Florida Gators 2010 Orange & Blue Debut Preview

By Adam Silverstein
April 9, 2010

Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium – Gainesville, FL [Capacity: 88,548]
Time: 1:00 p.m. (EST)
Weather Forecast: 72°F, Sunny

Live Online Coverage: OGGOA
Live TV: N/A, all replays on Sun Sports
Replays: 04/11 (9 a.m.), 04/18 (9 a.m.), 04/21 (3 p.m.), 04/27 (11 p.m.), 05/02 (9 a.m.)
Live Online Video: GatorVision ($9.95 per month)
Live Radio: Gator Radio Network | Sirius 216 | XM 199 | Yahoo!
Spring Roster: GatorZone

ATTENDANCE INFORMATION:
» Free admission for University of Florida students (with IDs), Gator Boosters, F Club Letterwinners and Alumni Association members with membership cards.
» $5 general admission: Online | Gator Ticket Office

ORANGE & BLUE DEBUT GAME FORMAT:
» Time: Four 10-minute quarters, running clock in the second half.
» Blue: First-team offense, second-team defense, driving to south end zone
» Orange: Second-team offense, first-team defense, driving to north end zone
» Colors: Offense always wears blue, defense always wears white
» Kickoffs: None, drives start at the 35-yard line after a score
» Punts: Yes, but all are fair caught by returners

All of your 2010 Orange & Blue Debut notes and more…after the break!

ORANGE & BLUE DEBUT NOTES:
» Florida enters the spring’s main scrimmage with half of its starters returning from the 2009 team including (among others) four of five offensive linemen.
» Four new coaches – including defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni, running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Stan Drayton and linebackers and special teams coach D.J. Durkin – debut for the Gators on Saturday.
» The following members of the 2010 recruiting class are early enrollees who will likely see some action Saturday: safeties Matt Elam and Jordan Haden, cornerbacks Joshua Shaw and Jaylen Watkins, wide receivers Solomon Patton and Robert Clark, tight end Gerald Christian, quarterback Trey Burton, offensive lineman Ian Silberman, defensive tackle Leon Orr and defensive end/linebacker Neiron Ball.
» Many of Florida’s other 2010 commitments will be in attendance at the game.
» Three Gators student-athletes officially changed their respective positions for the 2010 season: senior Mike Pouncey moved from guard to center, redshirt junior Chris Rainey switched from running back to wide receiver and redshirt freshman Jordan Reed dropped quarterback for tight end.
» Returning letterwiners/starters: offense – 21, defense – 19, specialists – 2 (total 42).

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
OFFENSE
» Quarterbacks: Redshirt junior John Brantley will be the main signal caller while freshman Trey Burton heads up the second team and redshirt freshman Jordan Reed takes some snaps in the Wildcat (or single-wing) formation. Reed and punter Chas Henry may also work from behind center for emergency purposes.
» Running backs: Redshirt senior Emmanuel Moody (ankle, quad) likely won’t see much time, while junior Jeff Demps (outdoor track season) will not play at all. Expect to see plenty of sophomore Mike Gillislee who impressed in last year’s game.
» Wide receivers: Redshirt juniors Chris Rainey (various injuries) and Deonte Thompson probably will not see much work. Redshirt freshman Andre Debose is a question mark but (we believe) will not risk playing for fear of aggravating his healing hamstring. Redshirt senior Carl Moore and redshirt sophomore Omarius Hines will likely be competing heavily, while redshirt sophomore Frankie Hammond, Jr. will also see extensive action. Redshirt freshman Stephen Alli and freshman Solomon Patton have both missed the last few spring practices and may or may not see the field.
» Tight ends: Look for Reed and Christian to impress.
» Offensive line: The majority of the team’s starters will remain out (just as they have the rest of the spring), but sophomore Xavier Nixon will likely anchor Brantley’s team. Redshirt freshman Nick Alajajian will get plenty of time at center and redshirt senior Maurice Hurt, redshirt junior James Wilson, redshirt freshman Jon Halapio and Silberman are four players to keep in your sights.

DEFENSE
» Cornerbacks: The starting job opposite junior Janoris Jenkins (who won’t play much) is up for grabs; senior Moses Jenkins and redshirt sophomore Jeremy Brown will be competing for the spot. Redshirt sophomore Adrian Bushell likely won’t play due to missing too much practice time. Watkins and Shaw will get extensive work – both have been impressive in practice (especially Watkins).
» Safeties: Do not expect senior Ahmad Black and junior Will Hill to see much time on the field. Elam may play the entire time in order to experience a full game and get himself ready for the upcoming season in which he is slated to start in the nickel package.
» Linebackers: Redshirt senior A.J. Jones will likely be out; redshirt freshman Jelani Jenkins will certainly draw your attention in the middle.
» Defensive line: Senior Duke Lemmens and junior William Green will be competing for the starting job opposite senior Justin Trattou (who won’t see much time)…at least until the rest of the freshman join the team in the summer.

5 Comments

  1. Lookin’ good. Best of luck to Middleton HS alumi, A.J. Jones. Tampa representative!

  2. Denver Gator says:

    Does anyone have any feedback on the online Gator Vision option? I am out in the barrens of college football and wanted to see if it was worth it. Willing to pay the 10 dollars for a decent level of quality.

  3. liveoak87 says:

    I want to go to the game, am i able to purchase tickets at the gate or do i need to buy in advance?

  4. Alan says:

    Great line up for the debut game. I’m sure that the game is worth the watch.

Join The
Discussion

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top
WordPress Appliance - Powered by TurnKey Linux