After defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores 38-14 last Saturday, the Gators will be looking to carry some of that positive momentum with them when travel up to Columbia, South Carolina, and take on the South Carolina Gamecocks at 3:30 PM EST on SEC Network.
The Gamecocks are 2-3 on the season (1-2 in the SEC) and are coming off a bye week which was preceded by a 41-20 loss to the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville.
Williams-Brice Stadium is no easy place to play and the Gators have yet to win on the road this season, which will have to change to change in the second half of their schedule as four out of the next five games (including a neutral site matchup with Georgia in Jacksonville) are away from The Swamp.
“I think Williams Brice is one of the tougher venues, better venues in the country, having played there many times in the past,” Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier said when discussing playing at Williams-Brice Stadium in his press conference Monday.
Gators TE Arlis Boardingham named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week
Gators TE Arlis Boardingham (8) – Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun
After catching seven passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns in Florida’s 38-14 win over Vanderbilt, Florida Gators TE Arlis Boardingham has been named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week alongside Alabama safety Caleb Downs.
“For a freshman, to be able to go do what he did the other day is impressive,” Napier said of Boardingham’s performance against Vanderbilt.
Keys to Victory for Florida
Get the Football to Playmakers on Offense
Gators WR Ricky Pearsall (1) – Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun
The Gators need to emphasize getting the ball to their playmakers on the outside against South Carolina, as they rank 126th in the country in passing yards allowed with 301.4 passing yards per game given up.
WRs Ricky Pearsall and Eugene “Tre” Wilson can make things happen when the ball gets in their hands, but it’s just a matter of the Gators actually getting them the ball.
The Gators will run the football like they have done so all season, but taking advantage of the opportunities in the passing game like they did against Vanderbilt last Saturday will be imperative against the Gamecocks.
Containing South Carolina WR Xavier Legette
South Carolina WR Xavier Legette is the best playmaker that the Gamecocks have on offense and is one of the best in the SEC.
Legette is third in the SEC in receiving yards with 606 yards on 32 receptions, which is an average of 18.9 yards per catch. Legette showcased his playmaking ability against Mississippi State earlier in the season when he scored a 75-yard TD and a 76-yard TD against the Bulldogs.
Legette was kept relatively in check by the Volunteers two weeks ago as he caught five passes for 50 yards, but the Gators’ defense will have to make sure they contain Legette due to his explosive playmaking ability.
Pressuring and Sacking South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler
Gators DL Princely Umanmielen (1) – Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun
Overall, the Gators’ defense has played well this season, but one aspect that they have struggled with this season is sacking opposing quarterbacks. The Gators rank 109th in the country in sacks with just nine total on the season.
This Saturday’s matchup against the Gamecocks and their QB, Spencer Rattler, provides an opportunity for that number to increase. The Gamecocks rank 128th in the country in sacks allowed with 23 total allowed on the season.
“Every week affecting the quarterback is important but when you play a guy like Spencer [Rattler], it’s even more important,” Napier said when discussing facing Rattler in his Monday press conference.
Florida defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong loves to send different blitzes at opposing quarterbacks and this week will be a prime opportunity for those blitzes to result in sacks.
