Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp met with the media on Monday to review his team’s 27-14 victory over the Bowling Green Falcons in the season opener for both squads on Saturday. He also discussed the game ahead this week as Florida will travel to College Station, TX to face the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

PLAYER AWARDS

Offensive Player of the Game: senior running back Mike Gillislee
Scrap Iron: senior left tackle Xavier Nixon
Defensive Player of the Game: senior Mike linebacker Jon Bostic
Ball Hawk: sophomore cornerback Marcus Roberson
Scout Team Players of the Week: junior offensive lineman Max Garcia, freshman walk-on RB Mark Herndon, freshman walk-on defensive lineman Dakota Wilson

INJURY UPDATES

Junior long snapper Drew Ferris broke his clavicle (collarbone) and is out indefinitely. [Story]

Redshirt junior tackle Matt Patchan, who was ruled out of Saturday’s game with a strained pectoral, will miss the next game as well.

“I know he’s doing everything he can do to get back,” Muschamp said of Patchan. “I know that the rehab is going well. Everything has been very positive on that end, positive from him. He’s further ahead than we thought [he would be]. We though originally four weeks, now we’re kind of edging that back a little bit. I don’t know. We’re hoping to get him back. I know Matt’s frustrated. I’m frustrated for him because he’s worked extremely hard; he had a really good offseason. I hope it’s not that much longer. We need to get him back. He’s a good football player and he can help our team.”

PREPARING FOR TEXAS A&M

Suffice to say that Muschamp is impressed with Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin and the up-tempo offense he is bringing in his first season with the team. He noted that Sumlin likes to use quick screens to enhance the run game and hopes that the Gators do not get frustrated with that like they did against the Falcons.

“They’re going to get as many snaps as they can get,” he said. “They will give you the illusion of a lot of throwing, but they’re going on run the football.”

Florida will not have the greatest opportunity to prepare for Texas A&M this week considering their opponent’s season opener was postponed due to the threat of Hurricane Issac. Muschamp feels like the Gators are at an advantage going in with a game under their collective belt but admits that the team could be a bit unprepared for what the Aggies will do offensively.

“We are in a little bit of a guessing game from the standpoint of them not playing, but that’s always with the first game,” he explained. “You go through that as a coach, and you kind of go through into it when you go into a bowl game and you have that much time off with some different wrinkles that they may give you.”

Bostic said he thinks Florida will be fine as long as the defense concentrates on the game plan and focuses on the players on the field in front of them.

“We have to be sound on our assignments. The first quarter may be a little rough, but we have to make sure everybody is paying attention, paying attention on the sidelines when we get back so when we do make our adjustments in the first quarter everybody is together,” he said.

Read the rest of what Muschamp had to say Monday about Florida’s first game including issues with discipline and adding more creativity on offense.
Continue Reading » 9/3: Muschamp wraps opener, looks to Texas A&M

Tags: Andre Debose, Dakota Wilson, Dominique Easley, Drew Ferris, Frankie Hammond, Jeff Driskel, Jon Bostic, Loucheiz Purifoy, Mack Brown, Marcus Roberson, Mark Herndon, Matt Jones, Matt Patchan, Max Garcia, Mike Gillislee, Sharrif Floyd, Will Muschamp, Xavier Nixon

A three-year starter for the Florida Gators who played under head coaches 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.

No matter how you feel about yesterday’s game, I am glad that football is back. I honestly do not think I could have dealt with watching golf and NASCAR for another day.

Even though head coach Will Muschamp did not say that a final decision has been made at quarterback, he was right to go with Jeff Driskel over Jacoby Brissett for the majority of the game. While I don’t think either one had good command over the offense yesterday, it has always been my opinion that the job is Driskel’s to lose.

He seems to be much more accurate and has to ability to take off and run at any point. It was painful to watch the passing game because the only plays really shown by offensive coordinator Brent Pease were five-yard hitches, screens and swing passes. That’s not going to cut it in the SEC. Heck, it almost didn’t cut it against a MAC opponent. In fact, the only big shot taken was overthrown a mile by Brissett.

Muschamp has preached all offseason that both guys have gotten a lot better since last year and either could start for the Gators, but I don’t think Driskel or Brissett proved Saturday that they have made that much of an improvement.

On the other hand, Mike Gillislee looked as good as advertised in the backfield. Florida ran a combination of zone and power plays in the run game yesterday, and Gillislee looked very fluid in both schemes. He was hitting the holes strong in the power game and made great cuts off the blocks in the zone.

His explosion through the hole is incredible and is definitely what is separating him from the rest of the running backs. To me, Omarius Hines does not look like he should be toting the rock though Matt Jones and Mack Brown did well for the few carries they were given. Don’t get it twisted though, this is Gillislee’s show.

