Florida’s Defense Showing Progress Despite Team’s Recent Struggles

Florida’s season has taken a difficult turn over the last several weeks, but the defense has shown signs of progress despite the team’s recent results.

The Gators have dropped consecutive games to Georgia and Oklahoma, falling to 5-4 overall and 3-4 in SEC play. While the offense continues to search for consistency, defensive coordinator Brad White believes his unit is beginning to develop the confidence and chemistry needed to improve.

After allowing 45 points to Missouri and 38 to South Carolina, Florida has given up an average of 24.7 points per game over its last three games against Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma. The Gators have also allowed an average of 313.7 yards per game during that stretch, compared to 393 yards per game through their first six games.

White pointed Tuesday to the growth of several younger players, including linebacker Myles Graham and defensive lineman Joseph Mbatchou, as examples of the progress Florida has made throughout the season.

Graham has become a more vocal presence on the defense, with White praising his recent production and increased leadership. When asked if Graham has been the defense’s most valuable player, White agreed.

“He’s someone we’re going to continue to lean into down the stretch,” White said. “We need him to continue to play at a high level.”

Mbatchou has also taken steps forward after earning more opportunities along the defensive front. White said his performance against Georgia helped build his confidence, which carried into the Oklahoma matchup.

The defensive lineman has begun showing he can contribute beyond his role as an interior presence, taking steps toward becoming a more consistent pass-rushing threat.

Those individual improvements have helped create a more confident unit, particularly among players who are still adjusting to larger roles, White said.

“It’s going to be baby steps for this guy,” White said of Mbatchou. “It’s why they’re playing better as a unit because they’re gaining confidence in themselves, and they’re gaining confidence in their teammates.”

That growth has not eliminated Florida’s defensive mistakes. Against Oklahoma, the Gators allowed a 20-play, 89-yard drive that lasted 12 minutes and 45 seconds, stretching from the third quarter into the fourth before resulting in a touchdown. Oklahoma finished with 351 total yards and converted 10 of 18 third-down attempts.

The drive exposed breakdowns in execution that allowed the Sooners to extend possessions, White said. The coaching staff reviewed the entire sequence together, giving players an opportunity to understand how individual mistakes compounded throughout the drive.

The inability to get off the field on third down was particularly frustrating for White, who pointed to a missed sack opportunity that could have forced Oklahoma into a much longer third-down situation.

Despite those mistakes, the defense’s effort and confidence have improved over the last several weeks, White said. The next step is translating that progress into more consistent execution. 

While the defense works to build on its development, Florida’s offense is still searching for answers.

The issues have varied from game to game, with missed assignments against Georgia giving way to situational struggles against Oklahoma, offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner said Tuesday.

The Gators finished with just 203 total yards against the Sooners, their lowest offensive output of the season. Florida managed 70 rushing yards and 133 passing yards while running only 47 offensive plays. Oklahoma also controlled possession, holding the ball for 37 minutes and 50 seconds compared to Florida’s 22 minutes and 10 seconds.

The Gators struggled to sustain drives Saturday, facing nine third downs and converting only two of those opportunities to keep possessions alive.

“We got to find a way to get more snaps on our end and stay on the field,” Faulkner said.

Faulkner pointed to third-down execution as one of the biggest differences in the Oklahoma loss, saying the offense could have changed the outcome by converting more opportunities.

Florida’s passing game also struggled to find consistency. Jones completed 10-of-22 passes for 133 yards and threw two interceptions, while the Gators did not record a passing touchdown. On the ground, Jadan Baugh led the team with only 35 rushing yards and a touchdown, the Gators only of the night. Duke Clark, who returned from an ankle injury, provided a bright spot with 70 receiving yards.

The offense also needs to find more explosive plays, pointing to Clark’s return as a potential boost, Faulkner said. He praised Clark’s ability to run downhill and create opportunities for the offense.

The quarterback position also remains a developmental focus for the coaching staff. With Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. both still gaining experience, Faulkner emphasized the importance of continuing to develop the young players rather than rushing the process.

“I do believe in them, and I do understand that it is a process with the quarterback position, and I will not rush that process,” Faulkner said.

The Gators travel to Lexington to face Kentucky (7-2, 5-2) on Saturday. Coverage begins at 3:15 p.m. on WRUF 98.1-FM/850-AM/103.7 HD2 and at 6:15 p.m. on ESPN.

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