Florida learned a lot about itself against Kentucky.
The Gators (2-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) found out that they can still contain the rush, allowing the Wildcats to gain just 81 yards on the ground. Outside of Kentucky quarterback Patrick Towles’ 24-yard scamper on his first rush attempt, Florida surrendered just one run that was longer than 10 yards.
Florida discovered that Kyle Christy can still punt the ball. The senior booted six punts that went an average distance of 48.7 yards against Kentucky, looking like he did back in 2012 when he was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award. Half of his punts pinned the Wildcats inside their 10-yard line.
But the Gators also saw that they still have room to improve.
And now that they are heading to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to take on the No. 3 Crimson Tide (3-0) for their first road game of the season.
"There’s some tough parts, now," Buck linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. said. "You’re not used to different environments. Sometimes it’s players’ first time out of state or on a plane, just being in different states. Just the environment."
On defense, Florida has to make strides with its young secondary, a group that was burned on multiple occasions against Kentucky.
"We need to improve, whether it’s playing in the slot, safety or corner," coach Will Muschamp said. "It’s really across the board."
On offense, Florida needs to see development on third down. For the season, the Gators are 11th in the SEC with a 40.5-percent conversion rate.
For offensive coordinator Kurt Roper, having success on first and second down will be Florida’s key to success.
"Long down and distances with these guys are going to bring a lot of issues on third down," Roper said. "So you definitely want to stay on schedule, as everybody likes to say. But at the same time, you’ve got to try to be aggressive and make plays down the field, too. It’s a balance. It makes third down more of a challenge if you don’t stay in good situations that way."
Traveling to a hostile environment like Bryant-Denny Stadium is no light task, especially for the young group that Florida is bringing.
But regardless of the venue, Florida just wants to play.
"It’s going to be pretty cool going into Alabama’s stadium," quarterback Jeff Driskel said. "We haven’t been on the road yet and that’s a good way to start. I bet some of the guys will be a little wide-eyed at first but at the end of the day it’s playing football and that’s what we’re going to have to do."
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Vernon Hargreaves (1) talks to Brian Poole (24) during Florida's 36-30 win against Kentucky on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
