Florida took a page out the Oklahoma playbook and unveiled its new hurry-up offense in Saturday's 62-3 win over Charleston Southern.
Coach Urban Meyer and defensive coordinator Charlie Strong had such a tough time game-planning for the Sooners' fast-paced offense in last season's national title game that they installed their own version in the Gators' offense.
"I want to hear what gives them a hard time, and that preparation we had for Oklahoma was very difficult," Meyer said. "Go up and snap the ball. Put pressure on the defense. You're going to see more and more of the up-tempo."
In UF's new "Bonsai" formation, there is no huddle. Instead, the players run to the line of scrimmage, Tim Tebow gets the play called in from the sideline and then snaps the ball at varying points in the play clock to keep the defense off balance.
"What you saw Saturday was the tip of the iceberg," Meyer said.
Receiver David Nelson estimated that the Gators scored two or three times out of the formation, including Jeff Demps' 23-yard touchdown run.
THOMPSON MAKING UP: Deonte Thompson didn't have a catch Saturday.
He blew by two Buccaneers defenders on a fly route but then dropped what would have been a 67-yard touchdown pass.
"We actually stayed (after practice Sunday) and threw that ball like six more times, and he caught every one of them," Tebow said. "That just goes to show his work ethic and his determination to want to be that big-time receiver, which he's going to be."
Thompson had 269 yards receiving and three touchdowns last season is replacing Louis Murphy in the Gators offense this season.
"I trust him 100 percent. He's going to go out and make that play this week versus Troy," Tebow said.
DOE, JENKINS SHOULD PLAY: Linebacker Dustin Doe and cornerback Janoris Jenkins are expected to play against Troy after sitting out against Charleston Southern.
"Dustin Doe at this point is week to week, and day to day, but if we played tomorrow, he'd be eligible to play," Meyer said. "Janoris Jenkins, if he has a good week of practice, he'll be eligible to play as well."
Doe was suspended for the game against Charleston Southern after being arrested in July for driving with a suspended license.
Meyer would not confirm that Jenkins was suspended, but the sophomore, who started 12 games last year, did not play a snap in Saturday's season opener. Jenkins was Tasered and arrested in June on misdemeanor charges of affray and resisting arrest without violence following an altercation outside a Gainesville bar.
ETC: Meyer said that offensive lineman Carl Johnson, who left Saturday's game in the second quarter after an apparent leg injury, suffered a bone bruise but is probable for this week's matchup against Troy. … Defensive end Jermaine Cunningham sat out against the Buccaneers because he was "not ready to play," according to Meyer. … Defensive tackle Lawrence Marsh did not dress for the game after being bothered by an ankle injury last week.
