1 » Early Friday morning, Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow sat down with Hannah Storm for another interview, this one mostly about the 2011 season. Though the below video is only a clip of the interview, it will be aired in full on ESPN‘s SportsCenter on Friday. If/when the network makes it available online, OGGOA will update this thread with a video of the complete interview.

Click to expand and read three more BITS in this post.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos^: 10/21 for 316 yards, two touchdowns (QB rating: 125.6); 10 carries for 50 yards, touchdown

THE REST
DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals: Solo tackle
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Six tackles [team-high] (five solo, one for loss), sack, QB hit
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos^: Solo tackle
OT MARCUS GILBERT*, Pittsburgh Steelers: Played as a starter
OT MAX STARKS, Pittsburgh Steelers: Played as a starter

INJURED / INACTIVE
LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Torn triceps (season)
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Groin (season)
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Denver Broncos^: Inactive
DE JUSTIN TRATTOU*, New York Giants^: Inactive
C MAURKICE POUNCEY, Pittsburgh Steelers: High-ankle sprain

OTHER GATORS IN THE PLAYOFFS
New England Patriots: TE Aaron Hernandez, LB Brandon Spikes, DT Gerard Warren, LB Jermaine Cunningham (hamstring – season)
San Francisco 49ers: DE Ray McDonald

NOTES
- Tebow’s 316 yards were a season- and career-high.
- Starks left the game with an injury (knee).

PRACTICE SQUAD PLAYERS
TE Cornelius Ingram (Denver)

^ Team advanced in playoffs
* Rookie

2011 WEEK: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17

1 » With Jacksonville Dolphins head coach Kerwin Bell a hot name amongst fans to fill the offensive coordinator role with the Florida Gators, The Florida Times-Union reports that he is mulling an offer from the team but not to serve in that capacity. According to the paper, “multiple sources familiar with Florida’s interest” in Bell says the former Gators quarterback is being offered the quarterback coach role with the team. OGGOA was told weeks ago by a person close to Bell that he would only leave Jacksonville if Florida offered a role more substantial than position coach (such as passing game coordinator or co-offensive coordinator at a minimum) because the move would otherwise come with a great reduction in responsibilities and no increase in pay. If he was hired for one of the other positions, Bell would still have fewer responsibilities but could offset that with a return to Gainesville, FL and a higher salary.

2 » The ITA on Tuesday released its preseason national rankings and the defending national champion Gators can be found all over the organization’s lists. Florida as a team comes in at No. 1 to start the season while Stanford, the squad UF defeated for the title, will begin 2012 in the No. 2 spot. The Gators also have five singles competitors in the top 41 nationally: junior Allie Will (No. 3), senior Joanna Mather (No. 4), junior Lauren Embree (No. 25), sophomore Sofie OyenAlex Cercone (No. 41). Stanford’s Mallory Burdette, who Embree defeated in the final match of the national title event, is listed as the preseason No. 1 player in the country. Burdette, along with Nicole Gibbs, also holds recognition as the No. 1 doubles team. Two Florida pairings, however, are ranked in the top 15: Oyen/Will (No. 10) and Embree/Mather (No. 15). The men’s team is ranked No. 8 preseason with three singles competitors and three doubles pairs also listed.

Click to expand and read two more BITS in this post.

11 » LEGAL ISSUES/EMBARRASSMENTS HANG OVER PROGRAM
Like 2009 and 2010, Florida could not escape its share of unfortunate arrests and embarrassing incidents in 2011. It started simply enough early in February when a pair of Gators swimmers – Lily Ramirez and Daniela Victoria – were arrested and indefinitely suspended from the team after being accused of shoplifting from Nordstrom at the Orlando Mall. Next up was Florida senior outfielder Bryson Smith, who was picked up on March 13 for driving under the influence. Oakland Raiders wide receiver Louis Murphy was arrested in Gainesville, FL three weeks later and charged with a trio of misdemeanors for failing to obey a police officer, possession of a drug (Viagra) without a valid prescription and resisting arrest without violence. The month of April was a tough one for the basketball team. Forwards Erik Murphy and Cody Larson were arrested in St. Augustine, FL and charged with third-degree felony burglary charges after allegedly breaking into a car, and team manager Josh Adel was also arrested for principal to burglary for allegedly serving as a lookout. Charges against the players were eventually reduced and each settled their respective case, while Adel had all charges against him dropped. Additionally, former Florida F Dan Wener was charged with a DUI even though he blew below the legal limit (0.08) on the Breathalyzer twice. The State Attorney’s Office eventually dropped his charges due to insufficient evidence to sustain a conviction.

