With the 2010-11 NFL regular season having come to a close, a number of Florida Gators participated in Divisional Round action during the NFL Playoffs. OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the second week of the playoffs.

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Six tackles (four solo, two for loss)
S MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears*: Two tackles (one solo), pass defended
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Two tackles (solo, for loss)
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Reception for four yards
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Solo tackle
RB FRED TAYLOR, New England Patriots: Inactive
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots: Solo tackle
C MAURKICE POUNCEY, Pittsburgh Steelers*: Started and played the entire game

* Team remains active in the playoffs.

REGULAR SEASON: Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17

PLAYOFFS: Wild Card

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Brandon Spikes, Fred Taylor, Gerard Warren, Jermaine Cunningham, Major Wright, Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Peterson, NFL, Playoffs

For as much as the Florida Gators accomplished on the field in 2010 (check out our post tomorrow), the Gator Nation was making plenty of news off of it as well. From former players signing huge contracts to current team members being a part of some of the biggest news stories in sports this year, Florida was spread all over the sports landscape in 2010. Below are OGGOA‘s Top 10 Off the Field Stories of the Year.

10 » FIVE BECOME A PART OF THE GATOR NATION IN THE SKY
It would be difficult to recount everything that Gator Nation has gone through in 2010 without remembering those close to the University of Florida who left us for a better place in the past year. Young and old, these Gators departed too soon and suddenly in all but one case. Lamar Abel (21), a walk-on defensive lineman, suffered cardiac arrest while volunteering at a roadside cleanup event with his fraternity in Gainesville, FL. Former safety John Curtis (24) committed suicide in Bellvue, WA. Hall of fame safety Jarvis Williams (45) passed away after an acute asthma attack. Former Gators basketball player and friend to the program Augie Greiner (76) died in his home. And long-time donor and Bull Gator George Steinbrenner (80), most famously known as the owner of the New York Yankees, passed away in a Tampa, FL, hospital. OGGOA once again sends our deepest condolences to the families and friends of these men.

9 » ERIN ANDREWS GETS JUSTICE, STARS ON TV, RE-SIGNS WITH ESPN

Former Florida dazzler and ESPN reporter Erin Andrews had a much better go of it in 2010. Though her stalker plead guilty to his charges in court in December 2009, she spent a good portion of 2010 making sure he was brought to justice (27-month prison term) while also spreading word across the country that violence against women from sexual predators cannot and should not be tolerated. Simultaneously, Andrews participated in ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and even dropped a few Gator Chomps along the way. She ended up finishing third in the competition but parlayed her talent on the sidelines into an enhanced gig with the Worldwide Leader in Sports. Andrews signed a new two-year deal with ESPN, which included a role hosting the first hour of College GameDay live on ESPNU, appearances on ABC’s Good Morning America and more of a presence on the family of networks. She also spoke with OGGOA on two occasions, first in a wide-ranging interview that received significant publicity and later to share her thoughts on the resignation of head coach Urban Meyer.

Continue Reading » Top 10 for 2010: Off the Field Stories of the Year

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Al Horford, All-Star, Army All-American Bowl, Atlanta Hawks, Augie Greiner, BCS, Brandon James, Brandon Spikes, Buffalo Bills, Carlos Dunlap, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chris Rainey, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, College GameDay, Dallas Cowboys, Dancing with the Stars, David Lee, David Nelson, dazzlers, Denver Broncos, Draft, Emmitt Smith, Eric Rutledge, Erin Andrews, ESPN, FINA, Frankie Hammond, Gary Brown, Gator Chomp, Gator Nation, Gatorade Football Player of the Year, George Steinbrenner, Golden State Warriors, Good Morning America, Gregg Troy, Indianapolis Colts, Jarvis Williams, Jeremy Foley, Jermaine Cunningham, Joakim Noah, Joe Haden, John Curtis, Lamar Abel, Major Wright, Matt Elam, Maurkice Pouncey, Miami Heat, Michael Phelps, Mike Miller, Minnesota Vikings, National High School Player of the Year, NBA, New England Patriots, New York Knicks, New York Yankees, NFC, NFL, Olympics, Pan Pacific Championships, PARADE, Percy Harvin, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pro Bowl, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Ray McDonald, Riley Cooper, Ronald Powell, Rookie of the Year, Ryan Lochte, San Francisco 49ers, SEC, SEC Championship, Sharrif Floyd, Solomon Patton, Steve Addazio, Sugar Bowl, swimming, Texas Longhorns, Tim Tebow, Udonis Haslem, Under Armour All-American Game, University of Florida, USA Swimming Foundation Golden Goggle Awards, USA Swimming National Championships, Will Muschamp, Wondy Pierre-Louis, World Championships, world record

