Kelvin Taylor is used to setting high standards.
Two years ago, he broke Emmitt Smith’s 25-year old Florida high school career rushing record. Now, after initially having his playing time limited, the Belle Glade native has firmly established himself as the Gators’ starting tailback and has rushed for more yards than UF true freshman since 2008.
“I’m excited about Kelvin,” offensive coordinator Brent Pease said. “I think he’s really come on with the game experience.”
Taylor will have more opportunities to run the football when Florida (4-6, 3-5 Southeastern Conference) takes on Georgia Southern (6-4, 4-4 Southern Conference) due to UF’s lack of depth at quarterback.
Starter Tyler Murphy (shoulder) missed Florida’s 19-14 loss against No. 11 South Carolina, and redshirt freshman Skyler Mornhinweg took his place.
With the inexperienced Mornhinweg at quarterback, UF ran the ball on 41 of 55 plays. Taylor received 21 of those carries, running for a career-high 96 yards and two touchdowns.
“He’s ran very well in his opportunities,” coach Will Muschamp said after the game. “He continues to mature at the position. He carries himself very well.”
Taylor needed to mature quickly. Florida’s running backs have not been immune to the injury bug that has circulated around the team this season.
Starting running back Matt Jones suffered a season-ending meniscus tear against LSU on Oct. 12, and Taylor has received more carries since then.
After getting only six carries in Florida’s first five games — including no touches in three of them — Taylor has averaged 15.4 carries in the Gators’ past five games.
“He’s starting because he’s the best guy on our team right now,” Pease said.
Taylor has arguably been Florida’s best running back all season. The freshman has run for an average of 4.7 yards per carry — the most of any Gator with more than 15 rushing attempts.
Mack Brown, who started in Jones’ absence in UF’s season opener, looked to be Jones’ replacement after the sophomore’s season-ending injury. But Taylor’s success and Brown’s struggles led to the freshman taking over the role.
Brown leads Florida in carries and rushing yards but trails Taylor in yards per carry by a yard.
“When I went down in the Missouri game the role kind of went to Kelvin,” Brown said. “So now I’m just doing my job, you know. Got to run the ball and just stay healthy and contribute to the team.”
Said Pease: “[Brown is] come out to work every day. If you don’t like the situation, help change your role.”
Brown said he had no qualms playing behind a freshman, especially because Florida needs two running backs to carry the load due to an increase in rushing attempts.
“I was excited, man, running the ball every play,” Brown said. “That’s what every running back likes. Down hill run game, power running, just get your feet hot, really.”
Brown had a decent game against South Carolina as well. He ran for 51 yards on 11 carries — good for 4.6 yards per carry, the same as Taylor.
The Gators need Brown to supplement Taylor because, while the freshman has been successful, he is not a complete running back. Taylor, coming off the best game of his short college career, still has room to improve. He’ll look to do that against Georgia Southern’s defensive line.
“When you go back and look at the film,” Pease said, “there’s still spots where you say ‘Here’s what you need to do, here’s what you need to understand more. You need to run harder through this tackle, you need to break this tackle.’”
But while Taylor may not be a complete running back now, Pease said that day is coming soon.
“I want to see him in his third or fourth year,” Pease said.
“He’s going to probably be outstanding.”
Follow Adam Lichtenstein on Twitter @alichtenstein24.
Kelvin Taylor (21) scores a touchdown during Florida’s 19-14 loss to South Carolina on Nov. 16 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. Taylor rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns in the Gators’ loss.
