Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida coach Will Muschamp will try to avoid the downward spiral last year’s team experienced after losing to Alabama. Players said they are confident they will rebound against No. 1 LSU.

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UF trying to avoid repeat of 2010's three-game losing streak

By GREG LUCA | Oct. 6, 2011

This year was supposed to be different.

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Picks Column: LSU

Oct. 6, 2011

We’re all rednecks at heart.

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Five things the Gators must do in order to shock the nation

By MATT WATTS | Oct. 6, 2011

With a matchup against the No. 1 team in the country looming, with John Brantley out, with so much doom and gloom surrounding the Gators this week, it’s hard to get excited for Saturday.

Coach Will Muschamp said Wednesday that freshman quarterback Jacoby Brissett would be the backup if Jeff Driskel starts.

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Brissett climbing QB depth chart

By TOM GREEN | Oct. 5, 2011

Jacoby Brissett has come a long way in a short time.

Florida senior offensive lineman Dan Wenger (56) will not play Saturday against Furman after suffering an injury to his ankle during last week’s loss.

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Notebook: Florida pass rush facing SEC’s top offensive line; Wenger takes blame for hit that injured Brantley

Oct. 5, 2011

Florida’s defensive line has struggled to pressure quarterbacks this year, and the unit will face its stiffest test yet Saturday. LSU has allowed only three sacks this season, the fewest in the Southeastern Conference.

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Gators should start Murphy, not risk Driskel’s development

By GREG LUCA | Oct. 5, 2011

On the surface, Jeff Driskel seems like the obvious choice to start in place of John Brantley.

LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (14) has forced four fumbles this season — the same number as Florida’s entire defense. Mathieu returned two of those fumbles for touchdowns.

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LSU’s Mathieu poses stiff test for Florida, freshmen QBs

By MATT WATTS | Oct. 5, 2011

Like last weekend, when Florida plays LSU on Saturday, the Gators will be trying to stop a Heisman candidate from beating them.

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The Mailbag: Playing Nixon at QB, lightning strikes and sarcasm

Oct. 5, 2011

There are plenty of questions surrounding the Gators this week as they head in to Death Valley to take on No. 1 LSU. Who will start at quarterback? Will Florida be able to establish the run? How will the defense respond after last week’s beating?

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Notebook: Starter for Saturday yet to be determined

By GREG LUCA | Oct. 4, 2011

As Florida prepares for life without John Brantley, three other quarterbacks are splitting repetitions in practice.

Will Muschamp said Monday that offensive tackle Chaz Green (above) would miss the 2013 season after suffering a torn labrum during an Aug. 20 practice. Green will undergo surgery soon to fix structural damage.

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O-line vows improved play this weekend

Oct. 4, 2011

That line-of-scrimmage whooping was a fluke. Florida’s offensive linemen swear.

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The Rally: Does it matter who starts at QB against LSU?

By TOM GREEN | Oct. 4, 2011

Tom: With senior John Brantley sidelined with a reported high ankle sprain, the Gators are going to rely on the arm (and possibly legs) of a freshman quarterback when they travel to Death Valley this weekend.

Gators freshman quarterback Jeff Driskel (16) will make the start against No. 1 LSU on Saturday in Baton Rouge, La., after senior John Brantley was ruled out Monday with a high ankle sprain.

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Brantley out against LSU, freshman Driskel to start at QB

By TOM GREEN | Oct. 3, 2011

Florida will be without John Brantley when it travels to Baton Rouge, La., this weekend.

Florida linebacker Jon Bostic (52) will not be suspended by coach Will Muschamp for throwing a punch at Alabama offensive lineman D.J. Fluker during the second quarter Saturday.

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Notebook: Multiple issues at fault for lapse in run defense; Bostic not suspended

By MATT WATTS | Oct. 3, 2011

Florida coach Will Muschamp addressed his defense’s issues Monday following a 38-10 blowout loss at home in which the Gators failed to limit the Crimson Tide’s run game.

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Florida needs to beef up its beefcakes in pro-style system

Oct. 3, 2011

Big men need love, too.

Quarterback John Brantley left Saturday’s game late in the second quarter with a reported ankle sprain and did not return. Freshman Jeff Driskel replaced him and played the second half.

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Brantley injured against Crimson Tide, status in doubt

Oct. 2, 2011

When John Brantley entered the locker room prematurely, Florida’s underlying fears bubbled to the surface.

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Gators' deficiencies exposed in blowout

By TOM GREEN | Oct. 2, 2011

Will Muschamp said it best Saturday night: The Gators simply got beat by a better team.

Gators tight end Jordan Reed had a team-high five receptions against Alabama for 31 yards. It was Reed’s first game back after missing the last two weeks with an injury sustained in the UAB game on Sept. 10.

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Notebook: ‘Bama defense stymies Florida running backs; Debose catches first TD in loss

By GREG LUCA | Oct. 2, 2011

After four weeks of dominating inferior opponents, the Florida rushing attack ran into a buzz saw against Alabama.

Gators defensive tackle Dominique Easley is known for being a jokester in the locker room, helping keep teammates light before kickoff.

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Child's Play: Often misunderstood, Easley refuses to hide personality

Sep. 29, 2011

Here is the doll. The “Chucky” doll. The doll that has become Dominique Easley’s famous accessory. The doll with the murderous streak. The doll that exemplifies the scariness of Florida’s 282-pound defensive tackle.

Alabama running back Trent Richardson leads a rushing attack that averages more than 230 yards per game and is ranked 19th in the nation.

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Gators facing first real rushing test against Tide

By TOM GREEN | Sep. 29, 2011

Florida’s players don’t like talking about last season. They don’t want to discuss the 31-6 drubbing at the hands of Alabama — and for good reason.

Despite facing a vaunted, third-ranked rush defense, Florida must be able to move the ball on the ground with Chris Rainey (1) and Jeff Demps against Alabama on Saturday.

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To beat Alabama, Florida must pound it

By GREG LUCA | Sep. 29, 2011

Charlie Weis and Florida’s offense will face a unique challenge when Alabama enters The Swamp on Saturday.