With the 2010-11 NFL season now underway, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 6 action, some of whom had an impact on their team’s performance.OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the sixth week of the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSE
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos: Six carries for 23 yards, touchdown (long: 6)
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: Three receptions for 21 yards, two rushes for 18 yards, 95-yard kickoff return touchdown (total: three returns for 134 yards)
DEFENSE
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: 16 tackles (10 solo)
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Two solo tackles, interception (62-yard return)

Videos of Tebow, Harvin and Haden’s plays available by clicking here.

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Five tackles (four solo, TFL), pass def.
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: Team-high six rec. for 81 yards (long: 27)
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Two solo tackles, sack
LB CHANNING CROWDER, Miami Dolphins: Three solo tackles
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Minnesota Vikings: Beat for three touchdowns
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Six tackles (four solo), sack
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Four receptions for 61 yards (targets: 6, long: 30), one rush for 18 yards
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots: Three tackles (two solo)
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Two solo tackles
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Reception for four yards, carry for 43 yards
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Tackle
FB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Target

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
DE Derrick Harvey [solo tackle], DT Jeremy Mincey (Jacksonville Jaguars)

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
C Maurkice Pouncey, LT Max Starks (Pittsburgh Steelers); G Cooper Carlisle (Raiders) – DE Jarvis Moss (Broncos), DT Joe Cohen (Detroit Lions), CB Lito Sheppard (Vikings) WR Riley Cooper (Philadelphia Eagles), RB Fred Taylor (Patriots), LB Brandon Siler (San Diego Chargers), QB Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins)

BYE WEEK
LB Andra Davis, WR David Nelson (Buffalo Bills); WR Andre Caldwell, S Reggie Nelson, DE Carlos Dunlap (Cincinnati Bengals)

INACTIVES
S Major Wright (Chicago Bears)

NOTES
- Tebow recorded his first NFL touchdown.
- Haden recorded his first NFL interception.
- Harvin recorded his third NFL kick return in two seasons.
- Crowder saw his first action this season after sitting out first four games (groin).
- Sheppard was beat for three touchdowns.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Alex Brown, Brandon Spikes, Channing Crowder, Earnest Graham, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Lito Sheppard, Louis Murphy, Marcus Thomas, Mike Peterson, NFL, Percy Harvin, Ray McDonald, Tim Tebow

With the 2010-11 NFL season now underway, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 5 action, some of whom had an impact on their team’s performance.OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the fifth week of the season.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: Team-high five receptions for 97 yards, two touchdowns, 175 return yards (four kickoffs)

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Four tackles (three solo)
LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: 11 tackles (five solo, one for loss), pass defended
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Three receptions for 23 yards (long: 11)
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Four rec. for 33 yds (targets: 7, long: 19)
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Two solo tackles
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: Nine rec. for 87 yards (targets: 11, long: 23)
DE JARVIS MOSS, Denver Broncos: Solo tackle
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Four solo tackles
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Minnesota Vikings: Two solo tackles
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Two solo tackles, sack, pass defended
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Two tackles (one solo), half sack
FB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Three rushes for team-high 65 yards, touchdown
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Two rec. for 61 yards (targets: 4, long: 58)
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Two solo tackles

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
G Cooper Carlisle (Raiders) — S Reggie Nelson (Bengals), DT Joe Cohen (Detroit Lions), DT Jeremy Mincey (Jaguars), RB DeShawn Wynn (Saints), LB Brandon Siler (San Diego Chargers), QB Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins)

BYE WEEK
LB Channing Crowder (Miami Dolphins); LB Jermaine Cunningham, TE Aaron Hernandez, LB Brandon Spikes, RB Fred Taylor, DT Gerard Warren (New England Patriots); C Maurkice Pouncey, LT Max Starks (Pittsburgh Steelers)

INACTIVES
S Major Wright (Chicago Bears), DE Carlos Dunlap (Bengals), QB Tim Tebow (Broncos), WR Riley Cooper (Philadelphia Eagles)

NOTES
- Brown did a Gator Chomp after a sack on Arizona QB Max Hall.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4

Tags: Alex Brown, Andra Davis, Andre Caldwell, David Nelson, Derrick Harvey, Earnest Graham, Jabar Gaffney, Jarvis Moss, Joe Haden, Lito Sheppard, Louis Murphy, Marcus Thomas, Mike Peterson, Percy Harvin, Ray McDonald

With the 2010-11 NFL season now underway, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 4 action, some of whom had an impact on their team’s performance.OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the fourth week of the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Team-high four catches for 75 yards (long: 37)
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Six solo tackles, pass defended

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Three tackles (two solo)
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals Three receptions for 15 yards (targets: 4)
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals Two tackles (one solo)
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: Five rec. for 51 yards (targets: 8, long: 28)
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos Tackle for loss
DT JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Sack
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Solo tackle (for loss), pass def.
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Five rec. for 29 yards (long: 10)
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Solo tackle
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots Solo tackle
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: One reception for 5 yards (targets: 7)
LB BRANDON SILER, San Diego Chargers: Two solo tackles
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers Solo tackle

