With sophomore sensation Chris Leak at quarterback for the No.12-ranked Florida Gators, the tendency of LSU’s defense maybe to pressure the young gunslinger when the Tigers travel to theSwamp for a 6:45 p.m. Southeastern Conference showdown on ESPN.
The Tigers defense tried to pressure Leak as a true freshmanwhen the Gators came to Baton Rouge last year. The defense sackedLeak six times, but to no avail, as Florida gave LSU its only lossin 2003, 19-7.
Leak threw for two touchdowns in that game, but both receiverscame from an unexpected place — the backfield.
Gators running back Ran Carthon scored the first touchdown totie the game in the first quarter on a 22-yard reception.
Carthon is gone now, but running back Ciatrick Fason, who scoredon a 35-yard reception to put the icing on the cake in the thirdquarter of last year’s game, is still a vital part of theGators’ offense.
“I can’t reflect on what’s happened in thepast because this is a new year,” Fason said. “I knowtheir defense is going to want it, especially after coming off oftwo losses.”
The 6-foot, 215-pound junior remains a double threat for theGators this season, UF coach Ron Zook said.
“He’s an excellent back, and not only can he run theball well, but he’s also a great pass blocker and receiverout of the
backfield,” Zook said. “He’s worked hard atlearning to catch the ball out of the backfield and to improve hispass blocking. And he’s doing all the things that he has todo to become an all-around great running back.”
Fason has 458 yards rushing and 92 yards receiving in four gamesthis season, including six touchdowns.
It takes more than one tackler to bring Fason down, UF centerMike Degory said.
“I think Ciatrick has the mentality that he can breaktackles,” Degory said. “It looks like he doesn’thave a backbone. He can really bend and twist. He’s one ofthose guys where you rarely see them fall back. He’s alwaysfalling forward, and that’s an extra one or two yards thatgoes on every carry.”
But just a year ago Fason contemplated leaving football, andZook said he had to step in because he knew Fason’s talentwas too great to waste.
“He committed to the University of Florida before I camehere, but he had his official visit when I was here,” Zooksaid. “He wanted to play at the University of Florida so bad,it was so important to him, he had tears in his eyes. The workethic, the things he’s put into it, that’s why a yearago when he said he was going to quit I said ‘No,you’re not.’ I knew how important it was tohim.”
In the past year, Fason has gone from reliable runner torespected leader, Degory said.
“He’s just getting more carries and he’s doingmore off-the-field stuff,” Degory said. “His leadershipis one thing; more people listen to him. He’s taken it on hisshoulders to lead us.”
Fason leads the SEC and is 13th nationally with 114.5 rushingyards per game, including a 210-yard performance against Kentuckythis season. Zook said Fason’s big numbers do not reflectselfishness, but his commitment to the game.
“The number of times he ran it last week shows he isgetting stronger and working hard in the weight room,” Zooksaid after the 20-3 win over UK. “One of the most importantthings about Ciatrick is that he is a team guy. Sure he wants to besuccessful, but he knows that unless this team plays well he is notgoing to get to do the things he wants to do.”