The QB shuffle

Florida's use of three signal-callers in big game may haunt Zook

By Stewart Mandel, SI.com

Ron Zook didn't have Ingle Martin to lean on late in the game, after the Florida starter left during the third quarter with a concussion. AP

MIAMI -- -- What could have been a breakthrough victory for second-year coach Ron Zook on Saturday wound up a heartbreaking defeat.

And the way it happened is sure to raise more scrutiny for the oft-criticized Florida coach.

Zook only bolstered his reputation for unconventional decisions with some he made in the Gators' 38-33 loss to Miami, starting as early as the second quarter, when he strangely went for the two-point conversion up 16-10. Holder Sean Morton's surprise pass sailed well out of the end zone.

While that missed point did not directly affect the final score, there will be many who wonder whether his unique quarterback rotation did.

Starter Ingle Martin performed admirably in helping stake the Gators to an early lead. He completed 7 of 10 throws for 114 yards and a touchdown while showing surprising quickness to run several designed draws against a Miami defense long vulnerable against scrambling quarterbacks.

As expected, Zook inserted freshman wonder Chris Leak on the third series of the first half and stuck with him most of the second half after Martin suffered a concussion in the third quarter.

That is, until the stunning moment late in the fourth quarter when, with momentum already squarely on Miami's side after the 'Canes pulled to within one at 33-32, out trotted ... redshirt freshman Gavin Dickey.

Dickey, a better runner than the other two, carried four times on a drive that stalled at the Miami 33 when Dickey was chased to the sideline by Jonathan Vilma.

"I was a little surprised" by the rotating quarterbacks, said Miami coach Larry Coker. "I don't know if the other guy was hurt or what."

Leak, widely regarded as the future of the program, got the call on Florida's final drive, when the Gators needed to go 69 yards in 1:37 to pull off the victory. He did well, completing passes of 18 and 20 yards to sophomore Dallas Baker along the sideline to keep the drive alive.

The outcome was decided for good, however, when Leak, who finished 9-of-15 for 93 yards, threw the Gators' only interception of the night, to Al Marshall, in the final 10 seconds.

Leak declined to speculate afterward as to Zook's quarterback rationale.

"As quarterbacks, we have to be ready to go in at all times," he said.

The unfortunate thing about Zook's questionable decisions was that he clearly came in with a very solid game plan.

Rather than trying to throw the ball around the field against Miami's talented secondary, Florida lined up and ran the ball right at the 'Canes' defensive front, which early on had trouble stopping it. Tailback Ran Carthon carried seven times for 50 yards in the first quarter.

Between Carthon and freshman DeShaun Wynn, who had a 65-yard touchdown run, the Gators employed a lot of delayed handoffs and misdirection, which often opened up the field for their quarterbacks. On Florida's first touchdown drive, Martin executed four similar running plays in a row, then gave a similar look on the fifth, only to go play-action. Miami safety Maurice Sikes bit hard, leaving receiver Carlos Perez wide open down the sideline for a 47-yard touchdown catch.

Eventually Miami adjusted, however, and started getting more pressure on Martin and Leak, making it harder for Florida to sustain a drive.

"We just got worn out a bit," said Zook, whose defenders looked exhausted on Miami's last couple drives. "They did a good job coming back and we just tried to fend off the onslaught."

Zook better be prepared for an onslaught of criticism, even if he's already had his share. On the one hand, he's to be commended for having his team in position to win a game where few people gave them a chance.

Then again, one can't help but wonder whether a 23-point comeback could have been prevented.

And what a brand-new quarterback was doing in there on the most important drive of the game.

"We have a lot to learn from this game," conceded Zook. "We'll get back and get better."