.

After a week of wallowing, the Gators faithful were presented with their northern star.

Freshman quarterback DJ Lagway made his first start at Florida, and he dazzled. The offensive spark provided by Lagway was much-needed for the Florida fanbase, but the defensive showing from Florida was arguably the most critical development in the Gators' romping of Samford 45-7.

After a week that the Florida defense surrendered 529 yards, there was a definite need for a tune-up.

Of the 529 yards Florida gave up against Miami, 385 came through the air. Throughout the afternoon blowout, Miami quarterback Cam Ward exposed busts in the Gators' secondary, one that featured two new starters from a season ago. Both of those starters went down with injuries against the Hurricanes.

Florida entered their Week 2 matchup missing four defensive backs, with starters Asa Turner, Devin Moore and Sharif Denson scratched from the lineup, and reserve safety Bryce Thornton unavailable. Transfer defensive lineman Joey Slackman also did not play due to injury. Napier explained that some new players needed to play more snaps than they had in the past, but the Florida staff had "confidence in those players."

Those new faces played well Saturday night. While Samford quarterback Quincy Crittendon completed 71% of his passes, the Florida defense held Samford to 144 yards through the air. Experienced secondary starters Jason Marshall Jr. and Jordan Castell both stepped up, logging six and four tackles, respectively. Cornerback DJ Douglas and defensive back Aaron Gates also got extended playing time, and each shifted well into their new roles.

Napier was complimentary of how his new lineup rounded into form.

"I think we communicated better on defense, and I think that we adjusted well," he said.

It's worth noting that the best test of Florida's pass defense may not be an FCS opponent and one that completed only 58.5% of its passes against West Georgia in the season opener. But after a game that saw the Florida secondary torched by the 305, it was a good step to show competence in the secondary heading into the SEC opener.

The world was, in fact, not ending.

Florida's secondary may also have hope next week, facing a Texas A&M squad that hasn't eclipsed the 200-yard mark passing through two weeks this season. The Gators will undoubtedly need to put together a more sound performance on the back end than in their first two outings of the season, though.

"There's no doubt the level of competition that we're getting ready to face over the next couple of weeks will be completely different," Napier said. He added that Florida still has "a lot of work to do."

On top of the secondary, Florida's defensive line also showed some flashes in the Gators' leveling of Samford.

Early in the showdown, it seemed a repeat of the Cam Ward Show was scheduled, with the Florida defensive line on its heels, allowing for the quarterback to break the pocket often.

"I thought that the defensive staff did a good job of adjusting, getting to the right concepts based off of how they were playing offense," Napier said, crediting his defensive coaching staff.



As the evening went along, the Florida front seven found its footing, holding Samford to 61 yards rushing. Outside of a lengthy touchdown drive to begin the second half, the Samford offense was stagnant, punting nine out of its last 10 drives.

Much of that offensive struggle can be attributed to an improved Florida defensive front. The group registered four sacks and 12 tackles-for-loss in a redemption performance. That comes after a week in which the Gators created limited pressure and recorded just one sack and two tackles-for-loss.

Defensive lineman Tyreak Sapp explained the mindset of the UF defense after a disappointing Week 1 performance.

"That was just the main thing, just getting our confidence back … perform for [Gators fans]," Sapp said. He explained that the defense wanted to prove what they are made of and how much they value the Florida fanbase.

Saturday night saw a couple of young Gators get opportunities on the defensive line. They took advantage.

Both freshman edge LJ McCray and defensive lineman Michai Boireau got extended playing time, with each logging three tackles.

Florida's most notable defender was edge George Gumbs Jr. The walk-on receiver-turned-edge recorded one sack and three tackles-for-loss, constantly finding himself in the Samford backfield.
Gumbs' contribution didn't go unnoticed.

"The kid just works that hard," Sapp said. "He comes in every day ready to work. He's trying to find some ways to get better."

Now, Florida will begin to prepare for its first SEC matchup. The Gators welcome Texas A&M to The Swamp next Saturday, looking to start its conference slate with a win. Although having an up-and-down start to the season, the Florida defense remains confident entering Week 3.

"We understand we can do so much more. We can be so much more dominant," Sapp said. "We just have to continue to get to understand each other and continue to work together as a defense."