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Zook, UF players say they saw win coming

Gators cite steady, continued improvement as the primary reason for their head-turning victory.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 23, 2002

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- In the aftermath of Saturday's 30-13 victory against then-No. 4 Tennessee, Florida coach Ron Zook wasn't looking for vindication, and he wasn't pointing fingers at those who booed his players and doubted the team.

But he did want to make one thing clear. The Florida football team played better Saturday than it has all season, which is exactly what he's been saying all along.

"We knew," Zook said Sunday. "We saw this coming. We felt ourselves getting better and we could see ourselves getting better and we knew you've just got to stay with it and keep on keeping on. And our players have done that, they really have."

Saturday's game was supposed to be Tennessee's coming-out party, a chance to take over as the dominant team in the league. Instead, it was a humiliating loss at home that included eight fumbles by the Vols and caused coach Phillip Fulmer to publicly apologize to their fans.

The Vols dropped to No. 11. Florida rose from 10th to No. 7.

Even Zook had to admit that the outcome was surprising.

"I would have thought probably that it would have been closer in the last two minutes of the game," Zook said. "I've been in those games too where they can come back and that game wasn't over until it was over. I thought it was big that our defense was able to keep them out of there the last drive."

After the game, Florida players heaped praise on Zook, who has been the subject of much criticism since the Sept. 7 Miami loss.

"Coach Zook persevered and we came in here and showed we're still Florida," offensive lineman Shannon Snell said. "Even though Coach Spurrier isn't here, we just beat the No. 4 team in the nation and that says something."

Zook said he began to see the turning point for the Gators in the third quarter of the Ohio game. He could see in the players' eyes, as well as their actions, that they were starting to grasp the new offensive and defensive systems Zook and his staff brought with them in January.

All week he talked of how the defense was learning John Thompson's gap-control system and how Tennessee's running game wouldn't overpower them as Miami's had. Florida gave up 99 yards rushing, 42 in the first half.

"We feel like our defense played extremely well," Zook said. "We got better ... we did the things we needed to do."

Quarterback Rex Grossman threw for three touchdowns and 324 yards, but also was sacked four times and clobbered often by defenders. Zook said Sunday the protection by the offensive line is improving, but still needs work. Grossman injured his ankle in the third quarter, but Zook said the injury is not serious.

Running backs Ran Carthon and Earnest Graham combined for 94 yards. Carthon has rushed for 148 yards on 23 carries in the past three games. Carthon's 47, 50 and 51 yards respectively were all season highs and he is averaging 6 yards.

Although no team other than Florida or Tennessee has won the SEC East since the league split into two divisions, Zook said Saturday's win was a big step toward winning the title, but isn't a guarantee of a championship.

In fact, the celebration about Saturday's win ended Sunday as the Gators start preparations for undefeated Kentucky on Saturday.

The Wildcats feature the SEC's leading rusher, Artose Pinner, who had his third consecutive 100-yard game against Middle Tennessee.

Zook and the players said they won't underestimate Kentucky.

"The thing we've talked about since we've been here is take it one game at a time," Zook said. "Our football team realizes we've got a long way to go. It is very important that we focus and stay focused."

MISSING THE ACTION: When Kentucky travels to Gainesville on Saturday, two of its players will sit out at least the first half of the game. Offensive lineman Sylvester Miller and center Michael Aitcheson were ejected for fighting at the end of the first half of Saturday's game against Middle Tennessee and, per NCAA rules, will not be eligible for the first half of the Florida game.

KENTUCKY TIES: The last time Kentucky defeated Florida in Gainesville was 1979 and UF offensive line coach Joe Wickline was a member of that Gator team. Wickline, a St. Petersburg native, was a junior of the team that finished 0-10-1 that season.

GAME BALL: Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley received a game ball from Zook on Saturday night.

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