Nov 3, 2018; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Feleipe Franks (13) throws the ball as Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Tre Williams (93) defends during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
GAINESVILLE. Fla. – Ineffectiveness at the quarterback position and the decimated Florida Gators secondary were too tall of a task for them to overcome in Saturday’s 38-17 loss to Missouri in The Swamp.
Gators coach Dan Mullen gave Felipe Franks the hook in the third quarter as he was 9-of-22 for 84 yards and had presided over three-and-outs in six of the nine Gator possessions.
“We were behind and I wanted to try to do something different because what we were doing wasn’t working,” explained Mullen. “There is repetition in practice and when you get into the game we tried to see if something else would give us a spark.”
In Franks’ defense, the Tigers hurried him and put him on the ground in consistent fashion. He never was able to get his feet set and consistently find his fleet of receivers down field. That was a huge problem as Mizzou came in giving up 288 yards passing per game, 124th out of the 130 FBS teams.
“Felipe missed a throw or two here, but he is also getting hit and we have got guys open and I am like, ‘What’s going on?’ And all of a sudden the ball sails and I think, “Well, I’ll jump on him and there he is with three guys being pulled off of him,” analyzed Mullen.
Kyle Trask: The 6-5, 239-pound sophomore from Manvel, Texas, came in and drove Florida 75 yards in 13 plays. He connected with Josh Hammond on a 7-yard touchdown pass that cut Missouri’s lead to 35-17 with 20 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Trask finished 10-of-18 for 126 yards. He gave the Gators’ offense a spark, but it was so late in the game that they only had two more drives after his first one.
“I thought he did okay,” Mullen said. “He missed a throw or two, but made good throws and got the ball out and on time and gave our guys a chance and they made some plays.”
What’s next?: Mullen repeatedly assessed that pulling Franks was not a personal attack on him, as he was just having a tough day. Many things around him were not working such as the running game and the pass protection.
“Everybody is going to have some good days and some bad days and I am certainly not here and point the finger because he was terrible,” Mullen stated, “The offense wasn’t moving and I wanted to see if somebody else could get it done. We have to protect an awful lot better, too.”
Trask was greeted with a rousing ovation by the fans that were hanging around as the Gators trailed 35-10 when he was inserted into the game. The applause grew louder after he led the Gators on the touchdown drive.
Mullen noted about so much scrutiny from the media and fans since neither group is inside the team, yet many unfounded assessments are made about the players and their lack of production. Of course, the quarterback is under the microscope, but neither group cut the Gators’ pass defense a break with so many injuries in that position.
“All that matters is that the people in the building know what is going on,” Mullen said. “I hate to call you all (media) out or the fans, but you’re not there all the time. You are not there at early morning meetings, at practice, putting in the game plans or watching films, watching the game plan, and putting in the game plan. Our fans aren’t there for all of that either.”
It could be an interesting week of practice as Mullen decides which way to go as the Gators host South Carolina on Saturday at noon.
