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UF Defense Makes Statement

Tribune photo by COLIN HACKLEY

Florida's Carlos Dunlap, left, Brandon Spikes and Jermaine Cunningham sack Georgia's Matthew Stafford for a 10 yard loss.

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By KARL HYPPOLITE

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 2, 2008

JACKSONVILLE - If there is a way to stop a team from celebrating in your end zone, it is keeping them out of your end zone altogether.

Florida's defense put in its most impressive performance of the season in holding Georgia to three points until a late fourth-quarter score after the Bulldogs dropped 42 on the Gators a year ago.

"This is the only answer," Coach Urban Meyer said. "This is the only way to answer a game like that."

Georgia entered the game leading the SEC in total offense (431.2 ypg) and was second to the Gators in points per game (34.2).

Meyer emphasized that defense would win Saturday's game, despite the assortment of playmakers both teams put on the field.

The Gators appeared to have gotten the message. Florida clamped down on Georgia in each of its three red-zone opportunities. The Bulldogs came away with just three field-goal attempts, converting one.

Running back Knowshon Moreno, who gashed the Gators for 188 yards and three scores last season, finished with 65 yards and a fumble.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford finished 18 of 33, with no touchdowns and three interceptions.

"Turnovers, that's one of the key things to playing great defense, being able to take the ball away and stop a drive with a fumble recovery or an interception," said Gators defensive lineman Terron Sanders, who recovered Moreno's fumble in the third quarter.

In a game with a 49-10 spread, the biggest play came from Joe Haden in the third quarter. With Georgia marching down the field as Florida nursed 14-3 lead at the 30-yard line, Haden intercepted a Stafford pass and returned it to the Bulldogs' 1-yard line.

"We knew that they were going to make plays," Haden said. "That's the best quarterback I think we're going to face this season, and he made great choices with Mohamed Massaquoi and A.J. Green, they're just great receivers. We knew they were going to make plays, and it's just how we act after they make plays."

The Gators have come a long way from the defense that was considered a weakness in 2007. Complacency and inexperience was evident last season, but that has been remedied by effective recruiting.

"There was a lack of competition and a lack of depth," Meyer said. "There was a void in recruiting. We recruited a very poor class our first year here, and as a result you play with guys that aren't ready."

They appear to be ready now, and no one is stomping in their end zone.

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