Muschamp Talks Gator Run Game

[travisduncan]

Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

By Travis Duncan
Gator Envy writer

Florida head coach Will Muschamp addressed the media Monday following Saturday's win over Kentucky and leading into the bye week.

"I think you have to be multiple against the some of the defenses were going to face ," said Muschamp. "Starting with LSU, you're not going to be able to line up in stagnant formations and consistently run the ball. Their fronts are too good."

Muschamp said you have to be able to "run the A-gap power we're going to run in every game, you're going to have to be able to run north and south."

In comparing Mike Gillislee to his peers at the position, Muschamp said, "That was one thing I really challenged Matt Jones going into the Kentucky game. Put your foot in the ground and get north and south, quit all the dancing."

According to the coach, you can't hit a big run every down, and that a five-yard run in the SEC is a great run.

Inside runs have helped the perimeter run game, sweeps and the like, and the outside game has helped the inside game according to the coach. Muschamp said Tennessee was a bigger defensive line than in years past, but a good outside run game helped the Gators run inside against the Vols.

Hunter's SEC Honor

Senior defensive lineman Omar Hunter was named the SEC defensive lineman of the week for his play against Kentucky.

Hunter record eight tackles against the Wildcats.

Kickoff Time Set for LSU

CBS will have the national broadcast with kickoff set for 3:30.

Debose in the Doghouse?

There has been a lot of talk lately about junior wide receiver Andre Debose, who has yet to catch a pass in 2012.

At Muschamp's press conference Monday the coach made it clear he was not happy with the Gators punt return or kickoff return output. He pointed the finger at blocking. Still now word comes via the Gainesville Sun that Debose will lose his spot as the Gators No. 1 punt returner.

Debose did not play Saturday against the Wildcats in the first half because the coaching staff was unhappy with his effort in practice.

As in the running game, Mushcamp said on returns he is looking for a guy to "stick his foot in the ground and run north and south."

 

[DRU2012]

No doubt about it: Matt Jones finally began to show the kind of spark as an inside-guy that we brought him in expecting--and a LOT more than Mack Brown had at ANY time before now (though even Brown ran better on his few carries; still, it appears he's dropped to #3 on the depth chart--as well he should, our other 2 RBs now pressing him THERE). As we all suspected, Gilly has shown in the early going how great he can be, at 100% a real power to be reckoned with among SEC running backs. We're gonna need him at full speed against LSU.
Just as I agree with the assumed demotion of Brown at RB, I completely support the Coach's impatient unhappiness with Debose at WR AND KR. Consistent effort has ALWAYS been a problem with this kid. Hearing that he doesn't give his all in practice is no real surprise: I get the distinct impression he doesn't give it all the time even in GAMES. A real shame, too, given his apparent natural talent--and the real vacuum we seemed to have in terms of playmakers, especially at that position, coming into the season. In the past, he'd at least shown SOME flashes of greatness, especially in his return-role, but this year he's shown nothing even there. The Coach HAD to make changes.