Seven letterwinners, including Gator Greats Mike Peterson (football) and Bob Emrick (men’s basketball), will be inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame 2011 class on Friday. The F Club and Gator Boosters, Inc. will hand out these prestigious honors to the group of Florida Gators at the Hall of Fame Banquet on April 8, 2011, in the Holloway Touchdown Terrace at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

According to UF, “inductees are divided into three different categories: Gator Greats, Distinguished Letterwinners and Honorary Letterwinners.” The remainder of the induction class includes Gator Greats Dawn Buth (women’s tennis), Judd Davis (football), Michelle Freeman (women’s track & field), Mimosa McNerney (women’s swimming), Distinguished Letterwinner Keith Tribble (football), and Honorary Letterwinner Dr. Richard Shaara (team physician).

More about each inductee and their career accomplishments after the break.

UF defines Gator Greats as “letterwinners who have brought recognition and prominence to the University and to themselves through athletic accomplishments as an undergraduate,” while Distinguished Letterwinners are “letterwinners who have made major contributions to the University’s athletic program through personal time, effort, interest and many years of continued service. They may have also distinguished themselves as exceptional in their chosen field of endeavor.”

Biographies of each 2011 inductee courtesy of GatorZone:

GATOR GREATS:

Mike Peterson – Football (1995-98)
Peterson, a member of the 1996 National Championship football team, was a decorated linebacker for the Gators. Also a member of the 1995 and 1996 SEC Championship teams, he was a 1998 All-American who led Florida with 127 tackles in 1998. In 1999, he was a second-round draft pick for the Indianapolis Colts; he currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons.

Bob Emrick – Men’s Basketball (1955-57)
A two-year captain of the Gators basketball team (1956, 1957), Emrick was an All-SEC selection in 1955 and 1956 who averaged a double-double during those seasons and graduated as Florida’s all-time leading scorer (1,544 points). He would hold that mark for 12 years and still remains ranked in the top 10 in school history in career scoring average and career rebounding average.

Dawn Buth – Women’s Tennis (1995-98)
A seven-time All-American, Buth was a member of UF’s 1996 and 1998 NCAA Championship teams. She also won the 1996 and 1997 NCAA Doubles Championship with partner Stephanie Nickitas. With a 112-4 dual match record during her Gators career (including four SEC regular season titles and four SEC Tournament titles), she ranks to this day in the top five in the Florida record book for career singles wins, single-season singles wins, doubles wins and career doubles winning percentage.

Judd Davis – Football (1992-94)
The 1993 recipient of the Lou Groza Award for the nation’s best place-kicker, Davis was also a member of the Gators’ 1993 and 1994 SEC Championship teams. He was an All-American in 1993 and remains the only Florida player to ever receive the award.

Michelle Freeman – Women’s Track & Field (1991-92)
One of the most accomplished track & field athletes in school history, Freeman is an eight-time All-American and seven-time SEC Champion who was also a member of the 1992 4x400m relay NCAA Championship team. She participated in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games and took home a bronze medal in the 4x100m relay. Freeman still holds UF records in the 55-meter hurdles, 55-meter dash, 100-meter dash and 100-meter hurdles.

Mimosa McNerney – Women’s Swimming (1993-96)
McNerney is a four-year letterwinner who was the first-ever recipient of the Skip Foster Most Valuable Swimmer Award in 1995. She is also a four-time NCAA Champion with three titles in the 1,650-yard freestyle and one in the 500-yard freestyle. A nine-time All-American and four-time SEC Champion, she still ranks as one of the top 10 Gators in both the 500- and 1,650-yard freestyle races.

DISTINGUISHED LETTERWINNER:

Keith Tribble – Football (1974-76)
While a member of the Florida football team, Tribble was an offensive guard who played in three bowl games. After graduating, he became the associate athletic director for the Gators from 1992-93 before moving on to be chief executive officer of the Orange Bowl Committee from 1993-2006. Since leaving the Orange Bowl, he has been serving as the athletic director at the University of Central Florida.

HONORARY LETTERWINNER:

Dr. Richard Shaara – Team Physician (1970-97)
Taking care of UF athletes and their health for 27 years, Dr. Shaara is being honored posthumously.

