Florida Gators thread

[azuquita8]

I'm not worried; after all we got by Southern Miss when he was sitting that one out on suspension. He was dumb enough to get caught smoking weed and now has to pay the price - this could also backfire on him if he enters the NFL draft next spring.

We'll know more today if he'll win his appeal.

[azuquita8]

James standing tall for Gators

Posted: September 21, 2006

Associated Press

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida coach Urban Meyer is expecting more big plays from his smallest player.

Brandon James, a 5-foot-61/2 inch, 180-pound running back, had two dazzling punt returns at Tennessee last week, becoming the latest freshman to make an impact for the fifth-ranked Gators.

He finished with four returns for 65 yards and gave teammates, coaches and fans a possible glimpse of what's to come. It starts Saturday against Kentucky (2-1, 1-0 Southeastern Conference).

"I can't wait until Saturday," Meyer said. "He's a tremendous player."

Meyer may be convinced now, but he had to be talked into offering James a scholarship earlier this year. James returned five kicks for touchdowns as a senior at St. Augustine High and ran for 900 yards. He juked defenders, slipped through tackles and made positive yards nearly every time he touched the ball.

But Meyer had trouble seeing past his size.

"He's 4-foot-3 or something," Meyer said.

Meyer may have been tough to sway, but he eventually relented after Florida co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison and James' high school coach continued to press for a scholarship offer.

"I questioned them. I challenged them on that January day," Meyer said. "They said, 'You've got to take him. You have to, you have to, you have to. Watch the return game. You have to take him."'

The Gators (3-0, 1-0) finally did.

He proved them right against Tennessee.

On the first punt return of his career, James got loose for 35 yards and would have scored had Volunteers punter Britton Colquitt not stuck out his leg and tripped him.

"I thought I was gone after I made the move on him and he fell," James said.

On his next return, James zigzagged about 85 yards for an apparent touchdown. But the score was negated by an illegal block penalty. Although replays showed the block was legal, the flag erased what should have been James' first touchdown.

Teammates believe it's a matter of time before James finds the end zone again -- without a penalty.

"He's going to get more than one. He's going to get three or four," safety Reggie Nelson said. "He's got to get one this week. It's a must."

James may have been a factor in the first two games, but he had arthroscopic knee surgery to repair torn cartilage in August and was sidelined for several weeks.

Once he recovered, he started making a push for playing time. Meyer didn't hesitate to give him a chance, even in front of a hostile crowd at Neyland Stadium.

And James put on a show -- one that hardly surprised his teammates.

"I've been telling coach Meyer about Brandon James since he got here this summer," linebacker Brandon Siler said. "I knew what he could do. Once I saw him back there (in punt formation), it was like, 'Uh-oh. Come on and get up and watch it.' Every time he touches the ball back there, we know he's capable of making a big play."

James has been making big plays for years, always proving people wrong about his short stature.

So convincing Meyer was nothing new.

"It's just motivation because everyone has their opinion of you, but at the end of the day, you're the only one that can judge," James said. "My height was a factor the whole time. It didn't really bother me because I knew once I got the opportunity to show him, he would like what he saw."

James was the third freshman to impress Meyer enough to earn significant playing time this season, joining receiver Percy Harvin and quarterback Tim Tebow.

"Certain guys you like to coach and some guys you don't," Meyer said. "That kid is unbelievable. Ask our weight staff. He's an elite lifter. He's a competitor. He's a special guy. I'm jacked to have him for three or four years around here."

[azuquita8]

Fabulous freshmen

By ROBBIE ANDREU
Sun sports writer


Florida's consensus No. 2 recruiting class has made an immediate impact this season. One of UF's best offensive players is a true freshman, nine true freshmen are running with the second team and 13 are listed on the depth chart for Saturday's game against Kentucky.

Sun sports writer Robbie Andreu offers a look at Florida's five most influential true freshmen.

