Slim playoff hopes melt away in Florida's loss to FSU
By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 26, 2016TALLAHASSEE — Austin Appleby never saw Josh Sweat coming.
TALLAHASSEE — Austin Appleby never saw Josh Sweat coming.
TALLAHASSEE — CeCe Jefferson slogged to the sideline and shoved defensive line coach Chris Rumph.
Austin Appleby knew there were no guarantees when he came to Florida.
It would be difficult to overstate the magnitude of the moment.
BATON ROUGE, La. — “Theirs but to do & die, into the valley of death rode the six hundred.”
Antonio Callaway turned and propelled himself through the air like a rocket, extending his arms as high as they’d go to grab the football. The pair of LSU defenders on either side of him didn’t have time to react.
Florida kicker Eddy Pineiro could face two misdemeanor charges after police said he caused roughly $800 worth of damages to two scooters, according to a sworn complaint filed Nov. 7.
If the Gators hope to escape Baton Rouge with a second-straight Southeastern Conference East title, there’s two things they need to do according to head coach Jim McElwain.
The Florida-LSU matchup didn’t need any extra hype.
T.J. McCoy didn’t have time to think before going in to play against South Carolina on Saturday.
A week after losing by 21 points to Arkansas, Florida defeated South Carolina 20-7 at home, lost a handful of starters to injuries, and is now faced with a must-win game at LSU if the Gators want to guarantee a clinch of the SEC East.
Austin Appleby walked to the lectern with the confidence one would expect from a backup quarterback who’d just led his team to a Southeastern Conference win.
Through the stadium tunnel, past a pair of double doors and nestled in a corner of the weight room, Ahmad Fulwood sat with a confident smile following the best collegiate game of his life.
As if transferring power to a new president, Jim McElwain met defeated former Florida coach Will Muschamp at midfield and embraced him for about 10 seconds. McElwain said he thanked Muscamp for the defensive players he left behind and complimented what he’s doing at South Carolina. He also gushed over Muschamp’s character.
Austin Appleby eyed the edge and held the ball to his running back’s gut. When he saw what he was waiting for — the South Carolina defensive end rushing into the backfield — he ripped the ball out and ran.
Austin Appleby hung his head and dropped his pads on the locker room floor in Neyland Stadium more than a month ago.
With recorders surrounding his head and a circle of reporters glaring at him, Quincy Wilson stared blankly at the concrete floor.
Joey Ivie remembers Will Muschamp well.
With only two conference games remaining, Florida can still win the SEC East if it can defeat South Carolina at home and No. 19 LSU on the road. Add on a road matchup at No. 22 Florida State, however, and the home stretch of UF’s schedule looks daunting. How will the Gators finish out the season? Sports writers Ethan Bauer, Ian Cohen, Jordan McPherson and Patrick Pinak debate.
When Luke Del Rio couldn’t lift his duffle bag after Saturday’s game, Jim McElwain knew something was wrong.