No. 4 Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp met with the media on Monday to review the team’s important 37-26 victory over the then-No. 10 Florida State Seminoles and preview the next few weeks of inaction.

INJURY UPDATES

Exciting the game early, redshirt junior Will linebacker Jelani Jenkins learned that he broke a small bone in his foot and will be out 4-6 weeks. Muschamp said he was having surgery on the foot Monday and will probably miss the bowl game.

Florida is relatively healthy otherwise. Redshirt sophomore LB Neiron Ball (ankle) will be back in time for the bowl game. Sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel (ankle) is sore but fine coming out of the Florida State victory. Redshirt junior center Jonotthan Harrison (ankle) got dinged up and is in a boot but will be OK as well. Redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Leon Orr (kidney infection) should be able to return to physical activity this week.

As far as sophomore safety De’Ante Saunders, Muschamp said he remains out for the bowl game with what was mentioned a few weeks ago to be the hamstring injury.

Reporter: “Saunders, you said a couple weeks ago wouldn’t…”
Muschamp: “Yeah, he won’t be in the bowl game.”
Reporter: “Is that injury or discipline?”
Muschamp: “Yep. he won’t be in the bowl game.”
Reporter: “Because of?”
Muschamp: “Injury.”

Read the rest of what Muschamp had to say…after the break!
Continue Reading » 11/26: Jenkins out, players praised, bowl notes

Tags: Antonio Morrison, Caleb Sturgis, D.J. Durkin, Darrin Kitchens, De'Ante Saunders, Florida State Seminoles, Jabari Gorman, Jacoby Brissett, Jeff Driskel, Jelani Jenkins, Jonotthan Harrison, Jordan Reed, Josh Evans, Kevin Carter, Kyle Christy, Leon Orr, Lerentee McCray, Loucheiz Purifoy, Marcus Roberson, Matt Elam, Matt Jones, Mike Gillislee, Neiron Ball, Nick Saban, Quinton Dunbar, Sugar Bowl, Trey Burton, Will Muschamp

No. 6 Florida Gators football (10-1) concluded its seven-game home schedule with a 23-0 victory over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (6-5) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday. Florida head coach Will Muschamp met with the media and provided some of his thoughts after the game.

HISTORY / STREAKS / STATS

» Florida finished 7-0 at home in a season for just the third time in school history. The 2006 and 2009 UF teams also accomplished that feat.
» The Gators are 14-1 against unranked opponents under Muschamp.
» Florida is 11-0 under Muschamp when rushing for more than 150 yards, 14-3 when holding opponents to fewer than 21 points, 10-1 when an opponent rushes for fewer than 100 yards, 11-3 when scoring first and 13-1 when leading at the half.
» The Gators were once again subpar on third down, converting just 2-of-11 opportunities. UF is now 54-of-153 (35.3 percent) on third down this season.
» Florida is +13 in turnover margin through 11 games after being -12 in 2011. UF has forced the most turnovers in the SEC (342) since 2000.
» The Gators have grabbed 16 interceptions so far in 2012 and has doubled its 2011 total of eight picks. UF has registered at least one pick in eight-of-10 games and has also forced eight fumbles.
» Florida’s senior class consists of 19 players who have spent either four (10 players), five (eight) or six (one) seasons wearing the Orange and Blue. The true senior class is 23-5 in The Swamp. It went 7-0 as freshmen in 2009 and as seniors in 2012.

PLAYER NOTES

» Senior running back Mike Gillislee registered his third-highest yards-per-carry average of the season (6.1) and rushed for 100+ yards for the fourth time in 2012. He is now 36 yards away from reaching the 1,000-yard plateau and becoming the first Gators running back to do so since Ciatrick Fason in 2004. Gillislee also scored his ninth touchdown of the season and first rushing score since Oct. 6.
» Redshirt senior kicker Caleb Sturigs made three field goals, bringing him just one away from tying Jeff Chandler’s school record of 67 in a career. Sturgis is also three made field goals away from tying Bobby Raymond’s single-season UF record of 23.
» Senior Mike linebacker Jon Bostic registered the first interception return for a touchdown of his career. Bostic’s registered the pick early in the third quarter, bringing it back seven yards for the score.
» Senior safety Josh Evans led Florida with seven tackles including two solo takedowns and 1.5 for a total loss of two yards. He also had a half sack.

