For quarterback Jeff Driskel, Saturday’s inconsistent performance was another point on the learning curve.
Driskel set career highs with 18 completions and 27 attempts, amassing 203 yards with a touchdown and an interception in Florida’s 38-0 romp of Kentucky.
“Every game is really a building block,” Driskel said. “The more experience, the more reps you get, the more you’re going to learn. I did some nice things today, but there’s definitely some things that I’m going to have to clean up.”
Driskel was prone to overthrows and misreads on Saturday, but he also made several pinpoint passes.
In the second quarter, Driskel found Quinton Dunbar on a post pattern for a 19-yard touchdown.
He set up the score with a 25-yard pass that hit tight end Jordan Reed in stride down the seam.
Driskel created passing opportunities by extending plays with his legs.
With UF up 24-0 and driving in the third quarter, Driskel looked left, rolled right and absorbed a hit as he threw back across the middle of the field to running back Mack Brown.
The 5-yard gain moved Florida to Kentucky’s 7-yard line.
“Fantastic,” coach Will Muschamp said of Driskel’s pass. “He made some really nice throws.”
Driskel said his ability to scramble and get outside of the pocket came instinctually. Only once did the Gators call a pass designed to get Driskel on the move.
His mobility was also a factor in the run game. He carried eight times for 35 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown on a sneak in the third quarter.
After Florida’s offense opened with a pair of three-and-outs, Driskel kept the ball on a read-option play and sprinted 38 yards down the right sideline.
Muschamp said the big gain was the play that sparked Florida’s offense following the slow start.
“He keeps so much alive,” Muschamp said. “There’s so many things he brings to the table for us because of his athletic ability.”
Between the impressive plays, Driskel made the type of mistakes that might be expected from a quarterback in only his fourth career start.
In the second quarter, Driskel threw his first interception of the season on a deep pass intended for Latroy Pittman.
“I just tried to force something that wasn’t there,” Driskel said. “I got too greedy and didn’t take what the defense gave me.”
Driskel also admitted to locking into his first read and sometimes scrambling from the pocket too early.
On consecutive plays in the second quarter, Driskel threw too high for Reed down the seam and then forced a pass to a double-covered Frankie Hammond Jr. in the end zone, not noticing that Reed was uncovered in the corner.
“We had some stuff open down the field and did not hit it,” Muschamp said.
Driskel cited a missed opportunity in the third quarter.
On first down from Kentucky’s 46, Reed ran uncontested down the middle of the field.
After scrambling to avoid pressure, Driskel noticed his open tight end but underthrew him, giving the Kentucky defense time to recover and break up the pass.
“I kind of floated it to him instead of putting it on him,” Driskel said. “Definitely left some points out there.”
Still, Driskel said he feels the game “slowing down,” and Hammond notices the same.
Driskel said he wants to release the ball faster against the rush, make the correct reads based on given coverages and improve other “small things” that go with the position.
An uneven performance like Saturday’s is a natural step on the way.
“The throwing game is going to continue to come,” Muschamp said.
“We’re going to have our speed bumps. That’s part of the process with a young quarterback.”
Contact Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.org.
Sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel throws a completed pass during Florida's 38-0 win against Kentucky at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday. Driskel finished 18-of-27 for 203 yards, two total touchdowns and an interception.
