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Meyer Hands Out Praise To His Team

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 22, 2008

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Not only did the Florida Gators beat Tennessee on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, they also won high praise from Coach Urban Meyer.

"I'm starting to like this team a little bit," Meyer said. "I'm not saying a lot, but I like this team a little bit because they know how to practice and they are acting very mature right now."

It was a lot more than the 30-6 defeat of the Gators' SEC Eastern Division rival that Meyer found to his liking. It was the way his team prepared for its first road game of the year.

"What do you use a bye week for?" he said. "Well, let's get some guys healthy. No, let's get a little tougher on offensive and defensive lines."

For Monday's game-week practice the Gators were in full pads. On Tuesday, in 106-degree heat index, they sweated through a 35-play inside drill that matched first-team offensive and defensive lines.

Line coaches Steve Addazio (offense) and Dan McCarney (defense) were almost as involved as their players.

"They flat went after each other," Meyer said. "Our guys fed off it."

A season after questioning leadership and focus in certain areas of his team, Meyer now is praising its growing maturity.

"You test someone's maturity level when you go on the road," Meyer said. "I made the comment to the guys at the hotel Friday night. I want them to conduct themselves as a professional athlete.

"This is SEC football, it's your job and it's really what your life is about. You're here to get a degree and play college football. ... We take it real seriously."

With the exception of kick returner Brandon James, there were no standout numbers produced by the Gators.

Even Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow blended into the team effort, completing eight of 15 passes for 96 yards, although he did have two TD tosses. Four different Florida ball carriers combined for 39 rushes and a non-descript 159 yards.

Meyer, however, seemed more than satisfied.

"Our whole game play, how we manage the game and all plays, it's certainly not for style points or someone touching the ball, or getting into the game," he said. "It's simply wanting to play a short field.

"Our whole focus is on that. And our special teams and defense did a very, very good job."

SOUND BITE: "I love to see the ball land in Brandon James' arms because the 10 guys in front of him are out of their minds because they know what's going to happen." - Meyer on his star kick returner who returned two punts for 92 yards and a touchdown and one kickoff for 52 yards.

WHAT WENT RIGHT: With good defensive and special-teams play, Florida won the field-position battle.

Three times the Gators took offensive possession inside the Tennessee 50 - producing 17 points - in addition to James' 78-yard punt return.

WHAT WENT WRONG: Maybe because there is so much expected from Florida's big-play offense, it is impossible to live up to the advance billing. Nevertheless, Tennessee did outgain the Gators 258-243 in total yards with both teams earning 16 first downs and almost identical times of possession.

Mick Elliott

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