OPENING STATEMENTS

On Florida’s senior class:

“I just want to thank the 19 seniors and the job they’ve done for the University of Florida. All of those guys have represented our university in a first-class manner. Last night was really a special night. The guys got up and talked about their experience and told some great stories … I really appreciate them going through a coaching change, going through a 7-6 campaign, certainly questioning a rookie coach and his staff and where we were headed with the program. Certainly could have walked the plank, so to speak, on us, and certainly never did. I’m very appreciative of this bunch and last year’s bunch as well for going through a very tough season, a very difficult season.”

On the lack of production in the second half:

“I felt like, in the second half, we had the game under control defensively. We could have done some more things offensively, and I just told Brent, I said, ‘Let’s go win the game. Let’s get out of here and win the game.’ That’s what we needed to do. That wasn’t on Brent; that was on me.”

Read the rest of what Muschamp and the players had to say…after the break!
Continue Reading » 11/17: Florida vs. Jacksonville State post-game

Tags: Caleb Sturgis, Chaz Green, De'Ante Saunders, Frankie Hammond, Hunter Joyer, Ian Silberman, Jacksonville State Gamecocks, Jacoby Brissett, James Wilson, Jeff Driskel, Jon Bostic, Josh Evans, Matt Jones, Mike Gillislee, Omar Hunter, Will Muschamp

Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium – Gainesville, FL [Capacity: 88,548]
Weather Forecast: 68°F, few showers (30% chance of rain), winds NNE at 1 mph
Time: 1:00 p.m. EDT

Tickets: Starting at $15 on TiqIQ

TV: Pay-Per-View (Larry Vettel, Nat Moore) | ESPN GamePlan (outside Florida)
SiriusXM: 104/201 | Radio: Gator Radio Network [Affiliates]
Online Video: ESPN3.com (outside Florida)
Live Updates: @OnlyGators on Twitter and SportsYapper

Odds: OFF

HISTORY / STREAKS / STATS

» Florida and Jacksonville State have never squared off on the gridiron.
» The Gators have the No. 1 ranked strength of schedule nationally.
» Florida can finish 7-0 at home in a season for just the third time in school history. The 2006 and 2009 UF teams also accomplished that feat.
» The Gators are 13-1 against unranked opponents and 3-6 against ranked teams under Muschamp since he took over in 2011. Florida is 3-1 against ranked opponents this season with wins of Tennessee, LSU and South Carolina and a loss to Georgia.
» UF was 0-5 when trailing at the half in 2011 but have flipped that around and are 4-1 in 2012 in that category with all four victories vs. SEC opponents (two ranked).
» The Gators are 10-0 under Muschamp when rushing for more than 150 yards and 1-5 when rushing for fewer than 100 yards. UF is also 13-3 when holding opponents to fewer than 21 points, 9-1 when an opponent rushes for fewer than 100 yards, 10-3 when scoring first and 12-1 when leading at the half.
» Florida has scored on 30-of-36 red zone trips (83.3 percent) but have only converted 19 of those possessions (52.8 percent) into touchdowns.
» UF has converted a paltry 52-of-142 third-down attempts (36.6 percent) this season, which is tied for 88th nationally in that category.
» The Gators have held their opponents to 38-of-144 on third down conversions (26.4 percent), which is good for seventh-best in the nation. UF was second nationally in third-down defense (27.3 percent) last season.
» Florida is averaging 33:11 in time of possession through 10 games, a margin that ranks sixth nationally and first in the SEC by 1:36 per game.
» The Gators are outscoring opponents 155-55 in the second half (34-27 over the last three games) and 85-23 in the fourth quarter.
» Florida is third in scoring defense nationally (12.9 points per game).
» The Gators are +12 in turnover margin through 10 games after being -12 in 2011. UF has forced the most turnovers in the SEC (341) since 2000.
» Florida has grabbed 15 interceptions so far in 2012 and has already surpassed its 2011 total of eight picks. UF has registered at least one pick in seven-of-10 games and has also forced eight fumbles.
» The Gators are first nationally in pass efficiency defense (90.4), fifth in total defense (284.9 yards per game) and 11th in rushing defense (99.9 yards per game).
» Florida has at least two kickoff returns for touchdowns in each of the last two seasons after never having more than one in a single season before 2010. UF has not yet registered a kick return (or punt return) in 2012.
» The Gators are second nationally in net punt average (41.9 yards per punt).

