Miami Hurricanes vs. Florida Gators: First Half Analysis
By Jack Crosby
Sep 7, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA;Florida Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) drops back to pass against the Miami Hurricanes in the first quarter of the game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
On Saturday, the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida Gators took the field against one another for the final time in the foreseeable future. After one half of football, the Hurricanes have jumped out to a 14-6 lead over their in-state rival.
Much of the Hurricanes’ success in this first half has come from the defense’s ability to keep the Florida run game in check. They’ve limited the running back duo of Matt Jones and Mack Brown to just 57 rushing yards combined. They’ve also done well in getting pressure on QB Jeff Driskel, forcing him to make some costly mistakes.
One of those mistakes came on a Florida drive in the second quarter, a drive in which they got heat on Driskel thus forcing him to throw into traffic inside the red zone. The pass was picked off.
If anything so far though, this game has been defined by some wildly inconsistent QB play. Both Driskel and Miami QB Stephen Morris have made their fair share of questionable decisions. Both signal callers have made throws they shouldn’t have in some crucial situations.
The lone bright spot for Morris was his first quarter bomb that he tossed off a play-action fake, a beautifully thrown pass to Philip Dorsett for a 52-yard score.
Both quarterbacks need to play better in the second half, and that’s putting it nicely. Driskel is 11-of-17 for 157 yards and a pick. Morris is 8-of-15 for 101 yards and two scores.