Unfortunately the year of brushes with the law was just getting started for the Gators. It surfaced on April 24 via a news report that both linebacker Chris Martin and defensive end Kendric Johnson were cited with misdemeanors for possessing approximately two grams of marijuana each in their respective vehicles on separate occasions. Former Florida WR Reche Caldwell was arrested one month later for possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license. Gators runner Andries Dumisane Hlaselo had the darkest arrest of the year, being picked up in June after being accused of rape and sexual assault. He was immediately dismissed from the team. The Florida football team had the remainder of the year’s arrests. Sophomore safety Matt Elam was cited for underage drinking for the second time in as many years in July, and an August report noted that freshman defensive back De’Ante Saunders was cited for misdemeanor possession of marijuana in May. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Dee Finely was arrested on Sept. 13 on a first-degree misdemeanor for driving a scooter with a suspended license as well as a third-degree felony for resisting arrest without violence, and freshman cornerback Marcus Roberson was served with a written arrest for underage drinking just one day later. Sophomore defensive tackle Dominique Easley had the last brush with the law of 2011 as he was accused of attacking a former Alabama player early in October but was cleared of the charges one month later. All-in-all, for every positive thing accomplished by the Gators in 2011, there always seemed to be something negative about the program just around the corner.

10 » SIX BECOME A PART OF THE GATOR NATION IN THE SKY; THREE SUFFER SERIOUS MEDICAL ISSUES DURING THE YEAR
It would be difficult to recount everything that Gator Nation has gone through in 2011 without remembering those close to the University of Florida who left us for a better place or suffered through serious medical issues in the past year. Young and old, these Gators departed too soon or had plenty to deal with as the year went on. Jimmy Carnes (76), a former Gators track and field coach, passed away in March after losing a four-year battle with prostate cancer. Former linebacker/safety and three-time Super Bowl winner Godfrey Myles (42) suffered a massive heart attack in June and, while in the hospital on life support, had a stroke that took his life. Former punter and 12-year NFL veteran Don Chandler (76) also lost a long battle with cancer in August. Mike Heimerdinger (58), who was diagnosed with cancer early in the year, passed away in October. He was a former graduate assistant and wide receivers coach at Florida and won consecutive SEC titles with the team from 1984-85. Ending the year on a sad note, beloved Gainesville, FL businessman and former Gators long snapper Harold Monk III (42) died suddenly in December. OGGOA once again sends our deepest condolences to the families and friends of these men.

Florida freshman linebacker Neiron Ball was the first of three members of the Gators family to suffer serious health issues during the year. He was rushed to the hospital in February after a blood vessel in his brain ruptured as part of a congenital vascular condition. The doctors were able to stop the bleeding and Ball was released from the hospital four days later, but he was forced to miss the entire season for recovery purposes. In the middle of the year, Miami Heat guard/forward Mike Miller was lucky enough to have his wife give birth to a daughter named Jaylen. Unfortunately for the family, she was forced to spend two weeks in a pediatric intensive care unit after doctors found that she had five holes in her heart upon being born. The Millers eventually brought Jaylen home with them in a bit of a coincidence considering they actually donated $1 million to a pediatric intensive care unit at children’s hospital in his home town in 2007. Later that month, former Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, which he is currently still recovering from and will continue to do so over the next few months.

9 » 10 FOOTBALL PLAYERS TRANSFER IN EIGHT MONTHS
There is bound to be attrition with any major coaching change, and that is exactly what happened to head coach Will Muschamp and the Gators football team this season. A total of 10 players decided at some point this year to try their hand at playing elsewhere. The first two defections were wide receivers redshirt freshman Chris Dunkley and freshman Javares McRoy, who both left the team in April. Dunkley was suspended from team activities during the spring for academic reasons and wanted to leave the program, while McRoy realized he made a wrong decision committing to Florida and instead wanted to play with his brother at Texas Tech. One month later, freshman running back Mike Blakely also decided to leave the program. He enrolled early and had shoulder surgery in the spring but realized he should not have committed because he wanted to play in a spread offense. Redshirt freshman transfer Chris Martin was the next to go. After being arrested on Jan. 29 for misdemeanor possession of marijuana (and having a number of other off-the-field issues), he decided to transfer out of Gainesville in June before ever officially suiting up for the Gators. Just one week later, redshirt freshman tight end Michael McFarland also chose to try his luck elsewhere. Muschamp said the decision was mutual, and McFarland also never stepped on the field for Florida.

The Gators began the season without further defections, but redshirt sophomore linebacker Dee Finley decided to pursue another opportunity on Oct. 12 after appearing in 14 games over two seasons. Another duo transferred just two weeks later as former high school teammates and sophomores TE Gerald Christian and WR Robert Clark decided to head elsewhere over concerns about playing time and future opportunities. Florida announced three days after its final regular season game that redshirt freshmen safety Joshua Shaw and DE Lynden Trail would also be leaving the team. Shaw said he wanted to be closer to his family, while Trail said he loved the Gators but realized he would not be playing anytime soon. Additionally, redshirt junior offensive lineman David Young, who played in 12 games, told the team he would choose to graduate and not return for 2012. The lacrosse team was also hit with a transfer shocker as midfielder Janine Hillier, their fourth-leading scorer from a year ago, left the program in order to head to Stony Brook where her sister is an assistant coach.

