Three Takeaways from Florida's loss versus Tennessee [Hector]
The Florida Gators could not pick up their first road win as they lost to the Tennessee Volunteers 38-33. It was a hard-fought battle for the Gators, but there were too many mistakes in the game for Florida to pull off the upset.
While Florida lost, the game had some positives, especially with Anthony Richardson. However, Florida's defense and special teams were overmatched against the Volunteers, and it might be time to make some personnel changes. Here are my three takeaways from Florida's loss versus Tennessee.
1. Anthony Richardson rebounds after two rough games
After two awful games against Kentucky and USF, Anthony Richardson was very impressive against the Tennessee Volunteers. Richardson had one of the best games by a Florida quarterback, but it wasn't enough for Florida to win.
Anthony Richardson completed 24 out of 44 passes for a career-high 453 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for 62 yards on seventeen carries and two touchdowns.
Richardson put up 515 yards of total offense, the second most by a Florida quarterback in the program's history. The Gainesville native looked much more comfortable and confident in himself last Saturday. Richardson will look to continue this type of performance this weekend against Eastern Washington.
2. Youth movement for Florida's defense on the horizon?
The Florida Gators' defense had another difficult game against the high-powered Volunteers' offense. The Gators gave up 576 yards of total offense to Tennessee and had a couple of busted coverages that led to explosive plays.
The Volunteers run a spread offense that's very fast-paced with no huddles. Florida's defense struggled against the Volunteers as they could easily move up and down the field and take advantage of some busted coverages by the Gators' secondary.
Florida did force two turnovers but did not slow Tennessee's offense. One positive takeaway from the defense was how well the younger players on Florida's defense played. It might be time to take some personnel changes with Florida's defense as a handful of players have become a liability to the defense and start a little of a youth movement with Florida's defense.
3. Kick return team is doing more harm than good
The kick return team is one phase of Florida's team that has yet to show any bright spots. Florida's special team as a whole isn't bad, but their kick return team has been awful through four games.
Xzavier Henderson doesn't look very comfortable on kickoffs, and the blocking isn't doing their jobs. If Florida does get a decent return, it's usually called back because of an illegal block in the back or holding penalty.
Florida is just better off fair catching the football and letting Florida's offense start at the 25-yard line. If that's not the case, put some more explosive return kicks. Henderson has good speed but doesn't fit the mold as a kick returner. The Gators should have better athletes returning kicks or just fair catch it and start at the 25-yard line. It's better than the offense starting inside the 20.
The Florida Gators could not pick up their first road win as they lost to the Tennessee Volunteers 38-33. It was a hard-fought battle for the Gators, but there were too many mistakes in the game for Florida to pull off the upset.
While Florida lost, the game had some positives, especially with Anthony Richardson. However, Florida's defense and special teams were overmatched against the Volunteers, and it might be time to make some personnel changes. Here are my three takeaways from Florida's loss versus Tennessee.
1. Anthony Richardson rebounds after two rough games
After two awful games against Kentucky and USF, Anthony Richardson was very impressive against the Tennessee Volunteers. Richardson had one of the best games by a Florida quarterback, but it wasn't enough for Florida to win.
Anthony Richardson completed 24 out of 44 passes for a career-high 453 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for 62 yards on seventeen carries and two touchdowns.
Richardson put up 515 yards of total offense, the second most by a Florida quarterback in the program's history. The Gainesville native looked much more comfortable and confident in himself last Saturday. Richardson will look to continue this type of performance this weekend against Eastern Washington.
2. Youth movement for Florida's defense on the horizon?
The Florida Gators' defense had another difficult game against the high-powered Volunteers' offense. The Gators gave up 576 yards of total offense to Tennessee and had a couple of busted coverages that led to explosive plays.
The Volunteers run a spread offense that's very fast-paced with no huddles. Florida's defense struggled against the Volunteers as they could easily move up and down the field and take advantage of some busted coverages by the Gators' secondary.
Florida did force two turnovers but did not slow Tennessee's offense. One positive takeaway from the defense was how well the younger players on Florida's defense played. It might be time to take some personnel changes with Florida's defense as a handful of players have become a liability to the defense and start a little of a youth movement with Florida's defense.
3. Kick return team is doing more harm than good
The kick return team is one phase of Florida's team that has yet to show any bright spots. Florida's special team as a whole isn't bad, but their kick return team has been awful through four games.
Xzavier Henderson doesn't look very comfortable on kickoffs, and the blocking isn't doing their jobs. If Florida does get a decent return, it's usually called back because of an illegal block in the back or holding penalty.
Florida is just better off fair catching the football and letting Florida's offense start at the 25-yard line. If that's not the case, put some more explosive return kicks. Henderson has good speed but doesn't fit the mold as a kick returner. The Gators should have better athletes returning kicks or just fair catch it and start at the 25-yard line. It's better than the offense starting inside the 20.
