As part of Nike’s roll-out of their Pro Combat line of football gear, the Florida Gators sported new uniforms during the final home game of the season against the Florida State Seminoles. Senior wide receiver Riley Cooper said the players liked the look of the white “F” helmets so much that they elected to wear them for the 2009 SEC Championship against the Alabama Crimson Tide. “They look cool,” Cooper said. “We all liked how they looked.”

Head coach Urban Meyer seems to have a superstition with uniforms, shelving certain color combinations and utilizing others more often when the team has success wearing them. Such is the reason, OGGOA believes, that fans no longer see the white jersey-orange pants combination and often see the all-blue and all-white uniform choices. Even the white jersey-blue pants uniform has become a rarity, though the blue jersey-white pants combination is used often.

Though the Nike Pro Combat uniforms were only a one-time promotional ploy, the Gators’ sporting the white “F” helmets for a second straight game led many fans to worry they might end up replacing the good ol’ orange helmets with the cursive “Gators” script.

Those fans should no longer be concerned with breaking tradition, according to Cooper. “It didn’t work out for us, so I don’t think we’ll wear those again,” he said. “I’m not wearing mine.” Not that Cooper would have a chance, seeing as Friday’s 2010 Sugar Bowl against the Cincinnati Bearcats is the last game of his college career.

While Florida’s 2010 uniforms will look the same as they have in the past, it is believed that the athletic department will use some of the Nike Pro Combat gear from a technical standpoint. Better gloves, lightweight, sweat-wicking fabrics and lighter shoes are all things that can give the Gators an advantage – especially in the smoldering Florida heat.

Nike’s Pro Combat uniforms are said to be 37% lighter than current designs and utilize a four-way stretch twill that does not hold sweat or water. Additional features include Nike’s Dri-FIT technology, evaporation and cooling zones, more padding zones and improved ventilation and breathability. Players also wore Nike Vapor Trail 2.0 gloves and Nike Zoom Air cleats that are lightweight and feature better cushioning in the heel.

Tags: Alabama Crimson Tide, Cincinnati Bearcats, Florida State Seminoles, Nike Pro Combat, Riley Cooper, SEC Championship, Sugar Bowl, Urban Meyer

1 » Florida Gators defensive coordinator Charlie Strong has been named as one of the five finalists for the 2009 Broyles Award, which is given to the top assistant coach in college football each season. Nominated along with Strong are defensive coordinators Kirby Smart (Alabama) and Dick Bumpas (TCU) and offensive coordinators Jeff Quinn (Cincinnati) and Bryan Harsin (Boise State). Strong has never won the award before, though he is a three-time finalist (2000, 2007, 2008).

2 » Also being honored as an award finalist on Tuesday is senior quarterback Tim Tebow. Tebow, one of 10 named to the 2009 Manning Award’s short list, could become the first two-time winner in its history. It is his third consecutive nomination. The Manning is the only quarterback award in college football that takes into account the candidates’ bowl performances. Colt McCoy (Texas), Tony Pike (Cincinnati), Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Kellen Moore (Boise State), Dan LeFevour (Central Michigan), Case Keenum (Houston), Max Hall (BYU) and Andy Dalton (TCU) are the other nine finalists.

3 » Having secured their first Top 25 ranking since Jan. 19, No. 13/17 Florida basketball is back in action tonight against the Florida A&M Rattlers at 7 p.m. in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The game is the second part of a doubleheader that also features the schools’ women’s teams. The first game tips off at 4:30 p.m.

4 » Did you like the special Nike Pro Combat uniforms the Gators wore Saturday against the Florida State Seminoles? The Oregon-based shoe and clothing company is now letting fans bid on a complete uniform locker including a helmet, jersey, shoes and cleats. Bidding starts at $1,200 and all proceeds will benefit Gator Boosters, Inc. I will take this time to note that OGGOA does accept gifts and donations.

Tags: Broyles Award, Charlie Strong, Florida A&M Rattlers, Gator Boosters, Manning Award, Nike Pro Combat, O'Connell Center, Tim Tebow

- Defeating the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, the No. 1 Florida Gators posted a 12-0 regular-season record for the first time in school history. The Gators also extended their nation-leading, school-record win streak to 22 games, 21 of which have been by a double digit margin.

