Florida's 66-21 victory over Florida Atlantic was an offensive showcase for the Gators, but the same couldn't necessarily be said for the defense.
Despite the lopsided final score, Florida's defense had its share of struggles throughout the night. FAU quarterback Caden Veltkamp threw for 276 yards, while the Owls added another 120 yards on the ground.
The Gators also had trouble containing Kelby Vasin, who finished with 10 receptions for 92 yards and was a consistent, reliable target for Veltkamp.
There is plenty for Florida to clean up defensively before it faces more talented competition, but one player who consistently made his presence felt was linebacker Myles Graham. Throughout all of the defensive deficiencies, he still showed up and caused
havoc against FAU, earning him defensive player of the game.
The junior finished with 10 total tackles, including four solo stops and six assisted tackles. He also recorded half a sack and half a tackle for loss, constantly finding himself around the football.
Graham's ability to impact the game was particularly important on a night when the Florida defense struggled to get off the field.
While the Gators did ultimately finish with a 45-point margin of victory, the defensive performance wasn't as dominant as the final score might suggest. As the clock struck zero, it raised some concerns that Florida will need to address before the schedule becomes significantly more difficult.
One game isn't enough to determine how good this defense will ultimately be, but Graham's performance was certainly an encouraging individual sign.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Myles Graham's performance earns him defensive player of the game
