Dooley Grades The Gators: Poor Showing Against Loaded Longhorns

Pat Dooley, co-host of The Tailgate on WRUF, grades the Gators after they were bludgeoned 49-17 by No. 5 Texas on Saturday in Austin, Texas.

OFFENSE: D-

First half: Quarterback DJ Lagway warmed up, but once he took his pads off before the game this one was over. Poor Aidan Warner had little time to throw and the running game was mediocre. The third-and-4 run in the red zone was a ridiculous call and two Florida turnovers gave the Horn-downs two short fields.

Second half: Florida (4-5, 2-4 SEC) ran the ball like maniacs and a little of that was because Teas (8-1, 4-1) was playing the pass with such a big lead. Still, Florida scored 17 points and ran for 123 yards in the second half.

For the game: They really didn’t have much of a chance on the road with a walk-on quarterback. But the best thing that happened was how they were able to run for 197 yards and kept the nation’s longest scoring streak alive.

DEFENSE: F-

First half: Quinn Ewers certainly took advantage of Florida’s depleted secondary and that was WITH the Texas quarterback missing two deep wide-open receivers and another ball being dropped in the end zone. He still threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns in the first half.

Second half: It didn’t get any better until Steve Sarkisian brought Arch Manning in. Florida actually got a turnover. But by then it was already out of reach.

For the game: The thing I noticed about a defense that had been playing so much better the last three games was that the backups who were forced to play played like backups. The tackling was especially bad.

SPECIAL TEAMS: F

First half: Not great. Needed to get to the two punts and pin Texas deep. Trey Smack missed a 30-yard field goal and stunningly the Gators had a penalty on the first try.

Second half: Of course, we would see a penalty on special teams, but the game was decided by the time that happened. Smack’s made field goal allowed those of us who care that they had actually scored.

For the game: They weren’t especially sharp and that first miss by Smack was a big deal. Jeremy Crawshaw was solid throughout averaging 47.8 yards a punt.

OVERALL: F

As a rule, the best way to respond to getting a vote of confidence is not to get hammered by 32 two days later. Look, Florida had no chance without Lagway and most of the secondary and the guys played hard. Still, the team that looked like it belonged on the field with Georgia last week didn’t look like it belonged on the field Saturday.

WRUF.com sports columnist Pat Dooley can be heard on “The Tailgate” along with Jeff Cardozo from 4-6 p.m. Monday-Friday on 98.1-FM/AM-850 WRUF.