After Saturday’s loss to South Carolina, John Brantley sat aboard a flight heading south. Back to Gainesville and life as the Gators’ starting quarterback, at least for a few more games.
Sitting at 5-5 near the end of the last season of his collegiate career, Brantley couldn’t help but think, “What if?”
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Not for Brantley. Not for Florida.
Three close losses in four games can have that effect on a player, especially the quarterback, the leader. After the defense failed to stop the Gamecocks in the fourth quarter of a 17-12 loss, and Brantley and the offense couldn’t mount a late rally, he said the team’s plane ride home was “very quiet.”
“It’s tough to lose like that,” he said. “It was a tough flight.”
But Brantley has had more than his share of adversity through two seasons as Florida’s signal-caller.
He has faced the unenviable task of replacing one of the game’s greats.
He was forced to play in a system tailored to his weaknesses — running read options from spread formations — instead of his strengths.
And last year’s coaching staff didn’t respect him, trotting him out as a relief pitcher of sorts in third-down situations while guys like Trey Burton and Jordan Reed took meaningful snaps at quarterback.
Fans called for his head; called him a bust, even booed him at home during a 2010 season when he finished with more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (nine). All of that was supposed to change this year. Brantley had Charlie Weis calling the shots in a pro-style offense designed around his abilities.
He came out playing well, completing 64 percent of his passes and throwing four touchdowns while leading the Gators to a 4-0 start.
Against Alabama on Oct. 1, he threw for 190 yards and a touchdown in the first half before suffering an injury to his right ankle that kept him out for three weeks.
In his absence, Florida’s season crumbled, and the same fans that booed him a year ago were clamoring for his return.
“All those people who wanted him out of here now can’t wait to get him back,” offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said before the Georgia game, when Brantley made his return. “Isn’t that funny how that story changes?”
The Gators lost that game, just as they did this past Saturday against the Gamecocks. While quarterbacks and head coaches always receive the brunt of criticism for a loss, this season of close calls and what-ifs does not fall on a beaten-up Brantley.
He has dealt with a receiving corps that struggles to get open, an offensive line that can’t keep him upright and a defense that can’t get off the field in pivotal situations.
“John hasn’t been full speed since he got hurt in the Alabama game, but the guy goes out every day and competes and practices and tapes it up and does the best job he can do,” coach Will Muschamp said.
Since returning, Brantley has not been able to take snaps from under center because the pain is just too much when pivoting to turn for handoffs. He has been sacked 10 times in three games and taken multiple hard hits.
Still, Brantley stands strong.
“I’ve definitely matured from last season, the ups and the downs,” he said. “We’ve been on the top and now we’re on the bottom.”
With hopes of a Southeastern Conference title gone, with the chance of a marquee bowl evaporated, what’s left to play for, John?
“My teammates,” he said. “Last year, this year, we’ve been through a lot. I’m here for them.”
Brantley isn’t worried about his legacy. With games against Furman and Florida State remaining in his star-crossed career, Brantley isn’t focusing on what could have been.
“I was a Gator before I came here, I’m going to be a Gator when I leave,” Brantley said Monday.
“We’ve got to go out there and prove to ourselves and prove to everyone that we’re getting better and everything’s going to work out.”
Contact Matt Watts at mwatts@alligator.org.
Quarterback John Brantley’s career as a Gator hasn’t gone as scripted, but he isn’t letting that affect him heading into his final games.