Read about the injuries and absences and Senior Day…after the break!
Continue Reading » Senior Day – Gameday: No. 6 Florida Gators vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks

Tags: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Caleb Sturgis, Christopher Guido, Cole Gilliam, Earl Okine, Frankie Hammond, Jack Crowe, Jacksonville State Gamecocks, James Wilson, Jesse Schmitt, John Crofoot, John Reichardt, Jon Bostic, Josh Evans, Lerentee McCray, Mike Gillislee, Nick Alajajian, Omar Hunter, Omarius Hines, OVC, Sam Robey, Scott Peek, SEC, Will Muschamp, Xavier Nixon

Eighteen Florida Gators football players will step on to Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the last time Saturday as student-athletes at the University of Florida. Below is what each had to say about his career and final home game.

» Redshirt senior running back Omarius Hines: “It’s going to be a very emotional weekend. It’s going to be a great weekend at the same time. We can be undefeated in The Swamp – that’s always a good thing.”

» Redshirt senior wide receiver Frankie Hammond, Jr.: “It is [hard to believe]. Time flies fast when you’re playing ball. The four or five years I spent here have went by and the time is here. I’ve enjoyed it and it’s been a great experience for me. The time comes when you have to close that door, move on, and another door opens for you. … A lot of us have poured our hearts into this program. To have it finally end and to finally look at it from the outside in, come December, we’ll be spectators of the game. It will be real emotional having that hit you like, ‘Wow. I’m not playing and now I’m sitting back and watching.’ It definitely hurts but it’s time to close that door and other opportunities will come.”

CLICK TO EXPAND and read the rest of this post.

Tags: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Earl Okine, Florida Field, Frankie Hammond, James Wilson, Josh Evans, Omar Hunter, Omarius Hines, The Swamp, Xavier Nixon

A three-year starter for the Florida Gators who played under Steve Spurrier and Ron Zook, former guard Shannon Snell has joined OGGOA as a football columnist to provide his unique perspective on the team throughout the 2012 season. Snell, who played in 46 games over four seasons and started 36 contests, was named a First Team All-American by Sporting News in 2003 and spent two seasons in the NFL.

What exactly happened to this Florida football team? In most cases, I can understand the “a win is a win” mantra. In most cases, I understand that winning by seven is perfectly acceptable even when Las Vegas predicts the team to win by more than two touchdowns. It’s not how much the Gators won by that is the issue but rather how the team looked while doing so.

The Florida football players that took the field Saturday did not look like the ones that were tough and dominant in man-handling LSU. These guys did not look like the group that went on the road to College Station, TX the second week of the season and came from behind to take down Texas A&M. The Gators seem to have no identity right now, especially on offense, and look to be in a state of regression.

Three weeks ago, I was praising the job that the offensive line was doing. This unit was responsible for a lot of the success of quarterback Jeff Driskel, running back Mike Gillislee and others. It was opening holes big enough for Mack trucks to drive though, and the guys were even doing a decent job providing pass protection though there were a few issues. Back to my original question: What happened?

Read the rest of this edition of Snell’s Slant…after the break!
Continue Reading » Snell’s Slant: What happened to the Gators?

Tags: Jeff Driskel, Josh Evans, Matt Elam, Mike Gillislee, Sharrif Floyd, Will Muschamp

No. 6 Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp met with the media on Monday to review the team’s hard-fought 14-7 victory over the Missouri Tigers and preview Saturday’s game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns.

INJURY UPDATES

Though the Gators dealt with a rash of injuries both last week and during the game Saturday, Muschamp said that only redshirt sophomore running back Mack Brown (ankle) is listed as “questionable” for this week’s contest.

However, there are at least seven players who are “probable” for the Louisiana-Lafayette game including redshirt junior wide receiver Andre Debose (knee), redshirt senior kicker Caleb Sturgis (ankle), redshirt senior left guard James Wilson (knee), senior left tackle Xavier Nixon (knee), redshirt senior Buck linebacker Lerentee McCray (ankle), redshirt junior right guard Jon Halapio (ankle) and junior S Matt Elam (unknown).

Muschamp said none of the players will practice on Monday but he expects everyone listed as “probable” to participate in some way beginning on Tuesday.

