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Free Throws cost the Gators against South Carolina

Posted by Staff Writers on January 15th, 2011 No Comment

Freshman Patrick Young set a career high with 12 points in a 72-69 defeat to South Carolina. The loss was Florida’s first conference loss and ends the Gators five game winning streak.

Trailing by 10 late in the game the Gators went on a run to cut it to 1 but that was as close as the Gators got as South Carolina went on a 13-7 run to the end game.

Free throw shooting was a big reason for the loss as the Gators shot 12-22 from the line and missed its final five attempts. One of the key moments of the game was when Erving Walker stepped to the line with 1:07 left and the Gator trailing by 1.

Walker missed the front end of the one and one. South Carolina took the ball down court and center Sam Muldrow hit a 3-pointer to put the Gamecocks up by 4 and there never looked back from there.

“I just shot it long,” Walker said. “I can’t ask to be in a better situation at the foul line. But I just missed it.”

Bruce Ellington led the Gamecocks in scoring with points including the final six points for South Carolina.

Florida looks to rebound against the struggling Auburn Tigers on Thursday the game will be on ESPN.

Q&A with former Gator Matt Laporta

Posted by Staff Writers on January 13th, 2011 No Comment

I recently had the opportunity to catch up with former Gator baseball player Matt Laporta and talk to him about his upcoming season with the Indians and the state of the Florida baseball program.

Q: What’s your relationship with the baseball program at Florida since you have graduated like?

(Matt) A: I have a great relationship with Coach O’Sullivan and the entire athletic department. I don’t get back as much as I would like because of my baseball schedule, but I’m always either watching or checking the scores to see how the team is doing.

Q:Talk to us about Coach O’Sullivan?

A:First off he has to do a great job with coming in and putting Florida back in the top 5 or so programs in the country. He does an amazing job recruiting and then once those players are on campus he builds them into good ball players

Q: What made you choose Florida?

A:It’s not only a great athletic school but it’s also a place where you can get a great education. My mom graduated from there so that played a big part of it as well as just the tradition of the program

Q: Florida is known as a football school how does the baseball team get treated by the fans and student body?

A: First Florida has a wonderful football program and understandably football is big in the south so it does create more attention, but the baseball program is well respected and the fans and students give us full support. Actually any sport at Florida is supported whether it be volleyball, basketball, lacrosse or whatever sport it will be supported the students just all around love Florida athletics.

Q: Describe to me the feeling of being apart of Gator Nation?

A: Its one of the best feelings just being apart of the family atmosphere is great. No Matter where you go people always recognize you as a gator. Its true once a Gator always a Gator

Q: What was the feeling like going to Omaha for the college world series and what makes it so special?

A: Its an amazing feeling just being apart of the history of the college world series. The fan atmosphere is what sets it apart as there is 25,000 screaming fans watching college baseball. The city of Omaha also puts in tons of effort to make the game so special and to make the players feel welcome. There is nothing like Omaha for the college world series

Q: Whats your goal and the teams goals for this year with the Indians?

A: Well we are a young team and we expect to keep building on last year. As a team we have to cut down on the mental and physical errors and that will help us to improve upon last year. Me as a player I feel like I just have to just keep working to get better every year.

Lastly Matt has offered to answer any questions Gator fans have for him and has welcomed us to keep in touch with him throughout the season for updates on him and the Cleveland Indians.

By: Andrew Spivey

Jenkins will return for senior year

Posted by Staff Writers on January 9th, 2011 1 Comment

Sources close to Gator Sports Nation have said that junior cornerback Janoris Jenkins will return to Florida instead of entering this year’s draft.

Jenkins also tweeted saying “Gator Nation I’m back.”

Our sources tell us Jenkins wasn’t impressed with his current draft stock and with his injury he would not be able to improve that draft stock as he would have been unable to participate in this year’s combine.

Stay tuned for more information.

Andrew Spivey talks about the Tebow Documentary

Posted by Staff Writers on January 6th, 2011 No Comment

I’m sure everyone in Gator Nation was tuned into the Tebow Documentary tonight. If you missed it you missed a great story on Tebow’s hard work and great character. The story gave me chills.

The show started with Sugar Bowl last year and ended with the Broncos drafting Tebow.

One of the most interesting things was the amount of time and effort that went into Tim picking his agent as he interviewed 5 different agents before signing with Jimmy Sexton. Tebow said the main reason for choosing Mr. Sexton was he felt like it was right and that Jimmy believed in him.

The show showed the hard work and determation that Tebow put into changing his throwing motion. He would work out from 7 to 7 everyday.

Tebow visited a little kid who had been shot in the head and prayed with the young man before leaving the hospital.

From there the documentary showed Tebow’s workouts with the Broncos. After the workouts Mr. Sexton and Tim had a very good idea that Tim would be drafted by Denver. On draft day before the Broncos picked Tebow Coach McDaniels call Tim and told him he was being drafted by the Broncos.

The documentary showed how much Tebow means to Gator Nation and really any college football fan.

Urban Meyer; Once a Gator Always a Gator

Posted by Staff Writers on January 1st, 2011 6 Comments

The Urban Meyer era has ended but he will never be forgotten by Gator Nation. Coach wasn’t only a great football coach but a great ambassador to the university.

Under Coach Meyer, the graduation rate went up for the football team, volunteer services went up and student involvement increased greatly.

Urban introduced the Gator walk to Florida and many other game day traditions.

