Florida’s biggest strength in 2011, its defense, had just one glaring weakness: forcing turnovers.
Through two games this season, the issue persists, and the Gators are well aware of it.
“This whole offseason, the beginning of the offseason, all the coaches been talking about was defense creating turnovers,” redshirt senior defensive tackle Omar Hunter said. “We definitely need to get our hands on more balls with interceptions, sacks, caused fumbles. We definitely need to create more turnovers.”
Sophomore cornerback Marcus Roberson’s interception in UF’s opener against Bowling Green is still the only turnover the team has forced so far in 2012.
Last season, the Gators defense finished tied for last in turnovers in Southeastern Conference play with eight.
They also ranked 112th nationally with just 14 takeaways on the season as they forced six fumbles and intercepted eight passes.
“Get to the ball,” sophomore Mike Taylor said of what the defense needs to do to create turnovers.
“If a ball carrier is holding the ball out and not holding it high and tight, that’s definitely a big alert that this ball could come out at any play. ”
The UF secondary is also expecting plenty of opportunities for takeaways this Saturday against a Tennessee team that has coughed up the ball just three times through its first two games. In wins against Texas A&M and Bowling Green, the Florida defense was unable to generate a pass rush as the opposing offense got rid of the ball quickly.
The Volunteers are expected to throw the ball downfield more than the Aggies and the Falcons, allowing the pass rushers more time to pressure quarterback Tyler Bray and force him into mistakes.
Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said he expects Tennessee to use various protection schemes to try to keep Bray upright.
“Generally you feel that way, once you see some more routes down field,” Quinn said. “And certainly that’s part of their offense, where they’ll try to stretch the field some. They’ll also do some things protection wise, at times, to use six or seven to help that way, too.”
Regardless of how much pressure Florida puts on Bray, Roberson said he expects the junior signal-caller to take risks.
“He’s a daredevil,” Roberson said. “Just forcing the ball out. We like that.”
While he might be more of a gunslinger than Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel, who hurt Florida primarily with his legs, Bray has done a good job taking care of the ball throughout his career with 41 touchdowns and just 16 interceptions.
However, two of his six picks in 2011 came against the Gators.
He was intercepted by safeties Josh Evans and Matt Elam.
Roberson said Bray has improved, if anything, since last year’s game in the Swamp.
“It’s about the same,” Roberson said. “Mentally, I think he got better.”
Even if Bray has improved, Taylor said the Gators are looking for a repeat performance.
“We’re going to be looking to get the ball out,” Taylor said.
Contact Josh Jurnovoy at jjurnovoy@alligator.org.
Sophomore cornerback back Marcus Roberson (5) pursues Bowling Green wide receiver Shaun Joplin (9) during UF's 27-14 victory on Sept. 1 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
