Jeff Driskel will undergo season-ending surgery today to repair a fractured fibula in his lower right leg.
His recovery is expected to take 4-6 months.
The procedure will prevent Driskel from traveling with the team to Lexington, Ky., when it takes on Kentucky on Saturday.
But until his health improves enough to travel, Driskel will do what he can to contribute in Gainesville. Although Driskel will not take the field again in 2013, he remains involved with the Gators, attending daily meetings and taking part in game planning.
“I don’t want him to just disappear and not be around,” offensive coordinator Brent Pease said.
“He’s got to be around. He’s got to stay in tune with what we’re doing offensively.”
A role Driskel serves in the immediate aftermath of his injury is one of support for new starting quarterback Tyler Murphy, who will make his first career start Saturday against the Wildcats.
It began late Saturday, when Driskel texted Murphy, “It’s your time now.”
“He was very encouraging,” Murphy said of Driskel.
“He said he just was just going to help me along the way.”
The support continued when Florida’s signal-callers met with Pease on Monday. Pease said Driskel also approached him in addition to reaching out to Murphy.
“He told Tyler and said it to me, ‘Whatever you need me to do, I’ll be glad to help. I’m there for you,’” Pease said of Driskel. “He’s a supportive teammate.”
Northern native: Dominique Easley would never travel to Kentucky for reasons other than football.
Make that any place south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Easley, a Staten Island, N.Y., native, said the South feels like a different country. He even arranges to have Northern food mailed to him.
He just can’t take Southern cuisine.
“Me and the South don’t mix,” Easley said. “Just don’t mix. If I don’t like to be there, I won’t be there.”
Meanwhile, Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease is excited to visit the northernmost school in the Southeastern Conference. There is one Bluegrass State staple he grew to love during his two seasons as Kentucky’s offensive coordinator in 2001 and 2002.
“Horse racing’s awesome,” Pease said.
Pease attended the Kentucky Derby twice and said he has indeed enjoyed a mint julep. He also attended Wildcats basketball games at Rupp Arena, but the horses stole his heart.
“I always go back to horse races,” Pease said.
Extending the streak: Florida has defeated Kentucky in 26 consecutive meetings.
Pease does not want to see the Gators’ winning streak snapped on his watch.
“You kind of feel the pressure,” Pease said.
“You don’t want it to end. … Obviously, there’s tradition there, and you got to continue to carry it on.”
Pease was part of the series during his two seasons with the Wildcats.
Florida defeated Kentucky both times during Pease’s stay in Lexington, Ky.
The Gators — led then by Steve Spurrier — won their first meeting against Pease in a 44-10 blowout in 2001 but only squeaked by the Wildcats 41-34 under Ron Zook in 2002.
“It’s something I think that, you know, when I was there, and I’m sure they have in the past, they continued pumping into you,” Pease said of how UK approaches UF each season. “This is the time to do it. Let’s prepare to break the streak.”
Follow Joe Morgan on Twitter @joe_morgan.
Second-year offensive coordinator Brent Pease speaks with coach Will Muschamp during warm-ups prior to Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
