Florida kicks off its season against Toledo on Aug. 31, but two key players won’t be on the field.
Running back Matt Jones (viral infection) and offensive lineman Jon Halapio (partially torn pectoral muscle) will both miss the Gators’ season opener, coach Will Muschamp said on Friday.
“(They) certainly are huge absences,” Muschamp said. “I think we’ll play well in their absence, but certainly they are good football players and we want them back playing.”
Muschamp said Jones is questionable for Florida’s Week 2 matchup against Miami. He said that Jones looked healthy, but the medical staff told him Jones could suffer a relapse if he was taxed too much too soon.
“They want to make sure his immune system is up and he can handle those things,” Muschamp said. “Any time you have a serious viral infection, which is what he had, his immune system is battle down a little bit.”
Junior Mack Brown will replace Jones at tailback for the first game of the season. Brown has played in 25 games and rushed for 167 yards on 40 attempts.
Former walk-on Mark Herndon will be the backup runner with former defensive back Valdez Showers as the No. 3 back.
“We got a lot of confidence in Mark and Mack and Valdez,” Muschamp said.
Freshmen Kelvin Taylor and Adam Lane may get a chance to play, but Muschamp said the staff has not decided what their roles will be this season.
Unlike Jones, Halapio will be out for a longer period of time.
“I think his pec is filling in,” Muschamp said. “We don’t want to push it with him. But I would safely project him for Tennessee.”
Muschamp said he was comfortable with other players filling in for Halapio on the line. He mentioned sophomore transfer Tyler Moore, junior Ian Silberman and redshirt senior Kyle Koehne as potential replacements at guard.
But it wasn’t all bad news for the Gators on the injury front.
Muschamp said he expects several injured players will be cleared to play next week.
Defensive tackle Damien Jacobs (knee), fullback Hunter Joyer (hamstring) and cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (sprained shoulder) are all expected to play against Toledo, according to Muschamp.
“I do feel good about this team,” he said.
Muschamp comments on schedule: Florida released its 2014 schedule on Wednesday, and the Gators drew several notable opponents, including the Crimson Tide.
“It comes down to matchups,” Muschamp said. “They want to see Florida and Alabama play. I know that’s not the company line, but that’s the bottom line.”
The matchup with the Crimson Tide changes the Gators’ typical schedule. Florida’s annual game with Tennessee will be moved from the third Saturday in September to Oct. 4, and Florida will open its Southeastern Conference schedule with Kentucky on Sept. 13.
It’s only the third time since 1996 that the Gators opened their conference schedule against a team other than the Volunteers.
Fans can cool off on gameday: Florida announced Friday morning that the O’Connell Center will be open to fans with a ticket during the Toledo game.
The O’Connell Center will play the game live on two video boards.
UF also announced there will be other initiatives to keep spectators cool during the game.
There will be misting stations outside of Gate 2, Gate 16 and Gate 9. There will also be hand fans distributed at the O’Connell Center and at select gates.
Follow Adam Lichtenstein on Twitter @ALichtenstein24.
Guard Jon Halapio blocks Georgia nose tackle Kwame Geathers in Florida’s 17-9 loss on Oct. 27 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.
