Florida’s defense has spent this week focused on one word: finish.
The Gators (3-0, SEC 1-0) struggled to close out Auburn (2-1, 0-1 SEC) last Saturday, allowing the Tigers to make a late push and exposing some areas the defense knows it needs to clean up in a 44-39 win. With No. 4 Ole Miss (3-0, SEC 1-0) coming Saturday to Gainesville, Florida defensive coordinator Brad White said the defense knows it has to clean up its mistakes.
“It’s all about points,” White said Tuesday. “[39 points] it’s not acceptable.”
Florida allowed 39 points against Auburn, though several of those scores came late in the game. White said the defense played solid football at times, particularly up front, but struggled to maintain that level of play in the fourth quarter.
“We had a chance on Saturday to play better than we did to close the game out like that,” White said. “I thought we started the first quarter really well.”
Inside linebacker Aaron Chiles echoed that message Tuesday.
“That’s been the main emphasis this week,” Chiles said. “When we get to the end of practice, finish, finish, finish. So when we get to these close games, like the fourth quarter comes up, defense is going to be able to finish.”
The challenge becomes even greater against an Ole Miss offense led by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
White, who faced Chambliss last season while at Kentucky in the Wildcats’ 30-23 loss to Ole Miss, described him as an elite-level player and pointed to his combination of arm strength, mobility and ability to extend plays outside the pocket.
“He’s a really talented player,” White said.
Chambliss also creates problems when he leaves the pocket because of the pressure it puts on defense. White said defenders can find themselves caught between staying with receivers and accounting for the quarterback as a runner.
“Extremely dangerous if he gets out of the pocket,” White said.
Chiles said Florida’s preparation will center on limiting Chambliss’ ability to make those plays. Against LSU on Saturday, Chambliss completed 33 of 48 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns while adding 24 non-sack rushing yards and another score on the ground.
“He’s a great player, he’s very experienced,” Chiles said. “Coming this week, we’re just going to try to limit him and his ability.”
Florida will also look to create turnovers. White said the goal is two-and-a-half takeaways per game, meaning Florida would like to produce at least three against Ole Miss.
Chiles said creating takeaways has been a consistent point of emphasis for the defense.
“We preach every day the importance of turnovers, takeaways and how to win or lose a ball game,” Chiles said.
While Florida prepares for the challenge on the field, the Gators will have another advantage at their disposal: The Swamp.
Chiles said Florida’s home environment can make it difficult for opposing offenses to communicate and execute, especially when the Gators generate momentum and get the crowd involved.
“I definitely think it’s a big advantage playing in The Swamp,” Chiles said. “I do think it’s a tough, tough atmosphere to play in.”
For Florida, the goal is to turn that atmosphere into an advantage while avoiding the mistakes that allowed Auburn to extend the game last week.
Against an Ole Miss team featuring an experienced, mobile quarterback in Chambliss, the Gators know finishing will be more than a practice slogan.
“Physically I feel like we’re all capable of getting the job done,” Chiles said. “Just limiting the mental errors, making sure we communicate as a team.”
