Rapid Reaction to UF's 52-3 win vs. Campbell | Gators Online Show

0:00All right. What is going on, everybody? Welcome to the Gators online show presented by Madelo College football season is Madelo season. We are excited to have the official beer sponsor of the college football playoff with us this season. Drink responsibly. Madelo as special beer imported by Crown imports Chicago Illinois. We've got there. Yo, Zach. Well, Zach, this are rapid reaction show. The Gators have just finished game number two. I'm Keith Neber. That is Zach Albaverde, both of Gators online.com and Florida has wrapped up a win 52 to 3 over FCS Campbell. Wasn't always pretty, Zach, but it ended up being a very comfortable win. Florida's 2-0 will play at Alba next week. Now the real season, Zach, is here. It's finally, you and I were both excited for game one last week. But now, now it really amps

1:05up a few notches. Just your initial thoughts on where Florida is right now after two games into the season and we'll dig into the tonight's game. Yeah. Well, first of all, the 2-0. Yeah. John, John Somerall was 2-0 as a first year head coach for the first time since 2015 here at Florida. So, I can't ever take that for granted. No. And look the best part about him and the early start to his 10 years. Obviously, Ben is realness and wrongness. And we've got to see it once again in the post game press. I mean, he rolls out after 52 to 3-1, but express the feelings of a lot of fans about just being disappointed about the second half effort. I think obviously what's on his mind is the most recent thing that's happened. Yeah, it was a great first half. And it looked like Florida was on its way key to the 73 to 6-7. Yeah, not so fast, buddy. No. And, you know, one thing I got right, there was a prediction on Bruno Brown, the third was happy about that. I did not predict him

2:07to do it twice. And, you know, it's crazy because we'll get into a key. But that makes this night special. Like, regardless of all the negative things we're going to talk about and all the things that they got to do to improve before week three in their S and C opener. For now, Brown taking two-point returns to the house makes this a legendary record setting night and just something that you and I and a lot of Florida fans have both been waiting on. So you, let me refresh my memory, Zach. You know, I'm getting old, man. I count on your young brain. They pulled me through these days. You did predict was that our Madelo moment predictions from Friday? It was. And you said you predicted that he would return one, break one, take one to the house on a punt return, correct? First career punt return. Yeah. So technically you were wrong. I mean, in hip with two, okay? Remember my Madelo prediction, one of them was really, really brilliant one. Oh, they're not going to really do much with Dallas Wilson. I think they'll save him for next week. He got five passes for over a hundred four yards. A 40 yard touchdowns. I need to just stick, probably put the prognostications away for a while. But Zach, you know, yeah, overall, so 52 to

3:13three, but it was 45 to three at the half. But it never really felt like Florida and the punt returns actually kind of hurt the Florida offense, actually, because you know, didn't allow them to get into a rhythm. I'm great for the team, but it just was a sloppy game. And John Somerall, man, I watched his press cards. He looked kind of pissed. Yes, he was. Like he looked kind of pissed like, okay, everybody watching the A. It's 52, 3 comfortable win easy win, but a lot of you all out there, Gator, track star, Jim Martin, you know, a lot of you were probably like, man, it's just, it doesn't look right, right? It just didn't feel like they were playing that great. And so like Zach, I was waiting to see what Somerall said. And he just laid into them after the game. He's not thrilled. If they keep this up, it's going to be a rude awakening in the coming weeks. And he's right. He is right. So Zach, the first thing that really stood out to me were the penalties on the offensive line, particularly in the third quarter. Quarable. You got, you got holding penalties. You got a necessary roughness. One of them,

4:16I think John Somerall debated. Didn't think it was that probably should have been called. But the one of the holdings wiped out a 42 yard, 42 yard highlight, real run from Jane Ball. And you know, without Jane, boss, 75 yard run later in the quarter. Florida had nothing in that third quarter of offense. I mean, nothing. It would have been well under 100 yards. Very few first downs. They just, those penalties just set them back. Third and 19. I think once that third and more than that, another. So what did he have to say about the penalties and how pissed off was he? He was not happy. He was not happy. And you know, that that was, I mean, they, look, they should have scored 21 more points in the second half. They should have hit 70. Like the way that they were playing, the plays that were there to be made, it's just disappointing to see that third quarter. And it was, it was multiple penalties that showed up on the offensive line. So that's, you know, something that he had been pretty pleased about for the

