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Gators' Defense Continues To Hurt

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 29, 2007

GAINESVILLE - Injuries may force the University of Florida's porous young defense to get even younger, Gators coach Urban Meyer said a day after Florida's 42-30 loss to Georgia.

Meyer said Sunday that he did not know the extent of a leg injury to senior DT Javier Estopinan, but Estopinan - who missed more than half of last season after tearing a knee ligament - watched the second half of the Georgia game in street clothes. Meyer said freshman John Brown (Lakeland) could earn playing time this week at practice. Freshmen Torrey Davis (Armwood) and Lawrence Marsh played significant downs Saturday. To make matters worse, Meyer said, DE Derrick Harvey suffered a hip pointer Saturday. Losing Harvey could severely hamper a defense that has allowed 79 points in its past two games.

'We're struggling in there to begin with,' said Meyer, who said he thought Harvey would play Saturday against Vanderbilt. 'We're feeling the pains of a late season right now.'

Meyer said he also may give freshman Moses Jenkins a look at cornerback. Freshman Joe Haden and sophomore Wondy Pierre-Louis have struggled at times this season, and Meyer believes his corners are giving opposing receivers too much of a cushion.

'We've got to tighten our coverage down,' Meyer said Saturday. 'We're so loose in our coverage right now. We're getting beat when we're singled up.'

WHAT WENT RIGHT: Meyer said WR Percy Harvin, who rushed for 97 yards on 10 carries and caught two passes for 41 yards Saturday, needs to touch the ball more - especially with QB Tim Tebow's running ability limited by a bruised right shoulder.

"Percy Harvin is as competitive a player as we have, and as talented as we have,' Meyer said. 'It might be 20 touches a game.'

Meyer also mentioned Saturday that he might try to get WR Jarred Fayson (Hillsborough) more involved in the offense. Fayson, who also can line up as a tailback, caught three passes Saturday for 62 yards.

WHAT WENT WRONG: Just about everything else. Meyer seemed frustrated Sunday that he didn't have more answers for the problems plaguing the Gators.

Even play calling from the sideline was an issue Saturday, Meyer said. With the Gators down 12 and facing second down at the Georgia 11-yard line late in the fourth quarter, one of the backup quarterbacks relaying plays sent an incorrect signal to Tebow.

With the play clock running, Tebow had to run to the sideline to get the play. He then needed more time to inform his teammates of the play. With the play clock near zero, Tebow hurried a man into motion and called for the ball.

C Drew Miller tried to rush the snap, and the ball never made it to Tebow's hands. Georgia recovered the fumble and ran out the clock.

Andy Staples

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