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Meyer doesn't want to hush freshmen's excitement
By BRYAN JONES , Alligator Staff Writer
When a young Gators squad steps onto the field to face Tennessee on Saturday, UF coach Urban Meyer wants his players to ignore the adage, "Act like you've been there before."
"That would be a phony act," Meyer said. "I want them to be excited. I want them to hyperventilate a little bit. ... The atmosphere is going to be a touch different [than the first two games]."
The Gators are expected to start two true freshmen — cornerback Joe Haden and offensive guard Maurkice Pouncey — and there are a slew of other players who will see their first significant big game action.
"That would be a phony act," Meyer said. "I want them to be excited. I want them to hyperventilate a little bit. ... The atmosphere is going to be a touch different [than the first two games]."
The Gators are expected to start two true freshmen — cornerback Joe Haden and offensive guard Maurkice Pouncey — and there are a slew of other players who will see their first significant big game action.
Meyer said it is important that the players are confident in themselves when they walk off the practice field Thursday, their final practice before the rivalry showdown.
"[Thursday] when I'm walking off this field, this team has got to be feeling great about themselves," Meyer said. "When the play's called, if they're thinking about their assignment, there's a good chance they'll fail. They had too much of that today. I saw guys thinking 'where do I get lined up?' Tomorrow we have to be there."
SIGN STEALING: With the New England Patriots caught in a sign-stealing controversy, Meyer weighed in on the issue Wednesday.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick is Meyer's good friend.
"We always look [at the other team's signals]," Meyer said. "We don't video it.
"If we did, I wouldn't tell you we did," he joked.
"[Thursday] when I'm walking off this field, this team has got to be feeling great about themselves," Meyer said. "When the play's called, if they're thinking about their assignment, there's a good chance they'll fail. They had too much of that today. I saw guys thinking 'where do I get lined up?' Tomorrow we have to be there."
SIGN STEALING: With the New England Patriots caught in a sign-stealing controversy, Meyer weighed in on the issue Wednesday.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick is Meyer's good friend.
"We always look [at the other team's signals]," Meyer said. "We don't video it.
"If we did, I wouldn't tell you we did," he joked.
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July 2nd, 2009 CorrectionThe UF-Georgia football game is held annually at the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. The contract for the game is between UF and the city of Jacksonville. An article in Tuesday’s paper stated otherwise. |
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