UF faces super-sized assignment in UCF’s KJ Jefferson

GAINESVILLE — Florida’s game plan to slow UCF quarterback KJ Jefferson began nearly a year ago when he played for Arkansas .

The first time didn’t go so well, with Jefferson, a freight train with the football in his hands, helping send the Gators’ defense off the rails during a stunning overtime loss Nov. 5 in the Swamp.

To finally get UF back on track, coach Billy Napier took over the scout team to challenge — and hopefully improve — a struggling defense after a lopsided home loss Sept. 14 to Texas A&M .

The move, a first for Napier during seven seasons as a head coach, worked well enough to beat Mississippi State a week later. Mimicking Jefferson during the bye week presented a new set of variables.

“I don’t know that we can replicate 6-3, 261 pounds,” Napier said.

The Gators can at least flip on the film from last season’s Arkansas loss. It won’t elicit a thumbs up from anyone watching.

Jefferson passed for 255 yards and 2 scores and rushed for 92 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown to give the Razorbacks a 30-26 lead during a 39-36 overtime win.

“We have made a cutup of that game, those scenarios that we were in, just the physical challenge of getting the guy down,” Napier said. “He’s a big man. It’s part of the challenge of playing against a player like that.”

Intensifying the challenge last fall was the absence of leading tackler Shemar James and starting defensive lineman Cam Jackson and Tyreak Sapp. All three veterans are back, three assistants were hired, including Ron Roberts to assume play-calling duties, and yet the defense has been as bad as ever.

UF (2-2) allows an average of 499 yards against FBS competition to rank 125th of 134 teams nationally. This includes 231.3 yards against the run, ranking 122nd.

The Knights (3-1) aim to capitalize and shake off a disappointing 48-21 loss to Colorado behind a run game fifth nationally against FBS foes with an average of 283.3 yards, despite managing just 177 against the Buffaloes — just 43 in the first half .

Jefferson will bring good vibes, the right attitude and vast experience to the Swamp, a stadium with a reputation of rattling opposing quarterbacks.

“It’s going to be a fun, elite atmosphere,” the 23-year-old said. “We can’t make this game more than what it is — it’s a game of football. Just go out there and play our brand of football and have fun doing it.”

Jefferson’s last trip to Gainesville was the highlight of his final season at Arkansas, where accounted for a 9,787 total yards and a school-record 88 touchdowns. Injury riddled and winless in SEC play, the Razorbacks left with their first win in Gainesville during six tries.

“We played our hearts out for each other,” he said after the game. “It’s been a frustrating season, but to be the first team to ever win here is something we can always hang our hat on.”

To lead UCF past a Gators program with superior tradition and standing would make Jefferson — a product of the transfer portal age — the first quarterback to win at Florida during consecutive seasons. It also would continue the Gators’ defensive tailspin he helped begin. Including the Arkansas loss, UF has allowed an average of 36.6 points to FBS foes dating to a 43-20 loss Oct. 28 to Georgia .

Containing Gus Malzahn’s attack begins with stopping Jefferson.

“The quarterback is involved in all the elements of the run game. That’s the ultimate challenge,” Napier said. “It’s almost wing T/option blueprint here in terms of dive, quarterback pitch, all the read elements, and then they have a series of perimeter plays that go with that.

“There is a lot of the conflict [in decision-making], and that’s going to be a big part of the week. Narrowing our focus a little bit, making sure we’re all buttoned up and ready to go.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com