No. 23 Florida's defense is ready for the heart of its SEC schedule, but is the Gators' offense -- especially if starting quarterback Luke Del Rio misses time?

Del Rio left Saturday night's 32-0 win over North Texas in Gainesville, Fla., late in the third quarter. On a drop-back pass, Del Rio was hit from behind, around the knees by North Texas defensive end Devin O'Hara, who was flagged for a late hit on the play. Del Rio limped gingerly back to the locker room.

The play sent an angry Florida coach Jim McElwain out near midfield, where he barked at the officials and the North Texas sideline. Mean Green first-year coach Seth Littrell chirped back, and on an ensuing play, Florida offensive lineman Martez Ivey was ejected after roughing up a North Texas player after the whistle.

SEC officials said Ivey's ejection will not impact his status for next week's game at Tennessee. Del Rio's status is unknown.

"(Del Rio's) getting his leg looked at right now," McElwain said after the game. "It doesn't look great."

McElwain said he took the hit on his quarterback personally and said he told Littrell that he didn't think the late hit was intentional during the post-game handshake.

"You know what, I really care about these players," McElwain told reporters. "I care about them in more ways than just as football players. When you see something like that, it's my responsibility when their parents aren't here to be their parents. Each and every guy on this football team knows how much I care for him. I got their back."

Florida's defense dismantled North Texas, accumulating seven sacks and holding the Mean Green to 53 total yards. That's the fewest yards allowed in a game in school history.

Mark Thompson, Jordan Scarlett, Jordan Crockrite and Lamical Perine had rushing touchdowns for the Gators, who are 3-0 heading to Knoxville.

Florida has beaten the Volunteers 11 straight times, including coming from behind in the fourth quarter last year in the Swamp.

"We'll get some guys ready and move forward and get ready to go play next week," McElwain said. "It should really exciting. It's one of those games that I'm sure they've been zeroed in on since last year in the Swamp."

Next week's showdown with the Vols kicks off a four-game, four-week stretch of SEC games for the Gators.

While the defense dominated Saturday, the offense, even when Del Rio was on the field, was far from explosive. Del Rio completed 14 of 25 passes for 186 yards with no touchdowns and one interception before leaving the game. Austin Appleby replaced Del Rio and led two fourth-quarter touchdown drives.

Florida entered the game ranked second in the nation in total defense. Neither of the Gators' first two opponents -- Massachusetts or Kentucky -- eclipsed 200 yards of total offense. The Mean Green didn't even get to 100.

North Texas true freshman quarterback Mason Fine and the Mean Green's young offense looked overmatched from the opening drive. Florida defensive lineman Caleb Brantley sacked Fine for a safety on North Texas' second offensive play.

It was the start of an authoritative first half for the Gators, who led 19-0 at intermission. North Texas managed just 19 offensive yards and three first downs in the first half. Fine completed 6 of 22 passes for 66 yards with an interception.

"I don't think we put our best foot forward on offense," Littrell told the school's website after the game. "The defense had an unbelievable week, and they were a week better. The offense wasn't."

NOTES: Florida WR Antonio Callaway missed the game with a quad injury. ... Florida held North Texas to minus-3 yards of offense in the first quarter. ... Florida DB Marcell Harris returned an interception 25 yards to the North Texas 16-yard line late in the second quarter. But the Gators failed to capitalize, turning the ball over on downs. ... North Texas is in its first season under coach Seth Littrell, who took over a program coming off a 1-11 season.