1. PERCY HARVIN
The nation's No. 1 wide receiver prospect has quickly become a focal point of the offense. Much of the game plan last Saturday centered around him before he left with a sprained ankle. He's versatile enough to play wide receiver and tailback, which he did against the Vols. His 58-yard catch-and-run against UCF showed breakaway ability. He's come close to taking several plays the distance. As the season progresses, the coaches will continue to find ways to put the ball in his hands.

2. TIM TEBOW
He's been here since the spring and has played with such composure (especially in the UT win) that it's easy to forget he's a true freshman. He made some critical plays last Saturday, including perhaps the game-saving one in Florida's winning drive. After Chris Leak slid shy of a first down, Tebow came in and converted a fourth-and-1 with a tough 2-yard run. When Tebow is operating the spread, his ability to run seems to create openings for the tailback. The coaches plan to expand his role as a passer.

3. BRANDON JAMES
The tailback/kick returner showed some Percy Harvin-like stuff in Knoxville, Tenn., last Saturday night and has created a buzz about the Gators' return game. He eluded most of the UT punt cover team during his 89-yard touchdown return that was negated by a block in the back. After that show, James might start getting some touches on offense.

4. MAURICE HURT
Of the four offensive linemen in this class, Hurt was ranked No. 4 by the recruiting services. But he's made the biggest impact (even though Marcus Gilbert is close to being right there with him). He's played in all three games and has been a key performer since starting guard Ronnie Wilson fractured an ankle in the preseason. Hurt is considered UF's No. 3 guard.

5. JARRED FAYSON
A former high school quarterback, this speedy wide receiver is another potential playmaker who figures to get more touches as the season goes along. Like Harvin and James, Fayson has the ability to take it the distance. He's such a good athlete, there's a chance we'll see him lining up in the shotgun and running the spread offense at some point this season.

[azuquita8]

Stars emerge

Been here before Gator Nation?

Let's see, 3-0 and coming off an emotional win over Tennessee but hampered by the loss of one of your best defenders.

It seems a lot like last year. Now you see if it truly will be different.

It starts today with Kentucky, the first of a three-game homestand that will have a lot to do with this season's direction.

There are signs of emergence from several players in Urban Meyer's second season. DeShawn Wynn, Carlton Medder, Tony Joiner, Dallas Baker.

And, of course, Reggie Nelson.
The Gator safety has three interceptions, two in the win over Tennessee, and is on his way to becoming an All-SEC player. Florida has had some players in the past who were in position to make picks, but hands turned to stone. Nelson seems to have both instinct and glue.

"I played receiver in high school so it's no big deal catching the ball," he said. "We work on it all the time, catching the ball at its highest point."

He'll get another test today when Kentucky quarterback Andre' Woodson starts flinging it.

[azuquita8]

Florida stretched its record to 4-0 with a win over Kentucky tonight, albeit a sloppy one as Azzie saw it.

The Gators got off to an early 6-0 lead on a nicely executed trick play but missed the PAT (we would also miss another before the end of the half), but our defense in the first half was rather weak. In spite of the fact that we were blitzing the Wildcat's QB Andre Woodson, we weren't closing gaps on the line and were fronting a weak secondary effort by giving up too many Kentucky conversions for the 1st down. PENALTIES were also a problem in this game, especially procedurals.

Chris Leak may have surpassed Shane Matthews as far as the all-time Florida completion record is concerned, but he needs to "nut up" (to borrow a Meyer expression) behind the line a little as far as his field judgment goes - whenever he allows an opposing defense to fixate on his focus downfield and read into his intneded play it backfires on him, as well as his tendency to hold onto the ball too long behind the line. He may have the arm strength and poise, but as far as his field judgment and release time he's no Rex Grossman. NOR do I think he'll be a Heisman finalist unless he kicks it up a notch going into the difficult part of our schedule.

Another feature of our offense that seemed to work tonight was the "moveable pocket" to allow Leak the protection he needs to help move the ball.

The absense of Marcus Thomas on our D-line was less visible in the 2nd half, and we saw a better attack after adjustments were made to contain Kentucky's pass sttack. Derrick Harvey and Ray McDonald registered sacks tonight, and I give McDonald a "game ball" for his play tonight.

