DE Bobby McCray and CB Keiwan Ratliff combine for 11 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions.
By BRIAN SHAFFER
Published October 12, 2003
BATON ROUGE La. - In a statement game for Florida, two senior defensemen spoke the loudest.
Bobby McCray and Keiwan Ratliff made big hits, shut down their opponent and proved to critics they and their teammates have not given up.
On Saturday, McCray and Ratliff combined for 11 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions in a 19-7 win against LSU.
After the game, players and coaches said it was the best the Gators defense had played this season.
McCray, a defensive end, has struggled with a left toe injury sustained during the preseason. "He told me that he gave everybody in the country a three game head start," defensive coordinator Charlie Strong said. "This was a breakout game for him, being in this environment and being on CBS. Today a lot of people saw what he can do."
While McCray kept pressure on Tigers quarterback Matt Mauck, Ratliff shut down Michael Clayton, an All-SEC receiver Florida coach Ron Zook has called the best in the conference.
Ratliff, a preseason All-SEC cornerback, had been quiet through six games, with opponents throwing away from him and opting to test Johnny Lamar. But with Lamar's improved play, Ratliff found himself covering the target of several of Mauck's passes.
In a marquee matchup, Ratliff stayed with Clayton most of the game. Ratliff thought it was one of the best performances of his career.
"I knew the type of receiver he is," Ratliff said, "and I knew that I had to play as well as I could, or it could've been a long day for our defense."
After the game, each player thanked the other and credited other defensive units for his success.
McCray gave all the credit to Ratliff and the secondary for keeping receivers covered, leading to the three sacks.
Ratliff said it was the pressure McCray and the defensive line provided that forced Mauck into bad decisions and his two interceptions.
Ratliff and McCray made enough plays to post a shutout against the SEC's highest scoring offense and win a game that might have prevented the season from crumbling.
"We couldn't lose this game, and we were going to do whatever it took to come away with the win," McCray said.
