1 » Advancing to the 2010 NCAA Tournament semifinals for the 20th time in the last 24 years, the No. 3 Florida Gators women’s tennis team (28-2) swept the No. 11 Miami Hurricanes (20-6) 4-0 on Saturday at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, GA. The No. 5 doubles pair of senior Marrit Boonstra and freshman Allie Will defeated the No. 6 Miami pairing 7-6 DNF; both No. 65 Boonstra and No. 8 Will also won their singles matches. No. 9 freshman Lauren Embree was impressive in her victory over No. 7 Laura Vallverdu, winning in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. Florida will face no. 2 North Carolina (30-4) on Monday at 1 p.m. for a chance to advance to the championship game.

2 » As if the media’s obsession with Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Tim Tebow had not previously reached a peak – it has now. ESPN.com has just unveiled a “Tim Tebow Tracker” for its unique Tebow Watch page. It is not yet filled with much content (mostly things you have read elsewhere – cough, cough), but as the offseason progresses it should get filled up quite nicely. You can check it out by clicking here.

Four more BITS on the SEC commissioner’s contract, a honor for Emmitt Smith, golf advancing and baseball losing its regular season finale…after the jump!
Continue Reading » SIX BITS: W-tennis advances, Tebow’s tracker, Slive’s contract, Emmitt’s homecoming

Tags: Allie Will, baseball, Buddy Alexander, Denver Broncos, Emmitt Smith, ESPN, golf, Homecoming, Lauren Embree, Lee Todd, Marrit Boonstra, Miami Hurricanes, Mike Slive, NCAA, NCAA Championship, NCAA Tournament, NFL, SEC, SEC Championship, SEC Tournament, South Carolina Gamecocks, tennis, Tim Tebow

1 » Former Florida Gators linebacker Mike Peterson – now a veteran with the Atlanta Falcons, has taken on the roll of mentor with the team’s first-round choice in the 2010 NFL Draft, Sean Weatherspoon. Now 34, Peterson had a solid 2009-10 season (140 tackles) and hopes to continue to help both on the field and in the locker room. “I understand the business,” he said. “I want to help the team out. That’s what I’m all about. I didn’t come here to try and play 2,000 plays. I came here to try to win the Super Bowl. Whatever my role will be, I’m ready for it.”

2 » The Denver Post is apparently the “Kyle Orton needs to get out of here on way or another” angle now that former Gators quarterback Tim Tebow has joined the Denver Broncos. Columnist Woody Paige insists the team needs to pull the trigger on a trade involving Orton because he is “not a short-term fix or a long-range fit for the Broncos,” noting that he is “an average quarterback who couldn’t start for 21 other teams in the league.” Better to see what they have in former Notre Dame star Brady Quinn and first-round pick Tebow, Page believes. Paper-mate mark Kiszla takes a similar angle on the topic, noting that Orton needs to get himself out of Denver as fast as possible. “[He] would have rocks for brains to start another game as quarterback of the Broncos,” Kiszla wrote. “He would be playing the fool for Denver coach Josh McDaniels. If Orton owns a penny’s worth of common sense, he has already quietly, politely and firmly asked for a trade to grant his freedom.”

3 » EA Sports’ NCAA Football 11, which will feature Tebow as its cover athlete, is undergoing more changes than just deciding to use one former player on its cover instead of many. According to Jon Robinson of ESPN, the gaming company has decided to further embed ESPN branding into the game, letting each contest play like it is a live network broadcast. Read more about some of the game’s brand new features.

4 » Speaking of ESPN, the worldwide leader has decided to create a bracket system in order to devise which college program has been the best pipeline for the NFL over the last 30 years. Not surprisingly, No. 13-seed Florida lost its opening-round match-up. Unfortunately for some fans, it was to the No. 4-seed Florida State Seminoles. Though writer Matt Williamson noted that the recent influx of Gators gives the team a chance to claim the title in the future, the past’s top five notable players (Derrick Brooks, Deion Sanders, Walter Jones, Rohn Stark, LeRoy Butler VS. Emmitt Smith, Lomas Brown, Cris Collinsworth, Wilber Marshall, Neal Anderson) allows FSU to earn the edge. Check out the entire head-to-head match-up at the link above including summaries by Heather Dinich and Mark Schlabach.