DeShawn Wynn was consistent on the rush tonight, and we saw some good play from Kestahn Moore as well. Tim Tebow was brought in to add to our rushing yardage playing at QB; I'd like to see him used to boost our red-zone offense much more.

Florida's special teams weren't very impressive tonight; Brandon James was shut down on the return for the most part, and our PK Chris Hetland obviously had an "off" night.

In spite of the sloppiness the Gators found a way to win and put enough points on the board to secure a comforable lead, but we need to clean up our act before we take on the rest of our slate. We have Alabama coming into The Swamp next weekend, and in order for that to be a "payback" game to avenge the loss last year in Tuscaloosa we need to get tighter.

FINAL SCORE: Florida 26, Kentucky 7

GO GATORS!!!!!!!

[azuquita8]

Gators beat Kentucky 26 to 7

By MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Florida needed some trickery and a second-half surge to beat Kentucky for the 20th consecutive time.

Chris Leak threw two touchdown passes, DeShawn Wynn had a second consecutive 100-yard game and the fifth-ranked Gators defeated the Wildcats 26-7 Saturday night.

Florida, coming off a big win at Tennessee and getting ready for a brutal, four-game Southeastern Conference stretch against Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Georgia, seemed primed for a letdown.

It looked like it might be a meltdown _ at least early.

The Gators (4-0, 2-0) trailed 7-6 with less than two minutes to play in the first half, but Leak directed a 78-yard drive that put them back in front for good.

Leak hooked up with Dallas Baker on consecutive plays to gain 30 yards. Leak was 5-for-5 for 60 yards on the drive, which Wynn capped with a 13-yard run. Wynn started right, cut back left and ran untouched into the end zone with 22 seconds remaining.

The touchdown followed three unimpressive drives, complete with penalties, bad throws and sacks _ more than enough poor plays to irritate coach Urban Meyer heading into the locker room.

The Gators responded with a touchdown on their opening possession of the third quarter and played much better defense the rest of the way.

Leak finished 15-of-26 for 267 yards and broke Shane Matthews' school record for career completions. But he was sacked three times and intercepted near the goal line.

His first touchdown came on a trick play. He handed off to Andre Caldwell, who pitched to Dallas Baker, who tossed back to Leak. Jemalle Cornelius, meanwhile, got wide open in the end zone for a 33-yard score.

Leak also threw a 7-yard TD pass to Cornelius Ingram early in the fourth quarter that put the Gators ahead by the final score.

Baker caught seven passes for 148 yards. Wynn ran 14 times for 104 yards, matching the rushing total he had against Tennessee.

The Wildcats (2-2, 1-1) moved the ball with relative ease in the first half against Florida's defense, which had a dominant performance against the Volunteers.

They advanced into Florida territory on their first five possessions but managed only a lone touchdown _ a 1-yard pass from Andre' Woodson to Maurice Grinter with 1:59 remaining.

Woodson's TD pass came two plays after a fumble that bounced in and out of Florida safety Reggie Nelson's hands. Keenan Burton recovered for Kentucky, and David Jones followed with a spectacular _ and fortuitous _ run.

Jones started left, juked two defenders, slammed into Woodson, cut back right, broke a tackle and nearly scored.

After Florida went back ahead 12-7, Kentucky got the ball near midfield with 12 seconds to play in the first half. Woodson completed an 18-yard pass to Keenan Burton and moved his team into position to attempt a 54-yard field goal.

Kentucky snapped the ball with 2 seconds to play and Woodson spiked it, but the clock ran out. Coach Rich Brook protested the call, saying a second should have been on the clock. Officials talked it over, but did not change the ruling.

In the second half, the Gators clamped down defensively, holding Kentucky to 65 yards after giving up 184 in the first 30 minutes.

[Browns_Suck]

Hey Az...figured I would stop by to congratulate you an a nice season thus far. Leak has really molded into that Urban offense, I have found myself enjoying watching Florida more and more.

