As the Gainesville weather cools and the season begins to change, the Gators are in the midst of their own change — at running back.
When Kelvin Taylor starts for Florida against Georgia in Jacksonville on Saturday, he will be UF’s third starting tailback this season.
Coach Will Muschamp and his staff hope he will be the last.
“He’s continued to improve throughout the season, week to week,” Muschamp said.
“He’s always been a very instinctive, natural runner. It’s very obvious … I think he’s done a nice job and deserves the opportunity.”
It has taken only two months for the freshman from Glades Day School to get that opportunity.
Taylor was not supposed to start this season.
Sophomore Matt Jones, who performed admirably in a backup role last season, was the projected starter.
However, Jones suffered a viral infection before fall practice began, missing camp and UF’s season opener.
Redshirt junior Mack Brown got the start in Jones’ place. Taylor was relegated to five carries in late in Florida’s win against Toledo.
Muschamp said after the season opener that he was excited to see Taylor’s progression, but the freshman needed to work on other aspects of his game in order to see more time on the field.
Extenuating circumstances forced Muschamp’s hand.
Jones returned in Florida’s (4-3, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) second game of the season but struggled during his time on the field.
Outside of a breakout 176-yard performance on the road against Kentucky, he averaged 3.2 yards per carry.
The sophomore got off to a promising start against LSU on Oct. 12 before suffering a torn meniscus, which ended his season.
Brown has also had trouble moving the ball, averaging 3.6 yards per carry on 99 rushing attempts this season.
“We have a hard time running it and certainly can’t protect very well,” Muschamp said after Florida’s loss to Missouri on Oct. 19.
But Taylor is expected to boost the Gators’ offense.
He scored Florida’s lone offensive touchdown against Missouri and has averaged more than 6 yards per rush on 28 carries.
However, his solid offensive performance did not come without controversy. After scoring, Taylor received only one more carry the rest of the game.
“Looking back on it, when Kelvin came on, he kind of got in a flow,” offensive coordinator Brent Pease said. “Sometimes he wasn’t in there, and he probably should have because he got us going again.”
With his solid performance against Missouri and Pease looking to simplify the offense before the Gators’ matchup with the Bulldogs (4-3, 3-2 SEC), Taylor will likely bear the brunt of the offensive load on Saturday in Jacksonville.
The freshman has shown the ability to make quick cuts and break off explosive plays — something Florida has lacked all season.
Five of Taylor’s 12 runs went for 5 yards or more against Mizzou.
The rest of the team combined for three rushes that long against the stout Tigers defense.
“He’s gotten past the first level,” Pease said. “He’s become physical. He’s had great ball security. I think even starting to see and get better at the big picture within the passing game of everything also.”
Taylor’s first start could not come at a more critical time. The Gators are on the brink of elimination in the SEC Eastern Division.
Florida already needs assistance to reach the conference title game. Another loss would end its season.
But the pressure is not getting to the freshman.
Said Pease: “He wants to go.”
Follow Adam Lichtenstein on Twitter @alichtenstein24.
Kelvin Taylor runs the football during Florida’s 36-17 loss to Missouri on Oct. 19 at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. The freshman running back, who scored the first touchdown of his college career against the Tigers, is expected to make his first start against Georgia on Saturday in Jacksonville.