5:17first six quarters of the season, right? Yeah. All started on a mecha, you Gorgie in the season opener and a clean first half pretty much. And then the third quarter, man, it just, just fell apart. Yeah. And you know, Jaden ball takes the first carry, first play of the second half, 42 yards. And it gets negated because of a holding. So I think Jaden ball who had another great performance, his night should have been done probably sooner. But they had to keep playing into the third quarter until they finally got him enough production that he could be done for. I guess it worked out because we got to see the 75. That's right. That was pretty incredible. But the offensive line play was not, you know, now some of those issues or at least some of the penalties, one of them was on the backup and Rod Kerney. But look, man, they just did not come out in the second half and play the way they needed to. And if you remember, Keith, and not to, you know, switch to Filo, but like I wrote in Zach's

6:18mail stack and I think I said on this show, like I thought that Aaron Filo, regardless of the second half, or excuse me, the score at half time would come out in the second half and play. Because it was, it's just this third career start. He needs to experience the flow of a gain and going into the locker room at half time, having a cooling off period, making adjustments, going over the film, then having to come out in the second half and get back into a rhythm with his offensive line, with his weapons. And, you know, as ugly and as unfortunate as it was to see that third quarter, probably will do some good for the gators to have those struggles and those issues show up that they can work on and try to get better at before they get to SEC play. Yeah. And for those wondering, it wasn't a surprise really that Aaron Filo played as much as he did. Now, Florida was up 70 to three. He probably wouldn't have played as much. But John Somerall said this. He teased this two weeks ago before the season started. He said, look, man, if somebody had asked him, how are you going to divvy up the snaps the first couple of games

7:21at quarterback? And he said, look, the flow of the game is going to determine that. But he said, don't underestimate the fact that in a nutshell, a pair of phrase, don't underestimate the fact that Florida needs to build continuity with Filo in that first team. And so again tonight, just like last week, he played deep into the second half. And now you go to Auburn with Aaron Filo having two starts as a gator under his belt. I thought he looked pretty good again. Deniety had two different situations, two different times where he threw six or more consecutive completions. Aaron Filo's stat second ended up being 16 of 21 solid, 242 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions. He also had three runs for 13 yards and a touchdown. He made some good throws down. Phil, there was a really nice one to Bailey Stockton in the game. Although I have to point out, I think there was a receiver running open in the scene that he might not have seen. But I thought he was solid against it. He has confidence now going to Auburn next week. And Zach, I think just as importantly, the team has confidence in him. Now they've seen him play games. So I wanted to get

8:23your assessment. John Summeral said that he thought Aaron has played well. He's managed the offense well. He's been efficient. I mean, he wasn't praising him to no end. And he's, look, he's got to get better. Those were John Summeral's words. But what is your assessment of Filo tonight? Because we don't need to necessarily break down tonight's game that much, Zach. I mean, you know what I mean? It's a big picture thing. Where do you think they are with Filo right now? What do you think? I think that you write where you want to be. Right? I mean, one thing that he's done and shown the first two weeks is being able to take care of the football. I know that he had to turn over in week one. That was not on him. So for him to come out and have another interception, turn over free night, I think that was good to see him run the ball again and show his mobility, show his pocket awareness and his ability to escape pressure like he did on the 40 yard touchdown throw to Dallas Wilson. And yeah, he missed some throws here there. I mean, that's that that's going to happen. But the way he has executed this offense and the way it flows

9:28with him in the game, I think that's one of certainly the bright spots through the first two weeks. One of the things that they got to be feeling good about going into SEC play. And I mean, I think between him, Verna Brown, the third, Jaden ball, Dallas Wilson, like all those guys that you've needed to kind of take that offense to the next step have shown up so far. The offensive line is still the thing that they are have come together. But that's also not a surprise given the question marks about that group going into the season. Zach and John Somarol said, hey, forget about just the penalties. He thought that the O line, the holes weren't there as much tonight. And I think he was disappointed by that. Now, do you look at Florida's rushing stats? And I'm going to go over the whole thing here. Florida had 514 yards. But I will say this, it took them until ball 75 yard run late in the quarter and the third quarter to get to 400. So it wasn't this 700 yard explosion that I think people anticipated 300 passing yards, 214 rushing yards.

