Florida Football: Gators will beat USC Jr. if they contain running game
As Florida football enters its final three games of the season, it is fair to say that the defense it not going to shut down anyone. Texas A&M had an anemic offense and still put up 24 points in the first half against the Gators. As we know, Florida turned a corner in the second half and pitched a second-half shutout.
Entering Saturday’s contest against USC Jr. (officially known as the University of South Carolina), there are elements from last week’s game that can be carried over to this week and lead the Gators to victory.
Florida Football: Rattling Rattler is the goal
The Gamecocks are led by a name known to most of the college football world, Spencer Rattler. The former Oklahoma QB has a decent enough completion percentage (64%) and passing yards that are tied with Anthony Richardson’s passing total (1,822 yards), but his downfall has been turnovers. Rattler has nine interceptions and only eight touchdowns to go with it.
While Richardson has seven interceptions to go with nine passing touchdowns, the biggest difference is that Rattler isn’t much of a runner. He only has 49 attempts for 21 yards and seven fumbles.
If USC Jr. moves the ball on Florida football, it won’t be because of Rattler’s arm. Carolina uses mostly safe routes, a lot of mesh routes, and doesn’t really have a vertical threat. Antwane Wells Jr. is the top receiver for USC Jr. with 41 catches for 574 yards. It’s a respectable stat line, but at 14 yards per catch he is well outside the top 100 nationally in that category (Justin Shorter is 4th in the country in yards per catch).
The real threat for USC Jr. comes with running back Marshawn Lloyd. At 5-9, 212 pounds, Lloyd is a shifty back that has great stop-and-go cuts and will create yards out of nothing. This is where Ventrell Miller once again becomes the most important player for the Gators.
Last week in the 2nd half, part of the success was from Miller shutting down Aggies’ running back Devon Achane. Noticeably when Achane tried to get to the flat, Miller was there to greet him. If Miller can have the same success, there isn’t much of a pathway for USC Jr. to get the ball down field (beyond special teams, this is a team coached by Shane Beamer after all).
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