Gators to face Leonard Fournette with most of their defensive front injured or out

By Adam Silverstein
October 3, 2016
Gators to face Leonard Fournette with most of their defensive front injured or out
Football

Image Credit: ESPNI

LSU star running back Leonard Fournette has dominated great Florida Gators defenses to the tune of 320 yards and four touchdowns over the last two seasons. So what is he going to do this week?

During his weekly press conference on Monday, Florida head football coach Jim McElwain announced that most of the Gators’ defensive front — five of the seven starters who began the year atop the depth chart — is either injured or out for Saturday’s game against the Tigers.

Let’s start with the guys definitely missing the game. Senior defensive tackle Joey Ivie (thumb) will be joined as “out” for the contest by redshirt junior defensive end Jordan Sherit, who injured his left knee and will have it scoped, costing him a couple of games.

Redshirt junior DT Caleb Brantley (illness, hand) is now questionable at best with McElwain saying he does not know whether Brantley will play in the game. Furthermore, redshirt senior DE Bryan Cox. Jr. will be limited with an undisclosed injury, and senior lienbacker Alex Anzalone will be playing with a splint on his hand.

The Gators will get senior LB Daniel McMillian (ankle) back this week but that is hardly massive news as Florida plays so much nickel. Still, his presence will be helpful if and when the Gators stack the box in an attempt to stop Fournette. Sophomore DL CeCe Jefferson, who rotates both inside and on the edge, is healthy for the game, as is senior LB Jarrad Davis.

It should also be noted that Fournette himself is banged up entering the game as he’s been dealing with a nagging ankle injured. Even if he does not play — though he’s expected to return vs. Florida — LSU would turn to Derrius Guice, who averaged 9.6 yards per carry while racking up 184 yards and there touchdowns on 18 total touches against Missouri last Saturday.

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