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
C Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers), LT Max Starks (Steelers), G Cooper Carlisle (Raiders) — DE Jarvis Moss (Broncos), DT Joe Cohen (Detroit Lions), DE Derrick Harvey (Jaguars), DE Alex Brown (Saints), RB DeShawn Wynn (Saints), WR Riley Cooper (Philadelphia Eagles), QB Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins)

BYE WEEK
WR Percy Harvin (Minnesota Vikings), CB Lito Sheppard (Vikings), FB Earnest Graham (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

INACTIVES
LB Andra Davis (Bills), S Major Wright (Chicago Bears), DE Carlos Dunlap (Bengals), QB Tim Tebow (Broncos), LB Channing Crowder (Miami Dolphins), RB Fred Taylor (Patriots)

NOTES
- Cooper suffered a concussion and is out for the forseeable future.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Andre Caldwell, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, David Nelson, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jeremy Mincey, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Louis Murphy, Mike Peterson, NFL, Ray McDonald, Reggie Nelson

With the 2010-11 NFL season now underway, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 3 action, some of whom had an impact on their team’s performance.OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the third week of the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
LB BRANDON SILER, San Diego Chargers: Five solo tackles, sack, three tackles for loss, two QB hits, safety
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: 12 rec. for 140 yards (targets: 14, long: 26)
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Team-high five receptions for 119 yards (targets: 6, long: 70)

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Three solo tackles
LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: Six tackles (three solo)
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Two targets, tackle
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals One reception for eight yards (targets: 2)
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Two tackles (one solo), pass defended
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Tackle, QB hit
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Solo tackle
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: Team-high six rec. for 62 yards (targets: 8, long: 24), touchdown; two carries for 13 yards; two kick returns for 41 yards; tackle
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Two tackles (solo/TFL), QB hit
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Team-high six receptions for 65 yards (targets: 7, long: 25), one rush for 13 yards
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Two tackles (one solo)
RB FRED TAYLOR, New England Patriots Six rushes for 16 yards (avg.: 2.7, long: 5)
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots Two tackles (one solo)
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Five solo tackles, TFL, pass defended
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: Target
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers Solo tackle
FB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Two carries for 13 yards (avg.: 6.5, long: 9), four receptions for 57 yards [team-high] (targets: 4, long: 46)

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
C Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers), LT Max Starks (Steelers), G Cooper Carlisle (Raiders) — S Reggie Nelson (Bengals), DE Carlos Dunlap (Bengals) DE Jarvis Moss (Broncos), DT Joe Cohen (Detroit Lions), DT Jeremy Mincey (Jaguars), CB Lito Sheppard (Vikings), RB DeShawn Wynn (Saints), QB Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins)

INACTIVES
S Major Wright (Chicago Bears), QB Tim Tebow (Broncos), LB Channing Crowder (Miami Dolphins)

NOTES
- Cunningham started his first NFL game.
- Dunlap was active for his first NFL game.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1 | Week 2

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Alex Brown, Andra Davis, Andre Caldwell, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, David Nelson, Derrick Harvey, Earnest Graham, Fred Taylor, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Louis Murphy, Marcus Thomas, Mike Peterson, NFL, Percy Harvin, Ray McDonald, Riley Cooper

The 2007 season was arguably the worst the Florida Gators have played since head coach Urban Meyer took over the program in 2005. That is often what happens when a team’s starting quarterback (Chris Leak) graduates, it loses the majority of its defensive starters to the NFL Draft (defensive linemen Jarvis Moss, Ray McDonald, Marcus Thomas and Joe Cohen, safeties Reggie Nelson and Ryan Smith, linebacker Brandon Siler) and a few other key pieces leave as well (wide receiver Dallas Baker, running back DeShawn Wynn).

Considering the departures following the 2009 season (QB Tim Tebow, WR Riley Cooper, tight end Aaron Hernandez, center Maurkice Pouncey, cornerback Joe Haden, DE Carlos Dunlap, S Major Wright, LBs Brandon Spikes and Jermaine Cunningham) appear eerily similar (if not greater) to those that occurred before 2007 got underway, many might expect the Gators to experience a similar downfall. Perhaps they will go from back-to-back one-loss seasons to a similar 9-4 record, 5-3 performance in the Southeastern Conference and maybe even a bowl game loss?

Here is why those that think the sky is falling may be too reactionary…
Continue Reading » CHOMPING: Why 2010 will not be a repeat of 2007

Tags: A.J. Jones, Aaron Hernandez, Ahmad Black, Brandon Hicks, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, Charlie Strong, Chris Leak, D.J. Durkin, Dallas Baker, Derrick Harvey, DeShawn Wynn, Draft, Emmanuel Moody, Janoris Jenkins, Jarvis Moss, Jeff Demps, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Cohen, Joe Haden, John Brantley, Justin Trattou, Kyle Jackson, Lawrence Marsh, Major Wright, Marcus Thomas, Maurkice Pouncey, National Championship, NFL, Percy Harvin, Ray McDonald, Reggie Nelson, Riley Cooper, Ryan Smith, SEC, Stan Drayton, Teryl Austin, Tim Tebow, Tony Joiner, Urban Meyer, Will Hill, Zach Azzanni

San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald was arrested Saturday night after California Highway Patrol authorities suspected he was driving under the influence, according to Comcast SportsNet.

