Andreu's Answers: Brantley stands out among young players

<i>Before every game this season, veteran football beat writer Robbie Andreu comes up with five pertinent questions, then answers them after each game. Here is Week 10:</i> <b>1. Who plays more, Tim Tebow or John Brantley?</b> The Golden Panthers kept things just competitive enough in the first half that UF coach Urban Meyer felt he needed another touchdown in the third quarter before turning the game over to Brantley and the backups. After Tebow led the Gators to a touchdown on the opening drive of the second half for a 42-3 lead, Brantley entered the game midway through the third quarter and quickly got into an impressive rhythm throwing the football and moving the offense. Displaying a quick release and strong arm, Brantley shredded the FIU secondary, completing 9-of-13 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns. Tebow saw more playing time, but Brantley threw one more touchdown pass than the legend. Brantley's performance gives the Gator Nation reason to be excited about what this offense will be able to do next season in the passing game. <b>2. Which young players will grab the spotlight for UF?</b> Brantley was the young guy who really jumped out with his performance, but he wasn't the only one. Omarius Hines and Frankie Hammond Jr., two of those talented redshirt freshmen wide receivers we've been hearing about since August, had an opportunity to see extensive playing time in the second half, and both made plays. Hines caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Brantley in the third quarter in which he broke several tackles and dragged two defenders into the end zone. Later in the game, on a fourth-and-11 play, Hammond streaked behind the FIU secondary to catch a 31-yard TD pass from Brantley. One young offensive player who did not have the chance to show his stuff was true freshman tailback Mike Gillislee, who sat out the game with an injured hamstring. On defense, true freshman Josh Evans played more than half of the second half. <b>3. Will UF's red-zone struggles continue against a defense that's giving up more than 400 yards a game?</b> Not even close. The Gators avoided the red zone altogether early in the game, with their first three offensive touchdowns from outside the 20-yard line. When UF did get in the red zone the rest of the game, the opportunities were turned into touchdowns. The play-calling seemed good and the execution was sharp. Of course, it helped that the Gators were going against a defense that has struggle to makes stops against Sun Belt competition. Regardless, Florida was sharp in the red zone and maybe it will provide a confidence boost going into the last two games. <b>4. Will the UF offensive line continue to gel with the addition of Xavier Nixon at left tackle?</b> The new starting five of Nixon, Marcus Gilbert, Carl Johnson, Mike Pouncey and Maurkice Pouncey did not really have a chance gain further experience playing together because injuries broke up the group. Maurkice Pouncey sustained a bruised bone in his leg earlier in the week in practice and did not play Saturday. That meant his twin brother Mike had to move over from right guard and play center. Late in the first half, Johnson left the game with an injured ankle and went to the locker room at halftime on crutches. He was later seen wearing a protective boot. So instead of having a chance to gel up front, the Gators were pretty much a patchwork in the second half. The critical thing now is how long will Johnson and Pouncey be out? Mike Pouncey said after the game Maurkice definitely will be ready for the FSU game. UF showed Saturday it has some depth now on the offensive line, but the coaches were feeling extremely good about the new starting lineup of Nixon and Gilbert at tackle, Johnson and Mike Pouncey at guard, and Maurkice Pouncey at center. <b>5. Tim Tebow is the only UF player with a 100-yard rushing game this season? Will a tailback finally crack the barrier?</b> Tebow rushed for more than 100 yards again, gaining 102 on seven carries, with 55 of those coming on the longest run of his career for a TD in the first half. After Tebow, no one came close to the century mark. Jeff Demps had 46, Chris Rainey 30 and walk-on Chris Scott 26. Rainey and Demps looked explosive (as usual), but neither got enough carries to threaten the 100-yard mark. Demps toted the rock nine times, Rainey only four. The tailback by committee has been successful, but it has yet to produce a 100-yard rusher this season.