8 » FLORIDA ATHLETIC PROGRAM WINS 200TH SEC TITLE
It may have occurred with an on-field victory as the men’s golf team won the 2011 SEC Championship on April 17, but the milestone is a huge off-the-field accomplishment for the Gators athletic program, which this year won its 200th league title. The SEC started awarding league titles in 1933, and Florida currently leads the conference in total league championships won. “The 200th SEC title is a testament to the dedication and drive shown by Gator student-athletes and coaches over these many seasons. Every title is celebrated because winning a championship in any of the league’s sports is a truly an accomplishment because of the strength of the SEC,” UF Athletic Director Jeremy Foley said. The Gators have double-digit SEC titles in seven sports (both swimming and diving programs, women’s tennis, volleyball, men’s golf, baseball and soccer) and have won five or more in every sport except three.

7 » HEISMAN STATUES UNVEILED; GATOR GREATS IN HALLS OF FAME

At halftime of the Gators’ 2011 Orange & Blue Debut, UF officially unveiled a trio of statues to commemorate the school’s three Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks – Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996) and Tim Tebow (2007). The statues, each of which is 15 percent larger than life-sized and features the players in different stances, cost approximately $550,000 to construct – all funded by private donations. Spurrier sent in a pre-recorded message for the occasion because South Carolina’s spring game was the same day, but Wuerffel and Tebow stood at midfield as the statues were unveiled and expressed their appreciation to the fans, administrators and donors that paid for the project. Former Florida WR Carlos Alvarez also received a special honor this year when the National Football Foundation announced that he would be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Alvarez was one of 16 inductees honored in a Dec. 2011 dinner, but he will not be officially inducted until July 2012. He will be the third former Gators player to be inducted since 2006 and the ninth in school history. Seven letterwinners were inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame in April with LB Mike Peterson, punter Judd Davis and basketball’s Bob Emrick leading the way. Peterson spoke with OGGOA in an exclusive interview about his career and how honored he was to be included honored by his alma mater.

6 » GATORS SELECTED IN NFL, NBA, MLB DRAFTS

It is a far cry from last year’s amazing accomplishment of having nine players selected in the 2010 NFL Draft, but the Gators did quite well this year when you look at how many players were picked in the drafts for all three major professional leagues. Four former Florida players – center Mike Pouncey (Round 1, Pick 15 to the Miami Dolphins), tackle Marcus Gilbert (Round 2, Pick 63 to the Pittsburgh Steelers), safety Ahmad Black (Round 5, Pick 151 to the Tamp Bay Buccaneers) and guard Maurice Hurt (Round 7, Pick 217 to the Washington Redskins) were all picked in the 2011 NFL Draft but were unable to sign with their respective teams until the NFL lockout was lifted in July. At that time, eight additional former Gators were signed as undrafted free agents though only punter Chas Henry (Philadelphia Eagles) and DE Justin Trattou (New York Giants) made it out of training camp, onto practice squads and eventually onto the active rosters of their respective teams. Pouncey and Henry have started every game this year, while Gilbert and Hurt have each started the majority of games this season.

The Florida basketball program had two players picked in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft with forwards Chandler Parsons (Pick 38) and Vernon Macklin (Pick 52) headed to the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons, respectively. Like the football players, neither was able to report or sign with their team right away due to the NBA lockout but each has since agreed to a deal and made the roster. Parsons spent part of the fall playing overseas for Cholet Basket in France, while Macklin stayed in the United States and worked out. Gators F Alex Tyus, who also graduated last season, signed in June with Maccabi Ashdod of the Israel Loto League. Joining all the football and basketball players was a school record 11 Florida baseball players picked in the 2011 MLB Draft. Though three wound up returning to the team, junior LHP Nick Maronde (Round 4, Pick 104), junior LHP Anthony DeSclafani (Round 6, Pick 199), junior LHP Alex Panteliodis (Round 9, Pick 282), junior RHP Tommy Toledo (Round 11, Pick 341), senior infielder Josh Adams (Round 13, Pick 403), junior catcher Ben McMahan (Round 23, Pick 701), senior RHP Matt Campbell (Round 24, Pick 751) and senior outfielder Bryson Smith (Round 34, Pick 1,045) chose to sign with the teams that drafted them. The Gators roster is so loaded, however, that Florida baseball was given a preseason No. 1 ranking heading into the 2012 season.

5 » FRED TAYLOR, JASON WILLIAMS, CHANNING CROWDER RETIRE

With so many former Gators finding success in the professional ranks, each of their respective careers inevitably has to come to an end, and that is exactly what happened for three former Florida players this year. Point guard Jason Williams announced his retirement on April 18 after playing in the NBA for 12 years. Williams, the No. 7 overall pick in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft, spent his entire career with five teams and finished with totals of 8,266 points, 4,611 assists, 1,810 rebounds and 933 steals. He averaged 10.5 points, 5.9 assists and 2.3 rebounds for his career while shooting 39.8 percent from the field, 32.7 percent from three-point range and 81.3 percent from the free throw line. Williams had previously retired for one season but returned to the court last year before finally calling it quits. He also won a NBA title during the 2005-06 season with the Miami Heat. After being cut by the Miami Dolphins in August, LB Channing Crowder announced live on the air that he would be retiring from the NFL. At just 27-years-old, Crowder amassed 469 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception in 82 career games after being selected with the No. 70 overall pick in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He made his mark in Miami as a locker room and on-field leader but chose to hang up his cleats mostly because his son was about to be born and he did not want to be far away playing in another state. There are some who believe Crowder will attempt a return to the field in 2012.

