Following final week’s shock victory over previously No. 7 Utah, No. 12 Florida soccer was knocked off its pedestal. In Week 2, the Gators suffered their first convention lack of the season, falling 26-16 at house to the Kentucky Wildcats.
Following a 16-13 halftime lead, the Florida Gators’ second-quarter meltdown proved pricey of their eventual defeat to Kentucky in The Swamp on Saturday evening.
Within the aftermath of this sudden loss, listed below are three takeaways from Florida soccer’s collapse in opposition to Kentucky.
3. Accidents hit some starters
The Gators misplaced a starter on either side of the ball. Proper sort out Michael Tarquin was injured within the first half and linebacker Ventrell Miller was injured within the fourth quarter.
Redshirt freshman Austin Barber took Tarquin’s spot at proper sort out, whereas redshirt freshman Jeremiah Williams noticed his function at inside linebacker broaden alongside LB Amari Burney. True freshman Shemar James took Miller’s place.
The starters had been positively missed by the Gators’ offensive line and linebacker teams. Kentucky was in a position to enhance its stress on Richardson and restrict his capability to run. Florida soccer’s run protection additionally turned a sore spot. It allowed 107 yards within the second half, together with 57 on 12 makes an attempt within the fourth quarter. This gave the Wildcats management of the sport clock.
2. Florida soccer’s D was stable
Florida soccer supporters have been vocal in regards to the staff’s protection in recent times. Nevertheless, the Gators’ protection was not the rationale the squad fell in opposition to Kentucky.
For almost all of the evening, the Gators utilized fixed stress on Kentucky quarterback Will Levis. This lastly led to an interception.
Though Florida’s secondary was spotty, the entrance seven helped restrict Levis to 202 yards passing (13-of-24) and a median of 8.4 yards per try. The Wildcats ended with 109 working yards however required 37 carries to get there, averaging lower than three yards per carry.
If this sport has proven us something, it’s that the protection is able to greater than merely holding its personal. That is likely to be necessary transferring ahead. It also needs to relieve among the pressure on Richardson, who remains to be discovering his stride within the new system.
1. Anthony Richardson will get grounded
Florida soccer QB Anthony Richardson struggled in opposition to Kentucky after scoring three touchdowns in opposition to Utah. He accomplished 14-of-35 passes for 143 yards and two interceptions.
As dangerous as his accuracy was (40 %), he additionally made doubtful judgments when he dropped again to throw. Each interceptions had been mind-boggling, notably the pick-six he threw as Florida was driving late within the third quarter, with the rating tied 16-16. Not solely did the rating put the Wildcats forward for good, however it was additionally the Gators’ final drive of the sport that went greater than 21 yards.
Richardson’s legs had been additionally ineffective. He went from 104 working yards in opposition to the Utes to a paltry 4 yards on six runs on Saturday evening. He was additionally sacked as soon as.
Does this sink his possibilities to contend for the Heisman trophy? Very doubtless.
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