1 » Former Florida Gators kick returer/wide receiver Brandon James, signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts in 2010 but cut during the season, was picked up by the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL on Friday. Edmonton had traded their kick-return specialist and wanted to sign a dynamic player to fill his shoes. “With his speed and elusiveness, we believe Brandon has a chance to be an explosive talent,” Eskimos general manager Eric Tillman said in a news release picked up by the Edmonton Journal. “He was dominant in an elite conference as his record-breaking career reflects and on our bigger field, where returning punts, kickoffs and missed field goals are all a major part of winning in the Canadian Football League. We’re hoping Brandon will generate an abundance of excitement and big plays.”

2 » Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah, who won a pair of national titles with Florida, was more concerned about the Gators game on Saturday than he was about his upcoming matchup with the Boston Celtics. According to ESPN Chicago, Noah was “huddled around a television while the rest of his teammates got dressed in the locker room” and was pacing back and forth watching the team in overtime. “You got the sense that if Noah could pull the fuzzy orange hat which sat atop his head all the way over his face, he might have done it,” the site’s Nick Friedell reported.

Noah also spoke to him on Friday about how close his team came to not winning back-to-back championships. “People have this feeling that we dominated for two years,” Noah said. “I’ll always remember playing in the Sweet 16 [in 2006] and Corey Brewer hitting a shot he’s never hit before with 10 seconds left to get us up one against Georgetown. If he doesn’t hit that shot, we probably don’t make it and win back-to-back titles. It just shows how funny this game is. You’ve got to stay on edge and stay focused and understand that you can’t take anything for granted.”

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.


8 » LEGAL ISSUES/EMBARRASSMENTS HANG OVER FOOTBALL PROGRAM
Like 2009, Florida football could not escape its share of unfortunate arrests and embarrassing incidents in 2010. It started just as the year began with former cornerback Wondy Pierre-Louis and defensive lineman Gary Brown being arrested in January and February, respectively. Things calmed down until the summer when San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald and former fullback Eric Rutledge were charged in June. Making more of an impact to the team was redshirt sophomore wide receiver Frankie Hammond, Jr.’s June arrest for driving under the influence, something that hung over the program’s head through the start of the season. Piling onto Hammond’s mistake were allegations in July that former Gators center Maurkice Pouncey, who just began workouts with the Pittsburgh Steelers, had received $100,000 from the runner for an agent while still a student at UF. Pouncey denied the report wholeheartedly and no proof has been found connecting him in any way. It was later revealed that freshmen safety Matt Elam and wide receiver Solomon Patton were also arrested over the summer for underage possession of alcohol, minor offenses for which they did not receive much punishment. Florida thought it was out of the rough waters once again until redshirt junior WR Chris Rainey was arrested in September on counts of aggravated stalking and suspended for the first half of the season. As if all of these legal issues were not enough, New England Patriots draft choices tight end Aaron Hernandez (marijuana use in college) and linebacker Brandon Spikes (streaming sex exploits on the Internet) also made the news for unsavory reasons. All-in-all, for every positive thing accomplished by the Gators in 2010, there always seemed to be something negative about the program just around the corner.

7 » AL HORFORD NAMED TO NBA ALL-STAR TEAM, BIG DEALS FOR GATORS
Drafted No. 3 overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, expectations were high for Atlanta Hawks forward/center Al Horford. In only his third year in the league, Horford was selected to the NBA All-Star team after averaging 13.6 points and 9.8 rebounds during the first half of the 2009-10 season. Then-New York Knicks F/C David Lee, who was not honored initially, ended up participating in his first All-Star game as well after being selected as a replacement. When the season ended, Horford, Lee and Chicago Bulls C Joakim Noah were all in the position to receive new contracts. And boy did they. Horford and Noah each agreed to similar five-year, $60 million extensions with their respective clubs, while Lee agreed to six-year, $80 million sign-and-trade deal with the Golden State Warriors. Guard Mike Miller and power forward Udonis Haslem both signed with the Miami Heat; Miller for five-years, $29.8 million and Haslem for five-years, $20 million.

6 » PERCY HARVIN NAMED ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, COLLAPSES AT PRACTICE

Though his rookie season included injuries and the continued peskiness of his chronic migraine headaches, former Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin performed at a high level for the Minnesota Vikings, who selected him No. 25 overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. Harvin played so well, in fact, that he was named as the starting kick return specialist for the NFC in the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl and won the 2009 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year…in 2010. Things were not so cheery for Harvin in August, however, as he was rushed to the hospital after he started vomiting and then collapsed while observing practice from the sidelines. It turns out Harvin had a number of factors complicating his collapse including an adverse reaction to medication, dehydration and low blood pressure. He was able to recover after undergoing some tests and – as of press time – has already out-performed his 2009 numbers with 63 receptions for 799 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games (three missed due to migraines/injury).

