Brad White turns up the heat after Gators’ defensive collapse
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GAINESVILLE — As defensive coordinators go, Florida’s Brad White is usually the picture of composure — a teacher on the practice field and a calming presence when the game gets chaotic.
Not this week.
Since the Gators’ 45-17 loss at Missouri, White has ratcheted up the intensity after watching his defense get outmaneuvered, outmuscled and ultimately overrun by the Tigers.
“He’s definitely turned up the heat on us,” safety DJ Coleman said. “Coach White’s more of a relaxed guy. But this week, there’s no chilling. Forty-five points, that’s unacceptable at any level of football. So if we give up 45, a lot of people will not be in this building any more.
“So, we can’t do it.”
Now comes the harder part: stopping it.
That starts Saturday for No. 16 Florida (4-1, 2-1 SEC) against South Carolina (2-3, 0-3) and LaNorris Sellers, the Gamecocks’ dynamic dual-threat quarterback.
This past weekend, the Gators struggled on all three levels.
Florida failed to generate push or a steady pass rush up front, didn’t consistently fill gaps at linebacker and continued to struggle in the secondary.
Given time to survey the field, Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons shredded the Gators for 340 yards and touchdowns of 47 and 31 yards.
Kept in check much of the day, tailback Jamal Roberts ripped off runs of 77 yards to set up his one-yard touchdown plunge and 80 yards untouched for another score.
Four plays for 245 yards stuck in White’s craw on a day Florida allowed 560 yards, the second-most by one of his defenses dating to the 2021 season at Kentucky and only the third time in that span an opponent surpassed 500.
“We can’t give up explosives, both in the pass game and then the run game,” he said. “We’ve got to eliminate those plays. We won’t be a good defense until we do that.
“Then at that point, then you can start playing competitive football.”
White’s defenses at Kentucky led the SEC in 2024 and 2022 in fewest plays allowed of 10 yards or longer. Florida is currently tied for last in the 16-team conference.
Shaky cornerback play and communication has been a key culprit.
On Simmons’ 47-yard touchdown to Donvoan Olugbode sophomores Ben Hanks Jr. and Drake Stubbs were looking toward the sideline for the play call as Olugbode sprinted past them before catching a pass with no one around.
Stubbs ultimately was responsible for the breakdown, but was in the game only because four-year starter Bryce Thornton was sidelined with an injury suffered during warm-ups.
“You never want to be without a good player, but that didn’t have a bearing on the game,” White insisted Tuesday. “The plays that needed to be made were one-on-one challenge players, and fitting two runs that didn’t have anything to do with him.”
Coleman said his sidekick’s absence “hurts definitely,” but said “it’s just a next-man-up mentality.”
Fifth-year defensive back Alfonzo Allen, Thornton’s replacement, made five tackles while delivering the Gators’ biggest hit and a level of physicality too often missing at Mizzou.
“The way Alfonzo plays, it just brings energy to the whole team,” Coleman said.
Yet Allen lacks Thornton’s range or experience.
A consistent pass rush would help the Gators on the back end of the defense.
Florida finished with two sacks and six hurries, including a sack and two hurries from fifth-year end Emmanuel Oyabadejo. The Jacksonville transfer, though, has played just two seasons at the college level.
Meanwhile, edge rusher Jayden Woods managed two hurries and didn’t get to the quarterback during the sophomore Kansas native’s return to the region.
“All of us put so much time and effort into it,” he said. “External stuff aside, it would have hurt the same, because I hate losing.”
Florida is favored by 13.5 points against struggling South Carolina. Long term, there are no easy fixes on defense.
The Gators need their front to elevate its physicality, Woods continues to grow and cornerbacks Cormani McClain, J’Vari Flowers, and Hanks to perform like the top recruits each was coming out of high school. Ditto Dijon Johnson as he continues to recover from a knee injury; he played just six snaps at Missouri.
Meanwhile, veteran linebacker Myles Graham looks to shake off a subpar performance at Missouri, where he didn’t make a tackle early before recording five during the second half.
There are no easy fixes as the season reaches its midpoint.
“There’s not a waiver wire in college football,” coach Jon Sumrall said. “So we’ve got our roster set, and we have to help the guys that are here maximize what they can become — and that’s each guy individually.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Up next
What: South Carolina (2-3, 0-3 SEC) at No. 16 UF (4-1, 2-1)
When: 12:45 p.m., Saturday
Where:Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville
TV: SEC Network
Favorite: Florida by 13.5 points
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