Not taking anything away from Williams or Crowder, the retirement of running back Fred Taylor after a 13-year NFL career was undoubtedly the most important one of the year. Taylor, who signed a one-day contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars (the team that picked him with the No. 9 overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft), is the team’s all-time leader in rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns. His final stat sheet includes 11,695 rushing yards, 66 rushing touchdowns, 2,384 receiving yards and eight receiving scores. Taylor is also one of just 30 NFL players who have run for more than 10,000 yards in a career and one of three to average at least 4.5 yards per carry over eight seasons (Jim Brown, Barry Sanders). A member of the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame and University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame, Taylor will be inducted into Jacksonville’s hall in the near future and will likely get consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame when the time comes.

4 » CHARLIE WEIS HIRED, LEAVES 11 MONTHS LATER
Just 364 days ago (from the day this is published), ESPN’s Chris Mortensen had Gator Nation in a stir when he reported that then-Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Charlie Weis had been contacted by Muschamp and offered the same job with Florida. The Gators still had their bowl game to play the next day and were concentrating on sending Meyer out in style with a victory, but hours after Florida’s game ended on Jan. 1, a second report surfaced that Weis would officially be hired that Monday. Before the Gators had the chance to make the official announcement, Weis told the Kansas City Star that the chance to coach at UF and spent so much additional time with his son was “almost a dream” for a number of reasons. That dream became a reality one day later when Muschamp announced his decision to hire Weis, calling him a “perfect fit for what I was looking for in an offensive coordinator.” Weis brought both college and professional experience with him on his resume and many believed he was the perfect person to almost be the head coach of the offense while Muschamp concentrated on running the team and especially the defense. The hire immediately paid dividends as Weis convinced then-redshirt junior QB John Brantley to return for his senior season, explaining that his pro-style offense and opportunity to be his personal QB coach would help him improve.

Fast forward 10 months to just days before Florida’s final game of the 2011 regular season against Florida State when Weis told the media that he planned to serve as the Gators offensive coordinator “for a long time.” It was undoubtedly a surprise to everyone when, just over two weeks later, Weis was plucked from Florida to be Kansas’ next head coach in a whirlwind 24-hour period that went from inquisition to contract offer to acceptance. Muschamp said that he understood and supported Weis’s decision, and Weis himself said that it was “one of those unique situations” that he could not turn down but neither opinion changes how much of a shock it was to Gator Nation to see Weis leave less than a year after being hired.

3 » JANORIS JENKINS RETURNS, DISMISSED THREE MONTHS LATER

Arguably the Gators best player in 2010, junior cornerback Janoris Jenkins was expected to declare for the 2011 NFL Draft shortly after the team’s bowl game. Instead Jenkins, who played the season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder and had surgery to correct the injury prior to the 2011 Outback Bowl, announced that he would return for his senior season. “After careful consideration, I’ve made the decision to return to school for my senior year. I spent some time with my family and Coach Muschamp and came to the conclusion it was in my best interest to return to school,” he said in a school release. “Coach Muschamp was very supportive throughout the whole process, regardless of my decision, but he wanted to make sure I had all of the facts. I’m looking forward to working towards my degree, completing my rehab and getting back on the field with my teammates.” Florida fans were ecstatic about the announcement and overjoyed that the team’s shutdown defender would give the Gators a level of consistency with so much change going on around him.

As it turns out though, Jenkins never suited up for Florida again. Two weeks after his announcement, he was cited for misdemeanor possession of marijuana when police caught him rolling a joint in a nightclub bathroom. It was his second legal incident in less than two years (Jenkins was arrested in May 2009 on misdemeanor charges of affray and resisting arrest without violence). He was punished internally but allowed to remain on the team. However, Muschamp’s hand was forced as Jenkins was arrested again on April 23 (less than 90 days later) when police caught him smoking a marijuana “cigar” in his car in a parking lot at 12:35 a.m. Three days following his third arrest in less than two years, Jenkins was dismissed from the team by Muschamp, who claimed that it was a mutual decision between the two parties. Jenkins made it clear the next day that it was the coach’s decision. “I was dismissed as soon as I walked in the room. He washed his hands of me,” he said. He wound up transferring to North Alabama and having a nice senior season as a cornerback and kick returner. In fact, if he can convince teams that his legal issues are behind him, Jenkins may even be picked in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, which would have otherwise been a sure thing if he never got in trouble and remained at UF for his senior season.

