- Vernell Brown III showcased skills reminiscent of legendary Gators by returning back-to-back punts for touchdowns on Saturday.
- Florida Gators coach Jon Sumrall warned the team must improve ahead of SEC play despite two lopsided wins to start the season.
- Texas saved the SEC from the embarrassment of losing the two biggest Big Ten-SEC matchups of Week 2.
The Front 9 comes at you after a fun weekend that included sweating to the oldies if you came by our tailgate.
1. Certainly, what we saw on Saturday from Vernell Brown III made us think of some of the greatest Gators. He was the first UF player to return back-to-back punts for a score (Jacquez Green), the crowd started loud murmuring every time he went back to field one (Lito Sheppard), he had incredible vision in a sea of bodies (Keiwan Ratliff), it kept looking like his ligaments were made from rubber bands (Kadarius Toney) and he broke multiple tackles (Percy Harvin). Did I leave anyone out?
2. That Texas comeback against Ohio State was pretty impressive. Still, a guy makes a medium-length field goal and the comeback doesn’t happen. It saved the SEC from the embarrassment of losing the two biggest Big Ten-SEC matchups, and America’s Conference went 12-2 on the second weekend. We don’t count SEC-on-SEC crime. I’m looking at you Kentucky.
3. FOMO game(s) of the week
It feels kind of like a day of reckoning. There is the Kiffin Bowl in Oxford when LSU plays at Ole Miss at 7:30 and Gator fans get to find out if this team is for real with the game at Auburn at 7 on ESPN. Gonna be a lot of booing (especially since Jon Sumrall was this close to taking the Auburn job). Meanwhile, FSU will hear some boos but it may be directed at the coach on the other sideline when the Semis travel to Alabama at 3:30 on ABC.
4. Four questions with Don Gaffney, the first Gator quarterback to win AT Auburn in 1973
- Were you aware after the Auburn game you were the first black quarterback to start at Florida and the first Gator quarterback to win at that stadium?
Gaffney: I was aware that I was the first black quarterback to start for the GATORS. However, it did not cross my mind until after the Auburn game when the question was asked by several reporters in the locker room about my being the first GATOR quarterback to win at Auburn. - How does it feel to have such a strong legacy at UF?
Gaffney:I am very proud that there are five members of the Gaffney family that have played for the GATORS. Three of my brothers, Derrick, Warren, and Johnny, signed with the GATORS after I signed in 1972. My nephew Jabar signed with the Gators in 2000 and became a “GATOR ALL AMERICAN”. - If you could have one season over, would it be 1975 when Florida lost two games by a total of four points?
Gaffney: It saddens me to think about how close we came to getting the job done. The objective was to win both the SEC and national championships. We were good enough to do both. Unfortunately, we let two very important and winnable games get away from us. Losing to NC State in the opener was extremely disappointing. We just did not get the job done offensively. Our defense was outstanding. The Georgia game was a typical seventies contest. We were good, but not good enough. One more field goal in each of those two games could have made us immortal in GATOR land. I am still very proud to have been a small part of that GREAT GATOR TEAM. - How great was the famous “November to Remember” in 1973 when you finished the season with five straight wins?
Gaffney: The “November to Remember” was one of the greatest times in my life. I will always cherish the moments that my teammates and I had during that wonderful run. The great comeback victory over Georgia stands out with me because it was my first start as “THE GATOR QUARTERBACK” and the beginning of the “November to Remember”. The big win over FSU was really outstanding because I had a really great game. The wins over Kentucky and Miami were great because they were on the road and we played well. We finished strong.
5. Five thoughts on the Gators after Week 2
- Florida has elite skill players, but is that enough?
- I need to see more physicality on defense.
- Gator fans are doing their part.
- So is the University Athletic Association.
- Western Carolina, Kerwin Bell’s team that lost to Campbell, must be really bad this year.
6. This will happen this week
We are in the middle of September and already you are going to see so-called experts deciding who will win the Heisman and who has already played themselves out of it. John Mateer, done. Dante Moore, you lost to a team riding a 12-game losing streak. Arch Manning, done. Wait, we forgot to watch the fourth quarter. As a Heisman voter, I am insulted by all of it, from Watch Lists to Heisman polls. Wait until you at least get your ballot before you make up your mind.
7. Hot take of the week
I’m with Jon Sumrall. Yes, Florida has outscored its first two opponents 118-24 and yes, that is the best start for a Florida coach in terms of points scored. Florida was supposed to win those games bigly. What they showed was that this team has work to do. “What we’re about to walk into in conference play, we will get absolutely embarrassed if we don’t improve a ton,” Sumrall said. I see the warts as well. Seven second half penalties? Florida didn’t even cover the spread against Campbell. At least he has their attention. Meanwhile, Auburn coach Alex Golesh said his team made him so sick he “wanted to throw up” in a 43-8 win over Southern Miss. Football season starts Saturday night.
8. Tweet of the week
From ESPN’s Booger McFarland: “Arch Manning has a ceiling that is unlimited. I hope Sark can get it out of him. Gotta stop calling plays like you have Dan Orlovsky.”
9. Remote drop of the week
I am a big fan of Jeff Daniels’ work from “Dumb and Dumber” to “Terms of Endearment” to “The Squid and the Whale” and I could keep going. But my favorite might just be “Fly Away Home” with Anna Paquin and Dana Delany. Yes. I do get misty at the end every time. Great family movie.