Mullen: When Toney touches the ball, really exciting things happen
GAINESVILLE, Fla.-- Sometimes you just shouldn't overthink things. Thats a lesson even a head coach with Dan Mullen's reputation may need reminding a time or two.
Mullen inherited Kadarius Toney when he took over the Gators - a versatile athlete that played a variety of roles for his high school squad and is known for his free-styling and speed on the field.
Toney is a conundrum to some coaches. He won't quite follow a playbook to the letter, but there is no question he is going to make plays.
Mullen has learned his lesson.
"You know what, when he touches the ball, really exciting things happen," said the Gators head coach. "I haven’t done a good job offensively, in just forcing us to just put the ball in his hands. I’ll be honest with you, about half the time he touches the ball the play doesn’t look anything like we designed it to look at in practice, but exciting things certainly happen."
"Man, that's a different type of guy," echoed running back Lamical Perine. "They'll have a run that's supposed to go left and he'll cut it back all the way to the right and score. So you never know what to expect with Kadarius."
"I’m scared I’m gonna get crack backed," joked Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks. "I’m giving the ball and then I’m like, carry out my fake, ok. Then the next thing I know I’m looking this way and he’s cutting back this way. I’m like, alright let me go try and get a block for him or something.
" Last time, I think it was the Vanderbilt game he cut back and I’m just kinda standing there like this not knowing (turns around in a circle) just trying to look around and see that nobody crack backs me," Franks added. "He’s an exciting player to watch. Especially from my standpoint because I can just watch him go. He’s an electrifying player. I’m also scared I’m going to get crack backed and I’m not trying to get on no SportsCenter like that. He’s a good player to watch.”
Toney was instrumental in Florida's comeback win over South Carolina on Saturday. The sophomore finished the game with a combined 84 yards of offense in just six plays.
One those of six plays found the endzone when Franks found Toney for a short pass and then Toney turned it into an 18-yard touchdown.
Then in the fourth quarter, Franks tossed it to him and then Toney went left to then sweep back to the right and then down the sideline for 33 yards, five-yards shorts of a touchdown.
“Every time I touch the ball I try to get in the end zone,” Toney said. “That’s my mindset. I don’t really think about people in front of me. I think about getting in the end zone, so if they in my way, I’m gonna get through them to get to the end zone.”
He may have ran 60 yards to get those 33 yards, but thats the thing, Toney makes things happen.
“Whatever I want. Whatever I want, honestly. Whatever I want I'm going to get it," said Toney about his running style. "Kind of freestyle, but it’s just God-given ability.”
"It just is what it is. All I’m hoping is he’s got the ball high and tight and puts the ball away," said Mullen. "Just secure the ball, big guy, just secure the ball and go do your thing. I’ll be honest with you, we don’t coach him on a whole lot on that stuff. It’s like doing it with Percy (Harvin). Here’s what we’re trying to accomplish. Go do your thing because I don’t wanna limit him running around and making plays and doing all that stuff".
"He's a talented, good kid," said Perine. "He's done a lot for this program and he's going to keep doing that."
"We’ll try to continue to do that and make sure he gets touches," said Mullen.