Gators shake off the rust and a slow start to overwhelm the Eagles in the delayed opener.
By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published September 12, 2004
[Times photo: James Borchuck]
Senior receiver O.J. Small makes an acrobatic 36-yard catch at Eastern Michigan's 3, which set up the Gators' second touchdown of the second quarter.
GAINESVILLE - Five weeks and two hurricanes after preseason practice began, Florida finally played a real game.
The opponent, Eastern Michigan, might not have been the most formidable, but you couldn't find a single Gator player complaining. They just wanted to play. Any opponent would do.
Despite a first quarter in which it had possession of the ball fewer than five minutes and a lengthy weather delay, No. 11 Florida (1-0) defeated Eastern Michigan 49-10 Saturday afternoon at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
At times struggling, other times looking sharp, the Gators managed to shake off most of the effects of a delayed season. Eastern Michigan (1-1) gained 296 yards against the Gators, 201 against Florida's young secondary, but Florida coach Ron Zook mostly liked what he saw.
"There were a lot more good things that happened than bad," Zook said. "I know there are a lot of times where people can get on things and wonder about different aspects, but I look at the last week and I know it affected me because we got ready to play and then we couldn't play. I was concerned about getting stale, but I don't think that we are. ... I think overall the things that I saw are very easily corrected. It is something you expect to happen, especially when you're dealing with young guys."
After having its season-opener delayed one week because of Hurricane Frances, to say the Gators were sluggish early would be an understatement. Eastern Michigan won the toss, elected to take the ball, then held it almost all of the first quarter.
Florida had the ball just 4:50 and gained a meager 51 offensive yards (17 passing). Eastern Michigan opened the game by driving 88 yards on 13 plays, setting up a 23-yard field goal by Andrew Wellock to take a 3-0 lead.
After recovering the ensuing onside kick, Eastern Michigan's next drive stalled, but it was clear the Eagles had come to play.
"They had us wondering what was going on in the first quarter," Florida center Mike Degory said.
Florida figured it out well enough.
Junior running back Ciatrick Fason scored two touchdowns to give Florida a 14-3 lead midway through the second quarter. Then lightning moved into the area and the game was delayed 64 minutes. Florida said it wasn't affected much by the delay, but Eastern Michigan was.
"We played all-out in the first quarter, but the game got away from us after the lightning break," coach Jeff Genyk said. "That was really a factor in the game. We had some momentum going. I felt really good about where we were. In the third quarter, the Gators took control with their rushing game and Chris Leak's passing game."
The debut of Larry Fedora as offensive coordinator and the anticipated new and improved offense mostly lived up to its billing. Bubble screens were replaced by more downfield passes, and the tempo increased.
After going 2-of-5 in the first quarter, quarterback Chris Leak finished 16-of-25 for 244 yards and three touchdowns - passes of 10, 7 and 4 yards to O.J. Small, Dallas Baker and Billy Latsko, respectively. Six Florida players scored touchdowns, including DeShawn Wynn on a 2-yard run and Skyler Thornton's 1-yard run with 56 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Florida rushed for 159 yards and its defense held Eastern Michigan to just 74 yards in the second half. Eagles receiver Eric Deslauriers scored their lone touchdown on a 22-yard pass from quarterback Matt Bohnet (19-of-36 fo 201 yards). As season openers go, this one had added responsibility.
Playing just one game before its SEC showdown with Tennessee next week, Florida was forced to measure its readiness against the unranked Eagles.
"We needed this game because you can't simulate a game with game endurance affecting your muscles and wind," said linebacker Channing Crowder, who led all Florida players with 10 tackles. "So it is good to get a game under your belt before you go into big SEC play."
By game's end, it was clear Florida was ready for Eastern Michigan. Whether it means anything for Tennessee remains to be seen.
"Getting one game in was important," Zook said. "Usually a football team is going to make its greatest improvements from its first to second and second to third games."
