GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Dan Mullen's final four games at the Swamp were special.
With Mullen calling plays, and quarterback Tim Tebow and receiver Percy Harvin executing them, Florida scored 240 points in wins against LSU, Kentucky, South Carolina and The Citadel in 2008. It was the most points over a four-game home stretch in school history.
The Gators scored in every quarter and were successful 21 of 23 times in the red zone. There were few groans, even fewer boos.
Oh, how things have changed in Gainesville.
When Mullen returns on Saturday night for the first time since taking the head coaching job at Mississippi State, there will be some who would love to have him back on Florida's sideline.
The 22nd-ranked Gators (4-2, 2-2 SEC) have hit a rough patch, losing consecutive games to Alabama and LSU and getting jeered at home.
The problems are evident. Quarterback John Brantley doesn't fit the spread option, causing problems near the goal line. The offensive line, which was considered the team's strength, has been average. Running back Jeff Demps' foot injury turned out to be a major setback, leaving the offense with no home-run threats.
Throw in the defense's inconsistent pass rush, missed tackles and blown coverages, and the Gators have looked out of whack on both sides of the ball.
"Obviously, everybody has to get better," center Mike Pouncey said. "We just have to stay together as a team and keep fighting because it ain't over yet. To point fingers at position groups just ain't right. It's a team effort and we're all in here with one goal, and that's to get back here to Atlanta."
Florida's main goal is still in reach. In fact, the Gators control their destiny in the East Division, needing only to beat the Bulldogs (4-2, 1-2), Georgia, Vanderbilt and South Carolina to earn a third consecutive trip to the conference title game.
"Some things don't fall the way you want to, but the good thing is we still have that spark of light at the end of the tunnel," linebacker Brandon Hicks said. "That's something we're all taking pride in."
Getting things turned around won't be easy, especially against Mississippi State. The Bulldogs rank fourth in the league in total defense and have allowed just 17.5 points a game.
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/10/15/1875007/mullen-returns-to-florida-faces.html#ixzz12Scxu0Z1
With Mullen calling plays, and quarterback Tim Tebow and receiver Percy Harvin executing them, Florida scored 240 points in wins against LSU, Kentucky, South Carolina and The Citadel in 2008. It was the most points over a four-game home stretch in school history.
The Gators scored in every quarter and were successful 21 of 23 times in the red zone. There were few groans, even fewer boos.
Oh, how things have changed in Gainesville.
When Mullen returns on Saturday night for the first time since taking the head coaching job at Mississippi State, there will be some who would love to have him back on Florida's sideline.
The 22nd-ranked Gators (4-2, 2-2 SEC) have hit a rough patch, losing consecutive games to Alabama and LSU and getting jeered at home.
The problems are evident. Quarterback John Brantley doesn't fit the spread option, causing problems near the goal line. The offensive line, which was considered the team's strength, has been average. Running back Jeff Demps' foot injury turned out to be a major setback, leaving the offense with no home-run threats.
Throw in the defense's inconsistent pass rush, missed tackles and blown coverages, and the Gators have looked out of whack on both sides of the ball.
"Obviously, everybody has to get better," center Mike Pouncey said. "We just have to stay together as a team and keep fighting because it ain't over yet. To point fingers at position groups just ain't right. It's a team effort and we're all in here with one goal, and that's to get back here to Atlanta."
Florida's main goal is still in reach. In fact, the Gators control their destiny in the East Division, needing only to beat the Bulldogs (4-2, 1-2), Georgia, Vanderbilt and South Carolina to earn a third consecutive trip to the conference title game.
"Some things don't fall the way you want to, but the good thing is we still have that spark of light at the end of the tunnel," linebacker Brandon Hicks said. "That's something we're all taking pride in."
Getting things turned around won't be easy, especially against Mississippi State. The Bulldogs rank fourth in the league in total defense and have allowed just 17.5 points a game.
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/10/15/1875007/mullen-returns-to-florida-faces.html#ixzz12Scxu0Z1