1 » Florida Gators head swimming coach Gregg Troy was named the head coach of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Men’s Swimming Team on Wednesday. Troy, who was named the 2010 Coach of the Year by USA Swimming and earned three similar awards this year, is only the second Florida coach in school history to lead a U.S. Olympic National Team (Jimmy Carnes in track and field). “It’s certainly a tremendous honor any time you have the opportunity to represent your country,” Troy said in an official press release. “If you ask any young swimmer what tier goal is, they’ll all tell you it’s to go to the Olympics. I think coaches are no different. I’m fortunate to have an athletics department at Florida that makes [coaching] available to me, as well as a tremendous coaching staff that I work with here that can help me go forward towards London.”

2 » New England Patriots rookie linebacker Brandon Spikes was suspended four games by the NFL on Friday for violating the league’s performance enhancing drugs policy, according to the Boston Herald. Spikes, who will not appeal the suspension, is a rookie starter for New England who is fourth on the team in tackles with 61. He is expected to be back in time for the first round of the playoffs.

“I’ve been contacted by the NFL and informed that I will be suspended four games for the detection of an illegal substance in a drug test,” Spikes said in a team statement. “The substance was a medication that I should have gotten clarification on before taking. It was not a performance enhancer or an illegal drug. The integrity of the game is very important to me. I understand the league’s ruling and apologize to my teammates, the fans and the Patriots organization for this mistake.”

3 » Also receiving some bad news on Friday was Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin, who has recovered from his other injuries but has been dealing with a severe case of migraine headaches for the last two weeks. Harvin missed last Sunday’s game and is listed as doubtful this week (25 percent chance to play). He has been Minnesota’s most consistent pass catcher this year – with team-highs in yards (627), receptions (51), targets (81) and receiving touchdowns (4) – and is also the primary kickoff returner with 40 attempts for 933 yards and a touchdown.

4 » The Columbus Lions of the Southern Indoor Football League announced the signing of two former Gators – cornerbacks Wondy Pierre-Louis and Markihe Anderson – on Friday. The Lions are defending SIFL champions.

Photo Credit: David Silverman/New England Patriots

Tags: Brandon Spikes, Coach of the Year, Columbus Lions, Gregg Troy, Markihe Anderson, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, NFL, Olympics, Percy Harvin, SIFL, swimming, Wondy Pierre-Louis

With the 2010-11 NFL season still in full swing, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 13 action, some of whom had an impact on their team’s performance.OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the 13th week of the season.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Six tackles (five solo), four passes defended, interception (no return)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES
LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Team-high 10 tackles (five solo)
LB BRANDON SILER, San Diego Chargers: Team-high 12 tackles (nine solo)
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Five solo tackles (one for loss)
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Seven tackles (four solo), interception (five-yard return)

WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Four receptions for 34 yards (long: 28), touchdown
S MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears: Three solo tackles
DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals: Two tackles (one solo), 1.5 sacks
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Solo tackle
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Three tackles (two solo), pass defended, interception (7-yard return)
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: Two rec. for 28 yards (targets: 5, long: 18)
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Two tackles, QB hit
DT JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Three tackles (two solo, two loss), sack
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Minnesota Vikings: Solo tackle
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Three receptions for 51 yards (targets: 5, long: 35), touchdown
RB FRED TAYLOR, New England Patriots: Four rushes for nine yards (long: 6)
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots: Solo tackle
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Two tackles (one solo)
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Two receptions for 36 yards (targets: 4)
FB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1-for-1 for two yards, passing TD

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
C Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers), G Cooper Carlisle (Oakland Raiders) – QB Tim Tebow (Broncos), DE Derrick Harvey (Jaguars), DE Ray McDonald (San Francisco 49ers), QB Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins)

INACTIVES
LB Andra Davis (Bills), LB Channing Crowder (Miami Dolphins), WR Percy Harvin (Vikings), DE Jarvis Moss (Raiders), WR Riley Cooper (Philadelphia Eagles), LT Max Starks (Steelers)

NOTES
- This is Haden’s fourth-straight OGGOA Player of the Week honor; he has nabbed an interception in four consecutive games.
- Siler’s 12 tackles set a career-high.
- Nelson’s touchdown was the first of his professional career.
- Spikes’ interception was the first of his professional career
- Graham’s passing touchdown was the first of his professional career.
- Taylor saw game action for the first time since Week 3.
- KR Brandon James was cut from the Indianapolis Colts this week.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Alex Brown, Andre Caldwell, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, Cooper Carlisle, David Nelson, Earnest Graham, Fred Taylor, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jeremy Mincey, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Lito Sheppard, Louis Murphy, Major Wright, Marcus Thomas, Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Peterson, NFL, Reggie Nelson

With the 2010-11 NFL season still in full swing, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 12 action, some of whom had an impact on their team’s performance.OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the 12th week of the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Six receptions for 58 yards (targets: 7, long: 17)
DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals: Three solo tackles, two sacks
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Three tackles (two solo), pass defended, interception (12-yard return)

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Fumble recovery
S MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears: Six tackles (four solo)
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Fumble on punt return
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Four tackles (three solo)
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: Three rec. for 59 yards (targets: 6, long: 28)
KR BRANDON JAMES, Indianapolis Colts: Two receptions for four yards (targets: 3), nine kickoff returns for 150 yards (long: 24)
DT JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Solo tackle
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: Five receptions for 32 yards, three rushes for 14 yards, four kickoff returns for 78 yards (long: 26)
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Three tackles (two solo)
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Reception for 18 yards
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Three solo tackles, pass defended
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots: Two tackles (one solo)
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Two solo tackles (one for loss)
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Four rec. for 73 yards (targets: 6, long: 29)
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: Reception for 29 yards (targets: 2)
C MAURKICE POUNCEY, Pittsburgh Steelers: Tackle
LB BRANDON SILER, San Diego Chargers:Two tackles (one solo)

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
G Cooper Carlisle (Oakland Raiders) – QB Tim Tebow & DT Marcus Thomas (Broncos), DE Derrick Harvey (Jaguars), Channing Crowder (Miami Dolphins), CB Lito Sheppard (Vikings), RB Fred Taylor (Patriots), DE Ray McDonald (San Francisco 49ers), FB Earnest Graham (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), QB Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins)

INACTIVES
LB Andra Davis (Bills), DE Jarvis Moss (Raiders), LT Max Starks (Steelers)

NOTES
- This is Haden’s third-straight OGGOA Player of the Week honor; he has nabbed an interception in three consecutive games.
- Taylor was activated for the first time since Week 3.
- Wright played his second NFL game and saw success.
- Moss was inactive after joining Oakland late in the week.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Alex Brown, Andre Caldwell, Brandon James, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, David Nelson, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jeremy Mincey, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Louis Murphy, Major Wright, Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Peterson, NFL, Percy Harvin, Reggie Nelson, Riley Cooper

