After the Florida Gators upset the then 11th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers 29-16 last Saturday night, the Gators earned themselves a spot in the top 25 of the AP Poll this week, who are now ranked 25th in the country.
Charlotte at 25 Florida: Keeping the Positive Momentum Going
This Saturday night, the Gators have an opportunity to keep the positive momentum going as they welcome the Charlotte 49ers to The Swamp.
Napier commented on that momentum in comparison to last year’s team in his press conference on Monday.
“Last year’s team couldn’t handle momentum. We failed to capitalize several times throughout the season,” Napier said.
This year’s team, though, “has the right approach,” according to Napier.
Charlotte is 1-2 on the season and has lost back-to-back games to Maryland and Georgia State.
Napier complimented Charlotte in his Monday press conference.
“I think the scoreboard doesn’t necessarily predict what you would see. I think this is a very capable group. Big, long, fast. I do think they are very fundamentally sound,” Napier said.
When discussing preparing for Charlotte, Napier said staying humble is important to sustain the positive momentum that has been built over the last two weeks.
“It’s important to stay humble in how we prepare. That we are getting uncomfortable this week so we can be comfortable Saturday and, ultimately, try to sustain some of this momentum that we have here.”
Injury Update for the Gators
Florida Gators WR Eugene ‘Tre’ Wilson (3) – John Raoux/Associated Press
WR Eugene ‘Tre’ Wilson went down with a shoulder injury after catching six passes on the first offensive drive against Tennessee. Napier updated Wilson’s injury status during his Monday press conference.
“It will take a little bit of time for him [Wilson] to return,” Napier said, but it’s “nothing long-term.”
Napier said that it will be a “pain tolerance deal” and that Wilson will come back “at some point” this season.
Defending Two Quarterbacks
In looking at the matchup against Charlotte, they have a familiar face in their QB room with Jalon Jones. Jones signed with the Gators out of high school under then-head coach Dan Mullen in 2019 but transferred out after being accused of sexual battery (no charges were ever officially filed against Jones).
Jones isn’t the only Charlotte QB the Gators will face, however. Charlotte also plays QB Trexler Ivey, who is more of their passing QB. Ivey threw for 257 yards and a touchdown in a loss against Georgia State last Saturday.
Jones is the leading rusher for the 49ers with 196 yards and Ivey leads the team in passing yards with 330.
Preparing for two QBs is not a concept that’s unfamiliar for the Gators this season, as they had to prepare for multiple QBs against Utah to begin the year in Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson after Cam Rising was out due to injury. Johnson had success running the ball against the Gators, so expect Jones’ running ability to be a point of emphasis for Florida defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong to his defense ahead of the Charlotte matchup.
Run the Football
On offense, the Gators should do exactly what they did against Tennessee: run the football. The 49ers have allowed an average of 118 rushing yards through three games, including 249 to Maryland. Florida has rushed for 327 yards and 183 yards in back-to-back games. The Florida offense goes as the running game does, and the Charlotte matchup will provide another opportunity for the Gators to run the ball effectively.
Can Special Teams play a mistake-free game?
The special teams unit (aka the Game Changers) for the Gators have yet to go without making a mistake in any of the three games Florida has played this season.
Last week, Florida had an extra point and FG attempt blocked by Tennessee. The week before against McNeese, long snapper Rocco Underwood misfired a snap on an extra point attempt. Against Utah, Eugene ‘Tre’ Wilson fielded a punt inside the five-yard line instead of letting go into the endzone for a touchback. The Gators had an equipment penalty called against them, and punter Jeremy Crawshaw shanked a punt.
Florida changed kickers from Adam Mihalek to Trey Smack against the Volunteers after the two blocked kicks.
Napier commented on that change on Monday.
“Obviously Adam didn’t have it early and let me say this, I think the protection also contributed to the issue,” Napier said.
On Smack coming in for Mihalek, Napier said, “Trey did a fantastic job stepping up within the game.”
Changes are being made to the Game Changers, but they have yet to play a clean game this season. Maybe the adjustments will change that against Charlotte.
Two Gators Earn SEC Player of the Week Honors
Florida Gators Safety Jordan Castell (14) – Brian Paciorka/USA Today Network
Florida Gators defensive tackle Cam Jackson and safety Jordan Castell have received SEC Honors after their performances in the upset win over Tennessee.
Jackson was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after he recorded six total tackles (five solo) against the Vols.
Castell was named SEC Freshman of the Week after he recorded ten total tackles (four solo) and had an impressive pass breakup on a deep pass.
Castell was named a starter against Utah and certainly earned it after early enrolling in January. Castell’s surge has paid dividends for the Gators’ defense already through three games.
Napier commented on Castell on Monday, “The guy’s playing partly because he’s mature enough to handle it. He can process, and he can communicate. He’s got physical ability, but I think he is a future leader.”
Final Thoughts
After a big win like the Gators got last week against Tennessee, the Gators must keep their heads even keel and not overlook Charlotte. This game should be a good test for the defense with the two QB approach that Charlotte brings, but winning in The Swamp is a tall task for any team (just ask the Vols). As long as the Gators avoid any mistakes, this game should go well for the Orange and Blue.
