Florida Gators QB Graham Mertz playing at high level but needs protection to survive in SEC
Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz sported a significant bruise on his left triceps muscle as he took part in interviews on Monday at the Heavener Center.
"Don't know where I got that from," Mertz said, with a smile.
Mertz posted his fourth straight game with a 70-plus completion percentage, going 20 of 23 for 259 yards and 3 TDs to lead No. 23 Florida to a 22-7 win over Charlotte. But Mertz also was sacked three times and took an unexpected beating in the pocket against an American Athletic Conference opponent.
"We need to keep him cleaner," Florida football coach Billy Napier said. "He got hit a few too many times on Saturday."
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Overall, Mertz has been sacked nine times in four games this season. Last season, Florida was among the best teams in the country in protecting the quarterback, allowing just 17 sacks in 13 games.
Of course, former Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson's size and dual-threat ability made him harder to contain in the pocket. The Gators also had an All-American on the offensive line, O'Cyrus Torrence, who kept him clean. Richardson (Indianapolis Colts) and Torrence (Buffalo Bills) are both now playing on Sundays in the NFL.
New starters on the Florida football offensive line
Florida has four new starters on the offensive line, and injuries and suspensions forced the Gators to utilize their depth against Charlotte. Lyndell Hudson started at right tackle for Dameion George, while freshman Knijeah Harris started at right guard for Micah Mazzccua and Jake Slaughter started at center for Kingsley Eguakun.
"We have a new group of players on the O-line, and then we've had injuries," Napier said. "So that group, the continuity has not been there this year so far. So, we've played with a mixture of lineups, and I think that's contributed to some of the issues we've had."
The Gators are hopeful to have Eguakun back from injury Saturday at Kentucky (noon, ESPN). George and Mazzccua will be back from suspension as well. But Kentucky, with 11 sacks on the season, will pose another significant test to UF's ability to protect the quarterback.
"Any time you start talking about sacks and pressures, typically all position groups are contributing," Napier said. "If you just went down a list right now, I think that that would be the case this year as well, whether it's the back had a mental error or the — we had an issue in protection with the front guys or a receiver didn't separate, or you held the ball too long."
How UF football quarterback Graham Mertz could help himself
Mertz was sacked 23 times last year at Wisconsin and has proven throughout his career he can take a hit. Sometimes, though, it's a result of Mertz holding onto the ball too long.
It happened on one of Mertz's three sacks Saturday, on a 3rd-and-6 play.
"You always have to have that — in quarterback world, you call that internal clock, but knowing kind of how it's a feel thing," Mertz said. "Knowing when you've got to get the ball out, where the ball's got to go.
"There was one play where I held onto it way too long, just it was one play I'd love to have back because I had a throw, and it's a big one. You convert that, then we have another shot to score points."
It's vital for the Gators to protect Mertz because he's played at a high level for UF so far season. He leads the SEC in competition percentage (84-108, 77.8 percent), having passed for 951 yards with 4 TDs to 1 interception. UF's three quarterbacks behind him — Jack Miller, Max Brown and Micah Leon — have combined for just one career college start.
"For me, it just goes back to doing my job and doing it on a consistent basis," Mertz said. "From the start, my thing has been I want to be a consistent player here. I want to do that every week."
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida Gators QB Graham Mertz taking sacks at high rate in 2023
