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Florida Football: Princely Umanmielen sparks 2nd half shutout for Gators

By Benjamin Henderson

Sep 10, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen (33), head coach Billy Napier and teammates run out onto the field against the Kentucky Wildcats prior to the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen (33), head coach Billy Napier and teammates run out onto the field against the Kentucky Wildcats prior to the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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After Brenton Cox was dismissed from the Florida Gators earlier this week because of “cumulative issues,” the question arose if anyone was going to step up in his place to fill the void. Through the first half against Texas A&M it looked like no one from Florida football was going to do that and Anthony Richardson was about to have another great performance wasted.

But something changed in the second half and the Gators played their best half of football on the defensive side this season and it helped spark Florida to victory.

Florida Football: Fresh Princely of Gainesville

If you have watched any game this year featuring the Florida Gators, then the first half felt familiar. Nobody from Florida could tackle, Jason Marshall looked lethargic, and Florida football continued to have coverage busts that left Texas A&M players wide open.

Ventrell Miller admitted after the game that the halftime speech was very direct and to the point.

"“(We took to heart) the halftime speech from some of the coaches and players. We know we started off flat-footed, just taking ownership of that. We just got the boys motivated for the second half and everybody came out and did their job.”"

Opening play of the second half saw freshman Justus Boone burst into the backfield and blow up Texas A&M running back Devon Achane. Two plays later the Aggies were punting. Then Princely Umanmielen blew by the Aggies left tackle and Texas A&M was punting again.

Forcing back-to-back three and outs felt like a Christmas miracle, but Umanmielen wasn’t done. The sophomore continued to harass Aggies’ QB Haynes King and was credited with two QB hits. What could have been the dagger came in the fourth quarter when Umanmielen sacked King to force a fumble and stop an A&M drive.

Even with Florida football sputtering on offense at times, the defense for once didn’t budge. Antwaun Powell-Ryland forced another strip-sack of King and for the first time all season there was a sense of optimism among the defense.

The corners were playing much tighter coverage and Patrick Toney was employing delayed blitzes that were actually getting home.

In the end, Florida won 41-24. The 24 points surrendered in the first half won’t make for pretty film study as Texas A&M is only averaging 21 total points per game. But with their star defensive lineman/OLB gone, it was a freshman and two sophomores that filled the void along the line. It gave us a glimpse that if Napier can get his guys into the program and cycle out the toxic ones he inherited, maybe Florida football can actually put together a competent defense.

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