2 » FLORIDA SWEEPS SEC ALL-SPORTS AWARDS; MEN WIN CAPITAL ONE CUP

There were up and downs for Florida throughout the entire year, but the Gators received a pair of major honors in May and June that gave fans plenty to cheer about in 2011. Any doubt that UF had the dominant athletic program in the SEC during the 2010-11 school year was put to rest on May 22 when the university was named the unanimous SEC All-Sports champion for the third-straight season. Florida swept all three titles – overall, men’s and women’s – by staggering numbers and literally dominated the competition, continuing to be the only school to sweep all three titles in a single season. The Gators in 2011 accomplished that for the 11th time in school history, fourth time in the last five years and third-in-a-row (2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10). Florida learned one month later that the men’s athletic program was the winner of the first-ever Capital One Cup, awarded annually to each of the top men’s and women’s Division I college athletic programs. The Gators (93 points) won by an 11-point margin over Virginia (82) and finished 23 points above the next SEC team, Auburn (70). Though Florida did not place in the top 10 in any fall sports, the Gators found much greater success in the winter and spring with the performances of indoor track & field (first), baseball (second), outdoor track & field (third), swimming & diving (fifth), tennis (ninth) and basketball (10th) earning the school the honor. The women’s team wound up finishing No. 4 in their respective category but was first among SEC schools. Recognized regionally and nationally for its excellence, the Gators had plenty to be proud of this year.

1 » URBAN MEYER LEAVES WITH A WIN, TAKES ON-AIR GIG WITH ESPN, SEVERS TIES WITH FLORIDA, AGREES TO COACH OHIO STATE

Just one year ago, the resignation of Meyer and hiring of Muschamp captured the No. 1 spot on the Top 10 for 2010, so it should not come as much of a surprise that Meyer’s moves in 2011 landed him back here 12 months later. Announcing that he would leave Florida for the second time on Dec. 8, 2010, Meyer exited on a positive note as UF defeated Penn State 37-24 in the 2011 Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 (check out Saturday’s post). However, just 30 days removed from his last game with the Orange and Blue, Meyer agreed to begin a new form of employment by signing to work as an on-air college football analyst with ESPN for the 2011 season and beyond.

He explained that the job would not cut into his decision to spend more time with his family because it would only keep him away from home for sport periods of time each week. As part of Meyer’s separation from the Gators, Foley said that he would retain an office inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and would continue to work with Florida in some capacity. As it turns out, ESPN and Florida quickly realized that situation would create a conflict of interest (including a perceived bias as well as potential NCAA recruiting violations), and Meyer was forced to sever ties with the school on Feb. 2. Despite Foley’s efforts to ensure that Meyer remained a part of the program even though his tenure as a coach had ended, Meyer’s decision to take another job essentially forced his hand. While Meyer excelled in his role with ESPN, rumors persisted all year that he would eventually take over the Ohio State Buckeyes job vacated when head coach Jim Tressel was forced to resign while under immense pressure from numerous NCAA violations. He scoffed at most of these comments and reports but was forced to address the situation in late November after numerous reports had him heading to Columbus, OH sooner than later. He again denied rumors on Nov. 23, saying that he had neither been offered the job or nor reached any deal with Ohio State just before Thanksgiving.

However, Meyer wound up accepting that very job just five days later, and was officially announced as the Buckeyes’ next head coach after signing a six-year, $24 million contract. Though Foley wished Meyer the best of luck at his new job, most Gators fans were enraged that he agreed to coach another team just 10 months after coaching his last game for Florida amidst concerns about his health and time with his family. OGGOA took an in-depth look at Meyer’s move to Ohio State in a 3,400-word post that included sections about his health and family issues as well as a number of other issues like the Gators fan base, media scrutiny, state he left the program in and the timing of the move. Though he may have only been employed by Florida for one month in 2011, Meyer’s actions were once again the most notable and memorable ones that occurred this year.

Photo Credits (in order): Associated Press, Unknown, ESPN, Cleveland Plain-Dealer

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Seven tackles (five solo, one for loss) [team-highs], sack, QB hit, pass defense, interception (17-yard return)
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings Five receptions for 65 yards [team-highs] (targets: 6, long: 36), touchdown; four carries for 39 yards (long: 31); three kickoff returns for 47 yards (long: 23)

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Major Wright, Carlos Dunlap, Jeremy Mincey, Ray McDonald, Jabar Gaffney

Check out how the rest of the Gators in the NFL played…after the break!

THE REST
LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Four solo tackles
LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: Solo tackle
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Three receptions for 41 yards (targets: 5, long: 30)
S MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears: Seven tackles (five solo) [team-highs]
DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals: Solo tackle for loss, sack, three QB hits
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Two tackles (one solo), two pass defenses
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos: 13/30 for 185 yards, touchdown, four interceptions (QB rating: 35.4); 10 carries for 34 yards, touchdown
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Three tackles (two solo)
DE JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Two tackles, two QB hits, pass defense, interception (five-yard return)
C MIKE POUNCEY*, Miami Dolphins: Played as a starter
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Four receptions for 36 yards (targets: 6, long: 15), carry for one yard
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots: Solo tackle
DE JUSTIN TRATTOU*, New York Giants: Active
G COOPER CARLISLE, Oakland Raiders: Played as a starter
DE JARVIS MOSS, Oakland Raiders: QB hit
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Active
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Oakland Raiders: Seven solo tackles
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: Reception for 28 yards, solo tackle
P CHAS HENRY*, Philadelphia Eagles: Six punts for 256 yards (long: 56, avg.: 42.7)
OT MARCUS GILBERT*, Pittsburgh Steelers: Played as a starter
OT MAX STARKS, Pittsburgh Steelers: Played as a starter
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Seven tackles (three solo, one for loss), sack, QB hit
SS AHMAD BLACK*, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Two solo tackles
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Washington Redskins: Six receptions for 77 yards [team-highs] (targets: 8, long: 29), touchdown
QB REX GROSSMAN, Washington Redskins: 26/41 for 284 yards, two touchdowns, interception, fumble (QB rating: 89.9)
OG MAURICE HURT*, Washington Redskins: Played as a starter

