Florida running back Jadan Baugh (13) celebrates his touchdown against the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. [Matthew Lewis/WRUF)]

Dooley Grades The Gators: High-Ranked Win

Pat Dooley, who co-hosts The Tailgate Show on WRUF with Jeff Cardozo, brings you the latest segment of Grading the Gators after Saturday’s 29-21 win against No. 9 Texas at The Swamp:

OFFENSE: B

FIRST HALF: It wasn’t any sexier, but the Gators were way more efficient than they have been in the last three losses. They controlled the game and certainly got a lot from Dallas Wilson in his first start (despite hurting his other ankle in practice on Thursday). The Gators had 148 yards to get off to a fast start in the opening quarter and then added 115 in the second.

SECOND HALF: Billy Napier kind of backed off in the second half at times, but the Gators still managed almost 200 yards of offense. The end of the game was a bit of a mystery, but we are used to that.

FOR THE GAME: The Gators had been averaging 11 points in their three losses and doubled that early in the second half. There were still some odd play calls, but gaining 457 yards and scoring 29 points should be the minimum for fans to calm down for a week.

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DEFENSE: B+

FIRST HALF: One drive, but that was it and it came after a turnover set up the Longhorns. They pressured the quarterback (his name is Manning) and stuffed the run allowing only 24 yards. Texas had 87 yards in the half which is kind of amazing.

SECOND HALF: It got dicey at the end, but the Gators kept making plays (and, for once, it was the time on the other sideline making so many dumb penalties). The Gator pass rush was the best it has been all year.

FOR THE GAME: Hey, Florida would have lost each of the last three games it has played giving up 21 points and there were times that made you scratch your head. But this defense is as much a reason why this team still has a pulse as anything.

SPECIAL TEAMS: A-

FIRST HALF: I am not kidding you when Florida blocked the punt out of the end zone I yelled, “THEY BLOCKED A KICK! THEY BLOCKED A KICK!” like 100 times. It has become a rarity, but props to Taylor Spierto, the new legend.

SECOND HALF: A couple of shaky punts by Tommy Doman, but Texas was only able to return one of his five punts. Vernell Brown III was probably told to try to return a couple of kickoffs to get the crowd going, but it might not have been the best idea.

FOR THE GAME: The special teams scored 11 points in a game Florida won by eight. So, they were the difference. Like I have been trying to tell you. They were special enough Saturday night in The Swamp.

OVERALL: A-

It was a win against a top-10 team which can never be undervalued (Napier is 4-0 in his last four home games against top-25 opponents in the SEC). There were definitely some clock management issues again with Billy Boy, but the exciting thing was how well Florida came out of the bye week with an edge. Maybe it was because Dallas Wilson is a beast. I think everybody has a different hope for this 2-3 team.

WRUF.com sports columnist Pat Dooley can be heard on “The Tailgate” along with Jeff Cardozo from 4-6 p.m. Monday-Friday on 98.1-FM/AM-850 WRUF.

Category: College Football, Feature Sports News, Gators Football, Pat Dooley