Wynn IS the running game

Now we know where Florida's running game was last Saturday night.

It was on the bench.

He was on the bench.

For those who were wondering if DeShawn Wynn would make a difference in the UF ground game, the answer came early in The Swamp on Saturday night against Louisiana Tech.

Yes, he does.

On his first carry, he gained seven yards.

On his second, he shook free for 50 yards.

On his sixth, he bulldozed over left tackle to score a touchdown on fourth-and-1 from the one. On the touchdown drive - the first of the game - it was all Wynn, five consecutive rushes for 57 yards.

By the end of the night, he had a career-best performance to stick in his resume.

So, yes, the big guy obviously makes a difference.

This version of DeShawn Wynn certainly does. The new and improved and hustling and hard-working and willing-to-be-coached-and-disciplined version.

With Wynn dressed out but not playing in the opener against Wyoming last week, the Gators sputtered and stalled on the ground, rushing for a meager 91 yards and prompting Urban Meyer to predict his team wouldn't win many more games this season if it couldn't run it any better than that.

On Saturday night, with Wynn seeing his first playing time in Meyer's offense, the running game sprang to life. The Gators matched last week's rushing total late in the first quarter and then blew right past it, gaining 149 yards in the first half alone, 82 by Wynn.

Wynn, of course, wasn't the only difference. The line created some holes and seams to run through and quarterback Chris Leak seemed more comfortable triggering the ground game and running the option. Overall, the timing was much better and the Gators' confidence in the ground game grew after the early success.

Throughout the preseason, the Gators talked about all their potential at tailback, but as the days passed and the season drew nearer, no one emerged as a go-to guy and UF entered the season without an obvious starter at the position - especially with Wynn's playing status in limbo heading into the opener.

True freshman Kestahn Moore did some nice things in the Wyoming win, Skyler Thornton had some moments and redshirt freshman Markus Manson created a little spark with some fourth-quarter bursts.

But the Gators came out of the game with the same uncertainty that they went into it with at tailback.

No dominant back. No go-to guy.

Wynn seems to have changed all that with his performance. He produced like a dominant back. He scored touchdowns like a dominant back. And he definitely had that go-to guy look about him.

Now, can he keep it up? Can he take this opportunity and literally run with it?

Coming out of a disappointing 2004 season in which he disappeared behind Ciatrick Fason, Wynn carried the reputation of being an underachiever and a guy with a questionable work ethic. When news leaked out in August that he likely would be suspended for the opener, many assumed it was simply the same old story with Wynn.

But, according to the coaches and his teammates, Wynn has been a different player, a different person, in these last few months. He's worked like never before. He's gotten himself in the best shape of his career. And he's eagerly met all the demands of his coaches.

His investment was evident Saturday night.

And it looks like the Gators have their tailback now.

You can reach Robbie Andreu by calling 374-5022 or by e-mail at andreur@gvillesun.com.