GAINESVILLE — On Monday, Florida coach Urban Meyer said he panicked and got away from the offensive game plan in Saturday's 36-14 loss to South Carolina.
Offensive coordinator Steve Addazio said the Gators simply were never able to get their plan going because they couldn't pick up any first downs or sustain drives against the Gamecocks.
UF went three-and-out on four of its first six possessions and picked up just three first downs in the first three quarters. As a result, the play calling was limited.
"You've got to get in a rhythm, you've got to get going," Addazio said. "You've got to have enough plays to be able to rotate guys."
Addazio said Wildcat quarterback Trey Burton and dual-threat quarterback Jordan Reed weren't involved because there weren't enough plays to go around early in the game. Addazio admitted that once Florida started to fall behind, they went to more passing plays than usual with John Brantley.
"We had a great two weeks going into this last game. We had a great plan," Addazio said. "That's what's most disappointing that we couldn't get our plan going that we felt so great about."
Burton ran the ball just once after carrying it 17 times for 110 yards two weeks ago against Georgia, and Reed ran it eight times after rushing 16 times for 84 yards against Vanderbilt last week .
Addazio secure for next year
Addazio was asked point blank if he feels his job as offensive coordinator will be safe for next season.
"Yeah absolutely, I think coach (Meyer) addressed that, didn't he?" Addazio said.
Meyer said he didn't think there was a chance Addazio would not be back next season, and Addazio added that he "absolutely" wants to be at Florida doing the same job next year.