Photo Credit: Jon Robinson/ESPN

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Brady Quinn, Cris Collinsworth, Denver Broncos, Draft, EA Sports, Emmitt Smith, ESPN, Florida State Seminoles, Josh McDaniels, Kyle Orton, Lomas Brown, Mike Peterson, NCAA Football 11, Neal Anderson, NFL, Sean Weatherspoon, Tim Tebow, Wilber Marshall

1 » Former Florida Gators wide receiver Riley Cooper spent his entire Tuesday at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, CT, doing a number of interviews in preparation for the 2010 NFL Draft beginning on April 22. Cooper, who doesn’t mind “getting my hands a little dirty,” spoke at length about a number of topics; he also answered questions about the stigma associated with Florida pass catchers. “You’re judged [in the NFL] on what you do, not somebody else, and I’m sure it’s a case-by-case basis,” Cooper said. “But what those two guys achieved as rookies [in 2009] … it sure can’t hurt.” For video of one of Cooper’s interviews and a story focusing on his NFL future, click here.

2 » When he announced his decision to come out early, safety Major Wright was met with some heavy criticism from Gators fans. Now just a day or two away from being drafted, Wright’s choice looks like it will pay off as he is expected to go as early as the second round according to some scouts. No matter who drafts him, Wright promises that team will get a high return on investment. “The team that drafts me definitely will be getting a leader on and off the field,” he told The Tampa Tribune. “They are definitely getting a person who is going to be very physical, a person who communicates a lot, and is very smart. I’ll play within the defense and help the team out by all means, special teams, scout team, however they need to be helped.”

Tags: Draft, ESPN, Major Wright, NFL, Riley Cooper

ESPN announced last week that former Florida Gators cornerback Joe Haden was selected as one of 12 college football players who will be featured on segments from the network’s three-time Emmy Award-winning program Sport Science during its coverage of the 2010 NFL Draft.

The show, hosted by John Brenkus, “brings the world’s top professional athletes together with cutting-edge technology in state-of-the-art scientific facilities to test the limits of human athletic abilities. At the same time, the series challenges popular assumptions about athletes and sports,” according to ESPN.

OGGOA has come across video of the segment the show taped with Haden as well as one previously unannounced featuring quarterback Tim Tebow.

VIDEOS: Joe Haden | Tim Tebow

EXTRA VIDEO: Wide receiver Riley Cooper on ESPN‘s First Take

Haden’s segment explores his range and body control, while Tebow’s (of course) looks at his brand new throwing motion and how it has changed.

All 12 special segments will air throughout the network’s coverage of the NFL Draft from April 22-24. Other big names who will be featured include Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and South Florida defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.

Tags: Draft, ESPN, Jason Pierre-Paul, Joe Haden, Ndamukong Suh, NFL, Riley Cooper, Sport Science, Tim Tebow

1 » Former Florida Gators cornerback Joe Haden has been announced as one of 12 players selected to be featured on ESPN‘s three-time Emmy Award-winning program Sport Science. All 12 special segments will air throughout the network’s coverage of the 2010 NFL Draft from April 22-24. Other big names who will be featured include Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and South Florida defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.

2 » Palm Beach Autographs will host another University of Florida-themed signing session this weekend in Jacksonville, FL. Featured at the event will be Haden; center Maurkice Pouncey; wide receivers Riley Cooper, David Nelson and Brandon James; linebackers Brandon Spikes, Dustin Doe and Ryan Stamper; and cornerback Wondy Pierre-Louis. Autograph prices range from $10-$50, or you can buy a combo package for $145. For more information, check out their Web site.

