Archive for the ‘FOOTBALL’ Category

Four Gator Walk-Ons Given Scholarships

Posted by admin on August 23rd, 2011   No Comment

On the day a “walk-on” is given a scholarship, there is an unbelievable array of emotions that pass through their mind and take over their bodies. It’s exhilarating and rewarding. How can it not be? Short of making it in the NFL, this athlete has reached a level of accomplishment few will ever achieve. One can’t help but think of the movie “Rudy”, to understand the entire myriad of euphoric emotions these young men must be experiencing. Just ask Coach Will Muschamp of the Florida Gators, a walk-on himself, who became a  safety for the Georgia Bulldogs, on how it felt to accomplish this amazing goal. “I know I’ll never forget the day that I was awarded a scholarship,” Muschamp said. “We did it in front of the team and it was an emotional time.”

Over the weekend, Muschamp awarded scholarships to David Lerner (punter), Scott Peek (linebacker), William Steinmann (tight end) and Tim Clark,(defensive back). It was a concrete way for Muschamp to help some of the scholarship players understand what the value of a scholarship really means. “I told our scholarship guys, sometimes you take things for granted as far as what you have to complain and moan about some things, and have these guys paying for what – they want to be in your shoes,” he said. “It was great for our football team.” Coach Muschamp went on to single out one of the new scholarship players. He thought it was important to recognize David Lerner’s remarkable accomplishment that even in the face of daunting heath issues he overcame all obstacles to become an important asset to this Gator team. Lerner recently found out on July 11 that he had Crohn’s disease (an inflammatory gastrointestinal disease that causes extreme pain throughout the digestive tract). In spite of numerous IV treatments to control the disease plus a weight loss of 15 pounds, David never missed a day of fall practice. He epitomizes what it means to be a Florida Gator. “He certainly is an inspiration to me and just watching him and how he’s handled himself.” said Muschamp. If the rest of the Gators play to the level of the skills they have been given, (just as the new scholarships), then we have an exciting season to look forward to.

 

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Wildcat formation is still alive in the Gator offense

Posted by admin on August 21st, 2011   No Comment

Although Charlie Weis (the Florida Gators new offensive coordinator)
runs a pro-style offense, there is one formation from the spread
offense Urban Meyer ran that is rearing is catlike head in practice,
it’s the Wildcat. You know, the formation where the fastest, most
athletic person on the team lines up at the quarterback position,
usually shotgun, and hopefully does something incredible. Well the
good news is for the Florida Gators is that they have a pair of
running backs that just might possibly be the fastest 1 -2 combo in
the NCAA. Jeff Demps is a considered the fastest man in NCAA football,
however it was noted in the Gator rumor mill that Chris Rainey
defeated Jeff Demps in a 40 yard dash behind the dorm rooms their
freshman year. Both are a welcomed fit for the wildcat formation.
Chris Rainey had this to say about running the formation. “I was
nervous a little bit the first time, but I love it a lot. I ain’t ever
done it before. It’s fun, though.” Last year Chris Rainey averaged 7.2
yards per a carry. Jeff Demps averaged 6.0 yards per a carry but lead
the team with 551 rushing yards. Both Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey are
seniors this year and are looking to lead the Gators through the 2011
season.

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UF Football – Muschamp backs Aubrey Hill among Nevin Shapiro allegations

Posted by admin on August 21st, 2011   1 Comment

Gator wide receiver coach and recruiting coordinator Aubrey Hill has been supported by Gator head coach Will Muschamp. Muchamp told reporters Saturday “I’ve talked to Aubrey after the article came out,” Muschamp said following Saturday’s scrimmage. “I feel very comfortable with he and I’s conversation. I support Aubrey 100 percent. I’m glad he’s here at Florida and that’s all I’m really going to comment on. We released a statement on both Matt and Andre and obviously there was nothing there as far as that was concerned. So I’m going to leave it at that.” -Gainesville, FL

aubrey hill florida gators

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Debose and Patchen Eligible for Florida Gators

Posted by admin on August 19th, 2011   No Comment

It’s been all over the news. University of Miami booster Nevin Shapiro tells all to Yahoo! sports, players receive illegal benefits from 2002-2010, major NCAA violations, unfortunately the story didn’t stop with the University of Miami. Shapiro implicated two Florida Gator football players Matt Patchen and Andre Debose as well as the new wide receivers coach, Aubrey Hill, who worked for the University of Miami for the past three years. Shapiro made several allegations about the three, which included cash advances and use of personal vehicles that belonged to Shapiro. Although the NCAA is investigating the claims Shapiro has made, they have been in communication with the University of Florida’s Athletic Association on the matter and have provided some initial feedback to the Gator Nation.

Yesterday, the University of Florida released the following statement “We have been in communication with the NCAA and there are no eligibility issues with Andre Debose and Matt Patchen as it relates to recent reports”. Good news for the Gators as both players will play an integral part on the field this year.

