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Florida football: 5 things from the first half against UT-Martin

By Matthew Clark

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 07: Head coach Dan Mullen of the Florida Gators watches the action prior to the game against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 07: Head coach Dan Mullen of the Florida Gators watches the action prior to the game against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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Again, not the prettiest start for Florida football as the Gators only led 3-0 at the end of the first quarter against UT-Martin. It blew up in the second quarter.

An Evan McPherson field goal was the only scoring in the first quarter as Florida football held a 3-0 lead — scoring on their only full possession of the quarter.

The Gator defense did hold the Skyhawks to a pair of punts in the first quarter.

Finally, in the second quarter, Florida opened things up, in a big way.

Here are five things we observed in the first half:

Still questions on offense

While the first drive yielded the McPherson field goal, the Gators struggled after that. One big question is why was the call a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-2 early in the second quarter? Why not just punt the ball?

The O-line still needs to work some schemes out and give the running backs room to run.

Incomplete … we don’t need no incomplete

It wasn’t until the early mark of the second quarter that either quarterback threw an incomplete pass. UT-Martin quarterback John Bachus threw an incomplete pass intended for Jaylon Moore, but broken up by CJ Henderson.

Before that, Bachus and Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks were 11-for-11. It was a great amount of quarterback discipline for both.

Defensive saviors

While the Florida football offense sputtered in the first half, the defense was near the top of its game. Three early drives for the Skyhawks resulted in three straight punts. The Gator defense was big against the run, allowing just 2 rushing yards on 15 carries.

What was even better to see was the fact that younger players like Chester Kimbrough were getting into the action on defense in the first half. It only shows that the defense, as good as it looks now, can only get better.

Florida football also racked up three more sacks for a combined loss of 16 yards.

Franks coming up big

One big answer was Feliepe Franks shook off criticism from the 24-20 win over Miami with a huge 69-yard touchdown pass to Van Jefferson with 8 minutes left in the half.

Franks was 15-for-16 in the first half for 183 yards and two touchdowns. The second score came as Franks found Tyrie Cleveland wide open … and I do mean wide open … across the middle.

https://twitter.com/AllKindsWeather/status/1170496838371332102

I don’t hear anyone complaining about his performance now.

Overall, much better than against Miami

With the exception of the running game — still had 83 yards on the ground — Florida football had a much more rounded game in the first half than against Miami.

I know, I know. UT-Martin isn’t Miami, but still, you make your biggest progress between the first game of the season and the second game.

I think we have seen a marked improvement in most of the areas of question from the win over Miami.

One thing I’m going to hold off on mentioning is the injuries.

Next. All you need to know for tonight's Gators-Skyhawks game. dark

Let’s get ready for the second half!

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