It was a clean sweep for the Gators as they visited Puerto Rico to take part in the SEC-ACC Challenge. Over the weekend, Florida easily took down its two opponents, unranked N.C. State and then-No. 16 North Carolina, in sweeping fashion, as the team did not lose a single set in its two matches.
Around 55 percent, give or take.
After the Gators lost to Michigan, 33-17, in their season opener, Florida sits 122nd out of 126 teams in total offense, moving the ball only 192 yards against the Wolverines.
This is more like it.
The Gators women’s golf team began its season Monday morning at the beautiful Ocean Course Invitational in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. However, after one round of action, the leaderboard for Florida was anything but beautiful.
UF defender Gabby Seiler made a darting run into the Portland box.
This season might be different.
It was a dominant night for the Gators as they handily swept NC State 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-22).
I wanted to believe the hype. I wanted to believe Jim McElwain when he said Florida’s offensive line would be much improved in 2017. I wanted to believe the Gators had the pieces for a successful, potent offense that could put up points, yards and wins. I wanted to believe the defense could pick up what NFL draftees Jarrad Davis, Alex Anzalone, Quincy Wilson, Teez Tabor and Marcus Maye left behind.
Whooped. Outmatched. Overpowered.
Brandon Powell yanked his chin strap from his helmet, threw his hands up in despair and stormed off the field of AT&T Stadium.
Washington forward Kimberly Keever patiently waited on the near sideline in the Gators’ half of the field, holding the ball over her head, directing traffic to get her teammate in space for a throw-in. She hurled it a solid 20 yards, then watched as the ball bounced another 10 until it came within striking distance for fellow senior Shannon Simon.
Eddy Pineiro and his parents throw money out the window.
Michigan, Gators fans and the rest of the college football world no longer have to wonder who Florida’s starting quarterback will be on Saturday.
This ain’t UMass. This ain’t Bowling Green. This ain’t Charleston Southern or Western Kentucky or any of the other punching bags Florida has opened the season against in the past decade. This is Michigan, the Big Blue, from the Big Ten, which historically has produced some of football’s biggest and best players.
Jim McElwain is under a lot of pressure at the beginning of his third season. He has to deal with the pressure of starting quarterback Feleipe Franks, a redshirt freshman who’s never thrown a pass in a college football game. He also has to deal with the pressure of going up against Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines without his star running back, Jordan Scarlett, and star receiver, Antonio Callaway, who have been suspended for disciplinary issues.
Jim McElwain was asked a question on Wednesday that I found to be enlightening.
Dear Coach McElwain and Gators football team,
The Florida soccer team is taking its new No. 2 ranking to Seattle this weekend to play in the Husky/Nike Invitational.
Rachael Kramer stood in front of reporters on Wednesday coming off Florida’s strong start to the season. Despite winning multiple honors this week, including the American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Week, she remained modest by crediting her teammates.
Solutions by The State News
