Tony McCoy had never experienced anything like it before in his life.
Chauncey Gardner Jr. felt disrespected. Gardner, a sophomore cornerback for the Gators, had just seen a picture of UF legend Steve Spurrier’s statue outside the Swamp with a bright orange Volunteers flag planted in his facemask, presumably by a Tennessee fan.
Jim McElwain wasn’t himself. It was easy to see. Usually an upbeat guy, even following his team’s loss to Michigan two weeks ago and other low moments, the word that reporters used to describe the Gators football coach on Wednesday was somber.
After Week 1 of the NFL's regular season, many former Gators had huge performances for their respective professional teams. Here’s a look at how some of those players did this weekend in this edition of Gators in the NFL:
After losing their season opener to Michigan in Texas, the Gators were looking for a confidence booster. Florida’s matchup with Northern Colorado was supposed to be the team’s get-back-on-track game before its conference schedule begins Sept. 16. But with Hurricane Irma approaching, No. 22 Florida’s chance at a tune-up game is gone.
Florida’s first home football game was canceled Thursday because of Hurricane Irma.
Florida running back Mark Thompson wants to talk about football and the Florida Gators. That’s understandable. He’s a football player for the Florida Gators, so usually, that’s what he’s asked about. On Tuesday, that changed.
When cornerback Chauncey Gardner walked off the field with crutches and a walking boot after Florida’s season opener against Michigan on Saturday, it looked like the Gators’ already young secondary was about to lose one of its more experienced defensive backs.
Multiple former Florida rookies each made their respective team’s rosters, and some are expected to start right away.
What was scheduled as a 7:30 p.m. Saturday game against Northern Colorado has been moved to noon Saturday because of Hurricane Irma, UF Athletic Director Scott Stricklin announced Wednesday.
By the time Shawn Davis turned around, Tarik Black was gone.
Brandon Powell isn’t fazed by hurricanes.
After the Gators lost to Michigan, 33-17, in their season opener, Florida sits 122nd out of 126 teams in total offense, moving the ball only 192 yards against the Wolverines.
This is more like it.
Whooped. Outmatched. Overpowered.
Brandon Powell yanked his chin strap from his helmet, threw his hands up in despair and stormed off the field of AT&T Stadium.
Eddy Pineiro and his parents throw money out the window.
Michigan, Gators fans and the rest of the college football world no longer have to wonder who Florida’s starting quarterback will be on Saturday.
This ain’t UMass. This ain’t Bowling Green. This ain’t Charleston Southern or Western Kentucky or any of the other punching bags Florida has opened the season against in the past decade. This is Michigan, the Big Blue, from the Big Ten, which historically has produced some of football’s biggest and best players.
Michigan, Gators fans and the rest of the college football world no longer have to wonder who Florida’s starting quarterback will be on Saturday.
Solutions by The State News