[azuquita8]

Originally Posted by Browns_Suck

Hey Az...figured I would stop by to congratulate you an a nice season thus far. Leak has really molded into that Urban offense, I have found myself enjoying watching Florida more and more.

Thanks - after three seasons of "Zookism" Urban Meyer's reshaping this team, and another strong recruiting class who can help contribute right away could get us into contention for the MNC next season.

It took a lot of constructive criticism from Meyer and a little competition from our freshman QB Tim Tebow to get Chris Leak to leave his comfort zone and step up to be a leader on this team. He doesn't have the coolness of Danny Wuerffel or the moxie of Rex Grossman, but as long as he gets the job done out there and continues to adapt to Meyer's offense we'll be fine.

They've made some mistakes along the way, but the Gators are slowly getting their swagger back, and it's nice to see REAL Florida Gator football once again!

[azuquita8]

It's in poor taste that Gators fans are booing Leak
Published September 24, 2006



GAINESVILLE -- Imagine the horror of having to watch your spouse fall in love with someone else right in front of your face.

Imagine the despair, the frustration and anger. Imagine the sense of unappreciation.

Now you've just been given some idea of what Chris Leak felt like on Saturday when he had the misfortune of watching the 90,000-some Gators fawn over their favorite mistress, backup prodigy Tim Tebow, at his expense.

Tebow was dazzling, blistering Kentucky's defense with a series of tough, long runs, which led the Gators into the red zone and gave them the opportunity to extend their lead against Kentucky in the third quarter.

When Leak came back in, the crowd booed. And later when Leak threw an interception after more of Tebow's brilliance, Florida's crowd predictably booed again.

It was the actions of petulant toddlers, to say the least. I don't take issue with booing because you paid the money for the tickets and have the right to heckle as you please.

But in this case, it was extremely poor taste by UF fans to boo their starting quarterback, whom they already tend to treat as if he beats old ladies over the head.

What does Leak have to do to get some respect in Gainesville? Granted, this wasn't one of Leak's better games, but before the Gators' 26-7 victory against Kentucky, he was not only the most efficient passer in the nation, but he also led the country in touchdowns.

x

But those things don't matter when it comes to Tebow, whom most Gators fans believe can cure a leper, break a train in half and run for president.

I get that Tebow is a star. I get that his explosiveness, physical demeanor and toughness are going to turn the Gators into champions someday.

But does the incessant worship of Tebow always have to come at the detriment of Leak?

"I probably shouldn't comment on that," Coach Urban Meyer said of the Gator fans' bellyaching. "I'm a little disappointed by it. Chris Leak played his rear end off, and we're 4-0."

That's right, Gators fans, four-and-oh. Top-five in the nation. And you wouldn't be there if it weren't for Leak, who -- aside from the Kentucky game -- has been masterful this season.

"Chris is a really good quarterback," Tebow said. "He's one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Everybody should be happy when we're doing well."

Gators fans have it wrong to think loving Tebow means despising Leak. Meyer's use of them as a double threat is brilliant. It kept the Wildcats on their heels, and it gives Florida's offense a special punch.

Obviously Tebow is a more effective runner than Leak, but Leak is more experienced, and it is Leak's play that will determine whether the Gators stay in pursuit of a national championship.

A couple of months ago, I disagreed when CBS Sportsline columnist Mike Freeman wrote that part of the reason Leak is always a punching bag for UF fans is because this is the South, and there are still some who can't handle seeing a black quarterback lead an SEC power.

After what I witnessed on Saturday, I'm willing to give that theory a little more credence, especially since we have the dynamic of the overly worshipped white male backup who is being viewed as a savior.

That is not a knock against Tebow, who will have a fine career at UF and whom I applaud for humbly deferring to Leak -- and he should. This has everything to do with UF fans, whose bashing of Leak is silly and unwarranted.

FYI: Leak set the school record for career completions against Kentucky. Boo that.

Jemele Hill can be reached ! at jhill@orlandosentinel.com.

