Offensive coordinator Brent Pease was in a good mood Tuesday, and it was not just because it was his 49th birthday.
Despite Florida going 11-2 and earning a trip to the Sugar Bowl during Pease’s first year in Gainesville, the Gators’ offense struggled to match the performance of its defense for most of last season.
Lately, that has not been a problem, which has Pease feeling good.
Since redshirt junior quarterback Tyler Murphy took control during the first quarter against Tennessee, Florida’s offense has been clicking.
Murphy has completed 72 percent of his passes while throwing five touchdowns to just one interception. Solomon Patton has also emerged as a big-play threat, and the offensive line has gotten healthier.
“Everybody’s feeling good,” Pease said.
No. 17 Florida (4-1, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) travels to No. 10 LSU (5-1, 2-1 SEC) for a Saturday afternoon matchup that might find the Gators in a Bayou shootout. LSU averages 45.5 points per game and boasts the SEC’s most efficient quarterback in Zach Mettenberger.
“We’re capable of scoring whatever we have to,” Pease said. “That’s what we’ve got to have the mentality of. I think it’s just our kids will rise to the occasion. It’s not like we can’t or shouldn’t do it.”
Freshman running back may redshirt: Kelvin Taylor was a fan favorite before playing a snap for the Gators but has been seldom used this season. Through five games, the freshman tailback has 46 yards on only six carries.
Taylor has not had a rushing attempt since Florida defeated Tennessee on Sept. 21, and his game action against Arkansas was limited to victory kneel-downs.
Although he can not apply for a regular redshirt, he can receive a medical redshirt if he does not appear past the sixth game of the season, does not appear in more than four games and has a provable injury. Florida plays its sixth game on Saturday.
“He practices hard,” Pease said. “He’s a good kid. He’s got a good attitude.
“He is a good player, and I just want to see him continue to do the things and have some patience.”
Left guard improving: Max Garcia has gotten confused on campus for fellow offensive lineman Jon Halapio because of their similar hairstyles. Each features long, black hair usually knotted in a pony tail or held back by a headband.
If the Maryland transfer continues playing like he did against Arkansas, he might be mistaken for Halapio because of his performance on the field as well.
Coach Will Muschamp awarded Garcia with the team’s top offensive lineman honor on Monday following his performance during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas. Garcia sat out last season after transferring from Maryland, where he started 12 games in 2011.
“You know the first two games were probably just kind of getting back into football,” Garcia said. “It had been so long, back in 2011, since I last played college football. So yeah, I feel like the game has been slowing down for me, and I’m just trying to keep it going.”
Follow Adam Pincus on Twitter @adamDpincus.
Max Garcia (76) runs at an opposing player during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Coach Will Muschamp named Garcia the top offensive lineman against Arkansas.
