Florida head coach Billy Napier has already pointed out that he needs a strong week from the offensive line with No. 1 Georgia on the schedule, and redshirt sophomore left tackle Austin Barber echoed those words when speaking to the media Wednesday.
“I think the offensive line is going to play a big part in this game,” Barber said. “I think that we have to play good… I mean you see it there are times when we’ve played good and you’ve seen guys make plays all up and down the field, so I think it’s a job for us that we have to do.”
Georgia has only given up a handful of rushing touchdowns all season long, and Florida’s run game hasn’t been the consistent juggernaut everyone hoped for coming into the season. Both Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson Jr. have had great games this season, but they’ve also both been shut down.
An inconsistent offensive line, in terms of both personnel and performance, is partially to blame. Not to mention the amount of pressure quarterback Graham Mertz has faced through eight weeks. Barber spoke to his quarterback’s resiliency but insisted that the O-line do better.
“Graham’s a warrior,” he said. There’s no doubt he’s a warrior and he’s going to get up and play every single snap. I think we’ve got to get less hits on Graham so he can get out there and perform. I think that’s the best we’ve got to do, make sure he’s not on the ground.”
Getting healthy over the bye week could be the key. The Gators are getting starting center Kingsley Eguakun back, who has missed most of the season after hurting his ankle in fall camp.
“It’s been great having the old guy on the line,” he said. “We call him the fossil, because now he’s the older guy, but, it’s great to have that experience on there. He brings something to the table that we need, and I think it’s really big having him back.”
Barber missed a game as well earlier in the year gainst Vanderbilt. Sitting out “hurt (him) the most,” but Barber says he’s happy to be back. He and Eguakun are the only offensive linemen on Florida’s roster who entered the season with starting experience in the SEC. They’re also the only ones who have played Georgia before.
After only getting a taste of the game in 2022, Barber says he’s ready to play for real in 2023. Don’t confuse his eagerness for arrogance, though. Barber understands that Florida has come out of the gates slowly several times this year, especially when away from home. Making sure the offense is firing on all cylinders early is the top priority.
“Yeah it has to be a quick start regardless of if you’re playing home or away,” he said. “You start fast, it puts pressure on the other team.”
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