10:29Now again, on the surface, 214 looks good. 7.1 yards of security. But ball had the 75 yard run. So that kind of inflated that a little bit. John Somarol and I know people, we got somebody here saying we're so negative, but John Somarol is a lot more negative than we are. Okay. They know where negative is Somarol. Give me a break. Okay. Yeah. And John Somarol, Bruce, would tell you, look man, hey, these guys are being too easy on my boys right now. But Zach, he said it. The holes weren't there. And he also was not thrilled with the play of the backup running backs tonight. Now that's interesting because they've been getting a lot of praise the last several weeks. So, you know, obviously you've got Jane Bob, but he's not going to carry it 37 times in a game. I mean, he's doing so many things out there too. But so a couple concerns sort of coming to the head. And I know part of its head games. John's trying to get in the heads of these guys to get him fired up. But how big is the concern? You already touched on the offensive line. But how much concern do you think there should be going to Auburn next week, which, you know, Auburn's kind of, we don't really know what they are yet either, but defensive line seems to be, we think,

11:31one of their strengths. Yeah. I mean, I still think that Florida, despite the third quarter that they had offensively, this unit is still at a place that they should be able to go out on the road. First, SEC game against Auburn in performance produce. You know, I think one good thing that has showed up to me is the tight end play. Yeah. Those guys have had moments where they clearly are able and willing blockers. And I'm talking about a mere Jackson and Luke Harper. Like I had really kind of just spoke of Lakota Dupri as the guy at that position that can really block. I think that those other two guys at the H spot, by the way, where they're not asked to block as much as the inline tight end, but they've shown the ability to do that, you know, out on the perimeter with some of the screens and the different things that that Buster Faulkner has dialed up, which by the way has just been a treat to watch. I'm like being up in the press box and seeing some of Buster Faulkner's

12:34formations and the way that he's lining guys up. And I know it's still very vanilla. He hasn't shown much, but it just the offense operates with an intention, Keith, and it just the game plan and the way that he utilizes the players is just a treat to watch. I can't wait to see what he has in store for Auburn. It sucks that Eric Singleton was out today. And I think he's probably going to be out. Yeah, great. With Michael Sprayne. He was in a boot today as well as a manual. Some were all said both of those guys were highly questionable, but I think Singleton will be questionable best. So you're probably not going to have him for Auburn, but clearly they've got enough weapons that receiver. I know that, you know, he maybe would like more from the backup running bags, but between Clark and prior, I think that those guys will be able to spell ball the way that they need. It's really like you said, going back to where your question started, Keith, can this offensive line hold up against not just Auburn's defense of front, but a lot of these

13:36SEC teams that they're about to go against. You mentioned Faulkner's offense a couple things. I noticed the night. I'm sure everybody else did not like I'm seeing things. They're not seeing, but the sets with the formations with two running backs in there at the same time. And the confusion in the confusion that causes the other teams defense. Zach speaking of the Florida defense. Now this was interesting because early on, Campbell gets the ball, goes right down the field, attacks goes right after Ben Hanks, the third goes right down the field 63 yards kicks a field goal. Florida was pretty fortunate to not give up six there. And then after that, though, again, 63 yards on the first drive and they ended the game with 210 yards. Florida forced, I think it ended up being nine or 10 punts in the game. There were a lot of three and out. So Florida got better. One of the big concerns going into this game was third down conversions. And I believe, let me see if I can find this. Third down Campbell was five of 18. You'll recall everyone the last week. Faulk was 11 of 22, but only one of six in the second half. So five of 18. Of course, Zach, you don't know. It's hard

14:39without watching the tape. You don't know if was Florida better or was it because of the level competition, only the coach, you know, they're going to watch the tape and they're going to be able to figure that out. But five of 18 is much better on third down statistically. It looked like at times. Now Zach, here's funny thing. Florida had two sacks last week and nine QB hurries. I thought they did better tonight. I thought the D line did better tonight. But the stat book shows only three QB hurries with two sacks. But I thought that there were points in the game where they got in the backfield and were just really disrupted the throwing time for the quarterbacks and the throwing lanes for the quarterbacks. What was your assessment of the defensive line play? Yeah, I mean, they got more pressure. First of all, that was obvious. That was obvious. Like they got home. You know, I know that they still ended up with the same amount of sacks, but it just felt like more effective. But man, I got to give some credit to the guys in the secondary. Like,

