The Doubts
Cam Dillard and the Florida offensive line refuse to be overlooked. Even after a 24-10 victory over Georgia and a move into the Top 10 in the AP Top 25, critics still seem to be after the Gators. The “haters” don’t bother Dillard, and he says people’s doubts don’t define their performance. Instead, Dillard and the O-line focus on heeding the advice of head coach Jim McElwain to focus on each practice and each play.
The Keys to Success
The Gators front five focus on chemistry and communication in order to play with consistency. When asked about how their unit continues to grow and improve, Dillard says they schedule weekly dinners to get to know each other. The Bulldogs sacked the Gators 3 times for 40 yards, but overall Florida quarterback Luke Del Rio had time in the pocket to make passes. Del Rio went 15-25 for 131 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT in Saturday’s win over Georgia. Dillard says the unit has improved most on pass protection.
Looking Ahead
The Gators (6-1, 4-1 SEC) are atop the SEC East with a little wiggle room thanks to a South Carolina victory over Tennessee. That said, Florida needs to win at least two of the next three against SEC opponents to secure their spot in Atlanta for the SEC Championship. Dillard says the Gators are focused on finishing and using last year’s disappointing end to drive them forward.