There aren’t many things better as a sports fan than when your team beats your biggest rival handily. After inexplicably losing to arguably our second biggest rival 2 weeks ago, the Dawgs righted the ship in a major way on defense yesterday and smothered the Gators. While Gunner and the offense struggled more than I would have expected, given how poor Florida is on defense, rivalry games always bring out weird outcomes, and Gunner passing for only 101 yards was definitely weird. We do grades later in the week, but I’m guessing the overall team grade will be a C+. Thankfully, Florida matched their logo with an F. On to the bullets!
- I found it odd that the offensive staff was so concerned about Florida’s defense that they came out cautious with numerous WR screens. I think it may have led to playing tight early.
- Nate Frazier looked as close to 100% healthy as he has since Week 1. Needed that, even if Chauncey is teasing us with an earlier than expected return.
- Pretty sure London Humphreys had his first 2 drops of his career yesterday. I did like Gunner going back to him immediately after the first one, though.
- I was very impressed with Aaron Philo’s John Mateer impression. Getting benched for Trammel Jones doesn’t really do a lot to prove Kirby should have recruited you.
- I think Donnie Glover is going to watch this game in the corner by himself. Way too many missed blocks. Got to be better next week against that Ole Miss front.
- The rest of the OL was mostly very good, giving up only one sack and “expressing themselves” with some fun-loving pancakes and dominating kickout blocks. Greene played inspired and Helton continues to improve.
- On the other hand, what is going on with Woodring? Every kick feels like an adventure. I only kicked on the side growing up, and my buddy was our HS kicker, but it looks to me like he’s got too much wasted motion in his lower half, and that is leading to an erratic plant foot causing scuffs and mis-hits.
- Kirby defended Sacovie on his 3rd or 4th muffed punt of the season (!), but the kid keeps hesitating and it’s going to get them beat at some point. Teams see it and are intentionally sending him low bouncers every time.
- The defense played lights out. The DBs clearly took tackling work seriously during the off week (looking at you Barnes) and played almost a complete game with a ton of aggression and discipline.
- The Tarantula struck again! I think he has as many TDs as Peanut on the season. Crazy.
- The primary goal for the game was to stop Jaden Baugh. Mission accomplished. 17 carries for 38 yards and no TDs.
- Florida didn’t cross the 50-yard line until a minute left in the first half.
- Dinkins >> Riddle. Just one man’s opinion.
- Gunner had another off day, and this time there was no injury to blame. He’s got to move his feet in the pocket to open up throwing lanes, because defensive linemen have figured out they can’t get past the OL, so they’re stopping and jumping to block his passes down. I counted 3 of them yesterday.
- Gunner started off nervy but seemed to settle in with the run game and play action. I kept yelling for more runs to the right side of the OL, which was dominating that side of the Gator DL on the ground.
- Owning the middle eight is always satisfying.
- With all the recent leaking of pregame and halftime speeches lately, I found myself imagining Kirby’s halftime speech including imagery about not taking your foot off their neck. The defense did not, other than that one drive in the 4th.
- That’s said, the offense came out flat yet again, similar to the Auburn game. Gunner seemed to be trying to energize them from the doldrums, but he wasn’t all that successful.
- Offensive self-scouting wasn’t amazing. In addition to the blocked passes, Bobo keeps trying to use Helton and Glover on extended pulling plays and they still can’t get to their spots. They’re so much better when they don’t have to run to their blocks.
- A surprising wtf play by Talyn Taylor on the fumble, as he was really careless with the ball. Also, screens from the 10-yard line rarely work anyway, so I didn’t understand that one. Maybe we were saving our good offensive plays for Ole Miss. 😉
- On that garbage time TD drive for Florida, Faulkner finally schemed up a way to not have at least 3 UGA defensive players around Baugh or the QB. He’s really good on goal line plays. Thankfully the Dawgs didn’t give him many opportunities.
It’s always great to wax the Gators, who were outclassed, outcoached and overmatched. Sumrall wasn’t ready for prime time. Georgia told them to go lay down by their dish. Elite defense will take this team pretty far, maybe to the SEC Championship and the semifinals of the playoffs. But we know they’re aiming (and we’re hoping) for higher than that, and to get there they’re going to need a lot more from the offense and special teams than they’ve gotten the last couple of weeks. Time to break out the special crayon box. Next week is the biggest game of the year for the Dawgs. The top 8 in the SEC will all be playing each other. It’s basically an elimination weekend. Georgia needs to play Terminator mode and kick some Toddy ass. Go Dawgs!