INJURED / INACTIVE
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Inactive
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Denver Broncos: Inactive
LB BRANDON SILER, Kansas City Chiefs: Torn Achilles (season)
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Hamstring (season)
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Knee
C MAURKICE POUNCEY, Pittsburgh Steelers: High-ankle sprain
RB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Torn Achilles (season)

NOTES
- Ma. Pouncey missed his second-straight week of action.
- Black recorded his first career NFL stats.

PRACTICE SQUAD PLAYERS
OT Phil Trautwein (New Orleans)

NOTABLE FREE AGENTS
DE Alex Brown, DE Bobby McCray

* Rookie

2011 WEEK: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Nine receptions for 129 yards [team-highs] (targets: 11, long: 46), touchdown; carry for 16 yards

Check out how the rest of the Gators in the NFL played…after the break!

THE REST
LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Active
LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: Tackle
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Six receptions for 60 yards (targets: 7, long: 21)
DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals: Solo tackle
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Solo tackle
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Four tackles (two solo)
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos: 11/22 for 194 yards (QB rating: 80.5); 12 carries for 93 yards [team-highs], two touchdowns, fumble
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Nine tackles (six solo)
DE JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Seven solo tackles (two for loss), sack
C MIKE POUNCEY*, Miami Dolphins: Played as a starter
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings Three receptions for eight yards (targets: 7, long: 5); carry for -1 yard; kick return for 28 yards
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots: Two tackles, half sack, QB hit
DE JUSTIN TRATTOU*, New York Giants: Solo tackle
G COOPER CARLISLE, Oakland Raiders: Played as a starter
DE JARVIS MOSS, Oakland Raiders: Active
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Reception for eight yards (targets: 2), two carries for 16 yards, touchdown
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Oakland Raiders: Eight solo tackles (one for loss)
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: Reception or 18 yards
P CHAS HENRY*, Philadelphia Eagles: Four punts for 136 yards (long: 45, avg.: 34.0, inside 20: 2)
OT MARCUS GILBERT*, Pittsburgh Steelers: Played as a starter
OT MAX STARKS, Pittsburgh Steelers: Played as a starter
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Two tackles (one solo), half sack
SS AHMAD BLACK*, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Active
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Washington Redskins: Six receptions for 85 yards [team-highs] (targets: 9, long: 17)
QB REX GROSSMAN, Washington Redskins: 15/24 for 185 yards, touchdown, two interceptions (QB rating: 65.5); carry for -1 yard
OG MAURICE HURT*, Washington Redskins: Played as a starter

INJURED / INACTIVE
S MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears: Shoulder
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Inactive
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Denver Broncos: Inactive
LB BRANDON SILER, Kansas City Chiefs: Torn Achilles (season)
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Hamstring (season)
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Knee
C MAURKICE POUNCEY, Pittsburgh Steelers: High-ankle sprain
RB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Torn Achilles (season)

NOTES
- Trattou recorded his first statistic of the season.

PRACTICE SQUAD PLAYERS
OT Phil Trautwein (New Orleans)

NOTABLE FREE AGENTS
DE Alex Brown, DE Bobby McCray

* Rookie

2011 WEEK: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos: 21/40 for 236 yards, touchdown, interception (QB rating: 68.3); 12 carries for 49 yards (long: 16), fumble [4th quarter & overtime: 18/24 for 191 yards, TD, set-up game-tying and game-winning field goals]

Check out how the rest of the Gators in the NFL played…after the break!

