SEC coaches weigh in on Georgia

By now it's really old news, but since many of you had opinions about Mark Richt's decision on the excessive celebration, here's what a few SEC coaches had to say on the SEC teleconference Wednesday:

PHIL FULMER:
"It’s certainly unique and creative. In this day and age, motivating young people in a positive way is important. It certainly seemed to do the job for them. I think you have to give Mark some credit for at least being creative and unique''.

NICK SABAN: It’s great to see players show enthusiasm. They got penalized because it’s something you’re not allowed to do. I'm not going to criticize or judge a colleague. I don’t have any real feelings about it one way or the other. I always like to see people get excited about what they’re doing.''

BOBBY JOHNSON: I think it's pretty dangerous to tell you the truth. If a fight had broken out, I could see one boiling there pretty easily. That would be the biggest concern. If you want to celebrate, just don’t do it with the other team. It’s pretty inciteful.''

Women's basketball suffers key injury

Sophomore guard Jennifer Mossor suffered a broken finger in her left non-shooting hand in practice Sunday night and will miss at least 5-6 weeks.

Mossor, of Orlando, underwent surgery Tuesday morning and had two pins inserted. Ironically, she also missed the first two games of the regular season last year with a foot fracture.

"She has been one of our practice leaders, I have been so pleased with her since we started practice and the impact she's had on what the outlook of the team is,'' UF coach Amanda Butler said. "It is a loss for us right now, but it's also part of our game. It's one way that adversity presents itself to us. It's an opportunity as much as it is a loss for Jen. It's an opportunity for someone else. And it won't be one person, hopefully we will spread it out to all of our guards. We want to get her back as soon as possible, no question.''

Speights on All-SEC preseason team

GAINESVILLE - Sophomore Mareeese Speights has been named to the second team preseason All-SEC team, selected by the league coaches and announced Wednesday afternoon.

The 6-foot-10 forward/center was named to the second team by the league's writers last week.

Arkansas led all schools with four selections. Alabama's Richard Hendrix, LSU's Tasmin Mitchell, Mississippi State's Jamont Gordon,Tennessee's Chris Lofton and Vanderbilt's Shan Foster were unanimous first team selections.

Richt apologizes for Saturday's excessive celebration

Georgia coach Mark Richt on Monday sent a letter to the SEC league office apologizing for Saturday’s incident in which the entire Georgia team ran into the end zone to celebrate the Bulldogs’ first touchdown in the 42-30 victory over Florida.

Although Richt reiterated that two weeks ago he encouraged the team to celebrate to the point of receiving a flag for excessive celebration after their first touchdown in order to bring more energy and enthusiasm to the game, he said he realizes now that was probably a mistake.

Here is the text of the letter Richt sent:

Dear Commissioner Slive:

As a followup to our telephone discussion earlier today, I do want to apologize in writing for what transpired after the first score of the Georgia/Florida game this past Saturday when our entire team left the bench area to celebrate the score. If you would again allow me to explain my thought process, I would appreciate it.

Two weeks ago when our preparation began for the Florida game I told the team that we have got to have more energy and enthusiasm in this ballgame or we are going to get whipped pretty good. I said, as a matter of fact, when we score our first touchdown, I expect you guys to celebrate to the point where the official will throw a flag for excessive celebration. I admit this was inappropriate. What I had envisioned was for the eleven guys on the field to celebrate the score. On the day of the game I re-emphasized to the team that this was not going to be an individual celebration, but a team celebration. Again, I was expecting the eleven players on the field to be doing the celebrating, not for the bench to clear as it did. I understand that the entire team running on the field created the potential for an altercation and that excessive celebration is not in compliance with the Southeastern Conference sportsmanship policies and expected standards. My only intention was to create enthusiasm.

I apologize that I put everyone in that situation and specifically apologize to you, the Southeastern Conference, and the University of Florida. You can be assured I will not ask our team to do this type of thing again.

Sincerely,
Mark Richt

Tebow a semifinalist for national award

GAINESVILLE - Tim Tebow is one of 15 quarterbacks who were named semifinalists Monday for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback award.

Voting to determine the three finalists will close at noon CST on Sunday, Nov. 18. All Finalists will be in attendance at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show, Dec. 6, on ESPN in Orlando where The O'Brien Winner will be announced.

Fans can vote for the semifinalist candidates once daily on The O'Brien's Web site, www.DaveyOBrien.com. The voting will continue throughout the semifinalist and finalist rounds until The O'Brien winner is announced, with 5% of the final tally coming directly from the Fan Vote.

Tebow is also currently No. 1 on SI.com's weekly list of the Top 10 college quarterbacks of 2007.

