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Gators defense seeks growth against Campbell after FAU exposes flaws
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- Gators defense seeks growth against Campbell after FAU exposes flaws
(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS)
GAINESVILLE — Florida safety DJ Coleman had every reason to relish his debut in the Swamp.
Yet a 45-point season-opening romp against Florida Atlantic last Saturday night wasn't the start Coleman envisioned, despite an interception and a tipped pass leading to another.
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The Gators ' defensive effort wasn't going to cut it.
"It was pretty underwhelming," the Baylor transfer said Monday.
While the offense was unstoppable, the Gators defense was too often on its heels against the Owls' up-tempo attack.
But a Week 2 visit from Campbell on Saturday (5:30 p.m.) offers a chance for the defense to dominate a 49.5-point underdog and continue to develop the defensive chemistry Florida will need when SEC play begins Sept. 19 at Auburn.
Against FAU, the Gators showed plenty of effort and were opportunisitic, generating three turnovers.
"I like the way we flew around," Coleman said. "We had some good plays. It wasn't all bad, but it was more bad than we would like to see."
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A combination of FAU's offensive alacrity, Gainesville's heat and humidity, and Florida 's offensive efficiency tested the Gators' conditioning on the other side of the ball.
Coleman played a career-high 75 snaps of the 90 plays the Owls ran.
Campbell (2-0) also prefers to play with pace. Yet, the real sense of urgency Saturday comes from what lies ahead.
Auburn quarterback Byron Brown and Tigers first-year coach Alex Golesh led USF past the Gators last season in the Swamp. A week later, Florida hosts Ole Miss and playmaking quarterback Trinidad Chambliss , who torched Louisville for three second-half touchdowns, including a pair of 62-yard hook-ups with fleet-footed Deuce Alexander.
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"I watched the game. They're really good," said coach Jon Sumrall , who lost twice to Ole Miss in 2025 while at Tulane. "But we've got to improve this week and just be where our feet are.
"We got a lot of work to do."
Communication on the back end of the defense is imperative.
Brad White's defense routinely gave FAU receivers cushion to limit explosive plays but didn't adjust consistently for down and distance. The Owls ended up converting 15 of 29 third and fourth downs.
"It comes down to field awareness," White said.
A sellout crowd at the Swamp intensified the challenge to communicate.
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"You have to be trained, and we have not done a good enough job, obviously, of those guys truly understanding every down, every distance," White said. "Because in practice, what can you do? 'Get down! Press!' And they hear you.
"We're yelling as loud as we can on the sideline and they can't hear you."
Florida aims to iron out the defensive operation and take a step forward as another crowd of 90,000 looks on against Campbell.
"This week we're gonna find some things and we'll put a better product on the field," Coleman said.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