THE REST
LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Solo tackle, interception, pass defense
LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: Active
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Two receptions for 20 yards (targets: 6, long: 8)
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Two receptions for 10 yards (targets: 3, long: 8)
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Nine tackles (seven solo), interception (23-yard return), two pass defenses
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Eight tackles (five solo)
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Six tackles (five solo, two for loss)
DE JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Four tackles (one solo, one for loss), fumble recovery
C MIKE POUNCEY*, Miami Dolphins: Played as a starter
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings 10 receptions for 69 yards [team-highs] (targets: 15, long: 16), touchdown; four carries for 40 yards (long: 32), kick return for 47 yards
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Five receptions for 84 yards (targets: 7, long: 29)
DE JUSTIN TRATTOU*, New York Giants: Active
G COOPER CARLISLE, Oakland Raiders: Played as a starter
DE JARVIS MOSS, Oakland Raiders: Solo tackle
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Four receptions for 70 yards (targets: 9, long: 24); carry for 10 yards
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Oakland Raiders: Three solo tackles
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: Reception or 29 yards (targets: 3)
P CHAS HENRY*, Philadelphia Eagles: Nine punts for 419 yards (long: 58, avg.: 46.6, inside 20: 4), punt blocked
C MAURKICE POUNCEY, Pittsburgh Steelers: Played as a starter
OT MARCUS GILBERT*, Pittsburgh Steelers: Played as a starter
OT MAX STARKS, Pittsburgh Steelers: Played as a starter
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Two solo tackles, fumble recovery
SS AHMAD BLACK*, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Active
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Washington Redskins: Six receptions [team-high] for 92 yards, touchdown (targets: 8, long: 24), Gator Chomp
QB REX GROSSMAN, Washington Redskins: 19/32 for 252 yards (QB rating: 92.2), two touchdowns, interception; carry, fumble
OG MAURICE HURT*, Washington Redskins: Played as a starter

INJURED / INACTIVE
S MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears: Shoulder
DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals: Hamstring
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Denver Broncos: Inactive
LB BRANDON SILER, Kansas City Chiefs: Torn Achilles (season)
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Hamstring (season)
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Knee
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots: Inactive
RB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Torn Achilles (season)

NOTES
- Maurkice Pouncey suffered a high-ankle sprain on his left leg.
- Black, Tampa Bay’s fifth-round pick, was signed off the practice squad this week and active or the first time this season. He suffered a high-ankle sprain during the preseason.

PRACTICE SQUAD PLAYERS
OT Phil Trautwein (New Orleans)

NOTABLE FREE AGENTS
DE Alex Brown, DE Bobby McCray

* Rookie

2011 WEEK: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos: 10/15 for 202 yards, two touchdowns (QB rating: 149.3); four carries for 13 yards, two-point conversion [game-tying]

WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings Eight receptions for 156 yards [team-highs] (targets: 9, long: 52), two touchdown; five carries for 19 yards

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Mike Peterson, Riley Cooper

Check out how the rest of the Gators in the NFL played…after the break!

THE REST
LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: 10 tackles (seven solo, two for loss), pass defense
LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: Active
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Three receptions for 34 yards (targets: 8, long: 17), tackle
S MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears: Five tackles (four solo), QB hit
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Active
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Six tackles (three solo, one for loss), QB hit
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Three solo tackles, pass defense
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Three tackles (two solo)
DE JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Two solo tackles (one for loss), QB hit
C MIKE POUNCEY*, Miami Dolphins: Played as a starter
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Active
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Seven receptions for 43 yards (targets: 9, long: 43)
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots: Two tackles
DE JUSTIN TRATTOU*, New York Giants: Active
G COOPER CARLISLE, Oakland Raiders: Played as a starter
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Two receptions for 15 yards (targets: 5), two carries for 16 yards
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Oakland Raiders: Three tackles (two solo)
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: Five receptions for 94 yards [team-highs] (targets: 10, long: 47)
P CHAS HENRY*, Philadelphia Eagles: Four punts for 185 yards (long: 54, avg.: 46.3, inside 20: 1)
C MAURKICE POUNCEY, Pittsburgh Steelers: Played as a starter
OT MARCUS GILBERT*, Pittsburgh Steelers: Played as a starter
OT MAX STARKS, Pittsburgh Steelers: Played as a starter
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Three solo tackles (one for loss), sack
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Washington Redskins: Three targets
QB REX GROSSMAN, Washington Redskins: 19/46 for 221 yards, interception (QB rating: 47.5)
OG MAURICE HURT*, Washington Redskins: Played as a starter

INJURED / INACTIVE
DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals: Hamstring
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Denver Broncos: Inactive
LB BRANDON SILER, Kansas City Chiefs: Torn Achilles (season)
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Knee
DE JARVIS MOSS, Oakland Raiders: Hamstring
RB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Torn Achilles (season)

NOTES
- Peterson had a pick-six called back due to a defensive holding penalty.
- Cooper started for the third consecutive week.

PRACTICE SQUAD PLAYERS
OT Phil Trautwein (New Orleans), SS Ahmad Black* (Tampa Bay)

NOTABLE FREE AGENTS
DE Alex Brown, DE Bobby McCray

* Rookie

2011 WEEK: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings Eight receptions for 95 yards [team-highs] (targets: 8, long: 39), touchdown; five carries for 11 yards; kick return for 104 yards

HONORABLE MENTIONS
David Nelson, Major Wright, Reggie Nelson, Tim Tebow, Rex Grossman (see below)

Check out how the rest of the Gators in the NFL played…after the break!

