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Gators Finally Put The Pressure On

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By JENNA MARINA Tribune correspondent

Published: October 21, 2007

Updated: 10/20/2007 11:55 pm

LEXINGTON, Ky. - For weeks the Gators' pass rush was practically non-existent and one of the bigger question marks surrounding a relatively young Florida defense.

But on Saturday, the Gators defense was unleashed, sacking Kentucky quarterback Andre' Woodson six times.

'I was stressing it in the locker room: We need pressure,' linebacker Brandon Spikes said. 'We watched film from last year's game, and it was just those guys getting pressure on them, sacking them over and over. It was like, why can't we do the same thing?'

The sacks saved an otherwise less-than-mediocre performance by UF's defense in the Gators' 45-37 victory over the No. 8 Wildcats.

Woodson easily picked apart Florida's corners, especially Jacques Rickerson, who was beaten for big yardage several times by Kentucky receivers.

Freshman Joe Haden was also exposed at times. In the third quarter, Haden was slow getting to Wildcats tight end Jacob Tamme, and when he and A.J. Jones missed the tackle, Tamme ran it in for a touchdown.

The Gators also allowed its most yards (512), passing yards (415) and points (37) in a game this season.

But just one of Florida's sacks was more than what LSU's No. 1 defense could muster in its three-overtime loss last week.

'LSU is a great team, and if you do better than that, then that means you're doing a pretty good job,' Florida freshman Justin Trattou said.

Heading into the Kentucky game, Florida had 11 sacks this season for a loss of 81 yards.

Defensive end Jermaine Cunningham continued to impress with 2.5 sacks, while Derrick Harvey tallied 1.5. Trattou ended the first half on a high note with his sack, and junior defensive tackle Javier Estopinan got the first of his career.

'They've been emphasizing pass rush for the whole season,' Trattou said. 'We knew one game was our break, and all that hard work paid off today.'

Some players credited the difference to the bye week, allowing players to get their legs back under them. Others attributed the improved pass rush to hard work in practice.

Linebacker Dustin Doe thought the team was simply ready to play.

'I feel like we play with a lot of character, and we play with a lot of poise,' Doe said. 'This week, guys didn't get under themselves. Guys didn't make any excuses - they just went out and played. I feel like our character is the biggest thing going for us right now.'

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