Two more BITS on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ interest in Tim Tebow, a new NCAA eye black rule and an honor for A.J. Jones…after the break!
Continue Reading » FOUR BITS: Haden, Tebow, eye black rule, Jones

Tags: A.J. Jones, Brandon James, Brandon Spikes, David Nelson, Draft, Dustin Doe, ESPN, Gene Smith, Jacksonville Jaguars, Joe Haden, John Brantley, Lott Trophy, Maurkice Pouncey, NCAA, NFL, Riley Cooper, Ryan Stamper, Sport Science, Tim Tebow, University of Florida, Wondy Pierre-Louis

In a feature on Sports Illustrated Monday, Jimmy Traina spoke with ESPN sideline reporter and former Florida Gators dazzler Erin Andrews about her time on Dancing with the Stars, recent death threats she has received and a variety of other issues. Portions of his interview pertaining specifically to her personal issues and sports career can be found below, but you can read the entire thing on SI.com.

SI.com: How are you doing in light of the recent death threats against you?
Andrews: The past week was a really hard week. I’m not going to lie and say that it didn’t bring everything back that I had to deal with last summer. Granted, this was to a different level, but it brought back a lot of different emotions that I was trying to get past. But it just puts me back in the spotlight and makes me an example of how stalking is for real and it needs to be taken seriously, and I think it forces me even more to say to myself, “OK, how am I going to use this platform, how can I show women they have to be smart about their safety and protection?” But it’s been a difficult week.

SI.com: Your contract with ESPN is up soon. What’s the latest with that?
Andrews: My agent is handling all that. We’re in talks, trying to figure some stuff out. I miss sports a lot right now. I feel like I don’t know what’s going on and it kills me. And [ESPN colleagues] Chris Fowler, Craig James and Jesse Palmer are going to be in the audience this Monday, and I’m so excited to see them and get some sports in my life.

SI.com: So there are no plans to do something other than ESPN?
Andrews: Oh, God, no. I’m not even thinking about that right now. Before I know it, it’s going to be time for college football. There is, in the back of my mind, something I’d like to do with female safety and crimes against women, so maybe that’s something I can do in addition to ESPN. But you know me, I’m obsessed with sports. I miss it a lot right now. I feel like I was cheated out of March Madness because I didn’t get to see any of it. I was walking up and down the press line last Monday asking, “Does anyone have a Duke score?” Nobody knew what I was talking about. This is such a different world for me.

SI.com: How has being in sports affected you on DWTS?
Andrews: There’s a lot from sports that’s has rubbed off on me. I really wanted Maks as a partner because he reminded me of Urban Meyer and Nick Saban — your no-nonsense kind of coach. I wanted someone who wasn’t going take any of my bull. I hurt my back this week. It really, really hurt, but I wasn’t going to tell the doctors about it because I love athletes who tough it out. So, I didn’t want to go to the doctor, but Maks called production and said, “I need to get her a doctor because I need her back to be OK.” And I was like, “No, no, just tell me I’m good to go.” And I still think of this as a game. I always ask, “When are we getting to the stadium?” And people here are like, “Do you mean the studio?”

Tags: Dancing with the Stars, dazzlers, Erin Andrews, ESPN, Urban Meyer

OGGOA was doing our normal catch-up of the day’s events on ESPN‘s SportsCenter Thursday when we heard anchor Scott Van Pelt clearly drop an F-bomb as the program was going to a commercial break. An iPhone video recording and a few e-mails later and some of our good friends were kind enough to post our clip on their respective sites.

It has been a tough week for Van Pelt, especially after notorious Howard Stern prank caller Captain Janks fooled him by acting as former Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook during a live on-air interview. Anyway…enjoy.

Van Pelt, of course, apologized. Because heaven forbid the FCC not hear an apology for a simple technical mistake and/or profane slip-up. “Earlier in the program, as we were heading to a break, my microphone was still open and I uttered a profanity,” he said. “And for that I apologize for anyone I might have offended.”