As an offensive lineman that is obviously the position I looked at closest over the course of the game, and I was indeed impressed…to a certain degree.

Read the rest of this edition of Snell Speaks…after the break!
Continue Reading » Snell’s Slant: Not going to cut it in the SEC

Tags: Brent Pease, Jacoby Brissett, Jeff Driskel, Jon Bostic, Mack Brown, Matt Jones, Mike Gillislee, Omarius Hines, Shannon Snell, Sharrif Floyd, Will Muschamp

Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp has already received some criticism for his decision to play one of his two sophomore quarterbacks in the first quarter and rotate in the other in the second quarter before reevaluating the situation at halftime of the season opener on Saturday against Bowling Green.

But the way his offensive coordinator Brent Pease and signal callers all tell it, the decision is at least fair to all parties involved even if it is a not typical.

“I think it is a little bit [unusual]. I think in this circumstance, because of how they both progressed and how they’ve shown their leadership skills, I’m not really worried about it right now,” Pease said on Monday. “In some situations I’ve been in before, I’d say, ‘Yeah.’ I don’t think it is [a problem for] this team because of their maturity and how they’ve kind of come along.

“I think when the lights come on it’s going to be different for each kid. Hopefully they’re both prepared and they accept the challenge.”

Pease said Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel both deserve the opportunity to play in the first game because of how hard they have practiced throughout the offseason and the level of improvement that each has shown over the last few months.

“They have both really done a good job in how they’ve handled the situation and how they progressed,” he said. “I think it would be hard to name a starter right now because what would you be telling the other kid? If they had separated from each other, yeah, but they both have really made major progress and they both have really done good things. We got a situation in a game where we can play them. There’s been situations in college football and even in the NFL where both guys have played.”

Driskel, who of course wants the starting job all to himself just like Brissett does, explained that there is not much more he or his teammate can ask for then a fair shot to compete for the full-time job.

“I thought they were going to name a starter,” he said, “but I knew it was going to be difficult for them, and I wouldn’t want to be the guy to have to pick between us two because, like I said, we’ve both been performing so well.

“Obviously I’d like to play the first but that doesn’t matter. We’re both going to play and we’re both going to try to do the same thing. We’re on the same team, so I’ll be cheering for him and he’ll be cheering for me.”

Driskel added, “Ever since the spring, [a fair shot is] what we’ve both wanted and that’s what we’ve both got. We both took advantage of our opportunity and this Saturday is just one more chance.”

Read the rest of this story…after the break!
Continue Reading » Split unusual but quarterbacks will get fair shot

Tags: Brent Pease, Jacoby Brissett, Jeff Driskel, Jessamen Dunker, Mack Brown, Skyler Mornhinweg, Tyler Murphy, Will Muschamp

With the 2011-12 athletic season now in the books and the 2012-13 season about to begin, the focus has shifted to the return of Florida Gators football. For the second-straight year, OGGOA will take a look at every player of substance on the roster, counting down by jersey number, in this series: The Countdown.

29 – Rhaheim Ledbetter (Shelby, NC)
Freshman defensive back
5’11” 206 lbs.

Quick Bio/2012 Outlook: The cousin of former Gators linebacker Brandon Spikes and a teammate of fellow commit defensive end Jonathan Bullard at Crest High School, Ledbetter was a highly-regarded prospect who was one of three players to join Florida from the state of North Carolina in 2012. Playing in one of the Gators’ deepest units, the secondary, Ledbetter will have a tough time seeing much action (if any) during his true freshman season. He may be an early candidate for a redshirt so he can spend an entire season learning the defense and become a contributor in 2013.

28 – Jeremi Powell (Largo, FL)
Freshman linebacker
6’1” 202 lbs.

Quick Bio/2012 Outlook:A four-star prospect, Powell is a multi-talented athlete who had 15 sacks during his senior season but also played running back and wide receiver while a member of his high school football team. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn praised Powell as “a top athlete,” “explosive” and “versatile” when he signed with Florida though nothing much has been said about him since he joined the team. Quinn initially said that Powell would be used as an inside linebacker though those plans may change as he advances throughout his career.

Check out 10 more players in this edition of The Countdown…after the break!
Continue Reading » The Countdown: Florida Gators roster (29-20)

Tags: Brent Pease, Brian Poole, Dan Quinn, De'Ante Saunders, Gideon Ajagbe, Jabari Gorman, Jeremi Powell, Jonathan Bullard, Mack Brown, Marcus Maye, Matt Elam, Matt Jones, Mike Gillislee, Omarius Hines, Rhaheim Ledbetter, Will Muschamp, Willie Bailey

Participating in his first game week press conference of the season, Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp met with the media on Monday to discuss the team’s first official depth chart and preparations heading into Saturday’s season-opener against Bowling Green on Sept. 1 at 3:30 p.m. live on ESPN.

