1 » Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Detroit Lions, former Florida Gators linebacker Ryan Stamper was forced to leave the team due to concerns about his injured back. After working out in Detroit on July 27, Stamper was expected to sign a contract with the Lions, but he left without a deal in place. On Saturday, Detroit middle linebacker Jordon Dizon suffered a likely season-ending knee injury, leaving an open spot on at least the practice roster that could very well be filled by Stamper.

2 » With their 2010 season set to begin on Friday at home against the Miami Hurricanes, No. 11 Florida soccer participated in an exhibition match Saturday, defeating Alabama-Birmingham 3-0. Senior defender Nicky Kit (19’), sophomore midfielder/forward Erika Tymrak (23’) and sophomore MF Holly King connected for the Gators’ three goals. Florida’s game against Miami will air live on Sun Sports at 7 p.m. It is the first game of the University of Florida’s 2010-11 athletic season.

Tags: Detriot Lions, Erika Tymrak, Holly King, Jordon Dizon, Miami Hurricanes, NFL, Nicky Kit, Ryan Stamper, soccer, University of Florida

1 » After two years of sitting and waiting while his back healed and pain subsided – “I’ve had a million procedures done, but we’ve got it taken care of…” – Florida Gators redshirt sophomore cornerback Jeremy Brown is ready to claim the spot across the field from junior CB Janoris Jenkins. And while he is feeling better than ever, Brown still remains cautious. “I’d be lying if I said mentally I’m just ready,” Brown told the Miami Herald. “There are certain things I second-guess, like should I really just … throw myself in there? In the back of my head I’m just thinking, ‘Man, this might be my back again.’ […] I’ve been away from the game for so long, I just want to play and help out. I spent two years not playing at all, not even practicing. The opportunity to go out there and contribute just brightens my day.”

Five more BITS on Percy Harvin, Lito Sheppard, Gators soccer, baseball commitments and Ean McQuay…after the break!
Continue Reading » SIX BITS: Brown, Harvin, Sheppard, soccer

Tags: All-SEC, Asher Allen, Ashlee Elliott, Brad Childress, Cedric Griffin, Conor O’Brien, Ean McQuay, Erika Tymrak, Janoris Jenkins, Jeremy Brown, Kathryn Williamson, Katie Fraine, Lance McCullers, Lindsay Thompson, Lito Sheppard, Minnesota Vikings, NCAA, NFL, NSCAA, Percy Harvin, SEC, SEC Championship, soccer, University of Florida

1 » The University of Florida is considered one of the best football traveling schools in the country. However, you would never know that if you looked at the ticket sales for the upcoming 2010 Sugar Bowl against the No. 4 Cincinnati Bearcats. Out of the No. 5 Florida Gators’ 17,500 allotted tickets, the team still has almost 5,000 remaining. In fact, the University Athletic Association usually only allows boosters and students to order tickets, but they opened it up to alumni and regular fans via Ticketmaster almost two weeks ago. Should fans wish to attend, they can choose to sit in the Gators section.

2 » Getting ready for a trip to Sunrise, FL, for the 2009 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, the No. 13/13 Florida basketball team (8-1) is dealing with a rash of injuries. Junior forward Chandler Parsons (torn leg muscle), sophomore F/C Kenny Kadji (back spasms) and freshman F Erik Murphy (shoulder) are all missing practice while sophomore guard Ray Shipman (foot) just recently returned to action. “We’re about at a point where we’re playing 3-on-3 in practice,” head coach Billy Donovan said. “You’ve got 10 guys and you’re down to six right now, so that makes it challenging, especially with exams going on.”

3 » The Gators football team keeps racking up honors as six players were named to the Sporting News All-SEC Team on Thursday. On offense, senior quarterback Tim Tebow, junior tight end Aaron Hernandez and junior center Maurkice Pouncey all received the nominations; senior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes, junior cornerback Joe Haden and junior defensive end Carlos Dunlap represented the defense. Haden was also named the 2009 Defensive MVP by the publication.

4 » Speaking of honors, soccer’s Erika Tymrak was named to the 2009 Soccer America All-Freshman team as a second team selection. She has already been listed on the NSCAA All-South Region second team and SEC All-Freshman team.

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, All-SEC, Billy Donovan, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, Chandler Parsons, Cincinnati Bearcats, Erik Murphy, Erika Tymrak, Joe Haden, Kenny Kadji, Maurkice Pouncey, Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, Ray Shipman, soccer, Sugar Bowl, Tim Tebow, UAA, University of Florida

Florida Gators senior All-American Lauren Hyde has been named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year. One of six Florida soccer players to earn honors Tuesday, Hyde is the first Gator to win the award since the SEC began handing it out in 2004. She was also named to the All-SEC first team along with junior goalkeeper Katie Fraine; sophomore forward/midfielder Lindsay Thompson earned an All-SEC second team selection. The Gators also placed three players on the SEC All-Freshman team – F/MF Brooke Thigpen, MF Erika Tymrak and D Kathryn Williamson. Florida led the SEC in freshman selections for the second consecutive year.

The Gators (14-4-2, 8-1-2 SEC) have earned the top seed in the SEC Championship Tournament and will face the defending champion No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers (8-8-3, 4-5-2 SEC) on Wednesday, Nov. 4 in Orange Beach, AL. Meeting earlier this season in Knoxville, TN, Florida and Tennessee tied 2-2 after two overtimes.

Tags: Brooke Thigpen, Erika Tymrak, Kathryn Williamson, Katie Fraine, Lauren Hyde, Lindsay Thompson, SEC, soccer, Tennessee Volunteers