Archive for February, 2009

Kiffin Not Making Any Friends

Posted by admin on February 14th, 2009   No Comment

By: Mark Stainton

Lane Kiffin hasn’t won an SEC game, but he has taken shots at three different SEC coaches who have all won national championships. If the new Tennessee coach can coach as well as he talks then the Volunteers are going to have a great season. Kiffin helped bump up the UT recruiting class from below-average to subpar with the addition of two UF commitments on National Signing Day, but that wasn’t the big news. The big news was that while Kiffin was talking to some UT faithful, he called out Urban Meyer as a cheater who broke NCAA recruiting rules. Kiffin was up on his high horse explaining that Urban called Nu’Keese Richardson while Richardson was on the UT campus for his visit, and Kiffin wanted to point out that not only did Meyer cheat, but he cheated and still didn’t get Richardson. There was only one problem, what Meyer did was not against NCAA rules.

So Kiffin looked like a genius when he had to issue a formal apology to
Urban and UF athletic director Jeremy Foley. The best part about the entire situation is that since Kiffin’s apology, Tennessee has self-reported 3 different minor NCAA violations. So while the new UT coach is ruffling feathers, he is also committing NCAA violations, while falsely accusing others of doing the same thing. He is digging himself a hole and that is not smart to do in the SEC.

Most people would expect a new SEC coach to win a few ball games before they start insulting and coming after the big dogs in the best conference in the country. Kiffin does not abide by such a rule. I foresee a quick exit from the SEC coaching ranks for Kiffin if his daddy doesn’t help him deliver a few successful seasons early on. Tennessee had a chance to sneak up on some people this year. They had a chance to surprise a team or two and improve on their 5-7 record from 2008. That chance is all but gone now as Kiffin has put a very large bulls-eye on the back of the Volunteer football team. In his very first press conference he explained how much he would enjoy singing ‘Rocky Top’ after UT beat the Florida Gators in the Swamp in 2009. That remark, combined with his recent comments, means Urban will pay special attention to the Tennessee game this coming year. I believe Meyer is going to try to hang half a hundred on the Volunteers because of Kiffin’s big mouth. Stay tuned ladies and gentlemen, Kiffin is going to have to learn the hard way to walk the walk in the SEC.

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Meet The Gator Baseball Team On Saturday

Posted by admin on February 13th, 2009   1 Comment

As you know it is just about time for the baseball season to start, so the Florida Gators baseball team and coaching staff are holding a neat event this Saturday on Valentines day where you may get any autographs from the players and coaches.

The team will be having a scrimmage at noon and after the practice, they will be available for all fans to take pictures and get any autographs you may like. The Gators look forward to seeing all you fans out this season to help support. Florida will open the season up with ranked no. 8 Louisville on Feb. 20.

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Hodge Ejected In Loss VS Kentucky

Posted by admin on February 11th, 2009   3 Comments

With just few minutes going into the second half, Senior guard Walter Hodge was ejected after intentionally stepping on Perry Stevenson’s arm as he was lying on the floor. Was this really intentional on Hodge’s part?

I honestly do not think he did it on purpose. I have never even seen Hodge make a stupid mistake out of the years at Florida.

Walter did not even see Stevenson’s arm laying out on the ground. But that is just what I think. There are several people saying that he looked down before stepping on his arm and apologized so he could try and stay in the game but then there are fans talking about how Hodge meant his apology, he did not laugh or make any facial expressions after the incident.

It was a major factor to. Hodge contributes almost 8 points a contest, and could have made a big impact in the Gator offense and defense in the second half, but instead it turned out to be a three point loss. Was this just a bad call on the refs part? More Kentucky fans are agreeing on Florida’s side. It might of been one of the lowest calls I have seen. It should have turned out to be a technical foul before an ejection in my thoughts. When a player gets elbowed in the face, does he get thrown out? No. But when something this subtle happens I think it does not deserve an ejection.

Don’t ever try to do anything slick in Rupp Arena. They will call every little thing like that. So how do you think coach Billy Donovan will react to this matter? Should Hodge be benched or punished? Do you think he should play in the next road game vs Georgia? Let us hear your comments on the article. Florida will face Georgia on Saturday, tip off will be held at 3:30pm on CBS.

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Gators Go Down In Lexington

Posted by admin on February 11th, 2009   No Comment

Kentucky junior Jodie Meeks hit a big time three pointer with 4 ticks on the clock to give the Wildcats the lead.

I did not get the chance to view them game on T.V due to a trip so I received updates by people on a bus and I was told Calathes was fouled on a three point shot. Calathes had the opportunity to tie the game at the line but failed by missing the first, so it led to where he had to miss the third on purpose. But it did not come out like the Gators wanted.

After this nail biting contest, Kentucky (17-7) and Florida (19-5) are both now 6-3 in SEC play.

Sophomore guard Nick Calathes scored a career high of 33 points. His performance was amazing tonight. This kid came out and played his heart out and it’s a shame how it ended. I’m sure Calathes will find his self at the line before and after practice searching for a way to try and make free throws late in the game with that much pressure.

Sophomore Alex Tyus led behind Calathes with 14 points and three blocks.

The Gators will head to Athens, GA to face the Georgia Bulldogs on Feb. 14 starting at 3:30pm. The game may be seen on ABC.

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Gators Breeze Past Summitt’s Vols

Posted by admin on February 9th, 2009   1 Comment

Florida’s senior guard Sha Brooks came two points shy from her career 31 points but still led the Gators past the talented Vols (17-6, 6-3).