OGGOA RELATED: QB Driskel cleared, Gators will split first-half snaps by quarter between him and Brissett

INJURY UPDATES

Redshirt junior tackle Matt Patchan – strained his pectoral on Saturday, will miss the season opener

Sophomore defensive back De’Ante Saunders – “pulled a hamstring” on Thursday and will miss multiple games – “He has a hamstring at this time. He’ll sit the first two games for right now. But he’s got a hamstring problem, so he wouldn’t be able to go the first game at least anyways,” Muschamp said.

Redshirt junior DB Jeremy Brown – set to have his wrist reevaluated on Tuesday to see if he can return to practice, will miss the season opener

Freshman OT D.J. Humphries – outside shot he will play if doctors clear him to return to practice from an injured MCL

Redshirt freshman guard Tommy Jordan – will miss opener with a shoulder injury

PLENTY OF FRESHMEN WILL PLAY

Though only five true freshmen (two offense, three defense) are listed on the opening week depth chart, Muschamp said Monday that as many as 10 are in line to see time on the field throughout the course of the game.

Wide receiver Latroy Pittman (X), guard Jessamen Dunker (right), linebacker Dante Fowler, Jr. (Buck), LB Antonio Morrison (Will) and defensive back Brian Poole (dime cornerback) are all listed on the depth chart and will assuredly see plenty of action.

Joining them will be Humphries (if healthy enough to compete), defensive end Jonathan Bullard (“a guy that is definitely going to play Saturday, probably very early in the game”), running back Matt Jones, WR Raphael Andrades and tight end Kent Taylor.

ADJUSTING TO THE NEW KICKOFF RULES

With the kickoff tee moved forward and the ball set to be placed at the 25 yard line for touchbacks, Muschamp and special teams coordinator D.J. Durkin have spent plenty of time working with the team this offseason to help them adjust to the new rules.

Muschamp said Monday that ensuring that redshirt junior wide receiver and starting kickoff returner Andre Debose brings back kicks is of paramount importance.

“We’d like for Andre to bring it out. That’s what we’d like for him to do…depending how deep it is,” he said. “We’ve kind of given him a little bit of a landmark back there of when we want him to take it out. We’ve worked really hard on that and making a good decision for those situations. That’s also affected by the hang time of the kick.”

On the more “defensive” side of the play, Muschamp is confident that redshirt senior kicker Caleb Sturgis will be able to kick the ball out of the end zone. However, he also cautioned that Florida may try to pin teams back on occasion. He is equally confident in the Gators’ coverage teams and their ability to eliminate any potential significant returns.

Read the rest of what Will Muschamp had to say on Monday…after the break!
Continue Reading » 8/27: Muschamp on Gators injuries, playing time

Tags: Andre Debose, Antonio Morrison, Brian Poole, Caleb Sturgis, Chris Johnson, D.J. Durkin, Dante Fowler, Darrin Kitchens, Frankie Hammond, Hunter Joyer, Jeff Dillman, Jessamen Dunker, Jonathan Bullard, Kent Taylor, Latroy Pittman, Mack Brown, Matt Jones, Neiron Ball, Omarius Hines, Raphael Andrades, Trey Burton, Will Muschamp

Though things could still change over the next five days, the Florida Gators on Monday morning released the team’s first official depth chart for the 2012 season. As was noted by head coach Will Muschamp last week, sophomore quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel will both play against the Bowling Green Falcons though who will take the first snap has not yet been determined.

Florida omitted players who are not participating in the season opener, therefore the below depth chart is not the “best case scenario” version. A list of those players can be found at the end along with some additional explanations.

QB: Jeff Driskel OR Jacoby Brissett
RB: Mike Gillislee, Mack Brown
FB: Hunter Joyer, Trey Burton
WR (X): Frankie Hammond, Jr., Latroy Pittman/Andre Debose
WR (Z): Quinton Dunbar, Solomon Patton
F: Trey Burton, Omarius Hines
TE: Jordan Reed, Clay Burton

LT: Xavier Nixon, Kyle Koehne
LG: James Wilson, Ian Silberman
C: Jonotthan Harrison, Sam Robey
RG: Jon Halapio, Jessamen Dunker
RT: Chaz Green, Trip Thurman

Click to expand and check out the rest of the week one depth chart.