PLAYER AWARDS

Offensive Players of the Game: Redshirt senior WR Frankie Hammond, Jr. and sophomore fullback Hunter Joyer
“[Joyer is] a guy that is having an outstanding year. He’s very unsung but blocks extremely well. A lot of the runs that we’re springing are because of him. He made a great block for Omarius [Hines]. Really, this is a season award for him. He had a really good game Saturday, but he’s played consistently well all season for us.”

Scrap Iron: Halapio, redshirt junior center Jonotthan Harrison

Big Plays: Hines, junior RB Trey Burton, senior RB Mike Gillislee

Defensive Players of the Game: Senior S Josh Evans and junior defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd
“I thought [Evans] played very well. He’s played consistently well for us this entire season and really is having a good year for us.”
* Floyd was also named SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week
“Sharrif was very difficult to block inside in this past ballgame and has been for the most part this season. He’s really playing his most natural position inside…and having a fantastic year.”

Ball Hawks: Evans, Elam, senior Mike linebacker Jon Bostic, junior defensive end Dominique Easley, sophomore cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy, junior CB Jaylen Watkins

Special Teams Players of the Game: Purifoy, sophomore S De’Ante Saunders

Read the rest of what Muschamp had to say…after the break!
Continue Reading » 11/5: Muschamp pleased with Florida’s resolve

Tags: Alex McCalister, Andre Debose, Antonio Morrison, Brent Pease, Brian Poole, Caleb Sturgis, D.J. Humphries, Dan Quinn, Dante Fowler, De'Ante Saunders, Dominique Easley, Frankie Hammond, Hunter Joyer, Jacoby Brissett, James Wilson, Jaylen Watkins, Jeremy Foley, Jon Bostic, Jon Halapio, Jonathan Bullard, Jonotthan Harrison, Josh Evans, Latroy Pittman, Lerentee McCray, Loucheiz Purifoy, Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns, Mack Brown, Marcus Maye, Matt Elam, Matt Jones, Mike Gillislee, Missouri Tigers, Omarius Hines, Raphael Andrades, Sharrif Floyd, Trey Burton, Will Muschamp, Xavier Nixon

No. 7 Florida Gators football (8-1, 7-1 SEC) concluded its Southeastern Conference slate with a tough 14-7 victory over the Missouri Tigers (4-5, 1-5 SEC) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday. Florida won a share of the SEC East with the victory but now must hope that Georgia loses in order to earn a trip to the 2012 SEC Championship. Gators head coach Will Muschamp met with the media and provided some of his thoughts after the game.

HISTORY / STREAKS / STATS

» The Gators are now 12-1 against unranked opponents under Muschamp and 4-1 in 2012 when trailing at the half after going 0-5 in such situations one year ago.
» Florida is undefeated (10-0) under Muschamp when rushing for more than 150 yards, 8-1 when an opponent rushes for fewer than 100 yards and 12-3 when holding an opponent to under 21 points
» The Gators were 0-2 in the red zone Saturday and are now 27-of-33 (81.8 percent) on the season with just 17 touchdowns (51.1 percent) from that field position.
» Florida converted just 2-of-13 third down opportunities and is now 48-for-128 (37.5 percent) this year.
» Despite entering the game fourth nationally in time of possession margin, the Gators were out-possessed by 7:54 on Saturday.
» Florida’s defense once again dominated the second half (14-0). The Gators are outscoring opponents 138-38 in the second half and 71-20 in the fourth quarter.
» UF is +11 in turnover margin through nine games after being -12 in 2011 and has forced the most turnovers in the SEC (340) since 2000.
» Florida has grabbed 15 interceptions so far in 2012 and has nearly doubled its 2011 total of eight. Saturday (four picks) was the third time this season that UF has registered three or more interceptions in a single game this year.
» The Gators have scored six total points on six red zone trips over the last two games.

PLAYER NOTES

» Senior running back Mike Gillislee got back to his productive ways, averaging 4.2 yards and totalling 68 net yards. He also scored his eighth touchdown on the season on a 45-yard screen pass from sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel. His 113 all-purpose yards led the team and were even more than Driskel threw for in the contest (106).
» Four Gators – junior cornerback Jaylen Watkins, junior safety Matt Elam, senior Mike linebacker Jon Bostic and senior S Josh Evans – registered interceptions Saturday. Watkins and Elam each lead UF with three picks on the year.
» Six Florida players registered at least a portion of a tackle for loss (10 total) and four came together for four total sacks. Junior defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd picked up three tackles for loss, and freshman defensive end Jonathan Bullard notched 1.5 sacks, a career-first.