15:42what was it? What did it end up being 10 pass breakups in the game? Javari Flowers had three lagoons. A hayword had two. I thought that he looked really good with his opportunities in the game. Dejan Johnson continues to show up to me. He's playing probably the most consistently and productive as at the cornerback position. So far, Ben Hanks showed up with a really good stop on a third down. So I got to give those corners credit. I felt like they were stickier and coverage tonight. Was easier competition to step down. Yeah, shout out to Jeremiah McLeod, man. He's really showed up the first two weeks. Even last week when it didn't seem like the defensive line did enough. He was a guy that showed up to me. He showed up again tonight. I love the trash that he talks on the field and getting up in the offensive player space. So, yeah, I mean, but again, credit to the secondary

16:43because they really didn't have the performance that they wanted and we go on. I thought they responded tonight. Yeah, L.J. McCrave was maybe one of the better, not maybe, definitely one of the better guys up front. He had his first sack as a Florida gator. He also had a second tackle for loss. He also had another QB hurry. So there were good. That's right. There were some good individual performances, but again, you know, we're not being negative. But, Johnny Somar would say, hey, these two guys are being too positive right now. Now, part of that is head games. He's trying to get he needs these guys to come down. He probably saw the lack of focus. It looked like the effort was there, Zach. It looked like the effort and the energy were there, but it looked like the focus wasn't always great at times. It foot off the pedal a little bit of half time, probably, right? Yeah, but you know, even in half time, Florida only had 200 and something. You know, they weren't really again, they just didn't have to overturn for top. Well, that's what I'm saying. I think that hurt, I think that hurt the flow of the game for the offense. I mean, you're never going to turn down

17:44touchdowns. I mean, don't get me wrong. So let's talk about Vernell again. Two-point returns for touchdowns. He had a third touchdown on one of those little whatever pop pass type things. He's now got four touchdowns and two games. He's really cemented himself, I think. Would your Grease Act as one of the elite playmakers in the SEC? Oh my gosh. I'm not ready to say country yet, but he's getting there. Yeah, man, I mean, he, he's incredible. Yeah, he really, he almost scored a Ken, one of the other part returns. Second, most putt return yards in SEC history, I think tonight. Most ever in a game in school history. I was here as a kid in the swamp when Jacque was green, returned back to back plunts against Kentucky. I remember that is like 1996 is like as far as my Florida football memories go back is that season. So crazy to see that happen again. It's only

18:44happened twice ever in school history. Those of only two guys. And with the wildest part about it, Keith, they both did it on back to back returns. That's insane. And for him to be in the category with with with Jacque as green, I know that has to mean a lot to him and his dad, like those guys know for to football history. They know what Jacque as green means, you know, to this to this program to Florida fans. So, you know, he for an L told me after the game, he goes, Hey man, I've gotten three touchdowns in a game before he had a hat trick tonight, but he said he'd never had two part returns in a game. So this was even a first for him. And just awesome, because you and I both know what he did in high school. I mean, I got no dynamic in the return game. You know, I'd be willing to bet you and I, you know, Jacque is too, right? You don't you? Okay. I'd be willing to bet if we brought Jacque's on and said who was more impressive his to or or a or a vanilla's to he would absolutely say his two were met were better. Well, Quesy is one of the funniest guys. And for those of don't know, he's a head coach of brain, Tin Manitio right. He's one of the funniest dudes out

19:47there. I put him in Eric Rett among like the maybe the two funniest guys in the 90s, but yeah, to be in the same company as Ques Green is tells you what what Vernel Brown's doing. And we called this all summer. We're not geniuses, Zach. I mean, I'd love to sit here and say that we're smarter than everybody else for saying this guy was going to explode. No, anybody could have seen it. He's he's first of all, he's got the piece of clay. Then you know, we don't I know the family, you particularly, and you know how serious he takes his craft, right? So in the work ethic. And then John Somerals like he's one of the best leaders. I've ever been around. He's a sophomore, guys. That used to be a red shirt freshman. They like those guys weren't leaders. So he's got everything. And you don't want to gush too much. But I've always said it. This guy's going to be a hell of a representative for this program. And he's exceeded anything I ever said about him as a recruit like by by three times. He's phenomenal. He's got two whole years to play at least. Yeah. By the way, Dallas Wilson, who again, I said would probably not do too much. I think he what was it