5 » GATORS HAUL IN TOP RECRUITING CLASS, THREE SIGNEES ON ONE DAY
With Meyer stepping down for the first time just before the 2010 Sugar Bowl, the Gators’ coaching staff and recruits rallied to keep the incoming signing class together. Offensive coordinator Steve Addazio, filling in as interim head coach as Meyer took a sabbatical, was instrumental in retaining many of Florida’s recruits, but Elam was bothered my Meyer’s resignation and flipped to Florida State. Everything would change back in Florida’s favor on January 9 when Elam, along with five-star defensive end Ronald Powell and five-star defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, all committed to the Gators during the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Florida would go on to corral arguably the No. 1 recruiting class in the country including 11 early enrollees – the highest number in school history. The class included four 2010 Parade High School All-Americans, both MVPs from the 2010 Under Armour All-American Game, the 2009 National High School Player of the Year and the 2009 Gatorade Football Player of the Year and Mr. Football for the state of Florida.

4 » RYAN LOCHTE EMERGES AS NATION’S WORLD’S BEST SWIMMER
Coming off two gold medals in the 2008 Olympic Games, former Gators swimmer Ryan Lochte has climbed the mountain as not only the best in the United States but the best in the world in 2010. Lochte’s journey between Olympics has been marred with some injuries and obstacles, but he began breaking through in August when he captured the 400-meter individual medley title at the 2010 ConcoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships with the fastest time in the world this year. He would go on to compete in the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships where he would win six gold medals (200m freestyle, 200m IM, 400m IM, 200m backstroke, 400m free relay, 800m FR) in the biggest international meet of the year. Named Male Athlete of the Year for the second-straight year during the 2010 USA Swimming Foundation’s Golden Goggle Awards in November, Lochte hoped to end the year on a roll. Competing at the 2010 FINA Short Course World Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in December, Lochte set two world records (200m and 400m IM), won six gold medals and earned a silver medal, too. He is expected to compete in eight events with hope of matching 2008’s big victor Michael Phelps at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England where he will be led by current Florida head coach Gregg Troy, who was tabbed to lead the 2012 U.S. Olympic Men’s Swimming Team.

3 » EMMITT SMITH INDUCTED INTO PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME, SNUBS UF

Gator Nation stuck its collective chest out with pride when Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in February. It felt the same way in August when Smith was officially inducted. That is until Smith gave his enshrinement speech, one which completely skipped over his time at Florida. Et tu, Emmitt? Gators fans everywhere were instantly enraged, especially considering almost every player inducted always thanks his college and at the very least his fans. Rumors started that Smith’s omission was purposeful, though others believed it was accidental. The next day, Smith apologized to Gator Nation via his Twitter account and then later on television during an interview with Al Michaels.

2 » NINE FLORIDA STARS SELECTED IN 2010 NFL DRAFT, THREE IN FIRST ROUND
In addition to winning plenty of football games and two BCS National Championships, Meyer has excelled at sending his players to the NFL during his tenure as Florida head coach. That trend continued as nine Gators – the most of any program this year – were selected in the 2010 NFL Draft including three in the first round. UF set a school record with six players taken in the first two rounds and tied its record with three first-round picks. Florida’s draftees included CB Joe Haden (Cleveland Browns, No. 7 overall), Pouncey (Pittsburgh, No. 18 overall), quarterback Tim Tebow (Denver Broncos, No. 25 overall), DE/LB Jermaine Cunningham (New England, 2nd round No. 53), DE Carlos Dunlap (Cincinnati Bengals, 2nd round No. 54), Spikes (New England, 2nd round No. 62), S Major Wright (Chicago Bears, 3rd round No. 75), Hernandez (New England, 4th round No. 113) and WR Riley Cooper (Philadelphia Eagles, 5th round No. 159). After the draft, kick returner Brandon James (Indianapolis Colts) and WR David Nelson (Buffalo Bills) were picked up and eventually signed as undrafted free agents.