- Florida won their sixth straight game against Florida State, outscoring them 182-58 since 2006 under head coach Urban Meyer. The Gators are now 33-19-2 all-time against the Seminoles, holding a 20-8-1 record at home in The Swamp.

- 90,907 fans attended the Florida-Florida State game on Saturday, a new Ben Hill Griffin Stadium record.

- The Gators 2009 senior class, the winningest senior class in Southeastern Conference history, improved to 47-6 in their careers, two games better than the previous record.

- Florida’s defense held their opponent to under 100 rushing yards for the fourth straight game and ninth in 2009.

- The Gators were 10-for-13 on third-down conversions, while the defense held the Seminoles to only 2-of-11 in the same scenario.

- Struggling in the red zone early in the season, Florida is now 11-of-14 in the red zone over the past three games. Two of the three empty possessions were the Gators running out the clock. On Saturday, Florida was 4-for-4 in red zone opportunities.

- The Gators have only yielded 11 touchdowns in 2009, with two coming on pick-sixes. This is four fewer than the next lowest total in the nation. Florida has allowed a mere 118 points in 12 games (9.8 average), also good for lowest in the nation.

- A 12-play, 80-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter was the Gators’ longest of the season. It resulted in an 18-yard rushing TD by senior quarterback Tim Tebow.

- Tebow broke QB Chris Leak’s SEC and Florida total offensive yards records, bringing his career total to 11,389 yards after a 311 combined yardage performance.

- Senior kick returner Brandon James broke the SEC career kickoff return record with the 108th of his career on Saturday.

- Sophomore running back Jeff Demps tied his career long with a 62-yard run on Saturday. He topped 100 yards for the third time in his career (106).

- Redshirt freshman cornerback Adrian Bushell made his first career interception on Florida State’s last play of the game.

- 25 seniors were honored before the game on Senior Day. The class’ numerous accomplishments can be found here.

- The Gators wore special Nike Pro Combat uniforms for the game.

Tags: Adrian Bushell, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Brandon James, Chris Leak, Florida State Seminoles, Jeff Demps, Nike Pro Combat, SEC, The Swamp, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer

From time to time, OGGOA will come across too many news items we want to share with our readers. In those instances, we present a special post: Gator Bites. Enjoy.

- Aside from losing 18 seniors to graduation, the Florida Gators could have a bunch of junior declare for the 2010 NFL Draft. “It’s in the back of your mind,” junior guard Mike Pouncey said. “We haven’t made any kind of decision yet. I have a great deal of respect for coach [Steve] Addazio. I’ll sit down and talk to him and my family and try to make the best decision for my future.”

- Junior linebacker Brandon Hicks is expected to replace redshirt junior LB A.J. Jones, who injured his MCL on Saturday and will be out for at least a few weeks.

- “They forgot to account for me,” senior quarterback Tim Tebow said about his career-long 55-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter on Sunday. “It’s one of the risks of playing man coverage with an athletic quarterback,” Gators head coach Urban Meyer added. “He’s going to get mad at me, but he’s not exactly the fastest kid.”

- Gainesville Sun columnist Pat Dooley believes Saturday’s game against the Florida International Golden Panthers was one “these guys needed.” The starters had fun, got to somewhat relax a week before the senior end their careers in The Swamp and even saw some of the future starters play well in their stead. “There are going to be a lot of talented dudes on the field next year,” Tebow said.

- In seven games against common opponents, Tebow and Alabama Crimson Tide running back Mark Ingram are only one rushing touchdown apart. Considering Tebow is a quarterback who is also his team’s leader and recorded additional scores through the air in those games, a strong case can be made that he is having a better season than his greatest Heisman Trophy competition.

