Sep 3, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Luke Del Rio (14) throws a warmup pass before a football game against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Luke Del Rio Knows Gator Offense Always Has His Back

Saturday was blistering hot in The Swamp, but that did not stop Luke Del Rio and the Gators from crushing Kentucky. Del Rio had the most passing yards in an SEC game by a Gators quarterback since 2004, which helped the Gators win 45-7.

Del Rio completed 59.4% of his passes and coach Jim McElwain says he only saw a couple throws that were missed. Del Rio says that his job was made easy thanks to the offensive line.

Del Rio doesn’t want to rest easy though as he says he can always go back and assess what was learned.

He also acknowledges the advantages of letting the young guys get their hands on the ball.

You do wanna get these young guys some reps, and some throws to them and get some live action because it is invaluable, you know, it’s different. Game speed is very different, you know, you can go as hard as you want in training camp but you know when the adrenaline is flowing, and there’s 90,000 people, you just play faster, so, yea, it’ll definitely be helpful.

Del Rio has thrown for 576 yards so far this season with a completion percentage of 63.2% for the season. and he believes the offense has improved since game 1.

Sep 3, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Luke Del Rio (14) keeps the ball and runs during the first quarter of a football game against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Luke Del Rio (14) keeps the ball and runs during the first quarter of a football game against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

He goes on to say that the offense as a team was “ticked off” that he got hit even once, but he was able to move them past that. “They played really well together, like I said, after the game, I didn’t get touched, after, the first possession.” says Del Rio.

The first year Gator QB also discusses how he is grateful for Coach McElwain being hard on him. 

North Texas (1-1) visits the Swamp this weekend and Del Rio and the offense looks to continue to improve heading into a the bulk of the SEC schedule after Saturday’s matchup.

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