Florida QB Tyler Murphy a game-time decision; Skyler Mornhinweg likely to start Saturday

By Adam Silverstein
November 14, 2013

Florida Gators redshirt junior quarterback Tyler Murphy, who has been dealing with but playing through a shoulder injury he suffered on Oct. 12 at LSU, is not in line to start Saturday on the road against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Head coach Will Muschamp said Thursday on his weekly Gator Hotline radio show that redshirt freshman Skyler Mornhinweg has practiced with the first team all week and is set to start barring Murphy suddenly feeling a whole lot better.

“Well, Skyler’s taken most of the reps all week. Tyler could be a game-time decision depending if he continues to loosen up through the week. He hasn’t taken any reps at all this week, to be honest with you,” Muschamp explained.

“Skyler’s looked good and we feel good about him moving forward and being ready to go. That’s the way it’s looking right now.”

He added that Murphy’s status is “not totally certain yet,” and he could lead the Gators if he suddenly feels much more comfortable during the team’s walk-through on Friday.

“We rep a script of about 30 plays on offense, 30 plays on defense. We’ll see what Tyler can do in those situations, but Skyler has had a good week of practice.”


Offensive coordinator Brent Pease on Tuesday revealed that Mornhinweg nearly got his first career start the week after LSU when Florida faced Missouri on the road.

“We were in [this situation] a couple of weeks ago when Skyler was taking all the reps going into the Missouri game,” he said. “He’s ready to go. The thing that’s tough on a kid in his situation is just experience.

“You hope you never really have to play with a redshirt freshman, and nothing against him, because he’s a smart kid, he works hard. In a developmental situation, you hope you get into your sophomore or junior year before you get into that situation whether you’re competing for the job or in a back-up role ready to play.”

Should Murphy be ruled out of action and Mornhinweg start on Saturday, redshirt junior walk-on Christian Provancha would serve as the Gators’ back-up quarterback.

Mornhinweg, a three-star prospect who committed to UF just one week before National Signing Day in 2012, is the son of current New York Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who has spent the last 19 years coaching in the NFL.

Photo Credit: Mark Zerof/USA Today

15 Comments

  1. Keith says:

    Gotta think Clowney is licking his chops right now. Could break out with a 5 sack performance.

  2. TST says:

    i wish the kid all the luck . But ! It don’t look good .

  3. Ankur says:

    I like the optimism Frank, I hope you’re right.

  4. Sharon M. says:

    There is no way the Gators are going to win this game.

    Will be more fun to watch the SC offense than the Gators.

    Realistic Gator fan

  5. Skyler says:

    We’ve got our 4th and 5th starting tackles blocking for a QB taking his first snap on the road with no supporting cast whatsoever. No one is looking forward to this weekend more than Clowney

  6. gatorboi352 says:

    If Skyler gets the start, I expect no more than 9 pass attempts for the game. #Pease #Muschamp

  7. aziatic41 says:

    This will be ugly. Murphy is a smart kid and knows the season is practically over. So why risk getting killed another Saturday. He knows SC has one of the best d-lines in country and they will be fired up and ready for revenge after losing badly to us last year.

    Spurrier will have our defense on its heels all game long with his playcalling.

    We will not be able to stop Mike Davis.

    Our offense will be non-existent like it has all year.

    SC wins 24-3.

  8. Aligator says:

    on the bright side,at least our backups will have a bunch of experience next year.

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