With Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Charlie Weis on the hot seat and set to be fired any day now, Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer has once again been shrouded in speculation about his future. For the third time in the last six months, Meyer took the time to refute any rumors about his interest in the Notre Dame job.

“I’ll dispel those rumors right now,” Meyer said during his Monday afternoon press conference. “I’m going to be the coach at Florida for as long as they’ll have me. We’ll make that clear.”

Prior to Meyer speaking, senior quarterback Tim Tebow was at the podium and asked a similar question about Meyer’s future. “I don’t think that’s anything he’ll do now, I think he’s enjoying his time here,” he said. “He loves working for [athletic director] Mr. [Jeremy] Foley. He loves being here at the University of Florida. He loves his players and I don’t think he wants to go to a place where he has to start fresh and start new. I don’t think he wants to do that. He enjoys being here. It’s the best place in football. I don’t know why he would leave. He’s enjoying it.”

Press Conference Notes:
- Redshirt sophomore back-up QB John Brantley was named Offensive Player of the Week for his three touchdown performance against the FIU Golden Panthers.

- Michael Guilford, a walk-on defensive back/quarterback for the Gators who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2007, will be honored with his senior class next Saturday in The Swamp on Senior Day. “He’s got a terrific family, and we’ll just try to do the best we can to make that family feel at peace with what he did here, because he was a phenomenal young man and a phenomenal member of this team,” Meyer said.

- As he has been in the past, Meyer was emotional when discussing the Gators’ senior class, pausing multiple times during the press conference to compose himself and fight back tears when talking about the players.

- Meyer also mentioned that he believes Tebow has the intelligence and ability to coach Florida later in his football career.

OGGOA will have more news and notes for you later.

Tags: Charlie Weis, Florida International Golden Panthers, John Brantley, Michael Guilford, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Senior Day, The Swamp, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer

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 Florida International Golden Panthers on Saturday afternoon in The Swamp.

QUARTERBACKS: A+
While his 17-of-25 completion numbers do leave something to be desired, it is tough to dock any points from senior Tim Tebow for his performance on Saturday. Piling up 102 yards on the ground including a career-long 55-yard touchdown run as well as 215 yards and two more touchdowns through the air, Tebow was his old self. Then again, he was playing against FIU. More impressive on Saturday was redshirt sophomore back-up John Brantley, who went 9-for-13 for 146 yards and three touchdowns. Tebow and Brantley combined to spread the ball around to nine receivers, seven of whom had more than one catch on the day.

RUNNING BACKS: B
Redshirt junior transfer Emmanuel Moody sat out the game, though his classmate Christopher Scott got to see action late in the game. Sophomore Jeff Demps and redshirt sophmore Chris Rainey started. Even so, there were only 22 carries dished out between the three, with Demps getting nine for 46 yards (5.1 average), Rainey taking four for 30 yards and a touchdown (7.5 average) and Scott running nine for 26 yards (2.9 average). Rainey, however, added 61 yards and a touchdown in the receiving game. Nothing too impressive or surprising overall against a porous FIU defense.

Read the rest of Florida’s grades from the FIU game after the jump…
Continue Reading » Grading the Florida vs. Florida Intl. game

Tags: A.J. Jones, Brandon Hicks, Brandon James, Brandon Spikes, Caleb Sturgis, Chas Henry, Chris Hetland, Chris Rainey, Christopher Scott, David Nelson, Deonte Thompson, Dustin Doe, Emmanuel Moody, Florida International Golden Panthers, Frankie Hammond, Jaye Howard, Jeff Demps, John Brantley, Jonathan Phillips, Justin Williams, Lawrence Marsh, Omarius Hines, Paul McCall, Riley Cooper, Ryan Stamper, Tim Tebow

1 » Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer did not spend much time praising his team after its 62-3 blowout victory over the Florida International Golden Panthers on Saturday. Instead, he turned his attention to the Florida State Seminoles, declaring, “It’s rivalry week. We’ve been here before. So, let’s get started.” Meyer does not hide his affection for taking down the so-called “School Out West.” “It’s the world,” he said. “It’s what makes this job the best in college football. It’s what makes this stadium the best in college football. This is going to be a special week. It’s started already.”

2 » If Meyer sounded pumped up for Florida State, his team appeared ready to take them on right after FIU left the field. “It’s a lot of hatred,” junior safety Ahmad Black said. “It started even before us. It goes way back to the earlier days. We’ve won five straight. We don’t want to be the team that loses the streak.” Junior guard Mike Pouncey didn’t even question the result of the game. “It’s five [in a row]? So, it will be six,” he said. “They’re always good and it’s a rivalry game, so everybody’s going to play a little harder. Linebacker Ryan Stamper, one of the seniors who will play their last game in The Swamp on Saturday, believes his class has a mission to accomplish. “I grew up watching the Florida-Florida State rivalry since I was little. Going out with them not beating us once would be a great thing.”

