Category: Florida Gators

Tebow and SEC Nation crew attempt to recreate Gators ‘human bicycle’ celebration

This is the funniest thing you will see today, Gators fans!

Florida celebrated a trick-play touchdown last week by creating a human bicycle on the sidelines. Former Gator Tim Tebow and the rest of the SEC Nation crew found out firsthand how tough it is to get everyone in place for the celebration after attempting and failing to do get it right.

The impromptu attempt came after the Gators’ version of the celebration appeared during “Y’all,” a weekly segment that looks back on botched plays and quirky moments from the week prior. Tebow and Jordan Rogers initiated the plan as the main pieces of the bike, and Roman Harper joined quickly to serve as the handlebars.

Things went fine until the crew realized they were missing Marty Smith as the wheels. Laura Rutledge tried to send Smith over but he didn’t know where to fit it. Then, it happened. Tebow sent Rodgers flying and onto the ground.

Rutledge checked on Rodgers and the group had a good laugh before watching the episode back on replay a segment later. Tebow asked jokingly where Paul Finebaum was after the senior analyst looked on, perhaps with some joy, while the whole thing unfolded.

Everyone gets an A for effort (except Marty Smith), and it’s pretty clear what will be the lead clip for next week’s “Y’all.”

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No changes on depth chart for Florida’s matchup with Kentucky

With no new major injuries and a nice win last week, Florida is leaving the depth chart unchanged this week.

After handling Tennessee last week with relative ease, Dan Mullen has opted to leave the Florida depth chart untouched for a road game at Kentucky.

Losing senior linebacker Ventrell Miller forced the only major shake-up on Florida’s depth chart this year. Mohamoud Diabate has not only assumed Miller’s starting position but he’s taken over the leadership role left empty after the injury as well.

Florida was without another defensive leader last week as Kaiir Elam sat due to injury. He was listed as the starter and scratched hours before the Tennessee game, but Elam should be good to go for Kentucky. Going against  Kentucky receiver Wan’Dale Robinson should provide one of the better cornerback-receiver matchups of the weekend.

Although it wasn’t listed last week, kicker Jace Christmann got the opportunities Chirs Howard normally gets against Kentucky. He performed well, and Howard’s last mistake proved to be costly against Alabama. “Howard OR Christmann” is the official listing on this week’s depth chart, but it will be interesting to see how Mullen plays things against a team that should keep the score closer than last week.

Anthony Richardson hasn’t been left off the depth chart since tweaking his hamstring against USF, but he hasn’t played in a game since either. Mullen has said that Richardson is 100% now and he should see some playing time to complement starter Emory Jones.

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This Gators quarterback makes top 25 for Golden Arm Award

Emory Jones makes the latest cut for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

Florida’s Emory Jones is one of four quarterbacks from the Southeastern Conference to make the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 25.

A selection committee of journalists, commentators, announcers and former players narrowed things down from an initial watchlist of 63 quarterbacks on Friday. Jones is joined by JT Daniels (Georgia), Connor Bazelak (Mizzou) and Matt Corrall (Ole Miss) in the top 25.

“The Golden Arm Award recognizes the top senior or upperclassman quarterback set graduate with their class,” according to the foundation’s website.

Alabama‘s Bryce Young will almost certainly be on this list as an upperclassman but other SEC quarterbacks get the spotlight this year. Tennessee‘s Hendon Hooker and Auburn‘s Bo Nix were on the initial watchlist, but aren’t listed in the latest cut.

Jones had thrown two interceptions in his first two starts for the Gators this year, but he picked things up against Alabama and Tennessee. He brought home SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against the Volunteers and seemingly put an end to the so-called quarterback controversy in Gainesville.

Danny Wuerfel is Florida’s only Golden Arm winner to date and Kyle Trask placed second last year.

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Anthony Richardson at ‘100 percent’ ahead of Kentucky matchup

After two weeks of playing it safe with Anthony Richardson, Dan Mullen says the backup quarterback is at full strength once again.

Anthony Richardson was medically cleared to play against Alabama two weeks ago, but he’s just now getting back to full strength. Florida head coach Dan Mullen confirmed Richardson’s progress on Wednesday.

