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Published Sep 27, 2017
McElwain Teleconference Blog: Gators didn't panic
Andrew Olson
Inside the Gators

Florida head coach Jim McElwain and Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason discussed Saturday’s SEC East clash between the Gators and the Commodores on the weekly SEC coaches teleconference Wednesday.

*McElwain is excited to get back in The Swamp after missing home games the last two years. Historically, Florida-Vanderbilt has been “a real battle.” Team’s focus is on continuing to improve.

*He wants to see Gators players question if wins have come to down to the end and play better in first and second quarters. McElwain would prefer to see the team “come out of the gates firing” instead of “sparring” in first half.

*Time will tell if fourth-quarter thrillers will take a toll on Gators.

*McElwain hopes that the 9-1 record in one-score games is a reflection of preparation and the team’s six-phase process. He tries to keep team at even emotional level.

*He never saw team panic, something he likes about 2017 squad.

*McElwain never considered Luke Del Rio the third-string quarterback. Feleipe Franks “didn’t do anything” horrible, but coaches felt they needed to kickstart the offense, which Del Rio delivered on Saturday.

*Part of the reason Del Rio did not transfer was because he’s “never been on a team that hasn’t had to use multiple quarterbacks.”

*Mason said Vanderbilt needs to have fast turnaround coming off home loss to Alabama. Commodores have had a good week of practice and are healthy.

*Commodores practiced in pads for first time in weeks. The message Mason wanted to send was “get back to work.” This is first time team has faced real adversity this year.

*Focus for Mason’s squad is to avoid letting one game define them. “One can’t become two.”

*Biggest concern after a game like Alabama is with freshmen. “You don’t know if a young guy has been in your culture long enough to understand what happened.”

*A loss like Alabama “doesn’t wash off.” Commodores are eager to get back on the field.

*Inexperience on the offensive line has led to struggles in the running game. Top rusher Ralph Webb is currently averaging under three yards per game.

*Mason has no complaints with playing four ranked opponents in a row (Kansas State, Alabama, Florida and Georgia).

*Webb is going to have his “hard hat and lunchpail with him” on Saturday. Mason knows he gets up for Florida game, but not just when playing UF game.

*Mason acknowledges his daughter, a UF student athelte, is a Gator and will be rooting for Florida. He just doesn’t want to see her wearing orange and blue when she comes back home.

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