Strange game on offense but they did enough thanks to the suffocating defense. Any win over the Gators is a good win. I was struck at how tight and poorly prepared Florida was. Sumrall had a bit of deer in the headlights look to him. I’m on to the fighting Land Sharks. It looks like running Chambliss is back I hope Cole stays all over him like a cheap suit!
Great analysis. But once again I have concerns- with officiating. The DPI I guess I can live with but the roughing the passer..? Say what??
And, I am thick of head but someone explain to me how u have 3 penalties on one play – two of them the same infraction- chop blocking – and then a hold. But..ump..no..agh..nope naw we gone take away BOTH chop blocks (u mean u called TWO but NEITHER gonna take huh..?) and just give the holding. Even Fowler thought it was gonna be 1st & 25 back from the LOS instead of 1st & 16. Can we do SOMETHING about this officiating.
Side note- hated BOTH 3rd down calls before the fg attempts- missed & made. And thank God the good guys were winning so Herbie & Fowler were tolerable.
The roughing call was weak for sure. I missed the way they marked the chop block penalty, but I may rewatch it later today.
Also, try the Skycast channel on mute and listen to Donnan for part of the game at least. He’s partisan, and Radi is annoying, but they’re better than Fowler and Herbstreit by a mile.
I can’t believe they put announcers on my skycast…. Bastards!
Yeah, Skycast “plus” my ass.
It’s funny SkyCast is rarely available for me this season. When it has been its SkyCast + WTF what’s the point in that.
Herbicide and Fowler are biased against Georgia you can’t change my mind on that. Went back and listened to the highlights with them just horrible.
Thought yesterday was the best version of Jeff Dantzler I’ve heard doing football. Big improvement over first of the year. When synced with the tv it works nicely.
I agree. It was perfect before with just stadium announcer and crowd noise.
I’ve seen this suggested quite a bit. I guess I gotta get out there WITH the kids on my lawn and give this a try😀
I certainly hope we beat the hell out of old miss, but believe we can sustain one more loss & make the cfp. Quite honestly, woul like to miss the sec championship game & on to the real goal
I think Kirby put the brakes on the offense to some degree (“Dawgs don’t beat Dawgs”) and it lead to that constipated output. Offense played tight. Luckily the defense was outstanding. We will need that defense next week for sure, plus a little free wheeling offense.
I think people were saying the same thing last year … and then the Ole Miss offensive explosion happened.
Here’s to that happening again with a great defensive effort.
I’m just not concerned about the offense. To me it was clear that once we had twenty points Kirby was happy to put it onnthe defense and went ultra conservative. I don’t necessarily like it but I know that’s what he likes to do. There was an old man at church this morning blaming Bobo and grousing about how Hes going to have to call better plays and this and that. Whatever. I’m not worried about it.
I hear you but most of those points were generated solely or with significant help from the defense. It would have been nice to drive for a TD instead of fumbling close to the goal line near the end. The football isn’t supposed to be a hot potato.
I just don’t believe our offense has forgotten how to play football. But I realize that doesnt scratch the drama itch people have.
Appreciate the summary, good again. Never under appreciate winning, especially over FU.
D as in Dawg’s comment yesterday nailed it – “no ability to throw past the line of scrimmage”. Leaves some questions. Is Gunner currently gun shy? Is the shoulder stinger that wasn’t a concussion still lingering? How many of the screens were his call during pre-snap checks at the LOS? Is the WR route scheme lacking? (Obviously TE usage is.) Tipped passes continue to be an ongoing problem.
Just some things observed at times through the season thus far, not just yesterday. And it’s NOT an anti-Gunner perspective, love the kid, his toughness and proven ability. Just have to have a higher level passing game going forward to accomplish what this team is capable of.
I really do think they throttled down again after going up big. The offense will need to have way more explosiveness to keep up with Ole Maid next week. Florida was a hot mess yesterday and Kirby knew it.
