Jon Sumrall’s debut had just about everything Florida fans could have hoped for in The Swamp. The stadium was as lively and electric as it has been for a long time, and the 66 points the Gators put up are the most ever in a season opener since 1988.
As noted last night, not even Steve Spurrier or Urban Meyer had managed to do that.
There is bound to be a ton of excitement with Florida moving forward, which means the hype train is about to take off until it doesn’t. With that in mind, we are bringing back our weekly segment of two truths and a lie to make sure we keep everything in perspective.
Florida fans are amped after scoring 66 points against FAU
Truth - Aaron Philo is going to be just fine
We knew Florida had all the skill players in the world to cause problems for opponents, but the main mystery heading into Saturday night was whether or not Aaron Philo was actually a good QB, or did he just win the job because he happened to know Buster Faulkner’s offense?
Philo passed his debut with flying colors as he went 16 of 21 for 275 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 20 yards and a touchdown.
What impressed us most is that Philo didn’t have to be super flashy to be effective. He put the ball exactly where it needed to be, and he wasn’t forcing things too much. Perhaps the best juxtaposition between Philo and former QB DJ Lagway was a similar throw both made on Saturday.
In Lagway’s game against Auburn, he had a throw on the goal line during the deciding two point converstion that was behind his target and slowed down the momentum to allow a stop. While Philo’s TD to Bailey Stockton was a bit further out, it was a similar throw in principle, and Philo put it out in front of Stockton to allow the catch and run.
Truth - Our fears about Brad White will continue
Offense, good. Defense, bad.
That was the theme from Saturday, and at the core of it was the scheme that new defensive coordinator Brad White chose to roll out. Our concern about White coming in from Kentucky is that he had a tendency to play safe, static zones that worked well against weaker competition but were frequently shredded against ranked opponents.
If White and his Kentucky teams were getting dominant pressure with the front four, the scheme fell apart.
What we saw on Saturday was a defense that seemed afraid to assert its will. Players were flying to the ball, but it just felt like White was hell-bent on playing safe on the back end. He frequently left the box light, inviting easy five yard runs, and he never seemed to want to adjust even as FAU could get eight yard underneath routes all night long.
Yes, FAU has an explosive offense, but this left a lot to be desired.
Lie - Florida can sustain Eric Singleton Jr. being out long term
For the casual fan who doesn’t follow much of the offseason stuff, one of the bigger pickups the Gators had in the transfer portal was Auburn wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. Unfortunately, on Florida’s opening touchdown, he got rolled up on while blocking, and he missed the rest of the game.
Jon Sumrall said it was an ankle issue, but he doesn’t know how long he will be out.
Florida’s wide receiver trio of Vernell Brown III, Dallas Wilson, and Singleton was one of the big hopes we had coming into the season. And obviously, Jadan Baugh looks like he can carry this team by himself, while Brown had a monster night too.
But there is a drop-off from Singleton to the next wave of receivers, as demonstrated by the drop from Micah Mays Jr. that led to an INT. For Florida’s offense to be dominant enough to overcome the potential issues on defense, Florida is going to need a healthy Singleton.
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