THE REST
LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Solo tackle
LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: Active
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Five receptions for 47 yards (targets: 8, long: 18), touchdown
S MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears: Seven tackles (six solo, one for loss) [team-highs], pass defense
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Three receptions for 24 yards (long: 16)
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Four tackles (one solo), interception, two pass defenses, QB hit
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Five tackles (four solo)
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos: 9/18 for 143 yards, touchdown (QB rating: 95.4); 22 carries for 67 yards (long: 12)
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Tackle, pass defense
DE JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars:Two QB hits
C MIKE POUNCEY*, Miami Dolphins: Played as a starter
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Active
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Six receptions for 62 yards (targets: 7, long: 18)
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots: Active
DE JUSTIN TRATTOU*, New York Giants: Active
G COOPER CARLISLE, Oakland Raiders: Played as a starter
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Two receptions for 53 yards (targets: 4, long: 47)
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Oakland Raiders: Five solo tackles, pass defense
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: Three receptions for 71 yards (targets: 5, long: 71)
P CHAS HENRY*, Philadelphia Eagles: Five punts for 199 yards (long: 51, avg.: 39.8, inside 20: 1)
C MAURKICE POUNCEY, Pittsburgh Steelers: Played as a starter
OT MARCUS GILBERT*, Pittsburgh Steelers: Played as a starter
OT MAX STARKS, Pittsburgh Steelers: Played as a starter
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Seven tackles (five solo)
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Washington Redskins: Five receptions for 72 yards [team-high] (targets: 7, long: 18)
QB REX GROSSMAN, Washington Redskins: 26/35 for 314 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions (QB rating: 96.6); five carries for -1 yard
OG MAURICE HURT*, Washington Redskins: Played as a starter

INJURED / INACTIVE
DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals: Hamstring
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Denver Broncos: Inactive
LB BRANDON SILER, Kansas City Chiefs: Torn Achilles (season)
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Knee
DE JARVIS MOSS, Oakland Raiders: Hamstring
RB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Torn Achilles (season)

NOTES
- Trattou was signed off the practice squad by the Giants and made active for just the second time this season.
- Cooper started for the second consecutive week.
- Maurkice Pouncey left the game early due to an illness.

PRACTICE SQUAD PLAYERS
OT Phil Trautwein (New Orleans), SS Ahmad Black* (Tampa Bay)

NOTABLE FREE AGENTS
DE Alex Brown, DE Bobby McCray

* Rookie

2011 WEEK: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos: 9/20 for 104 yards (QB rating: 61.2); eight rushes for 68 yards [team-high], 20-yard, game-winning rushing touchdown

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Andre Caldwell, Riley Cooper, Percy Harvin, Jabar Gaffney, Rex Grossman (see below)

Check out how the rest of the Gators in the NFL played…after the break!

THE REST
LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Active
LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: Active
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Reception (four targets)
S MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears: Three tackles (two solo), interception, pass defense
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Three receptions for 63 yards (targets: 9, long: 49), touchdown
DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals: QB hit
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Tackle
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Four solo tackles, three pass defenses
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Two tackles
DE JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Five tackles (four solo)
C MIKE POUNCEY*, Miami Dolphins: Played as a starter
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings Six receptions for 73 yards [team-highs] (targets: 8, long: 26), touchdown; five rushes for 21 yards; kick return for 14 yards

LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Active
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Four receptions for 44 yards (targets: 7, long: 13)
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots: Two tackles (one solo), QB hit
G COOPER CARLISLE, Oakland Raiders: Played as a starter
DE JARVIS MOSS, Oakland Raiders: Active
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Active
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Oakland Raiders: Six solo tackles (one for loss), sack, pass defense, QB hit
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: Five receptions for 75 yards [career-highs], (targets: 12, long: 23), touchdown [game-winner]

P CHAS HENRY*, Philadelphia Eagles: Six punts for 261 yards (long: 60, avg.: 43.5, inside 20: 2)
C MAURKICE POUNCEY, Pittsburgh Steelers: Bye week
OT MARCUS GILBERT*, Pittsburgh Steelers: Bye week
OT MAX STARKS, Pittsburgh Steelers: Bye week
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Solo tackle
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Washington Redskins: Seven receptions for 115 yards [team-highs] (targets: 10, long: 28), touchdown
QB REX GROSSMAN, Washington Redskins: 25/38 for 289 yards, two touchdowns, interception (QB rating: 95.2); three rushes for 10 yards, touchdown

INJURED / INACTIVE
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Denver Broncos: Inactive
LB BRANDON SILER, Kansas City Chiefs: Torn Achilles (season)
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Knee
RB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Torn Achilles (season)
OG MAURICE HURT*, Washington Redskins: Knee

NOTES
- Nelson was sick and questionable to return with an illness during the game.
- Wright has interceptions in three-straight weeks.
- Caldwell started Sunday for an injured A.J. Green.
- Moss left the game with a hamstring injury and did not return.
- Cooper started Sunday for an injured Jeremy Maclin.

PRACTICE SQUAD PLAYERS
DE Justin Trattou* (New York Giants), SS Ahmad Black* (Tampa Bay)

NOTABLE FREE AGENTS
DE Alex Brown, DE Bobby McCray

* Rookie

2011 WEEK: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10