Florida OC Buster Faulker talks about the Gators' offensive success

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Florida OC Buster Faulker talks about the Gators' offensive success

Buster Faulkner says Florida's offense has gotten 'out of whack'

Adam Dubbin, Gators Wire · Gators Wire

Fri, Oct 2, 2026 ·

11 min read

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Florida football is off to its strongest start this decade and a great deal of the credit goes to the offense led by first-year offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, whose corps has scored 214 points over the program's first four games.

Ahead of the Gators' Week 5 matchup against the Missouri Tigers in Columbia, Faulkner spent some time talking with the media about many aspects of the offense, from the success of the run game — and particularly Jadan Baugh's breakout performances — as well as the O-line, wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr., and his playbook.

Take a look below at what Faulker told the media during his press conference on Tuesday.

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) runs against Mississippi Rebels linebacker Luke Ferrelli (12) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) runs against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) reacts after a play against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall talks with quarterback Aaron Philo (12) during a timeout against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Aaron Philo (12) waits for the snap with running back Jadan Baugh (13) during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Aaron Philo (12) runs against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators inside linebacker Aaron Chiles (8) tackles Mississippi Rebels running back JT Lindsey (26) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Aaron Philo (12) throws against Mississippi Rebels cornerback Jaylon Braxton (2) and linebacker Keaton Thomas (11) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Vernell Brown III (1) stiff arms Mississippi Rebels defensive end Jordan Renaud (1) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Bailey Stockton (3) reacts after a first down against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators jack Jayden Woods (0) tackles Mississippi Rebels tight end Caleb Odom (4) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back London Montgomery (24) runs against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Vernell Brown III (1) runs against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) breaks a tackle from Mississippi Rebels defensive end Talib Graham (45) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators kicker Patrick Durkin (91) makes an extra point against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators safety DJ Coleman (33) breaks up a pass to Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Samari Reed (81) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Duke Clark (20) breaks a tackle from Mississippi Rebels linebacker Tah'j Butler (49) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Duke Clark (20) scores a touchdown running past Mississippi Rebels safety Andy Jaffe (24) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators tight end Amir Jackson (7) runs with the ball against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) celebrates with a Heisman pose against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators jack Jayden Woods (0) tackles Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) causing him to fumble the ball during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators tight end Luke Harpring (15) runs with the ball after a catch against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Aaron Philo (12) looks to throw on the move against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Bailey Stockton (3) breaks tackles against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) breaks through tackles against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) throws under pressure from Florida Gators defensive lineman LJ McCray (11) and safety Lagonza Hayward (2) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Duke Clark (20) rushes with the ball against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators tight end Amir Jackson (7) scores a touchdown over Mississippi Rebels safety Andy Jaffe (24) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators players celebrate with the University of Florida Gator Band after a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

On 300 rushing yards being the gold standard

Any time you hit 300, you got a good chance to win. Yeah, you know, that's an accomplishment for the offensive line, running backs, tight ends, all those guys did a great job. That's where it starts. And then our wide receivers, you know, when you're going to rush the ball, especially without the quarterback element, for 300 yards, it takes all 11 on the field.

Quarterback getting us in the right run, timing the motion, all the things that goes with it. And then, all the guys doing their job blocking, you can see guys downfield blocking; we ask our wideouts to block, they did a great job. So, you know, hats off to all them.

What makes Eric Singleton Jr. different, what does he bring to the offense?

Yeah, he's different in a lot of ways. Number one, he's extremely smart, extremely tough. And I think that's why he was able to go away and play. He didn't take one snap in the last four weeks. He didn't even go a walkthrough rep. He was a true game-time decision. We were hoping that he'd be able to add a couple things, you know, if we needed him, and then we needed him.

He was mad at me in the first half for not playing him; yeah, he doesn't get mad much, but I can tell he wanted to be out there. One thing about him — he's always loved playing the game, and he brings an element you can just see. I don't know, think he played 8-9 snaps. He went deep three or four; he got a pass interference, he got the 38-yard gain.

So, yeah, he brings a totally different element when it comes to being able to take the top off of defense than really anybody I've ever been around.