With the 2010-11 NFL season now underway, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 11 action, some of whom had an impact on their team’s performance.OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the 11th week of the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Three solo tackles, three passes defended, interception (27-yard return)
DT JEREMY MINCEY, Jax Jaguars: Three solo tackles, two sacks, two Gator Chomps

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Three solo tackles (one for loss), pass def.
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Target
S MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears: Two tackles (one solo)
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Reception for nine yards, three kickoff returns for 79 yards (long: 32)
DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals: Solo tackle
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Five tackles (three solo), three passes def.
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: Three rec. for 33 yards (targets: 7, long: 18)
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos: Handoff
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Two solo tackles
KR BRANDON JAMES, Indianapolis Colts: Five kickoff returns for 79 yards (long: 26), two punt returns for one yard
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Sack
LB CHANNING CROWDER, Miami Dolphins: Six tackles (five solo)
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: Two receptions for 12 yards (targets: 5, long: 9), two rushes for 18 yards (long: 16), four kickoff returns for 69 yards (long: 25)
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Three tackles (two solo)
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Reception for eight yards, touchdown
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Two solo tackles
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots: Three tackles (one solo)
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Four tackles (three solo, TFL), Gator Chomp
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Three receptions for 25 yards (targets: 6, long: 12), fumble
LB BRANDON SILER, San Diego Chargers: Three tackles (two solo), Gator Chomp
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Tackle
FB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Three carries for 7 yards (long: 3)

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
C Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers), G Cooper Carlisle (Oakland Raiders) – CB Lito Sheppard (Vikings), WR Riley Cooper (Philadelphia Eagles), QB Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins)

INACTIVES
LB Andra Davis (Bills), RB Fred Taylor (Patriots), LT Max Starks (Steelers)

NOTES
- Wright’s action was the first he has seen this season due to injury.
- DE Jarvis Moss was cut by the Broncos this week and was not picked up off waivers.
- After a great special teams sack by Siler, he performed the Gator Chomp – as did teammate and former Colorado CB Donald Strickland.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Alex Brown, Andre Caldwell, Brandon James, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, Channing Crowder, David Nelson, Derrick Harvey, Earnest Graham, Gator Chomp, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jeremy Mincey, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Louis Murphy, Major Wright, Marcus Thomas, Mike Peterson, NFL, Percy Harvin, Ray McDonald, Reggie Nelson, Tim Tebow

With the 2010-11 NFL season now underway, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 10 action, some of whom had an impact on their team’s performance.OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the 10th week of the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Seven solo tackles, two passes def., interception, two kickoff returns for 51 yards (long: 32)
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: Team-high four receptions for 64 yards (targets: 6, long: 53), touchdown; six kick returns for 151 yards (long: 33)
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos: 1-for-1 for three yards, touchdown; two rushes for two yards, touchdown

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Four tackles (two solo)
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: One rush for -2 yards
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Four tackles
DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals: Two solo tackles for loss, sack
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: Three receptions for 57 yards (targets: 10, long: 40), touchdown
DE JARVIS MOSS, Denver Broncos: Two solo tackles
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Two solo tackles, pass defended
KR BRANDON JAMES, Indianapolis Colts: Four receptions for 36 yards (targets: 8, long: 17), two punt returns for five yards
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Solo tackle
DT JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Five solo tackles, QB hit
LB CHANNING CROWDER, Miami Dolphins: Two tackles
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Minnesota Vikings: Two solo tackles
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Two targets, pass defended
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Two tackles (one solo)
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots: Three tackles (one solo), half sack
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: Target
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Two solo tackles (one for loss)

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
C Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers) – WR David Nelson (Buffalo Bills), DE Jermaine Cunningham (Patriots), FB Earnest Graham (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), QB Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins)

BYE WEEK
DE Alex Brown (New Orleans Saints), G Cooper Carlisle, WR Louis Murphy (Oakland Raiders), LB Brandon Siler (San Diego Chargers)