My two cents? Jemele Hill, you're WAY off base here. Whether or not you're a Gator fan is irrelevant, but insinuating that Gator fans are RACIST is far from the truth, never mind insulting. And "petulant toddlers"? Give me a break. Perhaps Gator fans are a bit spoiled after the success of the Spurrier years and have lofty expectations for our football program, but it's a fact of life that sports fans, no matter where they may be or what team they support, will boo either over poor performance, a bad call from an official or a coaching decision they disagree with.

Jemele, the days of Jim Crow in the South have long been over. If Southern schools were as racist as you insinuate, we would have never seen black quarterbacks at top-notch schools. If FSU's Charlie Ward, Tennessee's Tee Martin or Auburn's Jason Campbell were ever booed or unaccepted because of their race, I dare you to show me one shred of proof. I don't hear any uproar over Brent Schaeffer being a black quarterback at Ole Miss, either.

As much as I believe that one can't retract statements already made, you've "opened up a can of worms" here.

[azuquita8]

It's not about PAYBACK it's about PLAYING BETTER

By ROBBIE ANDREU
Sun sports writer

The Florida Gators are carrying around a lot of anger this week over what happened in Tuscaloosa a year ago.

But the anger is not the result of anything Alabama did on that steamy September day. It is over what the Gators did not do.

"We didn't show up ready to play," senior linebacker Earl Everett said.

It shows on the tape.
"We watched film of last year's game and it was like a totally different Florida team out there," senior wide receiver Dallas Baker said. "Nobody was really giving effort."

As a result, all kinds of bad stuff happened.

Backed by a large and hostile crowd, the emotional Tide twisted and broke Urban Meyer's spread option offense and ripped apart the UF defense with big play after big play. Final score: Alabama 31, Florida 3.

And then there was some extra-curricular activity:

# Alabama players mocking UF with the Gator chomp and doing the throat-slashing gesture on the sideline in the fourth quarter.

# Tide fans escorting the head-hanging Gators off the field with the chant of, "Hey, Florida, we just beat the hell out of you."

All in all, a brutal experience.
"It was kind of embarrassing for everybody, our whole school, our team and our coaches," junior defensive end Jarvis Moss said.

"It was one of those games you'll never forget," senior wide receiver Jemalle Cornelius said.

The rematch in The Swamp on Saturday has all the makings of a revenge game for Florida. But the Gators aren't talking about payback this week. They're talking about playing better.

They blame themselves for last season's Tuscaloosa trouncing - and all the extras that came with it.

"(Alabama) pretty much dragged us into the ground," Everett said. "They wanted it more than we did. They came out ready to play and we didn't. Our main focus now is getting prepared to play them this week. The most prepared team is going to win Saturday."

The Gators seemed ill-prepared for everything the Tide threw at them a year ago. The offense was physically overwhelmed by Alabama's fast and aggressive defense and the UF defense missed tackles and assignments and looked like it was running in slow motion much of the day.

"I remember a fast (Alabama) team, great atmosphere," quarterback Chris Leak said. "We just didn't execute on offense the way we wanted to last year. I'm trying to make sure we prepare the best we can this week. (Last season's game) makes you that much more hungry to play much better."

The Gators self-destructed in the opening minutes of last year's game and never recovered.

On Alabama's first offensive play, Tyrone Prothro sprinted behind the UF secondary and caught an 87-yard touchdown pass from Brodie Croyle.

Moments later, Tide defender Chris Harris intercepted a tipped Leak pass and returned it 14 yards to the UF 2. Two plays later, fullback Tim Castille made it a 14-0 game with a 1-yard TD run.

Trailing 17-0 in the second quarter, the Gators finally made a move with a 37-yard field goal by Chris Hetland.

But that tiny spec of momentum vanished on the game's next offensive play when Croyle threw a 65-yard TD pass to Keith Brown, who benefitted from poor tackling and poor tackling angles in the UF secondary.

