After four seasons of passing and quarterback runs, the Gators relied on their running backs in the second half of Saturday’s game and it worked.
With No. 10 Florida struggling offensively for a second straight week, offensive coordinator Steve Addazio made an adjustment at halftime and decided to use his stable of running backs.
Despite just 11 rushing attempts in the first two quarters, the Gators ran the ball 26 times in the second half for 209 yards to blow past the Bulls with 31 second-half points and move one step closer to finding their offensive identity.
“I believe that’s who we are going to be,” coach Urban Meyer said. “Is that the perfect setup? Maybe it is, I don’t know.”
Last season, UF turned to dual-threat quarterback Tim Tebow when it needed to establish a run game as he received about 40 percent of the team’s rushing attempts. But the play calling has changed this year with John Brantley, who has just five carries.
Running backs Jeff Demps (19 carries), Emmanuel Moody (19), Mike Gillislee (10) and Mack Brown (3) have combined to account for 75 percent of the team’s rushing attempts this season.
“You look in the trust we have in our running backs compared to 2005 — just the growth in that position,” Meyer said. “It’s night and day.”
Pouncey makes adjustment: Thanks to an unlikely source of advice, Mike Pouncey improved his snapping against USF.
“I moved my hand up on the ball and I was doing better at it but I told my coach that I still wasn’t feeling comfortable,” Pouncey said.
A Florida equipment manager knew the answer to his problems.
He told the senior center to stagger his right foot back in order to be in a stance similar to the one he used last season at guard.
“At first, I said I would try it out because everybody had an opinion and it just worked for me — I was comfortable in my stance,” Pouncey said.
Other than one botched center-quarterback exchange on the first drive against the Bulls, the snaps were not a problem.
Injuries: The Gators hope to be back at full strength when they start conference play Saturday.
Outside linebacker Brandon Hicks said his wrist was “doing good” and that he hopes to get his cast removed in a visit to the doctor Monday.
Also, wide receiver Chris Rainey missed the second half against USF with a concussion. Meyer said he expects him to play this week.
On the offensive line, James Wilson left Saturday’s game with a swollen knee. However, he should be available to practice this week.
Finally, cornerback Jeremy Brown will play against the Vols after missing part of Saturday's game with a strained hamstring.
Hill’s status unknown: Will Hill has missed the first two games of the season and his status for Saturday’s game against Tennessee is up in the air, too.
The safety has not seen the field this year because he hasn’t been "ready to play," according to Meyer.
When asked about Hill’s status Monday, senior Ahmad Black declined comment.
Game time announced: The Southeastern Conference announced that the Florida-Kentucky game will begin at 7 p.m. on Sept. 25 in The Swamp.