1 » URBAN MEYER RESIGNS, WILL MUSCHAMP HIRED

There is no questioning what Meyer has accomplished as head coach of the Gators. After six seasons in which he won two National Championships, three BCS games and two SEC Championships while posting three 13-1 seasons in four years, Meyer resigned from his position for the second time on December 8 in order to spend more time with his family. Though there were rumblings that Meyer would be leaving the program all season long, his retirement still came as a shock to Gator Nation, especially after promising numerous times throughout the year that he would be back in 2011 with hopes of turning the program around. Promising to act fast in replacing Meyer, athletic director Jeremy Foley delivered by bringing Texas Longhorns defensive coordinator Will Muschamp into the fold just 72 hours later. With many fans expecting an experienced head coach to take over, Muschamp’s hiring was certainly a surprising one. How the program’s future will unfold is something to look forward to in 2011…

Photo Credits (in order of appearance): Patrick Fraser/Vanity Fair, Unknown, Unknown, Erica Brough/Gainesville Sun

1 » ESPN‘s Chris Mortensen reported Thursday that former Florida Gators tight end Cornelius Ingram has returned to the Philadelphia Eagles – the team that drafted him in 2009 and cut him earlier this year – as a member of the practice squad. Ingram was expected to make an impact for the Eagles this season but was limited once again with a knee injury that forced him to miss a lot of training camp. He hopes to earn his way back on the team through the practice squad but could theoretically be signed off of it by another organization at any time.

2 » OGGOA had some choice words about Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett on our Twitter account last week. It seems Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah somewhat agrees with our sentiments as he called out Garnett on the radio on Wednesday. “Kevin Garnett will not – will not – get a Christmas gift from me,” Noah said jokingly. “I don’t like him. He’s a very mean guy. Where’s the love? None at all. Ugly, too. I had his poster in my room. I used to wear his jersey. And the truth is, my rookie year, I was in admiration of the guy and he kind of shut me down. And he was very mean to me my rookie year. And he’s only mean to the young guys and the [European players] for some reason. I don’t know why, but that’s who he doesn’t like. He’s not nice. I talk a lot of trash out there, but c’mon, be a little sensitive. Be sweet.” Though Noah says a lot of things tongue-in-cheek and likes to joke around, he does consider Garnett a “dirty player” who “is who he is.”

3 » According to the Indianapolis Star, former Gators wide receiver/kick returner Brandon James has been promoted from the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad to their active roster effective immediately. James will (at least temporarily) fill WR Austin Collie’s roster spot while he recovers from a concussion sustained last weekend. Though he may not see the field as a receiver unless one of the Colts’ current starters gets injured, James may be able to see the field as soon as Sunday as the team’s kick returner. Keep your eyes peeled on Indianapolis’ game this weekend and look for a 5’7”, 170 lb. speed demon – especially on special teams.

4 » Minnesota Vikings WR Percy Harvin missed practice yesterday after coming down with another migraine headache. Harvin, who dealt with severe bouts in the offseason but was able to get things under control after meeting with doctors and learning that he suffered from sleep apnea, is still expected to play this weekend. He is still recovering from an injured ankle but that did not stop him from posting a career-high 126 receiving yards last week while limping around.

GOOD NEWS

» As expected, all nine Gators selected in the 2010 NFL Draft made it through training camp and the preseason.

» Former Florida wide receiver David Nelson, who signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills after the draft, was told Saturday afternoon that he made the team. “Officially a Buffalo Bill,” Nelson wrote to his Twitter account. “Thanks to everyone for the support and prayers through this long but rewarding process!”

» Though it is not believed he was in complete danger of making the cut, former Gators safety Reggie Nelson got what he will likely consider his own form of good news Saturday, as the Jacksonville Jaguars decided to trade him to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals, in need of safety help after losing Gibril Wilson to a season-ending injury, decided to trade cornerback David Jones and a conditional draft pick to the Jaguars. Nelson will be reunited with wide receiver Andre Caldwell and defensive end Carlos Dunlap in Cincinnati.

BAD NEWS

» Tight end Cornelius Ingram has faced plenty of adversity since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during his senior season with Florida. Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 153 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, Ingram proceeded to tear the same ACL again as a rookie during training camp. Finally back at near full speed, he had been playing well for the Eagles this offseason until a baker’s cyst in his knee kept him out of action. Ingram was released by Philadelphia on Saturday but will be a candidate to land on the team’s practice squad should he go unclaimed.

» Even though he scored three touchdowns in the Indianapolis Colts‘ final preseason game, former Gators kick returner Brandon James did not make the cut with one of the top teams in the AFC. Instead, the team elected to sign Devin Moore for that job. James did muff a punt that was returned for the touchdown during the preseason and will likely be picked up as a practice squad player with either the Colts or another team.

» One of the team’s most valuable defensive players throughout the 2009 playoffs, former Gators defensive end Bobby McCray was cut by the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, just over a month after the team brought him back (they originally let him go on June 21). In the offseason, the Saints signed fellow former Florida DE Alex Brown, who will be a starter for New Orleans this season.