3 » While taking down the Seminoles is just another “mission” for the Gators, it could be a season-defining victory for Florida State. FSU did extend its bowl streak to 28 years with a victory over the Maryland Terrapins on Saturday, but head coach Bobby Bowden said taking a win from Florida this week would be among the most memorable victories of his career. “It probably would,” he said. “In other words, this thing has got to turn around. And I would say if you [beat the Gators], it’s around. You’re betting good if you can beat them, I’ll tell you what. What a task. What a task.” Whether or not Bowden can pull of a victory may not even matter, because if the Seminoles’ boosters get there way, this season could be his last in garnet and gold.

4 » Limping off the field with an injured medial-collateral ligament on Saturday, redshirt junior starting linebacker A.J. Jones needed to be replaced. Meyer immediately sent junior Brandon Hicks into the game, and the team did not lose a step. Why? Because Hicks started the final five games of the 2008 season – including the BCS National Championship game against the Oklahoma Sooners – when Jones went down with his previous knee injury. “Here we go,” Meyer told him before he stepped on the field. “You’ve been here before.” Hicks’ performance last year earned him a reputation as one of the best defenders on the team, though an ankle injury kept him from starting in 2009. On a side note, Meyer said Jones’ injury is “nonsurgical,” meaning there is a possibility he could be ready for the team’s bowl game.

Tags: A.J. Jones, Ahmad Black, BCS, Bobby Bowden, Brandon Hicks, Florida International Golden Panthers, Florida State Seminoles, Mike Pouncey, National Championship, Oklahoma Sooners, Ryan Stamper, School Out West, The Swamp, Urban Meyer

- The No. 1 Florida Gators extended their nation’s-best and school-record win streak by recording their 21th consecutive victory on Saturday. The Gators’ winning streak is now fifth in Southeastern Conference.

- Defeating the Florida International Golden Panthers by 59 points, Florida’s has now won 20 of their 21 straight games by double digits.

- Senior quarterback Tim Tebow broke Kevin Faulk’s (1995-98) SEC record of 53 touchdowns with his 55-yard scoring run in the first quarter. Tebow has now set three all-time SEC records this year (rushing touchdowns, rushing yards by a QB). Tebow also tied Eli Manning (Ole Miss, 2000-03) for fourth in SEC history with 81 career touchdown passes after his two scores through the air on Saturday.

- The Gators recorded 11 interceptions over the past five weeks, best in the nation.

- For the eighth time in 2009, Florida’s defense held an opponent under 100 rushing yards. They also held their sixth opponent to an under-50 percent completions.

- The Gators offense recorded 30 first downs on Saturday, the second-highest total under head coach Urban Meyer (32 vs. Troy Trojans, 2009).

- Florida has not surrendered a turnover in the last four games.

- For the 10th time in 11 games, special teams did not allow a single punt return yard.

- Senior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes‘ 41-yard interception return for a touchdown was his fourth in the last two seasons. He is the only player in the country with as many in the same time span.

- Tebow recorded over 100 rushing yards for the fifth time in his career. He also moved into third on the SEC’s all-time total offensive yards gained list with 11,078.

Tags: Brandon Spikes, Eli Manning, Florida International Golden Panthers, Kevin Faulk, SEC, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer

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

Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium – Gainesville, FL [Capacity: 88,548]
Time: 12:30 p.m. (EST)
Weather Forecast: 75°F – Partly Sunny

TV: Pay-Per-View and ESPN Gameplan (Check your local listings.)
Online: None.
Sirius: 214; XM: 201

Odds: Florida -45, O/U 56.5
Head-to-Head Stats: Gainesville Sun

KEEP AN EYE ON…
- Florida’s 2009 senior class…who go into Saturday’s game with a 45-6 record, tied for the SEC mark for winningest class in conference history. The SEC record of 45 wins is shared by the 1996 Gators, 1994 Alabama Crimson Tide, 1998 Tennessee Volunteers and 2005 Georgia Bulldogs.
- Senior defensive end Jermaine Cunningham…who leads the team with seven sacks.
- Senior linebacker Ryan Stamper…who is tops on the Gators with 61 tackles.
- Senior kick returner Brandon James…who set the SEC record for kickoff return yards last week with 2,538 yards on 105 returns. James looks for a return touchdown this week.
- Senior wide receiver Riley Cooper…who is looking to improve after dropping two touchdowns last week against South Carolina. He caught one.
- Florida’s Nick Alajajian and Florida International’s Joe Alajajian…who are brothers.

STREAKS:
- The Gators are in the middle of the longest winning streak in school history with 20 consecutive victories. They also hold the longest active winning streak in the NCAA and the best in the SEC in the past 15 years since the Auburn Tigers won 20 straight from 1993-94. 19 of Florida’s 20 wins have been by a double digit margin. Florida is 10-0 for the third time in school history (1995, 1996).
- The Gators lead the SEC in rushing offense (230.6) and third-down efficiency (.441). They also come in No. 3 in total offense (428.7) and scoring offense (33.9).
- On defense, the Gators have only surrendered ten touchdowns all season (fewest of any team in the nation). The unit has also only allowed 12 field goals for a total of 105 points (10.5 points per game) – this also leads the nation.
- Florida tallied a season-high six sacks last week against South Carolina, including three within a span of four defensive snaps.
- The Gators allowed a season-low 61 net rushing yards last week while also holding the SEC league leader in sacks, Eric Norwood, without one.
- Florida has recorded 10 interceptions over the past four weeks, best in the nation.

