Neal’s friendly fire and other Gators in the NFL: Week 12 Edition
By Sam Campisano | Nov. 27, 2017Keanu Neal has become known for his big hits.
Keanu Neal has become known for his big hits.
On Monday afternoon, Florida emerged from its locker room and took the court for practice. Dressed in their all-blue practice uniforms, the Gators shot around, with multiple players getting reps at the free-throw line and from behind the arc.
The turmoil is no more. The agony of waiting is a thing of the past. It’s finished.
You fool.
Even though the Gators advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, their postseason run isn’t what defines them. What summed up their season more than anything was the surprise the seniors organized for coach Becky Burleigh before UF’s first game.
The room is quiet. You can go in.
Since being embarrassed by Kentucky on their home floor on Oct. 15, the Gators (25-1, 17-1 SEC) have reeled off 11 consecutive wins, including a revenge victory against the Wildcats in Lexington on Nov. 1.
Less than one decade after helping Florida win two national championships over a three-year span, Dan Mullen is coming back to Gainesville.
It didn’t take much for Shainah Joseph to get fired up during the Gators’ final match of the regular season.
There needs to be a reckoning.
UF receiver Josh Hammond spent about 11 words reflecting on Florida’s 2017 season.
As Feleipe Franks watched his third interception of the day land in the arms Matthew Thomas, the only thing Florida’s quarterback could do was stare.
Kaylan Marckese froze. Moving to her right, UF’s junior goalkeeper realized the shot by South Carolina’s Lindsey Lane was actually twisting to her left, but it was too late.
Already up by 11 points with 5:02 to go in the first quarter, Delicia Washington snagged a rebound and called for her teammates to sprint up the court. She dished an outlet pass to Sydney Searcy, who promptly drained a three-pointer just six seconds after Washington came down with the ball.
In what may have been her last home match, Carli Snyder put on a show.
With the final minute winding down in the game, Sydney Searcy hoisted a three-point attempt in the right-hand corner directly off an inbound pass, and swished it.
With less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter, Funda Nakkasoglu ran down the floor before taking the ball across the halfcourt line. She fell and remained down on the sideline for several moments. With coach Cameron Newbauer to her left, the junior transfer walked off the court gingerly and was replaced by freshman Tameria Johnson.
Ladies and gentleman, we have a mystery on our hands.
Throughout his news conference following the Gators’ loss to Florida State, UF coach Cameron Newbauer kept his head down as he assessed a 30-point home blowout.
Gabby Seiler was in obvious discomfort early in the first half of Sunday’s NCAA Tournament Round of 16 win over Washington State. Playing in a knee brace and only one day’s rest, the senior and UF team captain was favoring the leg she injured in an Oct. 22 win at Tennessee after a WSU defender tackled her from behind.