TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - Florida beat reporter Rachel George, who writes for the Orlando Sentinel, has agreed for the second year in a row to answer questions heading into the Gators' game against Alabama.
The third-ranked Crimson Tide (4-0, 1-0) travels to No. 12 Florida (4-0, 2-0) for a 7 p.m. kickoff Saturday at Florida Field.
The Tide is coming off an impressive 38-14 win against then-No. 14 Arkansas. The Gators rolled a 48-10 win at Kentucky.
George will answer our questions throughout the week.
Question: Special teams are often important in big matchups. So what can you tell us about Florida's special teams from its kicking game to its return game?
Rachel George: Well, there's been a dropoff in punting but improvement in the kicking game. Florida graduated Chas Henry, who won the Ray Guy Award last year as the nation's top punter. Former walk-on David Lerner earned the starting spot but has averaged 35.6 yards on 11 punts. It hasn't cost the Gators, but they don't have the same ability to pin opponents deep in their own end as they did with Henry.
On the flip side, the kicking game is improved with Caleb Sturgis healthy. Starting with the Alabama game last year, Sturgis missed the final nine games with a hairline fracture in his back. He got a medical redshirt and is completely healthy this year. He has made all 11 field goals and 18 PATs that he's attempted.
He's also improved on kickoffs and is averaging better than 66 yards each, but Florida has struggled with return defense and is allowing 20.67 yards per return.
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