Florida football: First-half observations against South Carolina

Outscoring South Carolina 10-3, Florida football is still in the game against the Gamecocks, tied 10-10 at halftime.

It is a sloppy, wet game in Columbia as No. 9 Florida football is battling a poor running game, a wet football and what can only be described as “questionable” officiating.

Without their two best pass rushers — Jabari Zuniga and Jonathan Greenard — the Gators have been the beneficiaries of just poor passing by South Carolina quarterback Ryan Hilinski to stay in the game.

Luckily, Jeremiah Moon has been establishing himself as a force on defense, making the most of his opportunity with Zuniga and Greenard out.

Here’s a look at our first-half observations from Florida-South Carolina

Stay in your area

On South Carolina’s first possession, Luke Ancrum was called for two (count ’em, two) neutral zone violations.

Florida Gators Football

I’m not really sure how you don’t know where the neutral zone is, let alone where you are in relation to it, but silly penalties like that helped South Carolina score.

We talked about the fact that Florida football needed to eliminate the “dumb” if they were going to come out of Columbia with a win.

Two neutral zone violations in the same drive would certainly be considered dumb.

Where’s Jones?

I’m not saying Kyle Trask is doing poorly, because that’s certainly not the case.

However, considering the fact it is a downpour in Columbia, it raises the question about where Emory Jones is in this game plan.

We all know Jones is solid in the running game and he can certainly throw the ball.

Because South Carolina is showing Florida football so many different looks and tight end Kyle Pitts is struggling to get into the game, adding the weapon of Jones’ legs might be a good idea.

Just surprising that it didn’t happen as much in the first half as Jones’ first appearance was due to Trask’s helmet coming off in their first touchdown drive in the second quarter.

What about the officials?

Now, I’m not one to usually complain about the officiating, even when it is bad.

But, a defensive pass interference call in the second quarter when South Carolina quarterback Ryan Hilinski threw the ball 20 yards over the receiver’s head is a bit ludicrous.

Not calling defensive pass interference when a safety is all over Pitts across the middle … equally ludicrous.

Usually, a conference will have a lead official on-site to evaluate their field crews at league games. I am not sure of the Southeastern Conference does that, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea if they did.

Pitts involvement

Florida football tight end Kyle Pitts was literally non-existent in the first half.

While Jacob Copeland picked up the slack with a touchdown catch over the middle and more than 60 yards receiving, Pitts should be in the mix much more than he has been.

I know Israel Mukuamu has been all over Pitts, but at 6-foot-6, Pitts still controls the mismatch and Florida’s offense could use that advantage to better move the ball down the field.

Conversion is key

It’s wet and nasty today in Columbia and that’s not going to change.

Florida football needs to convert, especially on third down, if they hope to maintain possession.

Since scoring will likely be at a premium, keeping the football is key.

Thus far, Florida has a 33% third-down conversion rate, which is not good at all. Florida football has to do a better job getting their short passes converted into yardage as well.

It’s not that South Carolina is that much better than Florida. It seems more that Florida was beating itself in the first half.

The second half starts soon!