I can not explain how big of a win this was for the lady Gators. One, Pat Summitt has a great talented ball club and the victory was not a cake walk for Florida. And secondly, this win holds the Gators at the top of the SEC standings.

Florida (18-2, 8-1) found there selves down by seven late in the second half but then decided to turn their game up and start playing the way coach Butler taught them to. Sha Brooks stepped up and made a couple big time three’s late in the game to help the Gators creep up from behind. Brooks defensive effort was amazing tonight after taking a charge that gave Florida the possession which turned into a 12-2 run.

Junior Steffi Sorensen knocked down a big three to put Florida up by 5 with just over 2 minutes remaining in the contest. Brooks overall performance was incredible. Sha played 38 out of a total 40 minutes of the game scoring 29 points and collecting seven rebounds. Other than the great defense Florida played, I think the 8,060 fans in O’Connell Center got these players fired up and hungry for a win.

Tennessee was led by Angie Bjorklund with 16 points.

Florida will be back in action next Thursday for another SEC match up against Vanderbilt. Tip off will be held at 7pm.

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Lady Gators Pound Baylor 8-0

Posted by admin on February 8th, 2009   No Comment

By: Brandon

The lady Gators softball took care of business for the second straight day, blowing past Baylor (0-2) 8-0. Sophomore pitcher Stephanie Brombacher took a big part of the win. Brombacher threw a no-hitter all the way up to the last inning. It was an amazing performance from her part and get ready to see plenty of this the rest of the season. Brombacher finished with 8 strikeouts and one walk.

The Gators (2-0) knocked 3 out of the park for the first time since they played Kentucky in 2008. They are really hitting the ball well the past 2 games and I think it should really have a big impact the rest of the year. This ball clubs shot at winning it all this year is very high right now, but it is too early to even say.

Sophomore Aja Paculba had an incredible day in the box after going 2 for 3 with a home run, 2 RBI, a stolen base and 2 scored runs. Florida had a rally that was started by Corrie Brooks after pounding a double out to the fence and was advanced to third after a Michelle Moultrie sacrifice bunt. Brooks then went on to score after a sacrifice fly.

The Gators look to sweep the Bears as they face off tomorrow starting at 12pm.

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Gators Open Season With 3-0 Win Over Baylor

Posted by admin on February 7th, 2009   No Comment

The lady Gators opened up the first game of the season with a 3-0 victory over Baylor. Florida senior pitcher Stacey Nelson performed really well. Nelson pitched a complete game only allowing 4 hits and tacking on her first win of the year. That is exactly how she would like to start off.

This was the Gators first win against Baylor in the softball history after losing the last 5 times played. The Gators were the first on the board in which started in the second inning led by sophomore DH Tiffany DeFelice who hit a stroke to right field for a single to put runners on the corners. Junior Francesca Enea got put on base after a walk, scored after a pass ball to put the lady Gators up 1-0.

The Gators also had the first home run hit by Kelsey Bruder. It really shifted momentum over their shoulders and was a big factor in this win. Florida and Baylor will see each other again on Saturday starting at 1pm, and the last game of the series will be held on Sunday at 12pm.

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Trey Burton Interview

Posted by admin on February 6th, 2009   1 Comment

By: Mark Stainton

Trey Burton was one of the first commitments for the 2010 University of Florida
recruiting class. He is a 200 pound, 6’3”, dual-threat QB hailing from Venice, FL.
He attended the UF junior day last weekend and got to spend some quality time with
UF’s new QB coach Scot Loeffler. Burton committed way back in July of 2008, and
looks forward to joining UF as soon as he can. We had a chance to sit down with
Burton and discuss his commitment and what made him decide to be a Gator. He sounds
like he will fit right in with Gator Nation, and we look forward to him coming to
Gainesville officially.

GSN: How did it feel being in Gainesville?

Trey Burton: “It’s an awesome feeling. The fans are awesome and the campus is
beautiful.”

GSN: Do you think you can bring a championship to Florida?

Trey Burton: “I am definitely going to try to. That is my goal, to bring another
national championship to Gainesville.”

GSN: How long have you been a Gator?

Trey Burton: “I’ve probably been a Gator since I was 6 years old, when I was old
enough to understand a little bit about football.”

GSN: How comfortable were you with the coaching staff?

Trey Burton: “I love the coaching staff. They are real smart and they push the
players to get better in everything they do. They are also great guys off the
field.”

GSN: What other sch
ools did you seriously consider? What did you like about them?

Trey Burton: “I really wasn’t going to consider any other school until I thought I
had zero chance of being a Gator. But if I had to pick, it would probably be another
SEC school because the SEC is the best conference.”

GSN: What stood out to you about Florida?

Trey Burton: “The fans, coaches and campus are awesome, plus they compete for the
best team in the nation in every sport every year. They play the toughest teams and
they are in the best conference, plus it’s a great school.”

GSN: What do you think are strong points of your game?

Trey Burton: “What people have told me my strong points are is running the ball,
like scrambling. But last summer and this summer, all I’m going to be doing is
working on throwing and being the best QB I can be before I get to UF.”

GSN: Are you excited about watching and learning from a guy like Tebow? Do you think
that will be beneficial to you in the future?

Trey Burton: “Oh yeah, it’s awesome to watch him play. Plus he is a better guy off
the field and he is a role model to a lot of kids.”

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