Florida coach Billy Napier has made no bones that he desires his offense to be predicated on the bottom sport.
It’s the identical strategy he took whereas teaching at Louisiana, the place the Ragin’ Cajuns completed among the many prime speeding groups within the nation each season from 2018-21.
The Gators have been gradual out of the gates, averaging 205 yards by the primary two video games, however what’s stood out is the distribution of the soccer. Three tailbacks are averaging no less than 17 carries and 103 yards, led by sophomore switch Montrell Johnson Jr. (137 yards), Trevor Etienne (110) and Nay’Quan Wright (63).
“We’re very a lot a working again by committee group,” mentioned Napier. “That’s been our philosophy for a very long time. We’ve been top-of-the-line speeding groups within the nation. These gamers have gone on to play within the Nationwide Soccer League. Montrell, Trevor and Nay’Quan are guys which can be subsequent up.
“The advantage of that room is these guys are selfless; they’ve received an awesome perspective and work laborious every day.”
Etienne’s older brother, Travis, performed at Clemson when USF coach Jeff Scott was the Tigers’ offensive coordinator.
“He seems to be similar to Travis did at Clemson, besides I don’t know that Travis seemed like that as a real freshman watching him play this previous week,” mentioned Scott. “He’s already an enormous form of playmaker for them.”
“Trevor, specifically, is studying increasingly as a rookie participant, however Nay’Quan supplies management and Montrell remains to be a younger participant however performed in our system final 12 months,” added Napier.
Johnson was one in every of three working backs with no less than 100 carries, no less than 500 yards speeding and no less than 8 touchdowns for Louisiana final season. The true freshman completed with a team-high in carries (162), speeding touchdowns (12), and 838 yards.
Making ready for the Swamp
One benefit Florida has been afforded by the primary two video games has been the house crowd on the Swamp.
In line with the newest NCAA figures, the Gators have averaged 90,396 followers, with Ben Hill Griffin Stadium stuffed to capability.
Scott is anticipating the identical ambiance when USF takes the sphere Saturday, and the problem this week has been making ready the Bulls for what to anticipate.
“I’m wanting ahead to seeing how our guys deal with the group noise,” mentioned Scott. “This will likely be our first street sport of the 12 months and I’m anticipating it to be as loud because it all the time is there.”
USF has been engaged on dealing with the group noise all through the week, attempting to recreate related situations by pumping in noise by audio system close to the observe fields.
“You’ve received to alter up the way you do your snap depend,” Scott defined. “You'll be able to’t go along with a verbal cadence. A variety of it's got to be eye contact with one another and generally hand indicators. It’s just a bit bit completely different from once you’re taking part in at dwelling.”
This text first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. E-mail Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com or comply with him on Twitter at @osmattmurschel.
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