Most players will remember Coach by his family atmosphere as he introduced family night with the players, where players would eat dinner with the coaches and their families.

Gator Nation will probably most remember Coach for his two national championships or his ability to bring Tim Tebow to Florida.

Coach Meyer remember one thing Once a Gator Always a Gator and we would look forward to still having you around.

GatorSportsNation would like to personally thank you Coach for everything you have done for the program and the university.We also made a tribute video dedicated to coach Meyer.

We would like everyone who reads this or visits the site to leave your comments about your favorite Coach Meyer moments and send you’re THANKS to Coach Meyer for everything.

Gators send Meyer out with a Win

Posted by Staff Writers on January 1st, 2011 No Comment

The Gators were ahead 30-24 with Penn State driving on Florida’s 20 yard line with less than a minute to go in the game when Ahmad Black intercepted Penn State’s Matthew McGloin pass and took it 80 yards for a game sealing touchdown.

McGloin got the scoring started in the first half with a 5 yard pass to Moye. On Penn State’s next possession Ahmad Black intercepted a McGloin pass and returned it to the Penn State 15 yard line three plays later Florida quarterback Trey Burton fumbled as he was going into the end zone.

Cody Riggs intercepted McGloin on the next possession inside Penn State territory 2 plays later Omarius Hines took a reverse 16 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 at the beginning of the second quarter.

Penn State went three and out on their next possession and was lined up to punt when the Gators Solomon Patton blocked the punt and Lerentee McCray scooped and scored from 27 yards out to put the Gators up 14-7.

Penn State would answer right back as Michael Zordich capped a 72 yard drive with a 1 yard run to tie the game back up at 14-14. Penn State would go on top after Colin Wagner converted a 20 yard field goal right before half as the Lions got the ball inside Florida territory when Chas Henry’s Punt was kicked out of bounds inside the thirty yard line.

It was a back and forth game throughout as Penn State held the lead at the half 17-14 but the second half was a different story as the Gators came out with a sense of urgency and more momentum then Penn State.

Chas Henry opened up the second by connecting with a 30 yard field goal to tie the game at 17 all with 9:09 left in the third quarter, but it didn’t take long for the Nittany Lions to regain the lead as McGloin scored on a 2 yard run to put the Lions up 24-17.

Henry connected on a career-long 47 yard field to cut the margin to 24-20 with 2:42 left in the third quarter.

On the following possession Brandon Hick got the Gators third interception and set the Gators up on the Penn State 25 yard line. Mike Gillislee punched the ball in from the one yard line to put the Gators up for good 27-24. Henry hit another field goal from 20 yards out to give the Gators a 30-24 lead.
Penn State was driving with their next possession when Ahmad Black picked up the McGloin pass and returned it for 6.

All Week Ahmad Black has said he wanted to give Coach a going away present well I think that was a great going away present for Coach Meyer. As the closing seconds ticked off the clock the crowd chanted “Urban Meyer, Urban Meyer”.

Coach Meyer was joined on the sidelines by his wife and kids as he and Shelley met coach Paterno at midfield after the final second finally ticked off the clock.

The Gators ended with 279 yards of total offense.

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Steve Addazio to Temple

Posted by Staff Writers on December 22nd, 2010 No Comment

The Temple Owls have hired Florida Offensive coordinator Steve Addazio for there head coach position on Wednesday.

Steve will be formally introduced at a news conference on Thursday.
Addazio has been on Urban Meyer’s staff for the past six years. He was a High School coach from (1988-1994). Addazio is known as a terrific recruiter and was named recruiter of the year by ESPN last year. Steve has been responsible for recruiting the northeast and is responsible for landing recruits like Percy Harvin, Will Hill, and Aaron Hernandez.

Steve is knows for his “Vitamin Addazio” speeches to motivate his players. Players have been quoted as saying that Addazio gets the most out of them.

Addazio started as a tight ends coach in 2005 and took over the offensive line in 2007. He became assistant head coach in 2008 and was the interim head coach last year when Coach Meyer took a leave of absent.

Addazio has been under fire from Gator fans for his playing calling but never for his enthusiasm towards his players.

I think I speak for most gator fans when I say Good Luck Coach Addazio.

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Tebow to get Second Start on Sunday

Posted by Staff Writers on December 20th, 2010 No Comment

Tim Tebow will make his second straight start this Sunday against the Houston Texans.

Tebow is getting the start for two reasons, Kyle Orton is still dealing with bruised ribs and also Tebow executed the game plan well and was turnover free on Sunday.

“Well, the reason right now was that we felt that Tim played well yesterday, ran our offense effectively,” Studesville said. “Compounding that was the fact that Kyle still was rehabbing … and we just felt like prolonging this later into the week wasn’t the best thing for our preparation and practice.”

Tim was given a small game plan, one that didn’t allow for much risk and the Broncos were trying to get a feel for Tebow’s game. Expect this week for the game plan to be widen some as the Broncos’ coaching staff gets more comfortable with Tebow.

Tebow’s performance didn’t go unnoticed to the Raiders as several players praised Tebow’s style and toughness.
“A lot of guys will either slide or they’ll try to take the path of least resistance. But he’s going to go head-up with a guy, every time. He’s a big guy, tough to bring down,” Asomugha said of Tebow’s running style.

To put the rumor to bed that Owner Pat Bowlen told Interim Coach Studesville to start Tebow, Coach Studesville said it was his decision alone to start Tim and that Bowlen agrees with his call.