“He’s ready to go,” Mullen said at this week’s SEC coaches teleconference. “100 percent, ready to go. We’re excited to have him back and ready to play. He’s a dynamic player.”

Richardson was electric against USF before coming up lame on an 80-yard touchdown run — one of his three big touchdown plays on the day. Despite only throwing three passes in the game, AR-15 threw for 152 yards and two touchdowns.

Fans began to call for an end to the so-called quarterback controversy with Richardson looking like a 2021 model of Tim Tebow, but the injury allowed starter Emory Jones to find his footing against Alabama and Tennessee.

Richardson’s return isn’t an invitation to start that conversation back up, though. Both quarterbacks have been vocal supporters of one another, and the offense is at its best when Jones and Richardson can play off one another to keep the defense guessing. The two-quarterback rotation should be lethal for the Gators with Jones getting some backup just as he figures things out.

“I’m definitely excited to get Anthony back,” Jones said Monday. “Last week he was mad he didn’t get in because he thought he was going to play. I told him we need him 100 percent when he comes back.”

Richardson wasn’t the only one eager for him to get back on the field against Tennessee, but there’s no denying Jones’ point. A healthy Richardson could mean everything for Florida, especially with a tricky Georgia defense on the horizon.

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WATCH: Gators score on trick play to open half against Tennessee

The Gators got the second half started with some trickery.

The Florida Gators started the second half off with a touchdown pass from receiver Trent Whittemore to tight end Kemore Gamble. Emory Jones passed the ball to Whittemore across the backfield, and Tennessee was caught completely off guard.

The 13-yard double pass capped off a great drive for the Gators. Starting on the 22, Jones and Malik Davis rushed to get the initial first down. Then, Jones hit Justin Shorter, Kemore Gamble and Jacob Copeland for respective gains of 33, 13 and 4 yards. That’s when the trickery came and Florida went up by 10.

Whittemore attempted 150 passes in high school, according to Maxpreps, so this isn’t a new thing for him. It is new for Gators fans though, especially the ones asking when Anthony Richardson might get to throw a ball.

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WATCH: Gators within two on Dameon Pierce’s fourth quarter TD

The drive was another of the 75-yard variety and once again relied heavily on the ground game and a couple of key passes by Jones.

What has transpired so far in Gainesville between the Florida Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide defies everything the pundits predicted ahead of today’s grueling matchup between two Southeastern Conference heavyweights.

After a first quarter performance by the visiting team that had many thinking this game was going to be a runaway loss, the Orange and Blue has refused to back down against the top-ranked team in the nation and fought back within two thanks to a late fourth-quarter drive culminated by another Dameon Pierce touchdown. Here is a look at the crucial score by the Gators running back.

The drive was another of the 75-yard variety and once again relied heavily on the ground game, though quarterback Emory Jones was able to find receiver Trent Whittemore for a pair of big catches between the hashes to push the Gators downfield.

With less than three minutes remaining, the Gators still trail the Crimson Tide, 31-29.

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WATCH: Emory Jones finishes off 99-yard touchdown drive

Emory Jones and the Florida Gators are putting up a fight against Alabama.

Emory Jones barreled into the endzone for a 5-yard rushing touchdown that brought Florida within one score of Alabama to end the third quarter.

The drive started off badly after a muffed kick return set the Gators up on their own 1-yard line. Things got worse after Jones struggled to complete short passes and create distance. Then, Nay’Quan Wright hauled in an 18-yard catch to jumpstart the offense.

Wright followed up with four more rushes for 61 yards and Xzavier Henderson hauled in an 18-yard pass to bring Florida to the opposing 5-yard mark. That’s when Jones closed out the drive by crashing into the pile and stretching into the endzone.

Wright’s performance on the drive would’ve been solid for an entire night, but Florida might not have made it all the way across the field if not for his efforts.

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Here’s where Florida stands in CBS Sports’ latest rankings

CBS Sports followed suit with the AP keeping the Gators out of the top 10.

