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GAINESVILLE — Florida’s game plan to slow UCF quarterback KJ Jefferson began nearly a year ago when he played for Arkansas.
The first time didn’t go so well, with Jefferson, a freight train with the football in his hands, helping send the Gators’ defense off the rails during a stunning overtime loss Nov. 5 in the Swamp.
To finally get UF back on track, coach Billy Napier took over the scout team to challenge — and hopefully improve — a struggling defense after a lopsided home loss Sept. 14 to Texas A&M.
The move, a first for Napier during seven seasons as a head coach, worked well enough to beat Mississippi State a week later. Mimicking Jefferson during the bye week presented a new set of variables.
“I don’t know that we can replicate 6-3, 261 pounds,” Napier said.
The Gators can at least flip on the film from last season’s Arkansas loss. It won’t elicit a thumbs up from anyone watching.
Jefferson passed for 255 yards and 2 scores and rushed for 92 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown to give the Razorbacks a 30-26 lead during a 39-36 overtime win.
“We have made a cutup of that game, those scenarios that we were in, just the physical challenge of getting the guy down,” Napier said. “He’s a big man. It’s part of the challenge of playing against a player like that.”
Intensifying the challenge last fall was the absence of leading tackler Shemar James and starting defensive lineman Cam Jackson and Tyreak Sapp. All three veterans are back, three assistants were hired, including Ron Roberts to assume play-calling duties, and yet the defense has been as bad as ever.
UF (2-2) allows an average of 499 yards against FBS competition to rank 125th of 134 teams nationally. This includes 231.3 yards against the run, ranking 122nd.
The Knights (3-1) aim to capitalize and shake off a disappointing 48-21…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/uf-faces-super-sized-assignment-160000602.html
Author : Orlando Sentinel
Publish date : 2024-10-03 16:00:00
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