Florida Gators 2016 Season Early Preview: Presbyterian
Over the past couple of weeks, Inside the Gators has taken an early look at the Florida Gators football team’s opponents throughout the 2016 regular season. Today, we preview Presbyterian College.
Florida Gators vs. Presbyterian Blue Hose
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Fla.
Nov. 19, 2016, time TBA
Presbyterian head coach: Harold Nichols (8th season)
Coordinators: Todd Varn (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, 6th season), Tommy Spangler (defensive coordinator/secondary coach, 4th season)
Presbyterian 2015 record – 2-9 (1-5 Big South): Presbyterian struggled mightily last season, dropping seven consecutive contests after losing two of its first three. No team scored more than 34 points against the Blue Hose, but Nichols' group couldn't amass more than 23 points in a contest all season.
2015 offensive stats: 123rd of 123 FCS teams in total offense (217.7 YPG), 120th in scoring offense (12.5 PPG), 120th in passing offense (82.0 YPG), 82nd in rushing offense (135.7 YPG)
2015 defensive stats: 52nd of 123 FCS teams in total defense (372.4 YPG), 20th in scoring defense (20.3 PPG), 10th in passing defense (165.2 YPG), 100th in rushing defense (207.2 YPG)
Returning leading passer – QB Ben Cheek (277 yards, 2 TD, 6 INT on 60.6% passing): Cheek is likely to earn the starting job after making five starts in eight appearances last season. The Blue Hose's passing game was pedestrian last season, as the team finished last in passing among seven squads with fewer than 1,000 passing yards total.
Returning leading rusher – RB Darrell Bridges (1,065 yards, 8 TD on 224 carries): The silver lining for Presbyterian's offense last season was the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Bridges, who finished second in the Big South in rushing yards. The redshirt junior will be expected to carry the load offensively once again this season.
Returning leading receiver – WR Dayrl Wilson (184 yards on 11 catches): Presbyterian didn't have a pass-catcher record more than 200 receiving yards in 2015. Three players from last season who racked up at least 100 yards return in Wilson, Tre'von Howell and tight end Joseph Purter.
Returning leading tackler – DB Kevin Green (46 tackles): Presbyterian loses its top four tacklers from a year ago, including linebacker Donelle Williams (112 tackles), but should field a solid defense once again, at least by FCS standards.
Returning leader in interceptions – LB Jerry Burk (1 pick): Defensive back Ed Britt, who racked up four picks last season, has graduated. Presbyterian recorded eight interceptions overall in 2015, tying for fourth best in the conference.
FIVE QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY NICK HERMAN OF THE LAURENS COUNTY ADVERTISER
What was the biggest thing about this Presbyterian team that you drew from watching spring practices and its spring game?
NH: The defense is going to be strong again. In the spring game the head coach, Harold Nichols, said he saw some good things from a unit that hadn’t been playing together as it was during the spring game, and the defensive front was the most improved during the spring. The front line, Nichols said, was the strength of the team, and will be needed to improve the team’s last-place finish in the Big South in rushing defense (207.2 YPG).
What are the three biggest storylines to follow this season?
NH: The biggest will be how much improvement the team can make on offense. It finished last in scoring a year ago in the Big South and was tied for 120th out of 123 teams in the FCS. It must be able to put the ball in the end zone far more often to be competitive.
To that end, finding the team’s quarterback this year is imperative. Ben Cheek returns after finishing eighth in passing average per game (30.8 yards) and was just 30 for 79 passing a year ago with two touchdowns and six INTs. He is likely the starter again this year, unless someone beats him out in camp.
And to help the team’s passing game, the running game will be needed. Rusher Darrell Bridges is back after setting the program’s single-season Division I record for rushing yards (1,065) and is within striking distance of the program’s career rushing mark, but needs 1,304 yards to get there. Bridges has the talent to get there, but will need a passing game to take some of the focus off.
What are Presbyterian’s greatest strengths?
NH: The team is solid at running back with Bridges returning, as was mentioned above. Also, the team’s defensive unit is an impressive group as it was second in fewest points allowed in the Big South (20.2). The unit keeps PC in the game because it will force turnovers (was +3 in turnover margin and forced 21 takeaways in 11 games).
What are the Blue Hose’s greatest weaknesses?
NH: Passing offense is the biggest weakness. The team was last in the Big South a year ago in passing efficiency, pass offense, yards and passes completed. If the team can’t find a quarterback who can present a true threat through the air, those numbers will not change.
What is your outlook for the 2016 season for Presbyterian?
NH: I would say the team is going to struggle. The offense is not balanced enough to keep teams from focusing on the run, and the defense can only do so much before it breaks. Last year’s team won two games, and I figure the team will probably win that many again this year, if not three games total.
You can follow Nick Herman on Twitter @nrherman.
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COMPLETED EARLY OPPONENT PREVIEWS:
Oct. 29 vs. Georgia (neutral site)
UP NEXT:
Nov. 26 at Florida State