Pretty much sums it all up…
Like you, I wonder how often Gunner is checking down at the line, especially when he calls his own number. It’s great that he’s a good runner and tough guy for a QB, but I hope Bobo isn’t inclined to have him run the ball 12 times every game.
Great defense and 250 yards rushing will win a lot of games, but chicks dig the long ball.
“Thankfully, Florida matched their logo with an F.”
“I was very impressed with Aaron Philo’s John Mateer impression.”
Comedy gold, DIA!
Sadly, I share your thoughts on Sacovie, Woodring and Talyn. I suspect that a big part of the problems are mental, particularly as to Woodring. Kid has been too good to suddenly miss kicks that previously were well within his range.
Regarding Woodring. Does the name Steve Blass mean anto you?
I remember when Steve Sax couldn’t throw it to first base.
Also remember when Blair Walsh had pussy-whipped symptoms supposedly.
Woodring has recently looked similar.
Can someone pick up line 1 at Butts-Mehre, Kevin Butler would like a word.
Woodring lack of focus & Scovie-White will cost us going forward. Note that we have had 15 fumbles so far & retained 10. That will kill us as well. Have my Minson hat on
Already approaching Week 10. Got dayum.
Opened the Black Maple Hill at the half yesterday. Did not regret it.
I’m a football dummy, but we have four stud TEs. Feed ’em! I liked the shot we took downfield to Reddell yesterday, and the PA pass to him was a beautifully designed and executed play. I say again: we’ve got FOUR TEs who can block AND catch the ball. They’re matchup nightmares all over the field, but particularly in the red zone. Just baffling that we seem to forget about them for long periods of time. I know all y’all know ball better than I do. What am I missing? I’ll hang up and listen.
Tickets for Ole Piss are $$$. Hoo boy. Should be a great atmosphere.
Totally forgot 2 bullets:
I was amazed at how many cell phone lights were on in the Florida half of the stadium at Light Up the Benz.
Very enjoyable and honest game breakdown. Nothing I would disagree with, The defense was classic get after their asses Dawgs.
I’m concerned about the offense next week. Just my view it looks like Gunner was not willing to let it rip downfield. Afraid of throwing a pick so I’ll run or check down to a safe pass seems like what was happening.
The backend of FU’s defense has been their weakness. Why only two deep shots against them was a mistake. Running it down their throats when they knew it was coming was very impressive. Welcome back Nate Frazier. Peanut is a stud feed that dawg eat.
The Gunner that sliced up bama can beat anyone and win championships. What we saw yesterday is not going to do that.
The screen pass obsession seems to be a crutch for the QB more than an effective offense when used like yesterday. I don’t claim to know if it’s just Bobo stubborn or following Kirby orders or Gunner checking into it. There was a point if I had Coach Hartley on speed dial I would have called and said break every screen pass crayon now. I personally believe it’s more than Bobo being stubborn.
GATA on to Oxford and break their hearts.
Being in a dome the game was loud. The crowd was into it. Lots of DAWGS in the FL seats. The gators left early. I missed Jacksonville. This was my first Benz experience so not sure how it compared to other games there.
I’ve enjoyed every game in the Benz. I’ve also never the Dawgs lose there in person, so there’s that.
Yesterday did make me seriously consider buying tickets for the game in Tampa and going back to Jax at some point.
I’d consider Tampa too, but the ticket prices were outrageous at the Benz for the lower bowl. I paid less for the championship games.
Not sure I’d agree with calling that Florida TD “garbage time.” They got the game within two theoretical scores and still had 7 minutes left on the clock. Then they inexplicably kicked the ball both deep and out of bounds and didn’t get the ball back until 3:34 left and down 19.
Kicking deep there was the right play. They were trying to pin our return and then get a quick 3 and out with some field position or try to create a turnover.
As many times as we run that screen stuff you think we’d be pretty good at it. I know, at some point this season someone may break one for 30 yards. Whoop dee doo. At some point this season our offense will have to win a game. They couldnt at home not too long ago.
Nothing But perfection is your thing huh?, Yes we lost a game at home but thats what happens sometimes in a Rivalry game , have you noticed the parity in college football this season, Jesus it must be painful to be a fan like that.