Tags: ESPN, Scott Van Pelt, SportsCenter

Senior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes ran an interception back 41 yards for a touchdown, senior quarterback Tim Tebow took off on a career-long 55-yard touchdown run and there was still 9:18 left in the first quarter. That was how Saturday started for the No. 1 Florida Gators (11-0, 8-0 SEC), who defeated the Florida International Golden Panthers (3-8, 3-4 Sunbelt) 62-3 in a game that was a showcase for the Gators’ record-breaking senior class and lengthened the longest winning streak in school history and currently in the nation to 21 consecutive victories.

Running onto Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the second-to-last time in their Florida careers, the group ended the game as the winningest all-time Southeastern Conference senior class with a record of 46-5. Tebow would take seven caries for 102 total yards on the ground while accounting for 215 more with two touchdowns through the air on 17-for-25 passing. It was the fifth time in his career that Tebow rushed for more than 100 yards. Redshirt sophomore QB John Brantley took over for Tebow early in the third quarter, compiling 146 yards passing and three touchdowns as well as 23 yards on three carries.

Redshirt sophomore running back Chris Rainey had a monster game of his own, carrying four times for 30 yards and a touchdown while also reeling in three receptions for 61 yards and a score. Both of Rainey’s touchdowns came in the second quarter, putting the Gators up 28-0 with 9:41 left in the first half. Fellow redshirt sophomore wide receiver Deonte Thompson led the Gators in both receptions (5 – career high) and receiving yards (66). Nine Florida players had receptions on Saturday, seven with more than one including seniors Riley Cooper (48 yards, touchdown), redshirt David Nelson (45 yards) and Brandon James (15 yards) as well as redshirt freshmen Omarius Hines (50 yards, touchdown) and Frankie Hammond, Jr. (38 yards, touchdown).

Defensively for the Gators, redshirt sophomore Jaye Howard recorded a team-high seven tackles, senior linebackers Ryan Stamper and Dustin Doe each recorded a sack and redshirt junior defensive tackle Lawrence Marsh split another with Howard. Spikes’ interception at 13:10 in the first quarter was the sole turnover of the game for either team. Florida’s defense held FIU to only 189 total offensive yards (most of which came against the second and third units), while only allowing the Golden Panthers to convert 4-of-15 third-down attempts.

Sophomore kicker Caleb Sturgis continued to struggle, missing his fourth consecutive field goal attempt – this time a 53-yarder. Sturgis, however, made all eight of his extra points while redshirt senior Jonathan Phillips had his sole attempt blocked in the fourth quarter. James was silent in the return game, bringing back two kickoffs for 53 yards and four punts for 25 yards. Coverage teams allowed FIU an average of 24.9 yards per return on seven chances.

Florida finishes its 2009 regular season against the in-state rival Florida State Seminoles on Nov. 28 at 3:30 p.m. The Gators will wear special Nike Pro Combat jerseys for the game, which will feature an appearance from ESPN College GameDay and is also the last in The Swamp for the 2009 senior class.

Game Notes:
- Junior tight end Aaron Hernandez missed the first quarter on a coach’s decision. Head coach Urban Meyer would not elaborate.
- Redshirt junior linebacker A.J. Jones injured his MCL during the game. He is out for FSU, after that to be determined.
- Redshirt junior left guard Carl Johnson (ankle) and junior center Maurkice Pouncey (bone bruise) were both injured in the game but will most likely be able to play next week.

Tags: A.J. Jones, Aaron Hernandez, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Brandon James, Brandon Spikes, Caleb Sturgis, Carl Johnson, Chris Rainey, College GameDay, David Nelson, Deonte Thompson, Dustin Doe, ESPN, Florida Field, Florida International Golden Panthers, Frankie Hammond, Jaye Howard, John Brantley, Jonathan Phillips, Lawrence Marsh, Maurkice Pouncey, Omarius Hines, Riley Cooper, Ryan Stamper, SEC, The Swamp, Tim Tebow