Read OGGOA’s Florida vs. Florida International preview after the jump…

Continue Reading » Week 12: No. 1 Florida Gators vs. FIU G. Panthers

Tags: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Brandon James, Brandon Spikes, Emmanuel Moody, Florida International Golden Panthers, Jermaine Cunningham, Mario Cristobal, Moses Jenkins, Nick Alajajian, Riley Cooper, Ryan Stamper, Terron Sanders, The Swamp, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer

1 » Florida Gators basketball (2-0) looks to keep on rolling as they take on the Troy Trojans (2-0) Friday at 7 p.m. in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Shooting a combined 3-for-29 (10.3%) from behind the arc, the Gators are bucking a trend head coach Billy Donovan set upon his arrival to Gainesville, FL. Florida has traditionally been among the best in the Southeastern Conference in three-point shooting percentage as Donovan has made it a priority both in his recruiting and game plans. “I think for guys like Kenny [Boynton] and Erving [Walker], it is probably somewhat uncharacteristic,” Donovan said. “They have been shooting the ball well in practice. Chandler [Parsons] and Dan [Werner] are guys that maybe have been a little more up and down in their careers.”

2 » There’s plenty of other Gators sports action on the docket for the weekend. Men’s and women’s swimming & diving begin their participation in all-day weekend tournaments Friday. Women’s basketball (1-1) faces the No. 25 Pittsburgh Panthers (1-0) in Pittsburgh, PA, on Friday, and No. 13/13 volleyball (20-4, 14-3 SEC) heads to Knoxville, TN, to serve against the Tennessee Volunteers (20-7, 13-4 SEC) – both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m. Volleyball will then travel to Lexington, KY, to take on the Kentucky Wildcats (26-2, 16-1 SEC) on Sunday at 2 p.m.

3 » Senior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes has been named as one of the five finalists for the 25th annual Butkus Award honoring the nation’s top linebacker. Other finalists include Rolando McClain of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Sergia Kindle of the Texas Longhorns, Sean Weatherspoon of the Missouri Tigers and Eric Norwood of the South Carolina Gamecocks.

4 » Redshirt juniors running back Emmanuel Moody (sprained ankle) and defensive tackle Terron Sanders (rib/back) have been ruled out for the Florida International Golden Panthers game on Saturday. According to head coach Urban Meyer, senior defensive end Jermaine Cunningham is “50-50” for the game with an unspecified injury. This is a good week to rest any banged up players prior to the regular season finale against the Florida State Seminoles next weekend.

Tags: Billy Donovan, Brandon Spikes, Butkus Award, Chandler Parsons, Dan Werner, diving, Emmanuel Moody, Erving Walker, Florida International Golden Panthers, Florida State Seminoles, Jermaine Cunningham, Kenny Boynton, Kentucky Wildcats, O'Connell Center, Pittsburgh Panthers, SEC, swimming, Tennessee Volunteers, Terron Sanders, Troy Trojans, Urban Meyer, volleyball, women's basketball

1 » Florida Gators senior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes has been left off of the final ballots for the Bronko Nagurski Award (nation’s best defensive player) and Lott Trophy (defensive IMPACT player of the year). Limited playing time is surely the reason Spikes’ was left off the former, while his eye gouging incident is certainly why he was left off the latter. IMPACT is an acronym used by the Lott Trophy community for integrity, maturity, performance, academics, committee and tenacity.

2 » One of OGGOA‘s twitter followers forwarded us a rumor that the Notre Dame Fighting Irish flew into Gainesville, FL, Thursday and offered Florida head coach Urban Meyer a $50 million guaranteed contract. Our immediate responses? (1) Hogwash. (2) That’s not enough. Meyer recently agreed to a six-year, $24 million contract with UF. An additional $1 million is not going to pull him away from a program that has finally been built and filled with “his” players (along with the multitude of other reasons why he would stay). What could potentially grab Meyer would be the allure and history of Notre Dame, not that I believe it will. Let’s not forget, Meyer chose the Gators over the Irish once already – he had the option. Yuck, I just gave the rumor credence.

3 » Steve Eubanks of FOXSports.com questions why the Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide are playing “cupcakes” this week. “I think this is a good football game. I think [FIU] is a team that is going to be in a bowl game within a couple of years, a lot like FAU a few years ago,” Meyer said.

4 » Gregg Doyel, a UF alum who writes for CBSSports.com, believes fans should not be blaming Tennessee Volunteers head coach Lane Kiffin for his player’s legal issues. “How was he supposed to know that those guys would — allegedly — behave so criminally?” And Meyer was supposed to know that the players he recruited were going to — allegedly — behave criminally? Seems like a pretty ridiculous hypocritical stance to take on Doyell’s part, especially considering he trounced Meyer this summer for the Gators’ prior arrests (even though many weren’t recruited by Meyer).

Tags: Alabama Crimson Tide, Brandon Spikes, Bronko Nagurski Award, Florida International Golden Panthers, Lane Kiffin, Lott Trophy, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Tennessee Volunteers, Urban Meyer