Game 4: The Trey Burton Bandwagon runs over Kentucky
by mlmintampa on Sep 25, 2010 10:54 PM EDT
in Florida Football
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PrintIn Urban Meyer's 100th career victory, Trey Burton became a folk hero with his six touchdowns in Florida's 48-14 win over Kentucky. The Gators (No. 9, 4-0, 2-0 SEC) finally were effective on offense with 466 yards, using the Burton Bandwagon to close drives in the red zone.
The Gators finally scored in the first quarter, with a Burton score off an option keeper in the wildcat starting the game. Burton also caught a touchdown pass in the first from John Brantley. As the half ended, the Gators needed a spark as they reverted back to the lackluster form that has haunted their offense early this season. The Gators opening drive of the 3rd was 11 plays ending with another Burton score. When UK rolled down the field to answer, The Gators rallied with another Burton running touchdown. The freshman would have two touchdowns in the 4th quarter too.
It's hard to gauge Burton's success. Is he a clear option as an H-back/tight end? Or is he going to take playing time from Brantley, who was 24/35 for 248 yards, with a touchdown and an interception? Burton also took touches when Jeff Demps left the game with a sprained foot and Mike Gillislee was kept in the bullpen far too long for my tastes. Burton's 40 yards rushing, 37 yards receiving and 42 yards passing gives UF an everything back they have lacked. Demps is fast, but broke down tonight after 57 yards on eight carries. Emmanuel Moody had 10 carries for 46 yards, but he doesn't have a spark like Demps or Burton has. Gillislee is a bruising back, but not a pass catcher. Burton as a tight end or H-back is a wrinkle that cannot be contained.
Defensively, the Gators were occasionally sloppy, allowing a few big passes to Kentucky and a few almost big passes. Freshman Cody Riggs was getting picked on after Jeremy Brown's 52 yard pick six in the second quarter. Jon Bostic also had a pick, dropping into a zone and in front of Randall Cobb. The Gators handled Cobb (70 yards on 9 touches) and Derrick Locke (113 on 26 touches). UF only allowed 99 yards on the ground, but 253 in the air. The Gators cannot get any pass rush, even if they blitz. Unless UF was sending six, and mixing up the look, Mike Hartline (21/39, 242, 1 TD, 2 INT) was able to find his players. Florida has to figure out some way to get a better push with only four rushers.
The Gators might not stack up to Alabama on Saturday, but that should not matter. It is becoming clearer that the Gators are willing to look outside the box by using Burton and continuing to ask Carl Moore (4 catches, 72 yards) and Deonte Thompson (5 catches, 86 yards) to convert 3rd downs. At the minimum, UF is adding offensive options.
The Gators play Alabama on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa.
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Will be interesting to see
the 5-2 look next week, like we saw against UT. I would think UF good zone blitz from that look. No doubt Gators have work cut out for them and have to get Demps and the O-line healthy this week, but I will enjoy the win.
No Burton bandwagon here.
Read my other comment in the game day thread. I like him on the field as an h-back as well. Thats it though. But nothing full time. Hopefully we dont depend on Burton to carry the load in he redzone against Bama. If real Tebow couldnt do it against Bama, no way Mini Tebow will either.
"When you argue correctly, you're never wrong."-Nick Naylor
I can agree with that.
I think the game is going to rest a bit on Brantley’s shoulders next week. He doesn’t have to bomb that Bama D, but he’s accurate enough to move them down the field. While he’s not Mallett, he’s capable of getting the job done for the most part. Beyond that it’ll be on guys like Burton, Gillislee, and Moody to get the ball into the endzone.
Definitely a good outing for the Gators, though, and I’m already more hopeful about next week than I’ve been since the SEC Title game.
by thatguyclint on Sep 25, 2010 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions
bq. While he’s not Mallett,
as in, Mallet is better? At least Brantley isnt going to throw 3 picks to help lose the game. Knock on wood.
"When you argue correctly, you're never wrong."-Nick Naylor
Mallett's better...
…at throwing the deep ball. Brantley’s a good QB, no doubting that, but he hasn’t shown the big play tendency that Mallett’s had in the past. I think he’ll be fine, I just don’t expect him to win the game single handedly.
If he does, more power to us!
by thatguyclint on Sep 27, 2010 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Hmmm...
No offense, but you clearly weren’t in the stadium today. Demps left the game after being awkwardly tackled on one play, not because he wore down. Brantley’s stat line is particularly forgiving, especially considering how inaccurate he was on nearly every pass that came out of his hands. The defense didn’t get “sloppy” until the game was decided and Kentucky refused to fall on their sword. This team would be much better of if they ended th Brantley/Pocket-Passer experiment and went with Burton full-time; the coaching staff seems most comfortable calling those plays and the team seems better at executing them.
MileHighReport.com member since 02/06/07, promoted to "Position Coach" (i.e. new staff writer) on 02/16/10!
Wow
That might be the dumbest comment I’ve ever read on here.
"When you argue correctly, you're never wrong."-Nick Naylor
by Hook85 on Sep 26, 2010 8:05 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well...
Even if your assessment of my comment was indeed accurate, I held the title of “dumbest comment ever read here” for about 16 minutes until you “attempted to debate” it…
MileHighReport.com member since 02/06/07, promoted to "Position Coach" (i.e. new staff writer) on 02/16/10!
I guess I will attempt to debate this...
But you do realize that if wasn’t for Brantley, Burton wouldn’t of been able to rack up 6 easy touchdowns against a gassed defense.
