Antonio Morrison has work ethic.
He treats every rep like it’s his last.
And the results are showing on the field.
In Florida’s 38-20 win against Georgia on Saturday, Morrison tallied a career-high 15 total tackles, marking the fourth time in five games that the junior had double-digit tackle outing.
"Every practice, I go as hard as I can," Morrison said. "I treat it like a game. You know, I get on guys and try to make the best out of our defense and our team."
Through seven games this season, Morrison has a team-best 67 tackles. His 9.6 tackles per game ranks third in the Southeastern Conference.
Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin said Morrison is peaking at the right time.
"He’s been practicing really well, he’s been consistent with how he performs every day with us, which is great," Durkin said. "I think he’s really stepped up as a leader. All those things combined. … in his play it really shows."
Morrison’s teammates are noticing his commitment.
"He’s always the guy who’s getting us going," cornerback Vernon Hargreaves said. "He’s going to call you out if you’re not doing what you’re supposed to be doing. And it shows on the field on Saturday."
Durkin said Morrison isn’t the most vocal player on the defense, but that isn’t stopping him from being a leader.
"A lot of times the people think the leaders are the ones who are speaking up and being rah-rah. That’s not it on him," Durkin said. "Guys notice who’s practicing hard and preparing the right way, and that’s what he’s doing every week. And it’s carrying over into the games."
Replacing Neal: Florida will be without a key cog in its secondary against Vanderbilt.
Safety Keanu Neal, who suffered a high ankle sprain against Georgia on Saturday, will be viewing the game against the Commodores from the sidelines.
"Keanu is a great football player, he has played really well for us," Durkin said. "He’s productive, flies around and makes a lot of plays. Anytime a guy goes down, it’s part of the game and the next guy has to step up and there can’t be a drop off in production. I think we’ll be fine."
Despite Neal’s absence come Saturday, Durkin said Florida’s depth will keep it from experiencing a major dropoff.
One of those players is Marcus Maye.
During the Gators’ win against the Bulldogs, Maye — who has been inconsistent throughout the season — made one of the key defensive plays on Saturday.
With Florida up 31-13, Georgia had fourth and goal from the 2-yard line with less than six minutes remaining in the game.
UGA quarterback Hutson Mason threw a pass to wide receiver Michael Bennett, only for Maye to break up the pass and stop the Bulldogs from making it a two-possession game.
"It was great because we talk so much about finishing the play, finishing the tackle, finishing everything we do and that’s a great example of finishing," Durkin said. "That was a 50-50 ball that could’ve gone either way. Either guy could have finished that play, and Marcus did. He finished it and got it out."
In addition to Maye, a slew of younger players are earning more playing time.
And they will need to play when their number is called.
"They have to step up, you know, Marcell [Harris], Nick [Washington], you know, Duke Dawson, they all have to step up," Hargreaves said. "It’s not whether they want to or not, and they’re coming along, they’re learning the game plan, and I guess coach will make a decision later on in the week."
Late mistakes can prove costly: Florida had the victory in hand when Georgia went on offense for the last time.
But when Georgia marched 75 yards down the field in 10 plays to score a touchdown with three seconds left in regulation, Durkin was not pleased.
"I think a big message for our guys no matter the situation, go through any scenario you want, we need to play the same way," Durkin said.
"It’s a certain standard of how we play. I don’t feel on that last drive, I feel we were kind of were enjoying a victory already and the game was not over."
Follow Jordan McPherson on Twitter @J_McPherson1126
Antonio Morrison attempts a tackle during Florida's 38-20 win against Georgia on Nov. 1, 2014.
