Gators wrap up SEC slate with Vandy team that has their attention

NASHVILLE — The Florida football team wrap up the SEC schedule Saturday with a road trip to Vanderbilt, where the Gators have won 15 straight games.

The matchup could be more difficult for UF than anticipated after the Commodores’ last outing. Clark Lea’s team upset Kentucky 24-21 in Lexington, snapping a 26-game SEC losing streak.

They also beat an opponent the Gators lost to.

“There’s a human nature element to this. There’s no question that Vanderbilt will be different as a result of winning the game. I think that’s a reality,” Florida coach Billy Napier said of the ‘Dores. “So we’ll have to combat some of the positive things that come with them winning the game. I think it’s healthy.

“This is a group that continues to get better. There’s no question year one to year two Clark’s done a great job. You can see the improvement within this season. They’ve got some young players that continue to get better. Got their first SEC win in a while, and there’s some momentum that we’ll have to deal with that goes with that.”

The Gators have momentum of their own following last Saturday’s 38-6 win over South Carolina. Napier said it was “by far” the most complete game his team has played, and Lea was impressed with how the UF defense forced three takeaways and allowed zero points.

“They’re well coached and they’re a disruptive team,” Lea said. “In the South Carolina game, South Carolina was never able to get breathing room and it felt like Florida was punctuating early drives and then generating turnovers and never allowed for any kind of momentum or any kind of rhythmic play, and they can do that. They’re long and athletic and big and fast. So, they cover ground well and they’re disruptive at finishes.”

While Florida has turned a corner defensively, Vanderbilt’s unit has struggled this season. The ‘Dores ranked last in the SEC in total defense (457.8 yards per game), scoring defense (35.2 points per game) and passing defense (293.5 yards per game).

Vandy hasn’t been as poor defending the run, but expect the Gators to lean on their offensive line and dominant rushing attack, which currently leads the SEC for the first time this season with 225.3 yards per game.

“Vanderbilt, first of all I think they’re well coached from a design standpoint. Clark and his staff have put together a great blueprint. They create issues for you. They’ve got some height and length in the front that makes them a little bit different than anybody you play; 6-6, 6-5, 6-7, you know. So, that can create some problems for you at the point of attack,” Napier said.

“I do think the right mix of pressure and playing coverage, and I think they play really smart in situations. I think they’re improving and they’re tackling, there’s no question about that. I’ve got a ton of respect for the things that come with playing and competing against this group.”

While Anthony Richardson has been running Florida’s offense this year, Vanderbilt has played a pair of signal callers in junior AJ Swann and freshman Mike Wright. Swann was injured against the Wildcats and Wright accounted for 310 yards (126 rushing) and two total touchdowns.

Swann is questionable for Saturday and will be a game-time decision, so the Gators are preparing for both quarterbacks.

“That’s one of the things that’s tough about Vanderbilt is the uniqueness of him as a player. So that will be part of the strategy within the game,” Napier said of Wright. “They’ve played both players all year, so it’s a Catch-22 either way. I certainly understand that. We anticipate both players playing. We’ll plan accordingly and then adjust as the game sees fit. But it has been a situation where the guy that started last year (Wright) has played with somewhat of a role all season.”

Whoever’s behind center, their go-to target will be Vanderbilt leading receiver Will Sheppard. He ranks third in the SEC with 52 catches for 708 yards and nine touchdowns.

Sheppard, who is from Mandeville, La., was recruited by Napier and his staff at Louisiana.

“He was definitely a guy that we evaluated,” Napier said of Sheppard. “We had a bunch of early commits that year at receiver and he was a guy that had a heck of a senior year. You know, got some height and length to him. Basketball athlete, really developed later.

“And I think it came down to Vanderbilt and Tulane, ended up at Vanderbilt. I’m proud of the guy. He’s really made the most of his opportunity at Vanderbilt and he’s a matchup player. He’s got height, length and speed, one of those unique Louisiana athletes that gets overlooked. We made a living off of ’em, and he’s another good example of that.”