Florida’s offense is eager to show everyone how much it has improved since finishing in the bottom 20 in the country last season.
The Orange & Blue Debut, which was an open practice in lieu of an actual spring game, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium did not do much to change the perception. The Gators’ defense dominated the two-hour exhibition, sending the offense into the summer break with a mission to answer its doubters.
“Even out there on the field today, people were underestimating our offense,” center Jonotthan Harrison said. “We have a point to prove. People don’t expect much from us and we have to prove them wrong.
“There were a lot of sloppy parts today, but that just shows what we need to work on. We weren’t seeing much of the mental errors during all these practices. I was surprised it showed itself today.”
Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel was unofficially 9 of 20 for 70 yards passing during the 11-on-11 portions.
This is a pivotal off-season for him as he heads into his junior season. Last year, Driskel completed 63.7 percent of his passes, had 1,646 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also rushed for 413 net yards and four touchdowns.
That production was good enough to help the Gators go 11-2 and reach the Sugar Bowl in large part because they had the country’s No. 5 defense. Florida ranked No. 104 in total offense and 118th in passing yardage. Florida’s 1,902 passing yards was the team’s lowest since 1989.
“I think it will be a lot better,” Driskel said. “We have more guys that can stretch the field. We have good team speed at the receiver position. Our line is blocking a lot better. It’s kind of everything working together and running the ball well to set up those plays.”
While the air attack struggled last season, the Gators’ ground game was strong behind senior Mike Gillislee. He became the program’s first 1,000-yard rusher in eight years.
The offense did not complete any deep passes during the 11-on-11 scrimmage periods. Creating a deep threat is a priority for coach Will Muschamp and offensive coordinator Brent Pease, though Muschamp hinted the offense will resemble the ground-and-pound style it had last season.
“We’re going to do what we’ve got to do to win football games,” Muschamp said. “If it means we’re going to run it 25 times at the end of the game to beat LSU, then that’s what we’re going to do. That’s kind of who we are.”
If the Gators intend to remain a run-heavy team, the battle to replace Gillislee will be crucial. Sophomore Matt Jones is the leading contender after rushing 52 times for 275 carries (5.3 per attempt) and three touchdowns last season.
Jones appears to have secured the job of lead back. Freshman Kelvin Taylor and junior Mack Brown are vying for the secondary role.
Taylor, from Glades Day School, had touchdown runs of 15 and seven yards in the scrimmage segments of Orange & Blue Debut. He graduated high school in December and enrolled at Florida in January to get a head start on his college career. His father, former NFL, UF and Glades Central star Fred Taylor, was on the sideline.
“This is huge for him, and the game is starting to slow down and it’ll all start to sink in once we move forward,” Muschamp said. “He’s a very talented runner, and that’s a position where you can contribute as a freshman and that’s a natural instinct position.
“You give the guy the ball and let his natural instincts take over and run for daylight. He can do that. It’s the other things we have to brush up on.”
This was the last of Florida’s 15 spring practices. Any workouts between now and training camp in August will be conditioning or player-run practices. The Gators open the season Aug. 31 against Toledo.
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