- There is no reason to overlook the spectacular play of redshirt sophomore QB John Brantley on Saturday. While he still has a few games to wait until he takes over the reins of the Orange and Blue, his time will come. And when it does, if he looks as good as he did Saturday, the Gators have plenty to be excited about. “I’ve been waiting for three years now, but I’ve learned so much,” Brantley said after the game. “I’ve just taken it in these past few years and try to learn as much as I can. To sit behind one of the greatest players in college football – I think is a blessing to me.”

- OGGOA has reported extensively on the new Nike Pro Combat uniforms that will be worn next week for the Florida State Seminoles game (most recently here). When asked about wearing a non-traditional uniform for his home finale, Tebow had mixed emotions. “You love the jersey that you played in your last four years,” he said. “But also, you’re going to have a new jersey, and it will be something that’s cool and special to this one game.” Good perspective.

Tags: A.J. Jones, Alabama Crimson Tide, Brandon Hicks, Florida State Seminoles, Heisman Trophy, John Brantley, Mark Ingram, Mike Pouncey, Nike Pro Combat, The Swamp, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer

Over the last two weeks, OGGOA has been breaking news left and right about the Florida Gators new Nike Pro Combat uniforms and merchandise line. Thursday night, we reported that everything would be officially announced and presented Saturday morning. Friday morning, OGGOA uncovered the following pictures:

For more information and pictures of the Florida Gators Nike Pro Combat uniforms, check out OGGOA’s previous posts HERE and HERE.

Tags: Florida Gators, Nike Pro Combat, uniforms

An OGGOA reader brought the following to my attention late Thursday afternoon. Apparently the University of Miami will be selling jerseys, hats and t-shirts to commemorate the new Nike Pro Combat uniforms that the Miami Hurricanes will be wearing in two weeks against the South Florida Bulls.

Seeing as the Florida Gators will be a part of the same marketing event, the above picture makes one wonder if the University of Florida will be allowing its fans to buy similar gear. While the Florida vs. Florida State Seminoles game is the same day as the Canes game, no official release has been provided by the University Athletic Association, pictures have not been disseminated and no further information has been made available aside from what OGGOA has uncovered over the last two weeks.

[UPDATE:] Nike has announced via one of their twitter accounts that pictures and information on Florida’s uinform will be released on Saturday, Nov. 21. OGGOA will post all of this information as soon as it is made available. Stay tuned.

One thing we do know is that Nike is selling each team’s specialty Vapor Trail gloves on its online store. At the very least, I would expect the Gators version to be up there for purchase. As always, OGGOA will have more on this as information is made available.

Tags: Florida State Seminoles, Miami Hurricanes, Nike Pro Combat, uniform, University Athletic Association, University of Miami

OGGOA first reported on Nov. 9 that the Florida Gators will be wearing special uniforms against the Florida State Seminoles in their regular season finale on Nov. 28. Just one day later, we followed up on that story with exclusive information about *almost* every detail we could uncover including a picture of the uniform and other specifications.

Now a week later, OGGOA has once again been provided with exclusive information about the design of the uniform. The Gators’ Nike Pro Combat helmets will be white (see left) with a blue “F” instead of the standard cursive “Gators” design on the sides. The “F” is in the same font featured on Florida’s baseball hats as well as in the end zones at The Swamp. (See elementary mock-up created by yours truly. Probably a darker shade of blue.) We have also learned that the Gators’ Nike Zoom Air cleats will be covered in alligator skin (similar to OGGOA’s background) with traces of orange and blue.

As the tag line implies, Florida will be wearing these unis as they attempt to “Finish the Mission” of a 12-0 regular season – the first in team history. The University of Florida’s Sports Information Department is expected to release all of these details and more at some point within the next week. OGGOA will be sure to post anything else we hear definitively about the uniform in the meantime.

Nike’s Pro Combat uniforms are said to be 37% lighter than current designs and utilize a four-way stretch twill that does not hold sweat or water. Additional features include Nike’s Dri-FIT technology, evaporation and cooling zones, more padding zones and improved ventilation and breathability. Players will also wear Nike Vapor Trail 2.0 gloves (above) and Nike Zoom Air cleats that are light weight and feature better cushioning in the heel.

Tags: Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, Nike Pro Combat, The Swamp, uniforms, Univeristy of Florida