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.
“When I took over, he helped me,” McElwain said. “He talked about some of the deficiencies. He knows where they were and I respect that and that's the kind of guy he is."
That character was on full display after the coaches embraced. Muschamp stayed on the field to greet a line of his former players. He stayed until the line ended.
“He sat there and talked to every single person, every single one of my teammates who went up to him he talked to them for a few minutes,” Fulwood said. “It just shows he cares about us.”
However, he was fired because he didn’t win enough big games. And next week, when Florida travels to the bayou to face LSU with a trip to the SEC Championship game on the line, McElwain will have a chance to do what his predecessor couldn’t.
“Obviously that’s one of your goals when you start,” McElwain said of winning the SEC East. “We’ll put a plan together, get on the bus and we’ll show up.”
Winning with a price:
Florida may enter Death Valley next week high on confidence after the win, but it won’t enter at full strength. The Gators — who were already reeling from injuries suffered at Arkansas — had more players go down against the Gamecocks.
The single biggest blow was taken in the secondary, where senior Marcus Maye was lost for the season to a broken arm.
In addition, Florida lost starting offensive linemen David Sharpe and Tyler Jordan in the first half. Neither player returned. However, the mixed-and-matched line didn’t bother Appleby.
“I’ve been with the twos the entire spring camp and the entire fall camp,” he said. “So those were my dudes.”
Punting isn’t usually thought of as a sexy part of football, but Florida’s Johnny Townsend and South Carolina’s Sean Kelly dazzled fans on Saturday.
Townsend sent one kick 59 yards, forcing the return man to run backwards before he fielded the punt over his shoulder. Kelly also excelled, sailing one kick 61-yards deep.
In addition, Antonio Callaway, who has struggled mightily on punt returns this season, finally returned to his freshman form.
The sophomore fielded four kicks and returned them for a total of 100 yards. He also took one in for a touchdown, but it was called back for holding.
“He had that look in his eye too,” McElwain said. “Especially in the punt return game. It was a shame that one was taken away.”
Senior Chris Thompson went out with a bang in his last game at The Swamp, but not the good kind.
Covering a punt, he hammered South Carolina return man Chris Lammons right as the ball arrived and sent the crowd into a frenzy. However, he was flagged for targeting.
The call was upheld, and the Gainesville native was ejected. The special teams ace and reserve receiver got a standing ovation on his way out.
Will Muschamp meets with Florida players after South Carolina's 20-7 loss to UF on Nov. 12, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