And Brantley was very accurate, sure there was a couple passes that werent on the money but that was rare.
Whatever though, wait til next week and I’m sure you will realize how dumb it was to want a freshman to start.
"When you argue correctly, you're never wrong."-Nick Naylor
by Hook85 on Sep 26, 2010 8:21 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Disagree.
Sure, a fresh Burton against a tired defense gives him an extra edge, but that’s not the only reason for his success. Moreover, Brantley isn’t the sole reason why the offense was wearing the opposing defense down.
I’ve seen every minute of Brantley’s Florida career (including being at the stadium for every home game) and I can tell you that he’s not nearly as accurate as advertised. I’m incredibly disappointed in his performance this year because he seemed so spot-on last season.
Starting freshmen QBs is not always a terrible idea. You play the best players, period. Unless you’re suggesting Michigan bench Denard Robinson in favor of Tate Forcier…
MileHighReport.com member since 02/06/07, promoted to "Position Coach" (i.e. new staff writer) on 02/16/10!
Isn't Denard Robinson
a redshirt freshman? I think that would be different than starting a true freshman.
Get out of my House!
I think Brantley's been okay
Expectations were a little unrealistic becaues some people thought he would be a darkhorse Heisman candidate (right Herby?!). I like Burton playing the Percy role because he’s more difficult to plan for when you never know where the hell he’s going to be. Get ready for CBS to have the “Burton Cam” going Saturday night showing you all the places he can line up. They are so clever, those CBS guys. Also, look for Grandpa Verne to misidentify Burton as Demps, Rainey, Brantley and Harvin at least once each during the game.
I can’t wait for Saturday night.
Being at the stadium actually makes your argument worse.
1. Everyone knows when at the game you cannot see the game like you can on TV especially things like accuracy.
2. You are right, play the best player. Not the one who fits your system the best. And even then, a more talented freshman is not always the better player. I.e. This recruiting class does not start anyone yet.
"When you argue correctly, you're never wrong."-Nick Naylor
Where did I say that Demps “wore down”? I said he “broke down” after eight carries because of a sprained foot. (However, I did not say that consecutively.) Also, I have not been big on praising Brantley because he has a long way to go. But this was also his fourth game as a starter. I’m still stunned by the impatience of fans when it comes to this.
As for Burton over Brantley, I guess we can assume you were one of those fans who famously booed Chris Leak in 2006.
mlmintampa
UF C/O 06
http://www.alligatorarmy.com
Don't Assume.
After his first four games in 2006, Leak was roughly 70/110 for 1050 yards with 12 TD and 3 INT, absolutely dwarfing Brantley’s current 73/114 for 700 yards with 6 TD and 1 INT; why would I have booed that? And, sure, it’s John’s first year starting, but he’s been in the system for years now.
MileHighReport.com member since 02/06/07, promoted to "Position Coach" (i.e. new staff writer) on 02/16/10!
That was Leaks 4th year as a starter on a championship team with atleast 5 players at his finger tips to throw the ball too that are in the NFL right now…
This was Brantleys 4th start with his best reciever commonly called “stone hands”, and a center who can’t snap worth a damn and not to mention his entire O-line is full of crippled seniors or inexperienced underclassmen. Plus his offensive cordinator is also the oline coach, neither of two has he been able to master simultaneously.
Tebow on the other hand was a one of a kind athlete and Florida fans (ignorantly) did not have the patience to let him grow under a more experienced Leak because they knew what Tebow can do.
Give Brantley a little bit of F’N credit, atleast realize Burton has done nothing to prove he deserves the job over Brantley.
"When you argue correctly, you're never wrong."-Nick Naylor
"Breaking down" and "wearing down" sound synonymous to me
Both indicate that a player (or his body) couldn’t take anymore punishment and resulted in an injury. Ruiz is right – it was just an awkward tackle and injury. I am extremely concerned about the number of injuries we had yesterday, especially to our offensive linemen. I would like to see the extent of those injuries.
Burton looked like Percy Harvin last night – producing from all over the field. I think it will end up helping Brantley by taking some pressure off of him. Brantely still threw too many poor passes, but looked really good at times too. I also can’t believe we’re STILL having problems with the shotgun snap, as once again, the I formation under center worked when we ran it.
I am hoping that we can compete with Bama next week and hopefully give them a game.
After watching the game last night, I am more convinced than ever that the Gators are going to be filthy next season – especially the defense. Anything we can accomplish during this rebuilding year is gravy.
Maybe I am way off on this but...
Don’t get me wrong, Burton is a solid player. He’s got a little bit of everything going for him. His talent level is no where near Tebows strength and hes got nothing on Harvins running game. But he has a little of each that makes him so fun to watch.
But! The guy simply came in on goal line situations and ran a formation that Kentucky’s talent level on defense had no chance of stopping. What am I saying? It was just a gimmick play that UK couldn’t stop. No way in he’ll does a freshman QB deserve even the idea of starting at QB because he performed well at running the ball within the redzone against a weak defense.
If Brantley plays HORRIBLE and Burton came in and looked like Mike Vick, then I could understand why people would call for him to start. But that has not happened… I’ve seen him throw the ball once to a wide open reciever and it was so off the mark Hammond almost fell trying to readjust just so he could catch the damn ball and you want him to start??? Why? Because he can run the option well. Damn maybe Demps should start at QB, I bet he runs the option great! Who cares about anything else.
"When you argue correctly, you're never wrong."-Nick Naylor
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