Kofi Asare is running out of college football games, and that gives Florida’s final stretch added urgency for the veteran edge defender.
The Gators have dropped four of their past five games after a 4-0 start, but Asare believes stronger chemistry and complete buy-in have prevented the team from splintering. Florida now heads to Kentucky looking to correct the third-down failures that resurfaced during its loss to Oklahoma.
Asare also discussed the Wildcats’ offensive line, playing in cold weather, Jayden Woods’ development and what awaits him beyond football.
Here’s everything Asare had to say.
What did the film show about Florida’s defensive performance against Oklahoma?
It was really third down where we struggled a little bit.
We had been doing pretty well on third down during the past few weeks. I don’t think we played
at the level we normally do during this game.
We’re looking to improve at that. We’re going to put a greater focus on executing on third down and executing at every level.
The entire team needs to do better, but if I had to identify one thing for the defense, it would definitely be third down.
How does Florida improve at finishing sacks against mobile quarterbacks?
We play really good quarterbacks from week to week.
John Mateer is a pretty good player himself. He’s a big, stocky guy who is pretty fast. He can get away if you let him.
We need to put a greater emphasis on getting guys down and wrapping up when we get there so that doesn’t happen.
What is Florida’s message entering its final three regular-season games?
We’re going to stay the course. We aren’t going to let our shortcomings decide what the future will be.
We have a few games left, so we’re going to finish strong regardless of what the outcome has been. We’re going to stay together and finish it out.
What stands out about Kentucky’s offensive line?
If Coach gives them respect, then we have to respect them. Personally, I respect everybody in this league. It’s a challenge every week, regardless of whom you’re facing.
We have to attack them the same way we did everybody else.
Does your experience at UMass make you comfortable playing in cold weather?
I think we’ll be fine. It isn’t going to be anything.
Playing football when it’s in the 30s? That’s football, if you ask me. That’s all I know.
Where have you seen Florida improve despite its record?
The buy-in has gone up a lot. The togetherness and chemistry are really strong. We can stay together when things don’t go our way.
We don’t have issues on the sideline or internal problems. We keep things among ourselves and figure out a way forward. That’s the biggest change this year, and it has helped us a lot.
Has Florida’s effort remained consistent?
That’s a big thing for us. It’s part of our team standard. Effort is one of the main things that’s part of our team.
Everybody knows you have to give 100% every time you go.
Have you started thinking about the final games of your college career?
For sure. I’ve been talking to my people, some of my teammates and my locker-room mates. These will be the final few games, and I’m happy I’m doing it with them.
That’s why I think it’s important that we finish strong.I know they want to finish strong for me, and I want to finish strong for them and myself.
It’s going to be the last time this team is ever together, so we have to see it all the way through.
What will your final home game in the Swamp mean to you?
It’s going to be my final home game and my last one in the Swamp. I think I’ll become emotional. My whole family is coming down, so it’s going to be good.
What about Florida’s coaching staff inspires players to buy in?
The coaches set high expectations, but they also have a lot of belief that we can reach those goals and expectations. It encourages the players to buy into that chase toward the standard.
How has Jon Sumrall handled Florida’s recent losses?
He tells us that every week is 1-0. Whatever happened last week is over. There’s nothing you can do about it now.
We have to focus on what’s directly in front of us, and right now, that’s Kentucky.
How would you evaluate Jayden Woods’ season?
I think he receives respect. Everybody chipped him throughout the game last week, so he receives a lot of attention. Offensive coordinators are paying attention to him.
He does a really good job, and he’s going to keep balling. He has another year, so he’s going to keep hooping.
How has Woods improved as a full-time starter?
He has definitely improved. His strength has improved. He puts up numbers in the weight room, and it shows on the field when he sets the edge against the run and runs through people while pass-rushing.
He’s getting better for sure.
What is Woods’ next step?
The one thing I would say he could improve doesn’t have much to do with the field. It’s becoming a more vocal leader.
He’s a more reserved person, but entering his third year, becoming draft-eligible and considering what he means to the Florida Gators, he’s going to have to step into more of a vocal leadership role.
For me, he leads by example very well, as you can see on the field. I think his next step is becoming a vocal leader.
What would you like to do if professional football does not work out?
I want to return home and support my mother’s business.
She has a livery business that provides transportation for people with disabilities. I want to support that a lot and then feel my way through things.
I’ve been a football player for much of my life, so I haven’t given a lot of thought to being anything else. If that time comes, I’ll have to sit down and determine what I want to do beyond supporting my parents.
What is the key to improving Florida’s third-down defense?
I’m not a defensive coordinator, so I don’t have all the answers. From a player’s perspective, we have to focus on our details.
If you look at the plays, it’s usually one thing being off. Somebody might try to do extra to help on a play, which creates leaky yardage.
They’re minor things we can correct as a defense to complete plays and get off the field on third down.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Kofi Asare says Florida will stay together through November
