Florida’s offensive line will face arguably its toughest challenge on Saturday in Columbia, S.C.
Lining up on the opposing defensive line will be All-American defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, a projected top-three pick in May’s NFL Draft.
“I don’t know if you stop Clowney,” offensive coordinator Brent Pease said.
Instead, Pease and the offensive line will do their best to slow him down — a tough task, as evidenced by the junior’s 23 career sacks and 42 career tackles for a loss.
“He’s a great player, not just good,” fullback Hunter Joyer said. “He’s quick, has counter moves. He has everything a defensive end needs: strength, size. He’s a complete player and that’s why he’s projected to go so high in the draft and everything.”
Clowney has had success against Florida in the past.
As a freshman in 2011, he had only one tackle — which resulted in a 1-yard loss — while also forcing a fumble in South Carolina’s 17-12 victory in Columbia.
Last season, the tables were turned, as the Gators dominated the Gamecocks in a 44-11 win.
However, Clowney had a more productive game, notching five tackles — including two for a loss — and an 8-yard sack.
“We’re going to have to do a lot of things with him in the pass [protection] game, whether it’s double teaming him or stuff like that,” guard Jon Halapio said.
Clowney has not lived up to the Heisman Trophy hype that surrounded him before the season began — the junior has not recorded a sack since Sept. 14 — but he could look to get on track against a banged-up Gators offensive line.
Florida has had trouble protecting its quarterback in recent weeks. Defenses have sacked redshirt junior quarterback Tyler Murphy 19 times in UF’s last four games.
The Gators are missing three starters from their offensive line. Tackle Chaz Green (labrum) has missed the whole season, tackle Tyler Moore (elbow) is out for the rest of the year after a scooter accident and tackle D.J. Humphries (knee) is doubtful for Saturday’s game.
“We’re just going to have to make do with what we have,” Halapio said. “I think we’ve got seven left. We’re really going to have to grind it out this week and just go from there.”
Center explains ejection: During the third quarter of Florida’s game against Arkansas on Oct. 5, center Jon Harrison was ejected after apparently making contact with a referee.
After the game, coach Will Muschamp did not comment on whether Harrison touched the official, saying Harrison “lost his temper and did something he shouldn’t have done.”
Harrison had a chance to tell his side of the story on Tuesday.
The redshirt senior said he was trying to explain that an Arkansas player was directing racial slurs at him, and Harrison wanted the referee to control the situation.
“I got called every version of the ‘n-word’ known to man,” Harrison said. “And I went up to the ref and I’m like, ‘Ref, please, you have to control this player. He’s been calling me every racial slur.’”
Harrison said while gesturing, he accidentally touched the referee. He said he did not know he was penalized until he saw the flag, heard his number called and was escorted off the field.
“There was no malicious intent. I wasn’t trying to be an a-hole or anything,” Harrison said.
“I was honestly was just trying to tell the ref to get this player because I was getting attacked, I felt like I was getting harassed, and it was beyond football.
“Calling me the n-word and everything is not football anymore. It is just going out of your way.”
Follow Adam Lichtenstein on Twitter @alichtenstein24.
Jon Harrison (72) attempts to block Vanderbilt defensive tackle Jared Morse (97) as Tyler Murphy (3) drops back during the Gators’ 34-17 loss to the Commodores.
