Florida football: For Gators, it’s about stopping Bryce Perkins

If there’s one player Florida football will have to keep a sharp eye on during the Capital One Orange Bowl, it’s Virginia’s quarterback.

The Florida football defense has one big thing in mind for the Capital One Orange Bowl: Stop Bryce Perkins.

The Virginia quarterback has been the Cavaliers’ offensive stalwart heading into Monday’s bowl game in Miami.

Last season, Perkins went 225-for-349 with 2,680 yards and 25 touchdowns. This season, the senior from Arizona was 292-for-456 with 3,215 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Oh, on top of that, Perkins also has 745 yards on 213 carries and 11 touchdowns on the ground.

"“I think this guy is really special in the sense that one if you watch from the continuity tape, I think he’s gotten better every game this year,” said Florida football defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. “The end of the year probably averaging 300 yards a game passing. He’s obviously athletic and can make things happen. I mean, he’s carried the ball 100 more times than their tailback. You’ve got to understand that.”"

There is one thing the Gators can take solace from and it’s the 11 interceptions Perkins has thrown this year. That could lead to a feast for the Florida football secondary if Perkins gets pass-happy.

Interestingly enough. Getting Perkins to pass is the game plan for Florida football.

“You put pressure on him and make him beat us with his arm, not his feet. That’s the biggest thing,” said defensive back David Reece II. “Just put pressure on him, blitz. We’ve got great pass rushers. That’s what we’re going to do.”

Reece went on to say that it was Perkins that made the Virginia offense work.

"“It just gives us an extra chip on our shoulder to know that this is the guy that has a great day against defenses running and passing the game,” Reece said. “He had two 300-yard passing games. Just excited to show what we can do, what we’re capable of, and go out on the right foot.”"

To put things in perspective, against Miami Perkins want 25-of-42 for 252 yards but had no touchdowns and no interceptions as the Hurricanes upended then-No. 20 Virginia 17-9 in Miami.

Perkins only had one touchdown pass in a 31-24 win over Florida State in Charlottesville in the third game of the season, but he was 22-for-37 for 234 yards and two interceptions.

In the ACC championship game against Clemson, Perkins did have 266 yards on 27-for-43 passing with a pair of touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. He struggled to run the football, gaining just 58 yards on 17 carries against the Tigers’ defense.

The situation would likely be more similar to Clemson. Florida football will have to contain Perkins at the line of scrimmage as Clemson did and force him to throw the football.

"“He’s really fast, makes some good decisions and knows when to tuck and run with it. He’s their guy, so he’s going to make plays when he needs to, even times when it might not be called for, he’s going to make something happen,” said Florida football linebacker Jonathan Greenard. “Just got to execute on the pass rush and try to contain him. That’s a goal and the game plan, we just look forward to executing it.”"

The Cavaliers have talented receivers in Hasise Dubois and Bill Kemp, but the Florida football secondary is more athletic and has faced stronger wide receiving corps in SEC play.

No. 9 Florida football will take on No. 24 Virginia at 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30 in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.