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Gators Ranked 23rd on USA Today Preseason Poll

Posted by admin on August 18th, 2011   No Comment

With big changes in Gainesville, the Gators are ranked #23 nationally in 1 of the major pre-season polls. Will Muschamp’s reign begins September 3rd against Florida Atlantic at home in the Swamp. The first big test for the Gators in 2011 will come against Tennessee on September 17th. Other notable matchups include Alabama on October 1st, LSU on October 8th, Auburn on October 15th, the annual world’s largest cocktail party against Georgia on October 29th, and Florida State the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

In 2010, the Gators ranked 88th nationally in passing yards, averaging 184.3 a game. This year John Brantley looks to lead the gators into a new system, orchestrated by former Notre Dame coach, Charlie Weis. The system should be advantageous for Brantley who struggled under Urban Meyer. The Gators ranked 44th nationally in rushing with 166.5 yards per game. With 29.8 points per game, UF was 43 in the country and 29th with 21.3 points against per game.

As a transition year for the Gators, look for young talent to be developed on both sides of the ball.

the swamp florida gators

 

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Info on the Gators’ 2011 media guide

Posted by admin on July 23rd, 2011   2 Comments

I would like to announce to everybody that the 2011 Florida Gator football media guide has been released by the University of Florida. I like the guide this year. It offers a ton of news and information for everybody. According to Rachel George from the Sentinel, UF does not send them out to season ticket holders anymore so you may find them online.

Here are some things you will find in the guide.

  • Despite ending last season with a 8-5 record, the Gators still lead the Country in wins since 1990 with 208.
  • With former Gator Mike Pouncey being drafted in the first round this year, it extends the Gators streak with a first-round draft pick to five years which is the longest streak in the whole country.
  • This was a surprising fact…. Last season was the first time since 1989 that the Gators did not finish in the top AP or USA today 25 poll, which is really stunning.
  • There were two games last season that landed the Gators in the top five for attendance. Back in October when they faced LSU there were 90,721 who attended. Then during the South Carolina game in November, there were 90,885 that were in attendance.

Another eye catcher are number changes. Every year players are changing there numbers….

Player Old number New number
RB Chris Rainey 3 1
DT Dominique Easley 58 2
LB Jelani Jenkins 43 3
DT Sharrif Floyd 73 4
WR Robert Clark 81 7
CB Josh Shaw 29 9
QB Christian Provancha 16 13
S Tim Clark 34 30
OL Cole Gilliam 63 62
WR Josh Postell 87 86
DE Lynden Drail 85 92

Here are the numbers for the freshman this year.

CB Marcus Roberson – 5; CB Louchiez Purifoy – 15; QB Jeff Driskel – 16; QB Jacoby Brissett – 17; CB Valdez Showers – 20; S Jabari Gorman – 21; CB De’Ante “Pop” Saunders – 26; RB Hunter Joyer – 41; S Chris Johnson – 33; K Kyle Christy – 44; LB Graham Stewart – 55; OG Trip Thurman – 63; OG Tommy Jordan – 65; WR Ja’Juan Story – 80; TE A.C. Leonard – 81; DE Clay Burton – 86; DE Tevin Westbrook – 97.

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Update on Danny Wuerffel’s recovery

Posted by admin on July 21st, 2011   No Comment

For all of you Gator fans and Danny Wuerffel fans out there…. Wuerffel has been updating his fans on his recovery from Guillain-Barre. His first update said he was progressing real well and that his body has gotten much stronger than before. So that is a good thing.

Wuerffel caught the disease from a stomach virus last June, which was a very scary scene for the Nation. The disease causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the nervous system. At the beginning of July, he said that the worse has already been behind him.

On the Desire Street Ministries website you will find Wuerffel’s letter.

My physical body continues to make progress and I’m getting stronger. Jessica and I went for a short walk this morning (although it was followed by a 2 hour nap), and I’m doing more and more pushups each day (not too many, but probably more than my friend Hampton). I even left the house last night and went to dinner.

I have experienced incredible physical healing—God is good!


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Tim Tebow autographed book giveaway

Posted by admin on July 19th, 2011   3 Comments

For all of you Gator fans who missed the opportunity to get your book signed by former Gator great Tim Tebow at Walmart a few weeks ago, well you may have another shot.

Tebow had six stops in Colorado and Florida for signings for his book called “through my eyes”. A company called book perk wil be holding a contest that will be giving away more than 10 books that are officially signed by Tim Tebow.

Ever since the book has been released on May 31st, Tebow’s book has been one of the New York Times top sellers.

I myself purchased the book with a few friends and rook the trip up to the Gainesville Walmart to meet with Tim and have the book sign. There was an incredible turnout of fans and readers of the book.

“Through my eyes” was also helped written by Nathan Whitaker.

So for all of you out there who would like a shot of winning a signed book, make sure to not miss out.

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