Alligators try to keep their sword sharp

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators limped into October with an under-fire head coach, a testy fan base and a revamped two-quarterback system. The mood was hot and spicy, with a touch of heartburn. Anyone wearing an orange-and-blue helmet or headset seemed vulnerable to criticism.

That gives you a 2-2 record and lopsided home losses to Miami and Texas A&M. Even after a 17-point win in the Southeastern Conference road game at Mississippi State, much of the talk centered around a defense that allowed 425.5 yards per game – 499.0 against FBS opponents – and a possible home loss to little brother UCF threatened.

No noise-canceling headphones could have blocked the anger. The Gators had only one option in the bye week before the UCF game: work, work, work to improve.

“Ultimately, this week was about our players taking control of the first part of this season,” Napier said on Wednesday. “I think the staff did a really good job.” There was a lot of collaboration between players and staff. That's why it worked. This group has character. I really respect the resilience they have shown.

“Could have obviously shattered some time ago.”

Instead of falling apart, Florida's defense has discovered the benefits of solid tackling, quicker alignment and a renewed commitment to task football. The offensive line has now settled in with a more consistent lineup and a true freshman quarterback DJ Lagwayafter playing behind the starter Graham Mertzis now QB1 since Mertz's college career is over due to a torn ACL.

The Gators have won two of three since the bye week – and had plenty of opportunity to win at Tennessee before losing in overtime – to boost hope for a November with games against No. 2 Georgia, No. 5 Texas and No. 8 LSU, No. 18 Ole Miss and in-state rival Florida State.

While Lagway's dynamic abilities have generated most of the excitement, it has been the defensive turnaround among co-defensive coordinators Ron Roberts (working from a standstill) and Austin Armstrong (works on the sidelines) set the table. Florida has limited opponents to 127.5 fewer yards per game (from 425.5 to 298.0) and 8.6 fewer points (from 27.3 to 18.7) since going back to basics and turning the competition in a week of physical exercises during the bye week.

“We knew what we were capable of,” said the defender Trikweze Bridgeswho took on a more important role during the fall of communism. “I would say a lot of our improvements and changes came after our first bye week. I'm kind of an old head now. I've been in the game for a minute, so I just see how things are when you don't communicate.” If you don't trust that your teammate will be in that position, it's difficult to play quickly and on your to trust their abilities and their abilities.”

The increased confidence has increased production.

The Gators had three interceptions in Saturday's 48-20 victory over Kentucky, with Bridges, Devin Moore And Cormani McClain each shot chooses. McClain returned the favor with a 29-yard touchdown in his UF debut. Florida now has nine takeaways this season (six interceptions, three fumbles), two more than its total last season.

No matter who you ask, a common theme emerges.

“As you can see on the tape, we play a lot faster and play together,” the sophomore safety said Jordan Castell said. “This bye week really helped us.”

With less than two minutes left in the first half on Saturday, Moore returned an interception 52 yards to the Kentucky 1-yard line. Freshman running back Jadan Baugh scored from one yard out on the next play, giving the Gators a 27-6 lead.

Moore said afterward that the team's improvement during the bye week lifted the mood in the locker room.

“It could bring you to tears,” Moore said. “It’s priceless.” One hundred percent praise to the coaching team.”

The Gators returned to practice Tuesday, and Napier, who made his weekly appearance on the SEC coaches conference call Wednesday, said the plan for Wednesday and Thursday was similar to the first bye week. He said the team's training habits have improved significantly, whether in terms of competition, execution or situational drills.

“I do think we have some areas in our team where this week will be crucial,” Napier said. “These will be very competitive.” [practices]. We will be working on a number of situations where we feel we need to improve and of course we are looking to develop some of these young players in our team for the road ahead.

“That's what we're dealing with right now. I think this will allow us to keep the sword sharp.”

The Gators faced Kentucky with 14 players listed as “out” on the SEC’s player availability report, including starting tailback Montreal Johnson Jr. In the meantime, safety Bryce Thornton was not listed but did not dress and started at cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. left the game with an apparent shoulder injury.

Florida is looking to get healthier with the extra week before facing Georgia in Jacksonville in 10 days, which should give some injured players a chance to get back on the field.

Regardless of who can and can't play against the Bulldogs, the Gators have played much better since those first four games put everyone on high alert.

“They really care about how they represent the University of Florida,” Napier said. “I would tell you, this group felt like they maybe let the place down, the people down, in terms of how we played earlier in the year.

“They took it personally.”