OPENING STATEMENT

“You know, after our first game of the year, I kind of made a statement that this is kind of who we are right now. As we move forward, we’re going to continue to improve offensively, and we’re going to become more explosive and more of what we want to be. But we’re doing what we have to do to win football games. I know one thing: There is no one that can question the resolve of that locker room, the adversity, the different guys that go down in the game and the guys that man-down and man-up. It hasn’t always been pretty, but I believe we’re the 12th team in UF history to win seven [SEC] games. That’s a credit to those players. It’s a credit to buying in, to hanging together, to facing adversity, to facing a tough schedule and what-not that you want to say, bouncing back after a tough week. I’m proud of the players to do what we had to do to win the football game. [...] The effort and the attitude and the resolve of the football team is as good as I’ve been around. Guys accept the challenge and accept the opportunity, embrace it and go after it. It’s not always pretty but that’s a credit to our kids.”

A few minutes later, Muschamp continued speaking about the team’s resolve.

“I’m a realist. I believe in being honest and calling it the way it is. When it stinks, it stinks. I think if we go back last year and pull your tape recorders out, I probably said it a couple times. When we’ve been able to win and do what we had to do to win the game, I’m not trying to downgrade it at all. This football team has as much resolve as a football team that I’ve been around. You want to look at the circumstances and situations? You want to talk about last week in six turnovers and you’re driving to tie the ballgame at the end. I’ve been part of a bunch of football teams that would have never been in that situation. It’s a credit to our players.”

Read the rest of what Muschamp and the players had to say…after the break!
Continue Reading » 11/2: Florida vs. Missouri post-game report

Tags: Andre Debose, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Caleb Sturgis, D.J. Durkin, Dominique Easley, Hunter Joyer, James Wilson, Jaylen Watkins, Jeff Driskel, Jon Bostic, Jon Halapio, Jonathan Bullard, Josh Evans, Lerentee McCray, Loucheiz Purifoy, Mack Brown, Matt Elam, Mike Gillislee, Missouri Tigers, Omarius Hines, SEC, Sharrif Floyd, Will Muschamp, Xavier Nixon

Four forced interceptions and two second-half touchdowns fueled the No. 7 Florida Gators to a come-from-behind 14-7 victory Saturday over the Missouri Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL.

The win marked Florida’s seventh Southeastern Conference victory in eight games, giving the Gators as many league victories as the team has accumulated over the last two seasons. Florida (8-1, 7-1 SEC) also held Missouri (4-5, 1-5 SEC) scoreless in the second half, assuring the Tigers finish their first SEC season with a losing league record.

The Gators were outgained 335-276 on offense and outpossessed by 7:54 over four quarters, a surprising statistic considering how dominant UF had been in time of possession this season.

After a scoreless first quarter, Florida got the opportunity to begin a possession in the red zone when junior cornerback Jaylen Watkins intercepted Mizzou quarterback James Franklin and brought the ball down to the Tigers’ 19-yard line. The Gators were unable to convert, however, losing six yards on first down, getting tagged for a delay of game penalty and having a 48-yard field goal by redshirt senior kicker Caleb Sturgis blocked at the line of scrimmage.

Florida gave Missouri a similar opportunity just a few minutes later as senior running back Mike Gillislee was stripped and fumbled at UF’s 27-yard line. The Tigers needed six plays to get on the board as RB Kendi Lawrence scored a one-yard rushing touchdown to give his team a 7-0 lead with 6:10 remaining in the first half.

Read the rest of this Florida-Missouri game story…after the break!

Continue Reading » No. 7 Gators escape Tigers, finish 7-1 in SEC play

Tags: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Brad Phillips, Caleb Sturgis, Frankie Hammond, James Franklin, Jaylen Watkins, Jeff Driskel, Jon Bostic, Jon Halapio, Josh Evans, Kyle Christy, Loucheiz Purifoy, Matt Elam, Mike Gillislee, Missouri Tigers, Omarius Hines, SEC