Did Aaron Philo underthrow Singleton because of his speed?

I wouldn't say he underthrew him. The one route we kind of put in on the fly there because kind of the way they were playing us. And so he hadn't had any time on task on that one. And then the other one, you know, had pressure in his face, had to get it up on the pass interference. And then really and truly, they did a great job, because that's a landmark throw for us.

So he's throwing that to a spot, right? And the guy on the first one kind of got underneath him. So no, he doesn't really underthrow him much.

Is the offense's identity to impose its will on the ground?

Yeah, I think that's important. You know, imposing your will in all football. Was it our plan to run it 50 times? No. You've heard me say it multiple times since I've been here: we have a lot of volume in our offense. We practice it from the time we get here, all the way through fall camp, and then we put together a game plan.

You know, we had a couple guys go down, so some things changed throughout the course of the game, and then sometimes just the flow of the game, and you can just feel it kind of led to that, right? Multiple reasons.

So, you know, it's good to be able to do that. We want to be an offense that can beat you in really any fashion. If we've got to drop back, we've got to play action, screen game, you know, all the different things that, when the time arises, we've got to be able to beat you in those cases.

How much confidence does the offensive line take from run-blocking successfully?

Well, I mean, the one thing is, I think they get better as the game goes. You know, you look at the run game and early in the game, it's usually harder to run than it is later in the game. But if you're getting four yards, five yards in the first quarter, you kind of project out — those can be six, seven, eight-yard gains later as the game goes.

So, yeah, you can see their confidence as the game went on. And I think that's a tribute to our strength staff, Rusty (Whitt) and the guys. I thought our guys were fast, fresh, strong, and that's all we take a great deal of pride in as an organization around here.

On Bryce Lovett handling left tackle

Well, you know, the thing with Bryce is he's the most talented guy we have. And some of it was maybe him overcoming some scars in the past that played in the position. And, look, it's not easy to be a tackle, especially in this league with the defensive ends you see. Some of it was just getting through the mental part of it.

It's never been the ability part with Bryce. He was confident playing guard and we felt like we needed him to be a tackle. And so, you know, it kind of took just some work. We had a lot of reps invested in him throughout the course of spring and walkthroughs at guard, and then you kind of looked up the first week at camp and we're like, "Okay, he's probably the best left tackle," and now we just got to get him comfortable playing it. He's getting better every day. He's got to continue to get better. I think you only get better with a lot of practice.

So we're happy with the progress he's made, and I still think there's a lot of room for growth for him, not just for this football team but for his future.

How often Faulker adds to or tweaks formations and what prompts it

Always. Formationally, motions. Those are the things that — you know, we don't change a lot of concepts on a week-in, week-out basis, but we do change the pictures. There's a joke in the office that if it works one time, we retire it. I think the biggest thing is, for us, just trying to utilize each player's skill set and find different ways to attack defenses. That's all.

On whether formations or shifts are more important in changing the picture

Yeah, that's kind of what we try to do.

How many plays does Faulker have?

Plays? I mean, I love plays. But we try to do what our guys are good at, right? I mean, there's a lot of — everybody's got good plays. I think it's about getting your guys in a position to be successful. So we've got, you know, five or six run concepts, but it looks like a bunch of different plays.

On Florida's operational penalties that have been committed

One delay of game. That was on me. That was this past week. You know, it was 3rd and 10, tried to change personnel groupings late, just to get certain guys on the field. They slow-sub it, and we decided not to take the time out, and then I agree, we should have took the time out.

That's the one that I can remember. But we practice a lot. So our kids are really good at it, they're taking a great deal of pride in learning it, and so, yeah, hats off to them.

On Duke Clark and the one-two punch, Jadan Baugh not needing 35 carries

Didn't have to do 35 and we want him to, right? That's not fair to him, not fair to us, not fair to probably his future to have to carry it that many times. We don't want him to have to carry it 35 times a game. There's a lot of football left to be played. Duke has been a guy that's flashed since we've been here.

