Dante Fowler Jr. had two weeks to wait for, visualize and put into action his plan to wreak havoc on the Tennessee offense.
After turning in a subpar performance during a 21-16 loss to Miami on Sept. 7, Fowler stewed during Florida’s bye week — waiting impatiently for another opportunity to make a difference.
His redemption came against the Volunteers.
Now, the Gators’ coaching staff hopes this Fowler — the freak athlete capable of disrupting opposing offenses with jarring hits — is here to stay.
“Dante really let it loose,” defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin said.
“That was more indicative of what we feel like we can see from him every week.”
For everything Fowler failed to do against the Hurricanes — he totaled just three tackles, one for a loss — he accomplished in full force against the Volunteers.
It all started on Tennessee’s opening possession.
Beginning its drive at the UF 15-yard line after punter Kyle Christy botched a snap on fourth down, UT looked to run off right tackle on second and 8 from the UF 13-yard line.
Fowler had other plans.
The sophomore Buck linebacker barreled into the backfield and pummeled Tennessee running back Rajion Neal, forcing a fumble.
Fowler pounced on the ball in the Volunteers’ backfield, setting the tone for Florida’s defense, which forced six turnovers in a 31-17 victory.
“I actually spiked the ball down,” Fowler said. “Then I thought about it like, ‘Oh snap, I’m going to get a personal foul.’”
He ended the game with two forced fumbles, three tackles for a loss and one sack. Fowler’s effort earned him Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors.
“He’s a guy that continues to improve and play well,” coach Will Muschamp said.
“He played much better than he did his previous time out, and he’s a guy that can be a very disruptive player for us.”
Fowler’s role will become even more important with senior defensive tackle Dominique Easley out for the season after suffering ACL and meniscus tears in his right knee during Tuesday night’s practice.
Despite being just 19 years old and not even midway into his second full season with the Gators, Fowler is now considered one of the defense’s leaders.
Football is a grown man’s game. The SEC is a grown man’s league. He is prepared to continue making a difference.
“We take defense really seriously, especially after the year that we had last year,” Fowler said.
“I know a lot of people had some doubt going into this year, so we wanted to play even harder and be better than last year.”
Through three games, Fowler and fellow Buck linebacker Ronald Powell lead the Gators with four tackles for a loss each.
Fowler has added two forced fumbles, one sack and three quarterback hurries.
He has an opportunity to improve on those numbers when No. 20 Florida (2-1) faces Kentucky (1-2) on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Fowler and the Gators blanked the Wildcats 38-0 on Sept. 22, 2012, in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Searching for their next shutout and a playmaker to lead the charge, the Gators believe they have the correct player and a prime opportunity in front of them this weekend.
“He’s just scratching the surface for what he can do, and he’s starting to realize it,” Durkin said.
“We’re going to keep pushing him and coaching him like crazy.”
Follow Phillip Heilman on Twitter @phillip_heilman.
Dante Fowler Jr. celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the Volunteers.