Florida-South Carolina will be in prime time

ESPN will air the Florida-South Carolina game on Nov. 10 at 7:45 p.m., the network announced Monday.

CBS opted to televise the Georgia-Auburn game that day, leaving ESPN the possiibility of taking the Gators.

The Gators will travel to Columbia for the second time under coach Urban Meyer. The first ended in a bitter loss that knocked the Gators out of contention for the SEC East title two years ago.

Estopinan, Antwine out for the season

GAINESVILLE - Defensive linemmen Javier Estopinan and Brandon Antwine are out for the season, further weakening an already struggling Florida defense.

Estopinan suffered an ACL injury in his left knee in Saturday's loss against Georgia. It is the third ACL injury of his career. Antwine spent nearly two weeks in the hospital with a back injury, a muscular problem that caused severe pain.

While the Florida medical staff was hopeful that Estopinan's injury wasn't an ACL, UF coach Urban Meyer said he could tell when he looked into Estopinan's eyes Saturday night that the test results were most likely not going to be good.

He said he expects Estopinan, a redshirt junior, to return next season. For now, he wants to continue to be with the team and act as a team leader because of the character person he is, Meyer said.

Meyer won't confirm reports of suspended players

GAINESVILLE - Florida coach Urban Meyer refused to comment when asked Sunday about the reported suspensions of two players.

Internet reports said two Gator players were suspended for selling their tickets, an NCAA violation.

Meyer declined to confirm the reports and would not name players.

Two players who normally travel and dress did not on Saturday.

Chevon Walker hasn't played in three weeks, but has dressed. However, he wasn't on the sidelines in Jacksonville. Jamar Hornsby has played special teams all season, and is a Jacksonville native, but did not dress. Neither were listed on Florida's dress roster for the Georgia game.

Asked during his Sunday morning teleconference if would comment and give information on the situation, and whether the suspensions were a distraction to his team, Meyer replied,  "No, and no.''

Galen Hall, Doug Johnson inducted into hall of fame

Former UF coach Galen Hall and former quarterback Doug Johnson were inducted into the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame Friday afternoon.

They were honored along with Dan Magill and Tim Worley from the University of Georgia.

Hall coached 1984-89, and had a carrer record of 43-21-1 while leading Florida to three bowl appearances. He became the first coach in Florida history to lead the Gators to back-to- back first-place finishes in the SEC (1984-85). Hall was named the SEC Coach of the Year by the AP in his first year at the helm.

In Hall’s first game against Georgia , the Gators won 27-0 and snapped a UF six-game skid against Georgia.

In 1998, Johnson enjoyed his biggest game against Georgia as a junior. In his first start against the Bulldogs, Johnson became the second Gator player in as many years to throw, catch, and rush for a touchdown against Georgia. He was 25-for-34 passing for 292 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, adding a two-yard touchdown run and 10-yard touchdown catch from wide receiver Travis McGriff in the Gators’ 38-7 win. Johnson was 2-0 as a starter against Georgia in his career.

Richt says Harvin similar to Peter Warrick

As Gerogia coach Mark Richt has been preparing his team this week for its game against Florida, one of his biggest concerns is stopping UF receiver Percy Harvin.

The sophomore receiver has 34 receptions for 563 yards and has also rushed 33 yards for 232 yards.

"Harvin is a mismatch for anyone trying to cover him one-on-one,'' Richt said. "As I watch Harvin, he reminds me of a very fast Peter Warrick (former Florida State receiver). Warrick could catch the deep ball, get the quick screens and make people miss, and run all the routes and do it well. Pete had good speed, but Percy’s seems to me to be faster. He’s a great ballplayer. It’s like with Warrick when you knew you were going to wear someone out trying to cover him one-on-one.”

Gators to gather at pep rally in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE - The University of Florida Alumni Association will host a pep rally Saturday outside the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium at the Baseball Grounds.

Gates open at 12:30 p.m., and the event will run until 3 p.m. The Florida-Georgia game will kickoff at 3:30 p.m.

There will be entertainment, concessions and a guest appearance by "Mr. Two-Bits.''

Admission is free to Alumni Association members with cards, $5 to non-members and members who do not have their cards with them.

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Donovan fighting through back problem

GAINESVILLE - One day after he arrived in Birmingham for SEC Media Days in severe back pain, Billy Donovan said he doesn't expect his ongoing back problems to interfere with his coaching.

Joking that he didn't realize his back was going to become national news, he said before practice Thursday he's still in pain, but able to get around.