Game over.
"It was real bitter," Cornelius said. "They beat us pretty good and that's the game where I hurt my ankle. Just the way the game started, with the interception. From then on, it seemed like we couldn't get going. After that, I was a little gimpy the rest of the year.

"We've moved on from that. We have to make sure that doesn't happen again. When you lose, you think about it in the offseason. We're definitely motivated to come out with a win."

After Cornelius sprained his ankle early in the game, the UF offense was down two of its best receivers - Cornelius and Andre Caldwell, who sustained a broken leg two weeks earlier. The Tide spent the rest of the game smothering Chad Jackson, Leak's go-to guy.

Baker said injuries had nothing to do with the outcome.

"Nobody was really giving effort," Baker said. "Our main focus this week is to give effort, go as hard as we can from the first play to the last. Our whole emphasis this week is to give effort and everything else will take care of itself."

The Florida defense also appeared to have a major lapse in effort in last year's game.

"When you go on the road in the SEC you have to pack your defense," Everett said. "Our defense wasn't ready to play. We weren't chasing the ball like you're supposed to and we weren't tackling the way you're supposed to.

"We're getting ready to play this year. The only thing we're worrying about is getting ready to play Alabama this year. I'm not thinking too much about the way we played last year."

Cornelius said the Gators haven't forgotten the Alabama players mocking them on the sideline late in the game.

"You remember that kind of stuff," Cornelius said.

Meyer remembers the atmosphere and the crowd. He's hoping The Swamp will give the Tide something to remember.

"The atmosphere we went into last year. ... it's our responsibility to have the same type of atmosphere here at The Swamp," Meyer said. "We're going to be ready and I want our fans to be ready. We have to make this the most difficult stadium in the nation to play in on Saturday."

[azuquita8]

Second Wynn: DeShawn Wynn ditches underachiever label with new persona

By ROBBIE ANDREU
Sun sports writer

]
It started with one strong summer workout, followed by another. Then it was one good practice in August, followed by another and another and another.

Now, in September, the most promising sign yet that Florida tailback DeShawn Wynn is running away from his reputation as an underachiever, back-to-back 100-yard rushing games in the Southeastern Conference.

"It is encouraging," UF running backs coach Stan Drayton said. "Any time you can go back-to-back 100 yards, it's a big accomplishment for a tailback."

For this particular tailback, it's bigger than big. It's huge. A potential defining moment.

Then again, maybe it's just another tease.

"We'll find out," Florida coach Urban Meyer said. "This is a big challenge for him this week (against Alabama's defense). They taught us a lesson last year. Our tailbacks ran very soft against this defense we're playing (Saturday). I think it's very good for him (rushing for 100 yards in consecutive games)."

In his quest to re-invent himself, the senior from Cincinnati has passed every test so far.

With some pushing and prodding from two of the team's biggest workout warriors (linebacker Brandon Siler and quarterback Tim Tebow), Wynn busted it in the offseason.

During two-a-days in August, he showed up every day and practiced with passion and consistent effort.

Now, as evidenced by his 100-yard performances against Tennessee and Kentucky, he is producing on the field and helping UF win games.

So, has the former Parade All-America finally become the dominant tailback everyone thought he would be when he arrived on campus five years ago?

Well, not quite.
And that's coming from Wynn himself.
"Running for 100 yards in back-to-back games. ... I don't think it's that big of a deal," Wynn said. "That's what the running back at the University of Florida is supposed to do, but it hasn't been done here in a while. I've got to keep improving.

"I need to start making guys miss in the open field and become a gamebreaker instead of just a four-quarter grinder. I need to add a little bit of that to my game and keep going."

Wynn doesn't sound like an underachiever and he's not playing like one. His teammates say there's a reason for that. Because he's not one anymore.

"In camp this year, he worked a lot harder. You could see him working harder at practice," senior wide receiver Jemalle Cornelius said. "He seems like he's a lot more in tune, a lot more focused this year. He's producing more yards, he's running harder and he's blocking better. All the stuff the coaches have asked him to do, I feel he's doing it."

