When it comes to UF's young defensive linemen, it's better to let them explain what practice has been like recently.
BIt?s been like hell - straight hell,C a panting Torrey Davis said. BI?m getting better, but it?s hell.C
With starting tackle Javier Estopinan out for the year with a torn left anterior cruciate ligament, the Gators don?t have many options left. Reserve tackle Brandon Antwine is also probably done for the season with lower back issues.
A few weeks ago, losing reserve redshirt freshman Terron Sanders to a high ankle sprain wouldn?t be a big deal. Not anymore.
BRight now, it?s a mash unit,C UF coach Urban Meyer said. BWe?re trying to get that pieced together.C
UF?s line is in such shambles it had backup offensive lineman Mike Pouncey practice on it Tuesday.
Now it?s redshirt senior tackle Clint McMillan and a bunch of underclassmen on the inside.
BOne soldier goes down, another soldier has to step up,C McMillan said. BThat?s something they?ve got to do or we won?t be successful. I?ve got to be a leader for these young guys, and when you?re in that fire you?ve got to step up. It?s a battle in there. I know what to do with all these young cats.C
Coming off a game where the Gators? run defense gave up 188 yards and three touchdowns to Georgia redshirt freshman Knowshon Moreno - who was the third-string back before injuries - UF is in trouble.
BWe got punched in the face last week,C freshman lineman Duke Lemmens said. BThere?s no more time to say that we?re young. There are no more excuses. We?re going to have a fire come out from under us this week.C
Without Estopinan, the Gators? best run-stopper, Meyer said Davis and Lawrence Marsh are now more focal points in the rotation. Meyer didn?t name Davis the starter, but he has seen the majority of the backup snaps thus far.
Freshmen Justin Trattou and Carlos Dunlap could also figure into the equation, but they typically play more on the outside.
BHe really is the heart and soul of our run-stopping defense,C Lemmens said about losing Estopinan. BI?ve never seen anyone play his gap like he does. It?s a huge loss. It makes me sick to my stomach.C
Still, the Gators will have to get by without Estopinan, and the coaching staff isn?t messing around. The defensive line is usually among the last to leave practice. When asked if he?s ever worked harder at anything, Davis responded with, BHell, no.C
Davis said they?ve been running from sideline to sideline every practice, and the line is the only group to do it everyday. Davis said they?ve been burning him out daily.
BThey?re trying to get me in game shape so I can go every play,C Davis said. BI couldn?t do that when I first got here. When I came to college, I didn?t have technique.C
Despite the team?s youth, McMillan has hope.
BIt?s me and a whole bunch of freshies, so that equals out to about a junior,C McMillan said.
