Will Muschamp wasted no time unleashing the fiery outbursts for which the third-year coach has become known. It just didn’t happen on the field.
After a brief opening statement on the win, Muschamp lashed out at the media and several local publications in particular for incorrectly identifying freshman defensive tackle Jay-nard Bostwick as suspended for Florida’s season opener against Toledo. The freshman suited up and Muschamp said Bostwick would’ve played had the right situation presented itself.
“When you take a shot at a kid, and it’s inaccurate, and it’s written inaccurately, I’ve got a problem,” Muschamp said at one point during the rant. “So, I can be accused of a lot of things and being overprotective of our players for accurate information. I’m really pissed off, and it’s wrong. I dealt with it last night with a parent, and I had to deal with it this morning with another parent. It was inaccurate, and it was wrong. It was totally irresponsible.”
No.10 Florida had an up-tempo offense to prepare for, and dealing with an erroneous report wasn’t something he wanted to deal with, especially with the Gators already short-handed.
Linebacker Antonio Morrison was the only player publicly suspended for the opener until news broke late Friday afternoon that four more players would be missing the game — starting cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy, defensive tackle Darious “Bear” Cummings, offensive tackle Quinteze Williams and wide receiver Latroy Pittman.
The receiver will be suspended against Miami on Sept. 7 and Tennessee on Sept. 21 as well. Muschamp didn’t specify why the players didn’t play on Saturday, but said the other three should suit up next week.
Despite missing key reserves in Pittman and Cummings, along with its starting cornerback, Florida controlled throughout the entirety of its 24-6 win on Saturday. The defense held Toledo to 205 total yards and just 50 yards rushing.
Freshman cornerback Vernon Hargraeves III notched his first-career interception and the only takeaway of the game with a 15-yard return off of Toledo quarterback Terrance Owens in the third quarter.
“I was very happy for him,” cornerback Jaylen Watkins said about the freshman. “He got his hands on some balls in camp, so I wasn’t surprised him coming into this game and getting a pick.”
Mike Taylor led all linebackers with five tackles and Neiron Ball forced a quarterback hurry from the Will position. Trey Burton picked up the slack for the receivers with a team-high five receptions for 69 yards.
Florida travels to Miami to take on a team coming off a 34-6 home win against Florida Atlantic. The Hurricanes feature a potential first round draft pick at next year’s draft in senior quarterback Stephen Morris as well as electric running back Duke Johnson.
The sophomore had a career-high 186 rushing yards and averaged 9.8 yards per carry in another impressive outing. Georgia’s Todd Gurley, with his 124-yard performance, was the only back to gain more than the century mark against Florida’s defense.
Having Purifoy and Morrison, who saw his two-game suspension reduced to one on Monday, gives the Gators a full defensive arsenal in their in-state matchup.
“That’s going to be a major plus. Those are great guys,” senior defensive tackle Dominique Easley said of the duo’s return. “They know their football. They’re experienced.”
Follow Adam Pincus on Twitter at @adamDpincus.
Following No. 10 Florida's 24-6 win against Toledo on Saturday, coach Will Muschamp blasted multiple media outlets for inaccurately reporting that freshman defensive tackle Jay-nard Bostwick would miss Saturday's game due to suspension.