INACTIVES
LB Andra Davis (Bills), S Major Wright (Chicago Bears), RB Fred Taylor (Patriots), LT Max Starks (Steelers)

NOTES
- Tebow recorded his first career NFL passing touchdown…on his first career NFL pass.
- Dunlap recorded his first career NFL sack.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Andre Caldwell, Brandon James, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, Channing Crowder, Derrick Harvey, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jarvis Moss, Jeremy Mincey, Joe Haden, Lito Sheppard, Marcus Thomas, Mike Peterson, NFL, Percy Harvin, Ray McDonald, Reggie Nelson, Riley Cooper, Tim Tebow

Head coach Urban Meyer and a small group of players meet with the media each Monday before the Florida Gators compete in a game the following Saturday. OGGOA has compiled some of the most important notes and quotes from the event this week.

STAFF/PERSONNEL EVALUATIONS

Though Meyer said that, like every year, he will evaluate his staff and team members at the appropriate time (read: end of the season), he also made it a point that there is still plenty of year left and the No. 1 objective at this point is to win games for the seniors as well as the rest of the team. “We’re into solutions, not blame and not excuses,” he said. “We need to get this place back to where we need to get it.”

Asked if he believed offensive coordinator Steve Addazio would be removed from his current position with different responsibilities next year, Meyer said the following: “I don’t think that will happen. I’m not into blame, I’m not into excuses, we’re into solutions. Right now the solution is somehow have a great Tuesday and Wednesday. I know that’s a coach-speak answer, especially around here, but that’s what we do.”

ENERGY VOID AT ISSUE IN GAINESVILLE

All season, through the close wins and losses, Meyer along with his coaching staff and players discussed “execution” as the main issue. Things changed on Monday with everyone talking about a lack of energy on a game-to-game basis. “I don’t see an offense full of life. I don’t see a lot of energy,” Meyer said. “That’s one thing as a head coach that concerns me. That’s all personnel based and success based. [...] We’re a staff that believes energy equals production.”

“We have energy givers on the team, but it’s a collective effort,” senior center Mike Pouncey added later. “When you have one or two guys giving energy on the field, it turns out like that. [...] [Our team has] guys that just drift away during the course of a game.”

BRANTLEY IS THE QUARTERBACK AT FLORIDA

Contrary to what many may think hope, redshirt junior quarterback John Brantley will remain the Gators’ signal caller now and for the foreseeable future. “He’ll start at quarterback for Florida this weekend,” Meyer said. “We have to do a better job in a lot of areas and to say it’s all our quarterback – that’s not fair – and that won’t be said. Obviously our team wouldn’t say that. [...] We have to raise the level of play around him.”

Though the roles of freshman QB Trey Burton and redshirt freshman tight end Jordan Reed behind center will expand, Brantley is the starter and will likely remain that way through 2011. He has not raised any issue with being replaced for option plays, and that is likely what will continue happening the rest of his time in the orange and blue.

MEYER PANICKED EARLY ON SATURDAY

Meyer also put the onus on himself for how the team performed once it was down 15-7 to the South Carolina Gamecocks. He said that – as he tends to do – he panicked and that resonated throughout the entire team. Instead, Meyer believes they should have stuck to the offensive game plan (using three QBs, hurry-up offense) rather than putting the ball mostly in Brantley’s hands with the thought that the team had to throw to get out from behind a deficit.

Because the team did not get into a rhythm, Meyer said the up-tempo was ineffective. The team could not gain any yardage on first down – leading to too many 3rd down and longs – and it went away from utilizing Burton simply because he was shut down early by South Carolina’s run defense.

QUOTES (After the break…)
Continue Reading » 11/15: Urban Meyer’s Monday press conference

Tags: Ahmad Black, Brandon Spikes, Dominique Easley, John Brantley, Jordan Reed, Major Wright, Mike Pouncey, NFL, Ryan Smith, Ryan Stamper, South Carolina Gamecocks, Steve Addazio, Trey Burton, University of Florida, Urban Meyer