In an attempt to bring out Wynn's talent, the coaches, especially Meyer, have been tough on him the past two years. The demands have been great. The criticism has flowed.

The comments from his coach have been harsh at times, but Wynn has finally responded.

"There is no other way to deal with it than to take it," Wynn said. "You can't go talking back to Coach Meyer. That wouldn't go so well. I was already in the doghouse. You've got to take the punches and roll with them and try to prove them wrong. When you get your opportunity you've got to show them something and that's what I'm trying to do.

"I tried to stay patient the whole time and it's worked out, even though it took a while for me to get on Coach Meyer's good side to where he's giving me a chance in my senior year.

"Coach Meyer motivated me and everyone else motivated me. I saw I had to turn the corner, that what I was doing wasn't working. I needed to change my ways."

Wynn said the turnaround began this summer, with Siler and Tebow staying on him (and by his side) during the most productive offseason of his career.

"Some players got in my ear, telling me this year was big for me and it was on me to help the team be successful," Wynn said. "I took it personally. I felt like I needed to step up and make something happen. It started in the summer workouts and it's carried over from there.

"Siler got me going every day. He and Tebow and cats like that, the workhorses on the team. They were always by my side, telling me to push it. They got in my head and I started working out with them and it carried over."

Back-to-back 100-yard games reflect his change in attitude and work habits.

"He's a much better practice player, much better," Drayton said. "He's practicing with a purpose now and it's starting to carry over into the game.

"He's not all the way there yet. We've got to get him a little bit more focused on ball security and all that other good stuff. Once he gets that down, I'm hoping he can turn into a real back, a major force at that position."

Wynn seems wiling to do what it takes to get there.

"I want to go out with a championship in my senior season," he said. "I'd like to be remembered that way, with my team. It's not too late to finish on a good note. People remember the last thing they see you do. If I go out the way I want to, I'll be remembered."

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Gators are out to impress recruits
By Edgar Thompson

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

GAINESVILLE — Beating Alabama could do a lot more than keep Florida in SEC title contention this season.

A win Saturday - with a half-dozen or more recruits looking on in The Swamp - could help the Gators win titles down the road.

High-profile weekends like this come along only a couple of times a season, so coaches are sure to capitalize in recruiting.

Coach Urban Meyer believes an electric atmosphere and dominant performances against Tennessee and Florida State in Gainesville played a role in Florida signing one of the top two 2006 recruiting classes.

"For recruiting a lot of things happened those two weekends," Meyer said.

He hopes this weekend has a similar impact on a class ranked No. 3, behind Texas and Georgia, by Rivals.com early rankings.

Defensive back Woodny Turenne, a Fort Lauderdale native and the No. 1 junior college player in the nation, headlines a group expected to attend Saturday's nationally televised game against the Crimson Tide.

Scheduled to join Turenne, who attends of California's College of Sequoias, are several highly regarded players, according to Rivals.com. The list includes offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant, linebackers Quan Sturdivant and Manny Abreu, offensive lineman Chris Little and quarterback Joe Haden, who will line up at receiver in college. Both Sturdivants are from North Carolina, but they are not related.

Rivals.com rates Trinton Sturdivant of Wadesboro, N.C., the nation's No. 7 offensive tackle and Abreu of Union City, N.J., the nation's No. 12 outside linebacker.

Little, rated the No. 17 player in Georgia, has narrowed his list of college choices to Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Clemson and Notre Dame.

Haden of Fort Washington, Md., is expected to attend the game with his younger brother, Josh, a junior who could be the nation's top-rated running back next season.

"I can't wait to see the environment this week," Meyer said "(Recruits) pick these games to come to, not the smaller games."

James gets a look: Freshman returner Brandon James lined up some at tailback during Tuesday's practice.

Meyer said James, listed at 5-feet-7, 175 pounds, needs to show he can protect the ball before he'll play there.

Florida Atlantic: Wide receiver Casey McGahee will not reach his goal of returning to the field for Saturday's Sun Belt Conference opener at Louisiana-Monroe.

