Grinding to a halt: Florida's defense is stuffing opponents, giving its coordinator a breather and making the Gators doubly dangerous. (College Football)(Cover Story).(Cover Story)

This is the grind for Jon Hoke. Every day, every obstacle, every opportunity. This is the grind for a man who accepts a job in which there are no excuses, only results. A job in which the slight crease for error shrinks with each toss of his boss' visor.

Hoke is standing to the side once again on this day, an understudy in this tumultuous theatre. Isn't he always? He is the defensive coordinator for the Florida Gators, which means no one gives a damn about him unless his defense isn't running neck-and-neck with coach/wizard Steve Spurrier's high-powered offense.

Spurrier is speaking after the Gators' first victory in three years over bitter rival Florida ...