Jenkins: I didn't expect it to be easy

Gator fans were restless as the FSU game drew close on Saturday. Rumors swirled about a terrible week of practice and the Gators weren't going to be ready. Instead, the Gators came out firing. They scored on their first possession of the game going 65 yards on nine plays and never looked back against their arch rival. Janoris Jenkins was one that set the tone and said the Gators were prepared.

The weather certainly didn't help soothe any nerves for fans. Everyone in the country knew the Gators were the better team on the field way before the game on Saturday, weather can be the great equalizer and so more doubt probably crept into the minds of Gators that tend to worry rather than relish game day. Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer had his worries about the weather, but he also knows how his team has approached every game.

“I was very concerned,” Meyer said after the big 45-15 victory over Florida State. “I know a big part of our game is speed. I stared out there and saw that field getting 2-3 inches deep with water. I’ve been saying it for about 6-7 weeks, the professionalism and the way the guys are handling themselves has been very good.”

One player that has not concerned Meyer is t freshman cornerback Janoris Jenkins. Jenkins has been a terror this year for opposing receivers and has played like an All-SEC cornerback in his rookie season. Jenkins said the week leading up was business as usual for the Gators.

“The whole week we had high intensity,” Jenkins told the media after the game. “Everyone had enthusiasm and came out and worked hard. Coach Meyer preached the whole week about how big this game was. He wasn't worried, he just said we had to stay focused.”

Jenkins also heard all week about the big receivers at FSU, namely Greg Carr and Corey Surrency. They were going to make life miserable for Jenkins and his teammates who stand about six inches shorter than the giant duo of Seminole receivers.

“I expected them to come at us because we were short and they said that in the newspaper,” he said. “I didn't expect it to be easy.”

Jenkins was the one making life miserable for the big receivers at Florida State. He was constantly hitting them and knocking the ball away. He finished with three pass breakups and an interception on the day and he almost had two interceptions that went for touchdowns that just went off his hands.

“I was pretty excited to get those, but I didn't make a couple in time,” he said about a couple of passes that he almost intercepted. “I came back on one and got it.”

The Florida defense has played with a chip on their shoulder all year and Jenkins says it is a matter of playing together and sticking together.

“We are coming together as a unit everyone is looking out for each other,” he said. “Eleven men strong and 100% capacity. We are going all out.”

This week the focus turns to Alabama and the Gators shot at an SEC Championship. Janoris was in high school two years ago when the Gators won an SEC title, he is amped to play next week in the great city of Atlanta, Georgia.

“I am excited in my freshman year to go to the “ATL” and see how it is, he said. “I want to go up there and get a big win, play our heart out and have a ball. We are going to have a great week of practice and ball out.”