Tags: Andre Debose, Antonio Morrison, Bowling Green Falcons, Chaz Green, Clay Burton, Damien Jacobs, Dante Fowler, Darrin Kitchens, Dominique Easley, Drew Ferris, Frankie Hammond, Hunter Joyer, Ian Silberman, Jacoby Brissett, James Wilson, Jaylen Watkins, Jeff Driskel, Jelani Jenkins, Jessamen Dunker, John Crofoot, Jon Bostic, Jon Halapio, Jonotthan Harrison, Jordan Reed, Kyle Christy, Kyle Crofoot, Kyle Koehne, Latroy Pittman, Leon Orr, Lerentee McCray, Louchiez Purifoy, Mack Brown, Michael Taylor, Mike Gillislee, Neiron Ball, Omar Hunter, Omarius Hines, Quinton Dunbar, Sam Robey, Sharrif Floyd, Solomon Patton, Todd Fennell, Trey Burton, Trip Thurman, Tyler Murphy, Xavier Nixon

With the 2011-12 athletic season now in the books and the 2012-13 season about to begin, the focus has shifted to the return of Florida Gators football. For the second-straight year, OGGOA will take a look at every player of substance on the roster, counting down by jersey number, in this series: The Countdown.

34 – Lerentee McCray (Ocala, FL)
Redshirt senior linebacker
6’3” 249 lbs.

Quick Bio: A highly-ranked four-star prospect, McCray has moved all around the Florida defensive front seven throughout his career. He played in 11 games over his first two seasons but received a medical redshirt in 2009 only to come back in 2010 and play in 10 contests. McCray capped his redshirt sophomore season by returning a punt block for a touchdown in the Outback Bowl.

Career Stats (30 games): 40 tackles (26 solo, 8.0 for loss), 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three pass defenses, touchdown

2011 Season: McCray missed the final four games of the season due to injury but played in the first nine contests, making five starts as the team’s primary Sam linebacker while also spending time at the Buck position. He registered 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, three pass defenses and a team-high four quarterback hurries.

2012 Outlook: Back healthy from a shoulder injury that also kept him out of spring practice, McCray was slated to start at Sam linebacker again for the Gators but shifted over to starting Buck linebacker after junior Ronald Powell tore his ACL in the spring game. McCray is one of a handful of players being counted on to improve Florida’s pass rush this season.

33 – Mack Brown (Lithonia, GA)
Redshirt sophomore running back
5’11” 214 lbs.

Quick Bio/2011 Season: One of the top running backs in the country coming out of high school, Brown was a four-star recruit who played in two games as a true freshman in 2010, carrying the ball three times for 23 yards. He broke his fibula in the spring of 2011 but was healthy enough to receive a few carries last season despite having three players in front of him on the depth chart.

Career Stats (14 games): 15 carries for 65 yards (avg.: 4.3, long: 13)

2012 Outlook: Brown is fighting for the back-up job behind senior Mike Gillislee and has been going head-to-head all offseason with freshman Matt Jones to be the second running back called on to carry the ball. Whether he wins the job or is forced to be third in line, Brown should see significant action in 2012 for the first time in his career.

Check out three more players in this edition of The Countdown…after the break!
Continue Reading » The Countdown: Florida Gators roster (39-30)

Tags: Brent Pease, Chris Johnson, Cody Riggs, Lerentee McCray, Mack Brown, Matt Jones, Michael McNeely, Mike Gillislee, Ronald Powell, Will Muschamp

With the Florida Gators just eight days away away from the beginning of the season on Sept. 1 at home against Bowling Green, head coach Will Muschamp met with the media on Friday to provide updates on the team.

INJURY UPDATES

Redshirt junior tackle Matt Patchan – strained his pectoral on Saturday, held out of contact and will miss the season opener

Sophomore defensive back De’Ante Saunders – “pulled a hamstring” on Thursday and will probably miss the season opener

Junior Buck linebacker Ronald Powell – starting the last phase of rehab from his torn ACL and will be cutting and changing direction with hopes of returning in October

Redshirt junior DB Jeremy Brown – set to have his wrist checked on Tuesday to see if he can return to practice

Freshman OT left tackle D.J. Humphries – expected to be back practicing on Tuesday or Wednesday after injuring his MCL

Redshirt freshman guard Tommy Jordan – minor shoulder injury

NOTES AND QUOTES
Click to expand and read the rest of this post.

Tags: Andre Debose, Cole Gilliam, D.J. Humphries, De'Ante Saunders, James Wilson, Jeremy Brown, Kyle Koehne, Mack Brown, Matt Jones, Matt Patchan, Mike Gillislee, Neiron Ball, Ronald Powell, Scott Peek, Tim Clark, Tommy Jordan