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Florida took down the Missouri Tigers 40-14 in the Swamp on Saturday, in what was quarterback Luke Del Rio’s first game played in four weeks. Del Rio had missed two games with a sprained left knee, but was healthy enough this week to make the start for the Gators. While the defense was stellar for the Gators in the game, including a pair of pick-six interceptions from Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson, it was clear that Del Rio was struggling to lead the offense.
Tyrie Cleveland @Tyrie_1 to the house with a quick pass from Luke Del Rio pic.twitter.com/TDSoCfvdnJ
— Ashlyn Sullivan (@ashlynrsullivan) October 16, 2016
Shaking off the rust?
On Saturday, Del Rio went 18 for 38 for 236 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions. Those three picks came in a period of seven passes. Needless to say, this was his worst performance in a Gator uniform.
Head coach Jim McElwain probably said more to Del Rio personally than what he told the media. What he did admit to reporters however, is that it quite simply wasn’t a very good performance. McElwain did also say he thought the team did some really good things on the field. Regardless of poor play, McElwain needs his team to have the mentality of winning the next play after something goes wrong.
Del Rio will need to clean up his play and get back to the way he started off the season if the Gators want to stay in the position that they are. Despite his performance, the team moved up to No. 15 in the AP Polls this week and now sit at the top of the SEC East Division. Florida has a bye this weekend before traveling to Jacksonville for the annual rivalry game against the Georgia Bulldogs on October 29.
