A 67-yard run takes more than a running back hitting the hole.
Matt Jones’ career-long scamper against Kentucky on Saturday took two key blocks from center Jon Harrison and left tackle D.J. Humphries.
Harrison, the anchor of Florida’s offensive line, pulled around left tackle to engage linebacker Avery Williamson as Humphries chipped safety Ashely Lowery. The two linemen sprung Jones, who finished the game with 176 rushing yards during a 24-7 victory.
Athletic offensive linemen are nothing new for No. 18 Florida, which will host the Southeastern Conference’s sacks leader in Arkansas at 7 p.m. on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
“We’ve always had it in our scheme,” offensive coordinator Brent Pease said. “It’s just kind of sometimes with fronts, it depends who, (and) which guys are pulling. It’s not always him. It kind of depends on what defense they’re playing.”
Although pulling, a run-blocking technique, will not be used against the Arkansas pass rush, Florida’s offensive line will have to protect the edges with two of the conference’s best ends.
Razorbacks defensive ends Chris Smith and Trey Flowers have combined for nine sacks this season. Smith leads the conference with six, which is 1.5 sacks more than Kentucky’s Za’Darius Smith, who ranks second.
“They can win one-on-one battles. They can demand combinations where they single somebody else up,” Pease said. “And I think their scheme, you know, how they maneuver them and use games with them, it’s tough. We have a lot to handle with that.”
Florida has experience dealing with standout defensive linemen. Texas A&M feasted on quarterback Jeff Driskel, who was making his first career start during a 20-17 victory last season. Eight sacks later — including three from Damontre Moore — it appeared the Florida offensive line could not measure up.
Redshirt junior Tyler Murphy will face arguably his toughest test in just his second career start.
He was sacked once against Kentucky. Arkansas does not only boast a potent punch coming off the edge. The Razorbacks’ starting two defensive tackles — seniors Robert Thomas and Byran Jones — are 325 and 318 pounds, respectively. Sophomore DeMarcus Hodge, Thomas’ backup, tips the scales at 345 pounds.
“We’ll have different protections. Whether it’s a six- or seven-man protection utilizing our tight ends and backs to chip on Smith and Flowers,” coach Will Muschamp said. “They’re really good rushers. They have two big guys inside who do a good job of pushing the pocket, but there’s no question we need to account for them.”
For the first time all season, the big boys up front are finally on the mend. Excluding starting right tackle Chaz Green, whose shoulder surgery ended his season before it started, the Gators have a relatively healthy unit.
They will need it when the Razorbacks travel to Gainesville for the first time since 2009.
“They’ve got two speed defensive ends. They’re really good on the edges,” right guard Jon Halapio said.
“The strength of their team is the front four. Their two inside guys, big, heavy guys, I think are 330-350 and their backups too. They’re very physical up front. We’re definitely in for a challenge this week.”
Follow Adam Pincus on Twitter @adamDpincus.
Jon Harrison prepares to snap the ball during Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky. Behind the Gators’ dominant offensive line, running back Matt Jones rushed for a career-high 176 yards against the Wildcats. Florida will face a talented Arkansas defense on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
