In a 27-8 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, few bright spots emerged; however, safety DJ Coleman stood out for Florida's defense in Week 9.
Coleman stayed active all game, finishing with eight total tackles, including six solo stops. His performance earned him Gators Wire's defensive player of the game honors for Week 9.
Coleman's performance came as Florida's defense continued to improve despite the final score. The Gators struggled to generate offense against Georgia, forcing the defense to shoulder much of the workload throughout the rivalry matchup.
The Florida linebacker answered the call, consistently finding himself around the football and limiting additional yardage when given opportunities to make plays.
His performance also showed up in his
Pro Football Focus grades.
According to PFF, Coleman earned an 83.4 defensive grade, the highest mark among Florida's defenders against Georgia. His work in coverage was even more impressive, earning an 89.8 coverage grade that also ranked first on the team.
Coleman's impact in coverage offered another encouraging sign for a Florida defense that has taken noticeable steps forward over the past few weeks.
The performance continues a strong season for the Gators safety, who has established himself as one of the more dependable pieces of Florida's defense.
Although the Gators couldn't come away with a win against their biggest rival, Coleman's performance was another positive showing from a defensive unit that has started to find its footing in the heart of SEC play.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: DJ Coleman leads Florida's defense in loss to Georgia
