Gators defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was pleased with his unit’s overall performance in the season opener last weekend, when Florida held FAU to 137 total yards.
But Quinn added that the defensive line needs to create more havoc on pass plays. He doesn’t measure the team’s pass rush exclusively on sacks (Florida had two Saturday); instead he looks at pressures, hits on the quarterback and passes tipped at the line.
“We had a couple of missed opportunities for some big plays on the QB,” Quinn said.
He also pointed out that the Gators allowed the opposing quarterback to escape the pocket and scramble a couple of times last Saturday, implying the pass rush was uneven.
“That’s part of pass rush, too,” he said.
“One rusher got too high and another one was too low and it created an escape lane.”
Affecting the quarterback will be more important this week than it was in the season opener, as UAB’s Bryan Ellis threw for 2,940 yards in nine starts last season. FAU signal caller Graham Wilbert had thrown five career passes prior to Saturday’s loss.
Expansion talk: With the Southeastern Conference presidents voting unanimously to accept Texas A&M as a new member of the SEC on Tuesday night, plenty of coaches were asked their opinions on the potential move during the football teleconference Wednesday morning.
“Whatever (UF President Bernie) Machen and our administration decide, I’ll support,” coach Will Muschamp said. “A&M’s got a great tradition and it’s an outstanding program. I really think we’re headed to the 16-team leagues eventually. I think there will be four of them at some point.”
Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe sent a letter to SEC commissioner Mike Slive on Friday stating the Big 12’s board of directors would not pursue litigation if the SEC accepted Texas A&M.
After voting to accept A&M, the SEC presidents were informed that one university (presumably Baylor) was protesting the move, Machen said in a statement.
Late Wednesday, ESPN.com reported that in fact presidents from every Big 12 school except for Oklahoma would refuse to waive their rights to litigation, meaning Texas A&M’s path to the SEC could be less smooth than originally anticipated.
Taylor impressing: While he didn’t make an impact until the second half Saturday, middle linebacker Michael Taylor drew rave reviews from starter Jon Bostic. Taylor contributed one assist and two solo tackles against the Owls, including one of the hardest hits of the evening.
On a 1st-and-10 in the fourth quarter, Taylor exploded past the line and brought down running back Damian Fortner two yards deep in the backfield.
“He attacks real well,” Bostic said. “When he sees it, he’s just going to go; he’s going to pull the trigger.”
Injuries: Tight end A.C. Leonard (rehabbing from torn meniscus in knee) is the only Gator out for Saturday’s game, Muschamp said Wednesday.
The coach said earlier in the week that wide receiver Omarius Hines (hamstring) is probable while cornerback Jeremy Brown (knee) and receiver Robert Clark (hamstring) are questionable.
Receiver Deonte Thompson, who exited Saturday’s game after taking a hit to the back of the head, has practiced this week, receiver Frankie Hammond said Wednesday.
Contact Tyler Jett at tjett@alligator.org
Gators defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said the defensive line missed some opportunites for sacks against FAU. Quinn highlighted the pass rush as an area that needs to improve this Saturday.