2 » As OGGOA reported a few days ago, former Gators QB Chris Leak will be making his first CFL start Friday night filling in for Montreal Alouettes starter Anthony Calvillo. For the first time in his career, Leak practiced as the team’s starter for the week rather than being thrown into the game in a back-up role. “This is a game I’ve played my entire life, since I was 8. I want to go out and have fun,” Leak told The Montreal Gazette. “I’m going to play the game and be myself. Whatever that is, you’ll see it. But I know there’ll be adversity. Someone’s still got to throw, run, catch and kick. That’s the game of football. I’m always anxious to play; I guess you could say nervous. I’m focusing on my responsibilities. I want to be accountable, protect the ball, stay on course and play through adversity.”

QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos
Game 3 Passing: 5-of-10 for 72 yards, one TD, one INT (14.4 avg., 67.5 QB rating)
Game 2: Did not play – ribs
Game 1 Passing: 8-of-13 for 105 yards (8.1 avg., 87.0 QB rating)
Game 1 Rushing: Two carries for 10 yards, one touchdown

CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns
Game 3 Defense: Five tackles (two solo), one pass defended
Game 3 Kick returning: one attempt for 12 yards
Game 2 Defense: Two tackles (one solo), two passes defended
Game 2 Kick returning: Two attempts for 43 yards (long 28)
Game 1 Defense: Three solo tackles, one pass defended
Game 1 Kick returning: One attempt for 34 yards

C MAURKICE POUNCEY, Pittsburgh Steelers
Game 3: Worked as first-team center
Game 2: Worked as first-team center
Game 1: Worked as first-team guard, second-team center

LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots
Game 3: Did not play – undisclosed
Game 2: Did not play – undisclosed
Game 1: Did not play – concussion

DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals
Game 4 Defense: One tackle (one solo), two QB hits
Game 3 Defense: Four tackles (three solo), one sack, one Gator Chomp
Game 2 Defense: One tackle
Game 1 Defense: Did not play – concussion

LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots
Game 3 Defense: Seven tackles (five solo), one QB hit
Game 2 Defense: Three solo tackles
Game 1 Defense: Eight tackles (three solo) [team-high]

S MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears
Game 3: Did not play – finger
Game 2: Did not play – finger
Game 1 Defense: Seven tackles (six solo)

TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots
Game 3: Did not play – undisclosed
Game 2 Receiving: Four receptions for 46 yards [team-highs], one touchdown
Game 1 Receiving: Three receptions for 26 yards (long 21)
Game 1 Rushing: One carry for six yards

WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles
Game 3 Receiving: Three receptions for 39 yards [T-team highs], one touchdown
Game 2 Receiving: Two receptions for 22 yards
Game 2 Special Teams: Two tackles
Game 1 Receiving: Three receptions for 61 yards (long 46) [team-high]

WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills
Game 3: Two receptions for 34 yards, one touchdown
Game 2: Did not play – ankle
Game 1 Receiving: Five receptions for 47 yards [team-highs], one touchdown

KR BRANDON JAMES, Indianapolis Colts
Game 3 Kick returning: Six attempts for 144 yards (avg. 24, long 34)
Game 3 Punt returning: Two attempts for six yards, one fumble
Game 2 Punt returning: Two attempts for 22 yards (long 19)
Game 1 Kick returning: Four attempts for 99 yards (avg. 24.8, long 28)
Game 1 Punt returning: One attempt for five yards
Game 1 Receiving: One reception for two yards

1 » On the heels of FOX Sports’ piece about Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer on Tuesday comes another from the New York Times’ Pete Thamel, who notes that Meyer has a new perspective on his coaching career these days. In fact, it even led him to discard his Blackberry for a time being in place of an “older model with no Internet connection. He programmed seven numbers in it – for his four immediate family members, his two sisters and his father. No one else knew the number.” His wife, Shelley Meyer, is happy with his progress and health now. “As scary and hard as it was on the family and the team, so much good has come out of it,” she said. “The way he is now, he could go 10 more years.” Even strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti noticed something wrong with Meyer’s weight – by looking at his butt. “When he’d walk, his pants would sag halfway down,” Marotti said. “He looked like one of our players. He completely lost his entire rear end.”

2 » A university spokesperson announced Thursday that senior Florida basketball guard Hudson Fricke has decided to transfer to Milligan College. A walk-on who only played 22 minutes in three years, Fricke’s only points came on four free throws during the 2007-08 season. OGGOA wishes him the best of luck with his new team.

