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Gators Keep Football Secure

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By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 23, 2008

GAINESVILLE - Football's most cherished fundamental also is the simplest to understand. Turnovers, bad.

So far, the Florida Gators have been very good at not doing bad.

After three games, undefeated Florida will go into Saturday's home game against Ole Miss as the nation's only team not to have given up either a fumble or an interception. Dating to last season, the Gators have a streak of five games without a turnover - a school record.

It's not by accident.

"Absolutely," Gators quarterback Tim Tebow said Monday, looking back on Florida's 30-6 victory at Tennessee. "That has always been a huge priority for us at Florida and the offense for taking care of the ball. Teams that turn it over, no matter how good your offense is, you put your defense in bad situations and give the other team lots of momentum. Especially places like Neyland Stadium, the crowd gets going and that can turn into a bad situation."

Or vice versa. On Saturday the home crowd turned to boos after the Volunteers fumbled at their 23-yard line to set up a Florida field goal, lost another at the Gators' 3 to stop a 14-play, 71-yard drive, and threw an interception at the 1 to miss another scoring opportunity right before halftime.

Every coach talks about eliminating turnovers, of course; all politicians promise to lower taxes, too.

In Florida's case, seeing has led to believing.

First, in Coach Urban Meyer's way of thinking, a running back prone to fumbling is unlikely to get many chances to lose the ball.

"If we see a loose ball, you come out of the game," Meyer said. "Non-negotiable. If I see the top of the football, you are out of the game. Some people say, 'Oh, let them play.' No way. Take care of the football."

Sophomore Emmanuel Moody learned in a hurry. The Pac-10 freshman of the year at Southern Cal before transferring last year had to prove his ability to hold the football before finally seeing his first real action this year against Tennessee.

"The first spring practice you could see the top of the football," Meyer said. "Now you can only see elbow and forearm. That's good ball security. I know he's talented. That's not the issue. But a lot of talented guys spill the ball all over the place."

Moody gave a sheepish smile. "It's repeated and repeated. Keep your elbow locked."

Second, Meyer's offensive strategy is designed to, as much as possible, avoid situations that create interceptions. Tebow's string of 145 passes without an interception suggests the Gators are on to something.

"I'll give you an example," Meyer said. "It's third down-and-12, a lot of times our passing game is to check the ball down and punt the football. Do not throw that ball into coverage. When you have a dynamic punter and coverage unit, you will see that we manage the game a lot differently.

"On third down-and-12, those scholarship players on the opposing team know you are trying to get 12. So check it down. That's why we recruit fast people around here. Let the guy try to get the first down. If it does not work, punt the football."

The results are obvious. Florida has a turnover ratio this year of plus-nine, second best in the nation - one behind Wake Forest. Also, the Gators are one of only five teams in the country, joining Oklahoma, Alabama, Penn State and TCU, not to have trailed at any time this season.

Turnovers, good - when they belong to someone else.

GATOR BITES: Junior kick returner Brandon James was honored Monday for the second time this season as SEC special teams player of the week. The 5-foot-7, 186-pounder from St. Augustine accounted for 144 return yards, including a 78-yard punt return for a touchdown, in the Gators' 30-6 victory at Tennessee. ... Florida's Oct. 4 road game with Arkansas will be a 12:30 p.m. kickoff and broadcast on WTTA, Channel 38.

UF SHORTS

•After wins against Georgia and LSU last week pushed the Gators volleyball team to 8-1, freshman outside hitter Colleen Ward was named SEC Freshman of the Week.

•When Florida plays Ole Miss on Saturday, it will be only the 23rd meeting between the two football teams, the fewest between the Gators and any other active charter member of the SEC. Alabama is second with 33 games vs. Florida.

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