Pat Dooley’s Grades (VOLS vs. GATORS)

Pat Dooley grades the Gators after their 29-16 win over No. 11 Tennessee in The Swamp on Saturday night:

 

OFFENSE B-

First half: Despite a shaky start with an empty drive which lasted 7:21 that started the game, the Gators dominated. The running game was especially efficient with 135 yards, 62 of them coming on Trevor Etienne’s brilliant 62-yard touchdown run.

Second half: Florida did not have a good third quarter with only 13 total yards, as Tennessee obviously made some adjustments. The drive for the field goal was good and the late Etienne run put things on ice

For the game: Florida came out with a gameplan that was run-centric and it worked. The Gators rushed 43 times and Etienne had an amazing game. The second-half play-calling was a little suspect, but nobody should be complaining.

DEFENSE A-

First half: Tennessee hit the Gators right in the mouth with that first drive that took only 1:07 and featured a perfect pick play for 41-yards to Squirrel White. But after that first drive, Florida only allowed 51 yards total the rest of the half and made a big play on the interception return by Devin Moore.

Second half: Tennessee was able to hit some big passing plays to try to get back into it. But the Gator defense had three fourth-down stops that were a huge factor in UF winning the game.

For the game: It’s not easy for a defense to hold down this Tennessee bunch, but you have to give this defense credit for holding the Vols to 16 points. Maybe this defense is for real after all.

SPECIAL TEAMS C

First half: Man, when Adam Mihalek mishit that first field goal attempt and it fell woefully short, it was bad. When he had an extra point blocked, it was worse. I’m sure Trey Smack never thought he would get such an ovation for a made extra point.

Second half: Smack made a big field goal that made it a three-score game. But Jeremy Crawshaw continues to struggle with consistency. His three second-half punts went for 46, 37 and 24 yards in that order. If he had tried one more it might have gone behind him.

For the game: Special teams did not lose this game so they have that going for them. I would think Mihalek is on the bench, but give Smack credit for making all his kicks and booming kickoffs deep in the end zone.

OVERALL A-

This is still a flawed team, but that was a huge win for Billy Napier. Give a lot of credit to a defense that had to be on its toes on every snap in a hurry-up game. That’s 10 consecutive for UF over Tennessee in The Swamp and UT quarterback Joe Milton can lose in the state of Florida.