College football

In an about-face, UF turns to defense

As the new spread offense struggles, the defense that was criticized last season stands tall.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published November 3, 2005

GAINESVILLE - For months after Urban Meyer arrived in Gainesville, talk centered around his unusual spread offense.

It was the system that revived Bowling Green's program and led Utah to an undefeated season. And it was the system that was supposed to take the Gators back to the glory days of routs via a high-flying offense.

But eight games into the season it's the Florida defense that has dominated and been instrumental in keeping the Gators in the SEC East race.

While the offense continues to find its way under Meyer's new scheme, the defense that was maligned for late-game collapses last season is the crown jewel of the Gator program.

Florida ranks fifth nationally in total defense (273.63 yards) and No.2 in turnover margin (1.63). The Gators are seventh nationally in scoring defense (15.38).

Aside from its collapse in a 28-point loss to Alabama, the defense has held opponents to 14 points or fewer in five of Florida's six wins.

The defense has allowed just seven fourth-quarter points combined in the past four games.

In a 35-9 win over Mississippi State, the Gator defense accounted for two safeties, six sacks, three interceptions and one fumble recovery.

The Gators returned 11 players who started at least one game last season, a total of 86 starts. Experience, plus the more aggressive, blitzing schemes of co-defensive coordinators Charlie Strong and Greg Mattison, are key components in the defense's turnaround, the players said.

"We always had the talent," defensive end Steven Harris said. "We got new coaches, brought in new schemes and they taught us new techniques so that helped us out a lot. We're a lot more aggressive and we finish plays. That helps keep us in the game in the fourth quarter."

Florida spent its open date two weeks ago trying to correct problems with its struggling offense and the result was much better production in the win over Georgia. At least in the first half. After scoring 14 points on their first two drives, the Gators didn't score again.

Its defense took care of the rest.

So instead of watching their team run up the score, Florida fans most likely should prepare for a different approach the remainder of the season. A lower-scoring game dictated by field position and solid defense.

That doesn't mean Meyer is ready to bail out on his offense and turn the season over to Strong, Mattison and company. The offense, he said, is still a work in progress, but it is in progress.

"We've got to prove a great deal on offense," he said. "We have made improvements, and we have faced some very good defenses. We've had some injury issues but no one really cares, including us. We have to move on and get better. Am I ready to turn the season over to the defense? I'm ready to turn the season over to the Gators. You have to do what you have to do to help each other win. We did excellent on the way the game started and the way we played field-position football (last week)."

Among the biggest adjustments was adding seven-man protection schemes and plays designed to allow rollouts for quarterback Chris Leak. Running backs DeShawn Wynn and Markus Manson played well, which opened up the passing game.

"The coaches put in extra protection and it lets the receivers get into their routes and lets me set my feet and throw," Leak said. "When those things happen, it really lets the passing game be successful."

Still, with under three minutes left and the game on the line, the Gators fell back on their defense - again. For players who were ridiculed last season for not being tough enough to finish games, it's the ultimate compliment and a testament to the faith they've gained in each other.

"It's a lot of us trusting each other, staying where we're supposed to be and not trying to make plays that aren't our plays," sophomore linebacker Brandon Siler said, describing why the team is better. "We know our partner is going to be there to make his play. This team comes harder because you know your boys are going to be there for you and all you've got to do is do your job 100 percent. You don't have to be worried he's not going to be there and I might have to make his play. Everybody's got each other's back and we trust each other doing our job."

Offensive lineman Randy Hand said he and the rest of the offensive players are working hard to improve because, "We want to score as many points as possible; as an offensive player, you don't want to put that kind of pressure on the defense."

Florida has averaged 17.25 points the past four games. If that's the best it can do, the defense is prepared to help carry the rest of the way. Regardless of the stats, it is, they insist, a team effort.

"As a defense you always want the game to be in your hands, you want to know that it's up to us to win the game," Harris said. "But you want to know the offense is out there scoring points and doing their part."

[Last modified November 3, 2005, 01:07:13]