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The switch came on the Florida football defense following an open week in which players and coaches took accountability for their performance.
Schemes were simplified. Physicality was demanded.
The Florida Gators (4-3, 2-2 SEC) continued their upward trend on defense in their 48-20 win over Kentucky at The Swamp on Saturday.
Florida held Kentucky to 1 of 5 on 4th down conversions and forced three turnovers, all on interceptions.
After allowing 28 or more points in three of its four September games, Florida has allowed an average of 18.7 points in its three October contests,
“Just seeing how things are when you are not communicating, when you are not trusting that your teammates are going to be in their positions, it’s hard to play fast and just trust in your ability and their ability,” Florida defensive back Trikweze Bridges said. “So, when we click and are on the same page, it’s kind of hard to stop us.”
Bridges had one of the three interceptions, which included an interception and 52-yard return by cornerback Devin Moore that set up a touchdown and a 29-yard interception return by sophomore cornerback Cormani McClain in the fourth quarter. McClain recorded the first pick six for Florida since Jaydon Hill returned an interception 49 yards for a TD against Missouri on Oct. 8, 2022.
Moore credited UF’s coaching staff to its recent turnaround forcing takeaways. Florida has forced six turnovers (five interceptions and a fumble recovery) in its last three games,
“After last season they saw we were kind of lacking in that area,” Moore said. “So, every day we did turnover circuit, takeaway circuit; that stuff translates to the field. When you’re constantly practicing that every day, you’ll get a result on Saturday.”
Of the four fourth down stops, the biggest came in the second quarter, when Jack Pyburn tackled Kentucky running…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/florida-football-defense-delivers-another-055011837.html
Author : The Gainesville Sun
Publish date : 2024-10-20 05:50:11
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