Theater of Operations will be posted on Sunday and Monday this week instead of the usual Monday and Tuesday. Yeah, it's probably a good thing.
The loss to South Carolina felt like one of those games in which a team was in the game, but at the same time, wasn't. If that makes any sense, that is. Anyway, as we all know by now, the Gators lost 17-12 in what was largely a boring game. There just wasn't a lot of exciting play, by either team, for the vast majority of the game.
But not all is lost. The Gators, behind Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey, actually had a running game against a top 10 defense. It wasn't pretty at times, and even looked dreadful in parts, but over the course of the game, they actually moved the football and broke off a few long runs. Still, though, the offensive line play is atrocious, the receivers either aren't getting open or aren't being considered an option by John Brantley, and the list of offensive horrors goes on and on.
I've given up trying to figure out this team. Why doesn't Mike Gillislee ever play? I have no idea. Why is it, that every time we get off a few decent plays, the personnel is changed, thus damaging any momentum? Again, I have no idea. Let's just beat Furman, and then lose to Florida State and end this season already.
Well, actually, let's beat Furman and Florida State and then call it an end to the regular season.
Play No. 1: Chris Rainey's 19-yard run to the South Carolina 2.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Simple hand-off out of the shotgun formation in which Rainey (double yellow circle) with Hunter Joyer (yellow circle) is out in front as the lead blocker.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
After getting the hand-off cleanly, Rainey (double yellow circle) has a clean running lane to run through. Joyer (yellow circle) is still out in front, and Rainey has three other key blocks (yellow squares) that allow him to get beyond the linebackers.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Upon getting to the next level, Rainey (double yellow circle) is in the process of planting his lead foot to the outside and cutting back to the inside. This move causes the safety (green circle) to cut to the outside and end up out of position. Hunter Joyer (yellow circle) is still with him as the lead blocker.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
This is where geometry hurts the Gators. Rainey (yellow circle) has the speed advantage, but the South Carolina defense has the angles it needs.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
The South Carolina defense uses that geometrical advantage, and stops Rainey (yellow square) at the 2. This was a key tackle, as the Gators ended up having to settle for a field goal.
Play No. 2: Jordan Reed's 20-yard reception:
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Jordan Reed (top yellow circle) runs a pretty simple 10-yard stop route here. He is going to be covered by the middle linebacker (top green circle) and that is a battle that Reed should win every single time.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
As Reed (yellow circle) begins the stop portion of his route, you can see that both the middle linebacker (top green circle) and outside linebacker (bottom green circle) are in no position to make a play on the ball at this point. The outside linebacker is focused on the receiver in the flat, and the middle linebacker is shading towards Reed, but hasn't quite moved far enough.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
As Brantley releases the ball, Reed (yellow circle) turns around at the perfect time. This allows him enough time to locate the ball and set his feet. The defenders (green circles) still aren't close enough to make a play on the ball.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Reed makes the catch with just enough room.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Reed ends up breaking past those two defenders (green square) that are pictured here and in the picture above this one (yellow square), before being tackled finally for a gain of 20 yards.
A timing play down the field actually worked! We are making progress! (It's the 10th game of the season!)
Play No. 3: Chris Rainey's 47-yard run:
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Just the like the run profiled on play No. 1, this is just a simple hand-off to Rainey, who does a lot of the work on this run on his own.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Rainey (double yellow circle) has a lane here, but it is developing. There are two blocks (yellow squares) that are already in progress, but one (yellow and green circles) hasn't quite got started yet.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Rainey gets that block and will again get into the next level where he can take on the defensive backs.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Get past defender No. 1? Check.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Get past defender No. 2? Check.
Also, please take note of Quinton Dunbar's block (yellow square). This play probably ends right about here if Dunbar isn't making this block. I'm going to credit Dunbar with a 20-yard positive block.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Rainey ends up making it to the 2 again. Yeah, another red zone appearance for the Gators! Who among us thought yet another field goal was imminent? Well, that's what play No. 4 is all about.
Play No. 4: Jacoby Brissett's two-yard touchdown run:
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
You know, I've watched this play about 20 times now, and I can't quite figure out what happens. All one can assume is that the coverage is great (CBS doesn't show it) in the end zone and, as a result, Brissett (yellow circle) has to make it happen by himself.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Check out the double yellow square. I'm not saying anything, but I'm just saying.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Well at this point, Brissett (yellow circle) has pretty much committed to trying to run it in for the touchdown.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Brissett actually makes a pretty decent move here to avoid the defender. He makes just a quick cut outside, but then bursts back inside. This allows him to get to the goal line, and, at that point, one has got to like Brissett's chances.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Touchdown, Gators.
You know, after a season in which the offense has underperformed in all areas (injuries aside), I'm kind of running low on things to say. It is what it is at this point in the year. We expect domination of lesser opponents, and an all-out struggle against any resemblance of a decent FBS team, and we have one of each left on the schedule.