3 » Recapping what coaches learned during Oakland Raiders training camp this offseason, Jerry McDonald of the Contra Costa Times notes that former Gators wide receiver Louis Murphy “is far and away the Raiders’ best and most dangerous receiver” even though he “still drops too many passes for a real level of comfort. Murphy, who caught 34 balls for 521 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie, was the team’s best WR and second-leading pass catcher in 2009-10.

4 » Tough night for former Florida kick returner Brandon James on Thursday. While returning a punt for the Indianapolis Colts, James muffed the catch, allowing the Green Bay to recover the ball in the endzone for a touchdown. Additionally, rookie cornerback Ray Fisher returned a kickoff 58 yards for a TD. With Devin Moore likely to be the team’s primary returner, there is a chance James loses his opportunity with the Colts.

5 » No. 9 Gators soccer (2-0) looks to stay undefeated Friday night as they take on the Florida Atlantic Owls (0-1) at 6 p.m. at James G. Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL.

6 » Conspicuous by their absences Thursday night were New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez and linebacker Jermaine Cunningham, neither of whom participated in the team’s third preseason game. Hernandez missed practice this week with an undisclosed injury, and Cunningham has yet to participate in a single NFL down this season. Both, however, are expected to see major playing time this year. Florida rookie LB Brandon Spikes, who did play, recorded seven tackles (five solo) and a quarterback hit.

Photo Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos
Game 2: Did not play – ribs
Game 1 Passing: 8-of-13 for 105 yards (8.1 avg., 87.0 QB rating)
Game 1 Rushing: Two carries for 10 yards, one touchdown

CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns
Game 2 Defense: Two tackles (one solo), two passes defended
Game 2 Kick returning: Two attempts for 43 yards (long 28)
Game 1 Defense: Three solo tackles, one pass defended
Game 1 Kick returning: One attempt for 34 yards

G MAURKICE POUNCEY, Pittsburgh Steelers
Game 2: Worked as first-team center
Game 1: Worked as first-team guard, second-team center

LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots
Game 2: Did not play – undisclosed
Game 1: Did not play – concussion

DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals
Game 3 Defense: Four tackles (three solo), one sack, one Gator Chomp
Game 2 Defense: One tackle
Game 1 Defense: Did not play – concussion

LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots
Game 2 Defense: Three solo tackles
Game 1 Defense: Eight tackles (three solo) [team-high]

S MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears
Game 2: Did not play – finger
Game 1 Defense: Seven tackles (six solo)

TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots
Game 2 Receiving: Four receptions for 46 yards [team-highs], one touchdown
Game 1 Receiving: Three receptions for 26 yards (long 21)
Game 1 Rushing: One carry for six yards

WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles
Game 2 Receiving: Two receptions for 22 yards
Game 2 Special Teams: Two tackles
Game 1 Receiving: Three receptions for 61 yards (long 46) [team-high]

WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills
Game 2: Did not play – ankle
Game 1 Receiving: Five receptions for 47 yards [team-highs], one touchdown

KR BRANDON JAMES, Indianapolis Colts
Game 2 Punt returning: Two attempts for 22 yards (long 19)
Game 1 Kick returning: Four attempts for 99 yards (avg. 24.8, long 28)
Game 1 Punt returning: One attempt for five yards
Game 1 Receiving: One reception for two yards

QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos
Passing: 8-of-13 for 105 yards (8.1 avg., 87.0 QB rating)
Rushing: Two carries for 10 yards, one touchdown

CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns
Defense: Three solo tackles, one pass defended
Kick returning: One attempt for 34 yards

G MAURKICE POUNCEY, Pittsburgh Steelers
No statistics to record.

LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots
Defense: Did not play – concussion

DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals
Game 1: Did not play – concussion
Game 2: One tackle

LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots
Defense: Eight tackles (one solo) [team-high]

S MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears
Defense: Seven tackles (six solo)

TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots
Receiving: Three receptions for 26 yards (long 21)
Rushing: One carry for six yards

WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles
Receiving: Three receptions for 61 yards (long 46) [team-high]

WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills
Receiving: Five receptions for 47 yards team-highs], one touchdown

KR BRANDON JAMES, Indianapolis Colts
Kick returning: Four attempts for 99 yards (avg. 24.8, long 28)
Punt returning: One attempt for five yards
Receiving: One reception for two yards