Florida's secondary opens season trying to rebound

Hawaii has finished no lower than fourth nationally in passing in each of the last nine years. Even though coach June Jones and Heisman Trophy finalist Colt Brennan left after last season, the Warriors still have longtime receivers coach Ron Lee organizing the run-and-shoot offense.

Junior college transfer Brent Rausch is expected to start at quarterback for Hawaii despite missing practice last week because of a strained shoulder. He's one of eight new starters on offense, but Florida expects to see much of the same things from a program that led the nation in scoring in 2007 and started 12-0 before losing 41-10 to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

"They do throw the ball around a lot, and we do need to improve," Strong said. "This game, just because of what happened last year, is going to be an early test for us."

Florida attributed much of its secondary woes to youth last season. Haden and safety Major Wright started as true freshmen and cornerback Wondy Pierre-Louis was a sophomore. Those three won't be able to use inexperience as an excuse this time around, but that's fine with Haden.

"I feel like I've been playing corner forever now," he said. "Everything's fluid. It feels natural."

Nonetheless, the secondary is still a concern for Florida, but not because of Haden, Pierre-Louis or Wright. The Gators lost starting safety Tony Joiner and backup Kyle Jackson to graduation, then lost Dorian Munroe and John Curtis to season-ending knee injuries. Jerimy Finch transferred, Jamar Hornsby was kicked off the team for allegedly using the credit card of a deceased student, and incoming freshman Dee Finley failed to qualify academically and enrolled at a prep school.

After all the attrition, sophomore Ahmad Black emerged as the other starting safety. And like Haden, he's heard all about the secondary having "nothing in the bank."

Strong makes sure of it.

"Every time you pick up the paper, everyone is saying this team will go as their defense goes," Strong said. "Our players are taking hold of that. I don't know if it'll be a rallying cry or what, but I just know this: They'll play a lot better than they played last year."