The Florida Gators stayed at No. 12 in the latest CBS Sports college football rankings update.

Although the Gators jumped up two spots to No. 9 of the USA Today Sports AFCA Coaches Poll, both the AP and CBS Sports have Florida staying outside the top 10 for now. The Gators never looked in trouble during the team’s 35-14 victory over the Florida Atlantic Owls, but it wasn’t the dominant win most expected.

Alabama and Georgia top the list with Texas A&M jumping into the top five behind Ohio State and Oklahoma. The Coaches Poll and AP Poll both have the same exact top five. Ole Miss checks in at No. 17 and Kentucky at No. 23 for CBS Sports.

USF is ranked No. 123, nearly 30 spots lower than FAU, so Florida should have a chance to impress once again. If Emory Jones can establish a real passing game this week, the Gators could move up the rankings next week.

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Florida’s student-athletes have plenty of NIL opportunities

Official jerseys were once just a pipe dream. Florida took a major step into making it a reality on Thursday.

Student-athletes can profit off their name image and likeness without penalty for the first time this year, and Florida is looking to capitalize. The Gators partnered with The Brandr Group on Thursday to establish group licensing for student-athletes across all 21 sports.

The partnership means that players can use the school logo in their personal endorsement deals. Three or more athletes from a team or six or more athletes from multiple sports can join the program and TBG will facilitate the licensing.

“The Florida Gators have one of the strongest brands in all of college athletics, and this agreement with The Brandr Group provides great value to our student-athletes in expanding their NIL opportunities,” Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said. “This is a win for Florida student-athletes and Gators fans, who will be able to represent their favorite players like never before.”

The big news here for Gators fans is that the door is now open to merchandise with players’ names and numbers. Fans have long desired official team jerseys but only now has that dream become a reality.

Florida fans will have more to look forward to with the launch of the Gator Collective, a fan platform founded by former Gators pitcher Eddie Rojas. The Gator Collective offers fans access to players through interviews and video conferences, and there are plans for raffles and giveaways.

Rojas lived the struggle of a student-athlete and wanted to give back to his school after hearing about the NIL changes.

Five Gators have signed with the Gator Collective: linebacker Mohamoud Diabate, linebacker Diwun Black, defensive end Zachary Carter, offensive lineman Gerald Mincey and tight end Keon Zipperer. While all are on the football team, the goal is to branch out to other sports. The group licensing agreement extending across all sports should help with that.

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Gators receiving core still at the top of SEC despite losses from last year

Different isn’t always worse. Florida’s receiving core is still at the top of the conference despite losing Pitts and Toney to the NFL.

Most people are quick to mention that Florida’s offense will be different this year without Kyle Trask, Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney. Different doesn’t mean taking a giant step back though, and The Athletic projects the Gators receivers and tight ends to be the best group in the Southeastern Conference this year.

Replacing Toney, and wearing the coveted No. 1 on his chest, is Jacob Copeland, whose mother famously walked away from the decision table when her son chose UF over Alabama. Copeland has played in 27 games over three years with the team and hauled in 45 receptions for 724 yards and five touchdowns. He could eclipse those numbers this season if he can lower his drop rate and click with new starting quarterback Emory Jones.

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Copeland will have help from Justin Shorter, who is in his second season with the Gators after transferring from Penn State. The former five-star recruit was the top-ranked receiver in Copeland’s class, and the two could be scary for Florida together.

While there’s no replacing a player like Pitts, Kemore Gamble is looking to break out at tight end this season. Keon Zipperer has also seen action in the post-Pitts era, and freshman Nick Elksnis has impressed over fall camp. Tight ends coach Tim Brewster called his group “the most complete room in the country” in early August, and The Athletic agrees for at least the SEC.

Trent Whittemore, Rick Wells and Xzavier Henderson also look to play a role in the passing scheme for Florida, but Jones is expected to throw less often than Trask did.

The Gators own the top spot of The Athletic’s SEC receivers and tight ends rankings, beating out Alabama and Texas A&M. So the next time someone mentions the departures of the big three, remind them that there’s more to come from Florida’s offense.

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