re: Game 2 Discussion Thread: Florida vs McNeese St (Saturday September 9, 2023 @ 7:30pm EST

200+ yards rushing, 4 rushing TDs, scored on every possession, allowed zero 3rd down conversions on defense, I’d say that’s a good half of football. Definitely not perfect and still have a lot to work on but I’ll freaking take it. Special teams is still abysmal, definitely wouldn’t have the stats we do against better competition but we’re doing it tonight.

Much better than last week with zero bright spots. It’s gotta be hard to game plan these games, you don’t wanna give up too much of your scheme, and just hope your talent and execution takes over. So far it has and that hasn’t been the case the last couple years.

I don't know what opening up the offense is for sale.

But there are no shifts tonight on the O-line they are just lining up and going at it. Now the opponent dictates that. But it is nice to see.

Hopefully next week we see the offense opened up and them going at Tenner.

Next week is when we will find out if Florida can be a possible 8 win team or a 5 to 6 win team

Mertz, so far, is a different QB from what we’ve seen at Wisc.

Come on, gotta hold ‘em and get half a hundred!

Was pleased with the way we played overall, especially considering that we knew we wouldn’t show too much on offense. Would have liked to see us finish strong and close it out 49-0 to get a shutout. Not pleased with the fumble and the easy TD on the next play at the end of the game, but it is what it is with 2nd and 3rd string guys in late in the game.

5/6 on third downs, 78% completion rate averaging 10.1 yds per catch, and 51 rushing attempts averaging 6.4 yds per carry were all nice to see.

Don’t remember the last time we got a safety. Only gave up 112 yds on defense even only having 2 sacks.

Even if it was McNeese, it was good to see us win it by 42 and get some of the young guys in there.

I didn’t watch the Tennessee game today - were they really that bad?

Probably was a look ahead risk in that for them too

Solid win.

Team did what they were supposed to do.

Won't complain except for special teams early on.

Hope they can build on this win.

There were some positives last night also a few negatives.

The positives
last night they didn't try to get fancy with all the moves and shifts up front. Which I think with such a young group that is what hurt against Utah. Last night they put a hat on a hat and didn't get fancy. Mertz controlled the offense when he was in there. But he also did the same thing at Wisky against FCS opponents
But for what he did it was what we should expect from a Gator QB.

Our top 3 Running backs all did well. It was nice to see Wilson get a few touches. It was nice to see a bunch of Young guys get time that is our future.

The defense played good last night. Looked faster then they did against Utah.Got a safety held them to just a little over a hundred yards. They broke off one long Running play that first series after that was held in check.

It was nice to see Max a series. They should have given him 2 series.

The negatives
Special teams still needs plenty of work. I'm glad the botched snap was on a extra point and not a field goal attempt.

On the 99 yard drive letting there defensive lineman in the backfield should have cost us a safety but Etienne was able to run past him against Tenner that definitely would not have gone well O-line still has work too do for sure.

I know mcneese ran the ball a little but our pass rush was not what it should have been against them yes there were 3 sacks I believe but none of them were just line up and in the QB's face with no chance of making a play.

All and all no injuries I that I can think off and they looked better in a some places that needed work.

In my Opinion this Tennessee game is a must win game for Napier and Florida. It at home its at night on ESPN need to come out there get after Tennessee and get the win because after this we have 4 or 5 games that are all winnable if we can get to UGA with only 1 Loss I think that will be a big step in the right direction.