McDonald, who was booked into San Mateo County Jail at 7:57 p.m. and was released just under two hours later, is scheduled to appear in court on July 22.

Further details are not currently available.

“The 49ers are aware of the recent matter involving Ray McDonald,” a team spokesman told CSN. “Ray informed the organization of the situation immediately Saturday evening. We take these issues very seriously, but will reserve further comment at this time as this is an on-going legal matter. The 49ers will continue to gather the facts and monitor the developments closely.”

UPDATE: Though his lawyer advised him not to discuss the specifics of his arrest, McDonald, 25, provided the following statement to the media on Tuesday.

“I just wanted to let you all know that whenever this works itself out, you’ll know everything that’s going on. And I just want to apologize for making this a distraction because that’s not my intent.

My intent is just to come out here and work hard and try to win ballgames this year. And I don’t want this to be a distraction for the fans, my family, my teammates. That’s pretty much it.”

McDonald, 25, is the second player associated with the Florida Gators to be arrested for DUI over the last few days, joining current redshirt sophomore wide receiver Frankie Hammond, Jr., who was also busted for possession of alcohol by a minor.

Photo Credit: Morgan Petrosk/Associated Press

Tags: arrest, NFL, Ray McDonald, San Francisco 49ers

The 2000s were quite a decade for University of Florida athletics. Florida Gators football and basketball were especially exceptional, combining for four National Championships (five appearances) and five Southeastern Conference Championships (six appearances) while earning five BCS bowl game and eight NCAA Tournament berths, respectively, over the last ten years. To end this decade of champions, OGGOA has compiled our own Gators All-Decade Team for each sport.

Continue Reading » OGGOA Presents: Florida Gators All-Decade Team

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Ahmad Black, Al Horford, Alex Brown, All-Decade, Andre Caldwell, Anthony Grant, Anthony Roberson, BCS, Ben Troupe, Billy Donovan, Billy Latsko, Brandon James, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, Channing Crowder, Charlie Strong, Chas Henry, Chris Leak, Ciatrick Fason, Corey Brewer, Cornelius Ingram, Dan Mullen, David Lee, Derek Harvey, Drew Miller, Earnest Graham, Eric Rutledge, Eric Wilbur, Ian Scott, Jabar Gaffney, James Smith, Jarvis Moss, Jeff Chandler, Joakim Noah, Joe Haden, Keiwan Ratliff, Lito Sheppard, Major Wright, Marcus Thomas, Matt Bonner, Maurkice Pouncey, Max Starks, Mike Degory, Mike Pearson, Mike Pouncey, National Championship, NCAA Tournament, Percy Harvin, Phil Trautwein, Ray McDonald, Reggie Nelson, Rex Grossman, SEC Championship, Shannon Snell, Taylor Jacobs, Tim Tebow, Todd Johnson, University of Florida, Urban Meyer

1 » Some former Florida Gators shined in the NFL today for their respective teams. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin caught four passes for 66 yards and racked up 27 return yards against the St. Louis Rams. WR Andre “Bubba” Caldwell caught two passes for 33 yards and a game-winning 20-yard touchdown for the Cincinnati Bengals. News was not as good for San Francisco 49ers top reserve defensive end Ray McDonald, who left Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans with a sprained right ankle.

2 » A strong game featuring the No. 1 Gators and then-No. 4 LSU Tigers won the Saturday night ratings battle for CBS. The network averaged 10.1 million viewers in prime time according to preliminary numbers, also easily winning the all-important 18-49 age group. In contrast, ABC (which was airing the Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 12 Iowa Hawkeyes game) had 4.2 million viewers.

3 » Being twins, the Pouncey brothers have literally been inseparable since birth. Playing next to each other throughout their entire lives, they committed to Florida together and have been charged with one of the most important roles on the Gators team – protecting Tebow. With Maurkice most likely going to enter next year’s NFL Draft and Mike probably returning for his senior year, they have already begun to separate from each other. One thing that has not changed is their desire to see the Gators post an undefeated season in 2009.

4 » No. 14 Florida Gators soccer (now 10-4-1, 4-1-1 SEC) had a pair of wins over the weekend, defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide (5-5-1, 1-2-1 SEC) 2-0 Friday evening and beating the Auburn Tigers (5-6-3, 2-4 SEC) 4-0 Sunday afternoon. In Friday’s game, the Gators scored a goal in the opening 10 and final 10 minutes of the match, while it added four goals by four different players on Sunday. Sunday was also Senior Day for the soccer team, and two of the four goals came from UF’s senior class.

Tags: Andre Caldwell, Cincinnati Bengals, Iowa Hawkeyes, LSU Tigers, Maurkice Pouncey, Michigan Wolverines, Mike Pouncey, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, Percy Harvin, Ray McDonald, San Francisco 49ers, soccer, St. Louis Rams