McGahee, who tore an ACL during spring practice, now hopes the bye week following Saturday's game will enable him to play in FAU's Oct. 12 home opener against Southern Utah.

"I was targeting Monroe, but right now the trainers are looking out for my best interest," McGahee said. "I have to respect that."

The redshirt senior said the trainers told him he needs 80 percent of the strength to return to his surgically repaired knee before he can play. Right now he says he's at 65-70 percent. McGahee is running drills in practice but isn't cleared for contact.

[azuquita8]

Great chance, big test for UF
The meat of Florida's schedule will be played out over the next four games, during which the Gators' national-championship fate will be shaped.

BY MIKE PHILLIPS
mphillips@MiamiHerald.com

GAINESVILLE - Four major games could help Gators leapfrog into national-title picture.

If you like worn-out clichés about playing them one at a time, you'll love Florida coach Urban Meyer, who is busy this week saying he doesn't care to talk about an upcoming four-game stretch that will surely define his team's season.

Don't listen to him.

The truth is if the Gators have any hope of winning a national title, this stretch -- beginning Saturday at home against Alabama and including games against SEC powers LSU, Auburn and Georgia -- is where they must make their move.

Thanks to one of the most competitive schedules in the country, they actually can make a move.

The Gators (4-0) are ranked fifth in the nation, and the four teams in front of them (top-ranked Ohio State, No. 2 Auburn, No. 3 Southern Cal and No. 4 West Virginia) are undefeated. If Meyer has any hope of reaching the Fiesta Bowl and the national title game, his team has to climb to one of the top two spots in the final Bowl Championship Series rankings.

Florida could beat the Kentuckys and the Central Floridas of the world from now until Christmas and never get a glimpse of No. 2. But because the Gators play what Meyer has called ''the most difficult schedule in the country,'' they could move up in the polls and the BCS rankings, where it counts.

A PRIME CHANCE

That's why the upcoming stretch is critical. LSU (No. 9), Auburn and Georgia (No. 10) are in the top 10, and Alabama was ranked during the preseason. No team in the nation faces a stretch like this.

The BCS rankings are based on two polls and six computers rankings, which include strength of schedule as part of the criteria.

''If they win [over this four game stretch], they will move up in the computers pretty strongly,'' BCS analyst Jerry Palm said. ``They may even have a chance to be No. 1 in the computers.

''The voters don't always consider strength of schedule, but the computer ranking is based on record and strength of schedule, not margin of victory,'' Palm said. ``They might even move past [top-ranked] Ohio State in the computers.''

The first BCS rankings come out Oct. 15, the day after Florida travels to Auburn for what could be (if Florida beats Alabama and LSU) the most important game for the Gators in years -- a game that could move Florida into the national title game picture.

''If they beat Auburn, that's the kind of win where you can leapfrog teams,'' Palm said. ``USC might still be undefeated but if they struggle against someone, and Florida wins those four games they might move ahead [in the polls and the computers].''

TALENTED GATORS

Meyer's team has a Heisman Trophy candidate in quarterback Chris Leak, its best defensive front four in more than a decade, two linebackers (Brandon Siler and Earl Everett) on the Butkus Award watch list, and possibly the best corps of receivers in the nation. Florida has the talent some expect to be good enough to win a national title.

The fear for the Gators is to end the season unbeaten -- they could get a late-season bump in the standings with a win against Florida State, provided the Seminoles (3-1) don't have any further missteps -- and still be ranked No. 3 in the nation.

That would shut them out of the national title game, a fate identical to Auburn's two years ago when the Tigers went 13-0 but finished third in the BCS rankings. Palm said because of this four-game stretch, that probably wouldn't happen to the Gators.

''Auburn two years ago was a different situation,'' Palm said. ``Auburn's strength of schedule wasn't that good that year. The SEC wasn't as good that year as it is this year. Auburn wasn't just No. 3 in the polls. Auburn was also No. 3 in the computers.

''Florida could be No. 3 in the polls but No. 1 in the computers, because of the strength of schedule,'' he said. ``That's the difference.''