20:50five catches? He's average over 20 yards gets five catches, 105, 106 yards, beautiful 40 yard touch, that catch. He really got into the float tonight. It looked like for the first time since that Texas game last year. All right. So what does that do for the offense? Now, I mean, they're going to we don't know when Eric Singleton's going to be back. But man, I mean, Dallas Wilson, if he's flowing and Vernel is doing his thing, that's pretty good. Yeah, between him and Bailey Stockton as well. Like that's that's a really good starting receiving core with even with Singleton out, right? He also got Mike and May. Shout out to Khalil Jackson too. That's right. Dallas was really happy to see him get back out there and make his first catch since the 2024 season opener against Miami. That's how long it's been Khalil Jackson to work his way back. But just in the same vein as Dallas Wilson, right? Like that was his first touchdown since the Texas A&M game last year. And he only got in a couple more after that before he went down with the season ending injury. So this has been a long time coming. He's obviously been working his way back.

21:56You know, we all know what his off season looked like and just trying to get to get to the race. And he's finally gotten to the race. He goes over 100 yards again for the second time in his career. Found the end zone could have had two touchdowns. Again, Philo missed him on that first drive on the past that he threw to Stockton. But it's all right. He found him later in the game and still made sure Dallas got an end zone. And by the way, I mentioned the blocking, right? By the sign. That's how I was going to say Luke Carp�� on that block to spring Dallas into the end zone. You know, Zach sometimes people think just because we write stories, we believe were were like the mouthpiece. No, we're sometimes I'm just I'm just putting the quotes that people give me. And I bring that up because when Florida signed Bailey Stockton, I'm like, oh boy, I looked at the numbers. Okay, whatever. You'll be like role player, you know. And then I talked this high school coach Greg Van DeGrift. And he raved about how tough he was. We'll get going here. So exactly. Raved about how tough he was. And I rolled my eyes some more. And I never thought

22:58much about it. He's a player. He's a player. He does all the little things. He fights for every foot on one of her now Brown's punt returns. He was blocking at the end of that play. That was him correct. He just he's a player. And it's one of those times you're glad you're wrong. I never said he's stunk or anything like that. I just was like, okay, whatever. What you're saying is you're wrong about Dallas Wilson tonight and about Bailey Stockton. Oh, they're wrong a lot. And by the way, Keith weekly picks, which I told you I might do this off season here. Yeah, you got to do that. I'm getting rolled this week, buddy. I mean, this is about me. I have to cancel it after two weeks. All right. Anything else? Any final thoughts? Zach's got to get back to work here. We're going to want to hold them all night. Well, anything you want to add to an hour going to Aubrey. You and I are going to be on the planes next week. Yeah, man, we'll be out there. I can't wait to see Auburn again. I've not been as a media member. Yeah, I went as a kid in 1999 when Bo Carroll ran wild on the planes. That's the last time Florida won at Auburn. So I'm looking forward to getting back. The Ford has got a lot of work to do. But

24:05man, when you win 52 to 3 and your coach comes out and has that type of messaging afterward, I just I think that's what you want as a fan base. I know a lot of you are still happy with the results and Bruno Brown's record setting night and Jayden Baws long run Dallas Wilson's 100 yard game. There's like there was a lot to like about the night. But yeah, you said it Keith like when John Summer all came out, he clearly was not happy with the overall performance and the fact that he has that mindset is going to project that on the players this week. I think that's just what they need going over. Yes, sir. I agree with that. All right. I think that will do it for this edition of the Gators Online Show presented by Madelo. If you like what we're doing, hit the like button and subscribe button down below. Feel free to leave a comment also. Go to GatorsOnline.com right now. You know, we got to get these plugs in obviously. The other deals, the old deals done. We got the new deal now, which you get your foot in the door for a dollar. And then I think it's half off for the whole year after that. So it's a really good deal. Go to GatorsOnline.com. We're

25:08going to have a ton of coverage the next several days leading into the Auburn game. And then we'll be up there for that game. And it's the first big game of the John Someral era, Zach. And it's going to be awesome. It's going to be awesome. So for everybody, Bruce, yeah, even you, Bruce, that we love you too, man. For everybody watching the show and follow on along. We appreciate you. And that'll do it for this edition of the Rapid Reaction Show. Take care, everybody.