Florida QB Murphy managing games at high level

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — No. 17 Florida hasn’t gotten this kind of quarterback play, at least not for three consecutive games, since the Tim Tebow era. Tyler Murphy, a fourth-year junior who didn’t take a snap his first three seasons, has shown poise and pocket presence. He has been accurate and efficient. He has taken care of the ball, turned negative plays into big gains and helped the Gators overcome a season-ending injury to starter Jeff Driskel. In three games, Murphy has performed better than Driskel and everyone else who threw passes at Florida since Tebow’s departure in 2010. And if anyone wants to call Murphy a ”game manager,” well, that’s just fine. Murphy and the Gators (4-1, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) welcome the label. They even consider it a compliment. ”I’ve been criticized a little bit for saying ‘managed,”’ coach Will Muschamp said. ”That’s the greatest compliment you can give a quarterback. Tom Brady is a great game manager. It’s about converting third downs. It’s about completing passes. It’s about getting your offense in and out of the right runs, the right passes, protections, taking the ball to the right spot, taking care of the football, scoring points, moving your team, your team having in confidence in you. ”That’s one of the greatest compliments you can have as a quarterback – a game manager. I don’t know where that became a bad word in the coaching profession.” Murphy has completed 72 percent of his passes for 530 yards, with five touchdowns and an interception, in wins against Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas. The Wethersfield, Conn., native also has been sacked just three times. Murphy ranks third in the SEC in passing efficiency, improving his numbers with every game. Not since Tebow’s final three games has any Florida quarterback been as productive as Murphy over a three-game stretch. His next start – Saturday at 10th-ranked LSU (5-1, 2-1) – should be more telling than the others. …

Continue Reading: Florida QB Murphy managing games at high level