The No. 1 Florida Gators averaged 28 points per game against Southeastern Conference regular season opponents in 2009, yet one of the hottest topics surrounding the team going into its final few games is its offensive struggles and need to open up the playbook. Much has been made of the drop-off in scoring (UF averaged 45 PPG in the same eight games in 2008), and critics are mostly attributing it to the playcalling and preparation provided by offensive coordinator Steve Addazio (compared to that of Dan Mullen) as well as the loss of wide receivers Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy to the NFL. Couple that with Tebow’s struggles and inconsistency from the offensive line, and you have the crux of the issue at hand.

News coming out of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Sunday night divulged that Rebels’ head coach Mike Sanford had been fired from his post. Compiling just a 15-43 record in his five seasons with the team, Sanford was initially considered a major coup for the program after serving as Urban Meyer‘s offensive coordinator for two years with the Utah Utes. During his time at Utah with Meyer, Sanford’s offense averaged 43.3 points per game, made quarterback Alex Smith a Heisman Trophy finalist (and eventual No. 1 overall pick) and led the team to a 21-2 overall record including a BCS Tostitos Fiesta Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers.

More on Sanford’s firing and a potential reunion with Meyer after the jump…
Continue Reading » Could Sanford be in, Addazio one-and-done?

Tags: Alex Smith, Billy Gonzales, Dan Mullen, Heisman Trophy, Louis Murphy, Mike Sanford, Percy Harvin, SEC, Steve Addazio, UNLV Rebels, Urban Meyer, Utah Utes

1 » Florida Gators basketball received an official visit from five-star point guard recruit Brandon Knight (Fort Lauderdale, FL) on Sunday. He and four-star forward commitment Patric Young (Jacksonville, FL) watched the Gators defeat the Stetson Hatters 74-46. A source close to Knight told the Orlando Sentinel that “Florida made a good impression” on him during the visit. “This is my first time seeing the campus,” Knight told the Gainesville Sun. “I’m really impressed with the facilities and what they can do to help me improve as a player.” Gators fans tried to make an impression on him, too, chanting “Bran-don Knight” often during timeouts. Also in attendance was Orlando Magic point guard Jason Williams, who often travels to visit head coach Billy Donovan and watch the Gators play.

2 » One of the top wide receiver recruits in the nation, Chris Dunkley (Pahokee, FL) is taking his sweet time in making a decision. There is nothing wrong with that, especially when you are getting offers from all over the country including almost all of the top programs. Nevertheless, Dunkley reaffirmed to Gator Country that the Gators remain in the lead, even after he visited the Alabama Crimson Tide two weeks ago. Dunkley has plenty of time, but there is no doubt that Florida coaches are growing anxious to lock-up a four-star WR who could very well earn his fifth before all is said and done this season.

In other recruiting news: Men’s golfer Payne Denman (Riverwatch, TN) signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Gators beginning in 2010. “We think Payne will be a terrific asset to our program,” head coach Buddy Alexander said. “He has a great looking swing and has had an enormous amount of success. He fits the mold of what we are looking for to a tee.” Nice pun, coach. Denman is ranked 12th in the 2010 recruiting class and has won back-to-back high school state titles.

Tags: Billy Donovan, Billy Gonzales, Brandon Knight, Chris Dunkley, golf, Jason Williams, NBA, Orlando Magic, Patric Young, Payne Denman

Senior quarterback Tim Tebow admittedly (I am assuming, considering he has decided not to speak to the press) had the worst passing performance of his Florida Gators career Saturday in Starkville, MS. Completing only 12 of 27 passes for 127 yards and throwing two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns by the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Tebow was limited all game long.

In fact, it was only the second time in his career as a starter that he did not throw a touchdown pass; it was also the second time in his career that he threw two interceptions in a game. Tebow’s frustrations are understandable and are being duly noted by his coaches and teammates.

“[Tim’s] very frustrated,” head coach Urban Meyer said. “He’s used to playing at a certain level. A lot of guys are frustrated.” Tebow’s frustrations are justified – he is supposed to be (and is) the best player in the country and played like anything but.

More after the jump…
Continue Reading » Where Tebow goes from here is up to him

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Billy Gonzales, Georgia Bulldogs, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Riley Cooper, Steve Addazio, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer, World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party

Each week following a Florida Gators game, ONLY GATORS Get Out Alive will grade the team position-by-position based on each unit’s performance. This week, we look at how the Gators fared against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

QUARTERBACK: C
Earning a “B” grade last week for his tenacity and leadership on the game-winning drive, Tim Tebow was lucky that his two fumbles did not lead to worse results. This week, I cannot be as lax. Whether it is partially the fault of his receivers not getting open or even the bad play calling, Tebow must rise above any deficiencies and take matters into his own hands. What we saw this week was a Tebow who looked tentative to tuck and run, consistently made bad decisions and threw two interceptions for touchdowns (even if one was on a tipped ball). Since Tebow took over as the starter, there have only been two games in his entire career he did not pass for a touchdown. Both times were this season – against the Tennessee Volunteers and Saturday night. The Gators won and Tebow is the leader, but his refusal to speak to the press following the game should tell you how poorly even he felt he played.

RUNNING BACKS: A
Everyone who touched the ball including Chris Rainey, Emmanuel Moody and Brandon James played great on the ground. (Jeff Demps struggled but also only got five carries before injuring his neck.) Rainey took 12 carries for 92 yards, Moody added 32 yards on five runs and James added 28 yards on two of his own. The only thing you could ask from this unit would be to get Moody the ball more – but that is not the players’ choice. Superb effort all-around.

Continue Reading » Grading the Florida at Mississippi State game

Tags: A.J. Jones, Aaron Hernandez, Arkansas Razorbacks, Billy Gonzales, Brandon James, Brandon Spikes, Caleb Sturgis, Carlos Dunlap, Charlie Strong, Chas Henry, Chris Rainey, Dan Mullen, David Nelson, Deonte Thompson, Dustin Doe, Emmanuel Moody, Frankie Hammond, grading, Janoris Jenkins, Jeff Demps, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Major Wright, Mississippi State Bulldogs, NFL, Riley Cooper, Steve Addazio, Tyson Lee, Urban Meyer