Florida Defensive Line Key Against Unshakable Georgia
LJ McCray put up a “horns down” gesture after sacking Texas quarterback Arch Manning with 6:18 remaining in the game to represent a career-best performance for him and a bounce-back game for Florida’s defensive line in the 27-24 win at Texas on Oct. 17.
However, statistics say Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. matchup against the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium should be a tougher challenge for No. 17 Florida’s defensive line.
The Gators (5-2, 3-2 SEC) brought the pressure against Texas and notched their second-highest sack total of the season (five) as part of the season-high tackles for loss (11). Florida will have a tougher time applying the pressure to the Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1), who have allowed the 21st fewest sacks nationally (eight).
“We have a new challenge this week in Georgia, they’re really good,” Florida coach Jon Sumrall said. “I see a lot of strengths, I don’t see weakness.”
What Went Right Against Texas
Sumrall told defensive coordinator Brad White “the hell with playing coverage” on the sidelines of the Texas game. In response, Florida blitzed Texas on a season-high 64.3% of dropbacks, according to PFF.
The blitzes affected Texas’ offensive line and Manning. All 11 of Florida’s pressures came on 18 blitzes, and Manning had a season-high pressure to sack percentage of 54.5%.
Manning has also been one of the most susceptible quarterbacks to pressure on blitzes, ranking 11th highest in pressure to sack percentage (26.1) among Power-4 quarterbacks that have been blitzed 40 times. Manning has been the eighth-highest pressured quarterback on blitzes (46).
What Makes Georgia a Tougher Matchup
The Bulldogs’ O-line and quarterback Gunner Stockton have done a better job preventing pressure both on blitzes and generally. Georgia holds the 20th-best PFF pass-blocking grade nationally (78.4) and the third-highest pass-blocking grade in the Southeastern Conference.
Stockton has been pressured 44 times, the 60th highest total among Power-4 quarterbacks, and he has been pressured the 41st highest amount on blitzes (28) among Power-4 quarterbacks, according to PFF.
Only 31.5% of blitzes Stockton faced turned into pressure. Moreover, against the blitz, Stockton has the 25th-lowest pressure to sack percentage (14.3) among Power-4 quarterbacks who have been blitzed at least 40 times.
Stockton also ranks first in completion percentage under pressure (66.7) and the fourth-quickest in time to throw under pressure (3.21) among Power-4 quarterbacks who have been pressured at least 40 times.
“The character of a football team is embodied by the quarterback,” Sumrall said of Stockton. “This quarterback is a tough, competitive winner. That’s in his DNA.”
Coverage Saturday starts at 12:30 p.m. on WRUF 98.1-FM/850-AM/103.7 HD2 and at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
Category: Feature Sports News, Gator Sports, Gators Football