Again, it's just kind of getting comfortable playing and playing more. But you can see what he can do. I think he's as talented as anybody that I've been around. I think he was fun to watch. It was a great one-two punch. And then the other two guys, Evan Pryor, London Montgomery, Byron Louis, really three guys. Like, it's a really deep room and we would have no problem with those guys getting in there and get some carries as well.

So we want to be able to try to spread those out as much as we can. And like I've said a few times before, Jadan's better as the game goes on. So you'd like to maybe cut the carries down early on and then let him close the thing out. But yeah, it's a great ... when you've got multiple guys back there. And I've said it too, you know, Jadan's body is built to last.

On the 3rd and 15 throw to Bailey Stockton, how a lot of coaches would call a run and punt

Weekly it's different. The week before we were max protection, and we hit (Vernell Brown III) in the middle of the field, to your point. We felt good about that particular play, and we did have some chip protection. And we will run it, too, in that situation. The week before, it was 3rd-and-20; we handed it off and scored.

So, you know, it's just game plan. Where we're kind of at the game, where the flow is going, they have it on the (10-yard line), we probably wouldn't have ran that play.

On two sacks allowed in four games: OL protection, Philo's awareness, etc.

All the above, and those two sacks, I think, were both on sprint-out type plays, so it really wasn't on the offensive line. One thing that I'm a firm believer in, you know, offensive linemen get criticized for giving up a lot of sacks. I don't believe that it's just always the offensive line. I think play calls can help that out, using your tight ends in the chip game, sprinting out, quarterback getting the ball out, running backs in protection.

When we talk about protecting a quarterback, we're not just talking to the offensive line. We're talking to the offensive line, the tight ends, the running backs. We're talking to the quarterback too. Like, you got to get the ball out and understand where you're vulnerable and all those different things that come with it. 

So again, that's like a unit thing. It's not just the O-line. If you're giving up a bunch of sacks, it's not just the offensive line.

On excitement of getting Singleton back

Look, there's there's no secret to — you ask the guys that have been around me the last few years how I feel about him and the skill set that he has. I don't hide it. He's really good and I love what he brings to our offense and what we want to do. Sometimes the things he'll do may not show up in the stat sheet, but it's going to help other guys get open as well.

So, we want him back. Glad he's getting back to this point. But when he gets back, we want him completely 100% and that's kind of been, you know, where we're at with everything.

On showing Baugh clips of Christian McCaffrey as a comparison

I don't care much for comparisons. He can still do a lot of those things that McCaffrey can do. It has not necessarily shown up on Saturdays yet. Some of that is because of the way we've kind of been able to run the ball, and when you're able to run the ball, you don't have to get in the drop-back pass world.

So we're ready for that, you know, when we need it. And he can do all those things. Just because it hasn't shown up on Saturday, it doesn't mean he can't do them or we won't ask him to do them.

Have any other player comparisons arisen from what he's seen of Baugh?

You know, no, not really that I've had. He is very unique from the standpoint that he is 200 and close to 30 pounds, and he moves like a 185-pound guy. Like, you can see the wiggle that he has. So he's very unique in that aspect. Once he gets his pads going downhill, and there were a few runs the other day, like, that's what's gonna carry him for the rest of his career.

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida OC Buster Faulker talks about the Gators' offensive success

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On 300 rushing yards being the gold standard

What makes Eric Singleton Jr. different, what does he bring to the offense?

Did Aaron Philo underthrow Singleton because of his speed?

Is the offense's identity to impose its will on the ground?

How much confidence does the offensive line take from run-blocking successfully?

On Bryce Lovett handling left tackle

How often Faulker adds to or tweaks formations and what prompts it

On whether formations or shifts are more important in changing the picture

How many plays does Faulker have?

On Florida's operational penalties that have been committed

On Duke Clark and the one-two punch, Jadan Baugh not needing 35 carries

On the 3rd and 15 throw to Bailey Stockton, how a lot of coaches would call a run and punt

On two sacks allowed in four games: OL protection, Philo's awareness, etc.

On excitement of getting Singleton back

On showing Baugh clips of Christian McCaffrey as a comparison

Have any other player comparisons arisen from what he's seen of Baugh?