Gators notebook: Defense will have hands full vs. Michigan QB Rudock
ORLANDO -- The Gators are the underdog against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on Friday, and if there is one reason why, look no further than Wolverines fifth-year senior quarterback Jake Rudock.
While Florida's offense has been spotty in back-to-back losses, Rudock continued to evolve in his only season at Michigan. A former standout at St. Thomas Aquinas High in Fort Lauderdale, Rudock transferred from Iowa for his final season of eligibility.
"The guy obviously had some experience in that league,'' Florida coach Jim McElwain said following Tuesday's practice. "His consistency is something that has been really good. You can see his development from game one all the way through."
Rudock has completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,739 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. In Michigan's 48-41 overtime victory at Indiana on Nov. 14, Rudock threw for a career-high 440 yards and six touchdowns, becoming only the second Big Ten player to throw for more than 400 yards and six touchdowns in a game in the last 20 years.
Rudock's availability for the Citrus Bowl was in question at the end of the regular season when he left Michigan's loss to Ohio State with a shoulder injury.
However, he told reporters at Michigan's practice on Tuesday that he is ready to play his final college game in his home state.
"We're what, four weeks out now?" Rudock said. "Obviously, right after I felt really bad but now I feel really good. Doing everything I can, playing football as normal, don't have the same restrictions, which is always a good thing."
Rudock's accuracy caught the attention of Gators cornerback Jalen Tabor on film. So did receivers Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson, and tight end Jake Butt. All three players have at least 45 catches and 600 yards on the season.
"I'd say that's the matchup to watch, our defense vs. their offense," Tabor said.
The Wolverines average 387 yards per game, nearly 50 yards more per game than Florida (338.7). And they do it differently than many of the teams Florida faced in the SEC.
"The brand of football is a little bit different than what we probably see day in and day out,'' McElwain said. "They haven't spared any expense in anything they are going. The challenge is going to be great. It gives us a chance to go learn.
"We've got to be able to be ready to take all the play-action they are going to do and the double moves and still stop power [runs]."
DOMINANT DEFENSES
Not only does the Citrus Bowl matchup feature two of the nation's most recognizable programs, it also has two of the country's top defenses.
Michigan is ranked fourth nationally in total defense (281.3 yards per game), and Florida, sixth (295.4 ypg).
Tabor and his counterparts in the secondary, most notably fellow cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, seem to be receiving more attention -- at least in the view of Michigan defensive lineman Chris Wormley.
"All you hear is about their defense and what they've done and kept them in the game and stuff like that," Wormley told reporters after practice Tuesday. "Not too many people are talking about our defense and what we've done this year."
While the Wolverines might use the lack of attention for motivation, Tabor wants to cap his time in the secondary with Hargreaves and senior nickel Brian Poole with a performance worthy of the unit's DBU moniker.
"We've got to put a complete game together, you know, just the whole group. This is our last time together and we done built up such a reputation,'' Tabor said. "We want to put a complete game together. Not just passes defended and interceptions but tackling, getting off blocks, running to the ball, effort, all the little things you want to put a complete game together."
HARRIS FACTOR
While Michigan's Rudock has played well down the stretch, Gators sophomore quarterback Treon Harris has not. Harris has thrown for more than 200 yards just once in the last six games (256 at South Carolina) and is coming off a 9-of-24 performance in the SEC Championship Game.
McElwain is looking for Harris to be more decisive against the Wolverines than he was in back-to-back losses to Florida State and Alabama.
"He's got to cut the ball loose,'' McElwain said. "When the guy is there, throw it to him. It really kind of works a little bit like that. And yet, it isn't all him. That's one thing I want everybody to kind of understand."
Florida's offensive line didn't play particularly well against Alabama and the running game mustered only 15 yards on 21 carries.
Fifth-year senior offensive lineman Trip Thurman expects Harris to play better than he has of late since replacing suspended Will Grier as the full-time starter.
"It's tough on a guy like that, putting the onus on him with the thing with Will," Thurman said. "He's stepped up big time and he's learned from his mistakes the past two games, and he's going to be ready for Michigan."
SCARLETT OUT
McElwain confirmed Tuesday that Gators freshman running back Jordan Scarlett will not play on Friday. Scarlett did not make the bowl trip after "he made some choices" according to McElwain.
As you probably can guess, they were bad choices.
McElwain said Scarlett would be back in good graces when the team returns to Gainesville.
"He's not going to play in this game but he'll be back with this team. He's a great kid and handled it the way he should handle it,'' McElwain said. "Stood up [in front of team], honest. I'm proud of him for that. He'll be back with us as we get going for winter."
QUOTE OF NOTE I
"We've got some guys that are getting some great reps. They are going to learn and get a little bit better based on their experience. I look at it as a bright for the future of the Gators. They are guys that are going to keep getting better. There is no replacing taking the rep." -- McElwain on underclassmen David Sharpe, Martez Ivey, Fred Johnson and Tyler Jordan expected to comprise 80 percent of the starting offensive line Friday
QUOTE OF NOTE II
"I will never beg someone to do anything. You've got to have it in your heart. To be successful at anything in life, it's got to be a passion. Sometimes in life we all maybe look for ... sure things, guarantees. There are no guarantees. I just want him to be happy, I want him to be excited about wherever he chooses to be, and we're here to help." -- McElwain when asked if he pleaded with Grier to stay at Florida
EXTRA POINTS
MLB veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski attended Tuesday's practice at Dr. Phillips High, his alma mater. Pierzynski is a longtime supporter of the program ... Former Gators linebacker Brandon Siler, who lives in Orlando, also stopped by practice ... McElwain explained the absences of fifth-year seniors Mason Halter and Anthony Harrell. "Needed a C-minus and got a D-plus. They weren't able to come to this bowl game but yet they will come back and work on their master's this coming semester. That's just part of the NCAA rules." ... McElwain relied heavily on former Alabama and Dr. Phillips High running back Dee Hart in his final season at Colorado State. McElwain recruited multiple players from Dr. Phillips to Alabama when he was the Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator and knows the lay of the land at the metro Orlando school. "The reason we probably chose this place to practice is it's the one place I could drive to in my sleep after recruiting a bunch of guys here,'' he said. "They've spent a lot of time helping us out."