"This has been an ongoing problem for a long, long time that has gotten progressively worse,'' Donovan said. "But I have no numbness down my leg, they don't think it's a disc, they think it's muscular. I do have (a condition) where my vertebrae is pushing forward -  there’s a fracture in it - which I’ve had for as long as I can remember. And sometimes when I get fatigued or turn the wrong way I can just throw it out and be out  for awhile. But I think as time has gone on, it’s gotten to the point where I do that and it’s taking a lot longer to get back. But I’m moving around and if I can walk, I’ll be fine. I’ll be fine.''

Donovan said he was able to "make it through'' practice on Monday, and the team took Tuesday off. He was back at practice on Thursday.

Speights on Naismith preseason watch list

GAINESVILLE - Sophomore forward/center Marreese Speights is among 50 players named to the Naismith Preseason Award Watch List on Thursday.

The Naismith Trophy is the most prestigious national award presented annually to college basketball’s players of the year.

Compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, the pre-season criteria is based on player performances from last season and expectations for the 2007-08 season.  A native of St. Petersburg, Speights played in all 33 games last season, averaging 4.2 points in 5.7 minutes per game.

Seniors and juniors accounted for 17 apiece, along with 16 sophomores on the watch list.

The list does not include incoming freshmen, but they will be considered in the first vote in January, 2008. 

The list will be narrowed to 30 in January, with the final ballot in March. The winner will be awarded at the Final Four in April.

Donovan suffering with serious back injury

Billy Donovan's appearance at the SEC Basketball Media Days Wednesday afternoon almost didn't happen.

Donovan, who was unable to do his Monday interviews with local media, arrived in Birmingham Wednesday in severe pain suffering with disk and ligament damage in his back.

According to team trainer Duke Werner, Donovan suffered two fractures in his back during his basketball playing days at Providence and has had back problems for years that worsened last season. 

To keep his commitment at media days, Donovan was given an anti-inflammatory shot before leaving Gainesville, then laid on his stomach on the plane to Alabama with ice on his back. Werner made the tirp to monitor Donovan.

When asked by reporters how he felt, Donovan replied: "Bad. I just know I haven't been able to get out of bed for two days.''

Donovan said he's scheduled to meet with a back surgeon next Tuesday; the surgeon is out of town until then.

With a complete rebuilding year on the horizon, this isn't good news for Donovan or the Gators.

"I'm concerned because I haven't been able to walk,'' he said. "It takes me a while. The other day, I got out of bed and couldn't stand up and had to crawl to the bathroom. So that's kind of what I'm dealing with now.''

Sha Brooks among preseason honorees

Junior guard Sha Brooks was named to the preseason All-SEC second team, chosen by a select group of media, Wednesday.

Brooks led Florida in scoring last season with 15.4 points per game.

The Gators, led by first-year coach Amanda Butler, were picked to finish 10th in the league.

Tennessee was predicted to win its 15th SEC women's basketball championship. The Vols are coming off their seventh NCAA title and a perfect 14-0 SEC record. Tennessee was followed by LSU, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Auburn and Kentucky to round out the top half of the league. Mississippi State, Mississippi, Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina and Alabama round out the bottom half.

Tennessee junior Candace Parker was the overwhelming choice by the media for SEC Women's Basketball Player of the Year.

Antwine remains hospitalized

GAINESVILLE - Sophomore defensive tackle Brandon Antwine remained hospitalized Wednesday morning while being treated for a muscle problem in his lower back.

Florida coach Urban Meyer said Tuesday night he thought Antwine would be released later in the evening, but hospital officials said Wednesday morning he remained a patient at Shands Hospital in Gainesville.

Meyer said Antwine has been in the hospital about a week with the problem. His mother is in town from the Dallas area to be with him.

“It’s a low muscle, lower back, muscular problem,'' Meyer said. "It’s been a painful week for him. It’s a muscle issue that’s very painful, but it’s not a structural problem.''

Antwine, from Garland, Texas, has played in four games this season, registering seven tackles.

Tebow leads Heisman candidates

GAINESVILLE - With his 578 rushing yards and 1,711 passing yards, quarterback Tim Tebow has jumped into first place in three unofficial Heisman polls.

ESPN.com, MSNBC.com and SI.com all have Tebow as the leading candidate to win the coveted award.

Here's ESPN.com's take: "Tebow might not have won the Heisman this week, but he couldn't have been more impressive against Kentucky. He simply does it all. He threw for 256 yards (69 percent completion) for four touchdowns, and rushed for 78 yards and another score.''

Tebow said Monday he's not paying any attention to the Heisman talk. In fact, he insists he wouldn't even know his stats if people didn't approach him on the street or in class to discuss it.

Basketball team picked third in SEC East

Florida's '04's are long gone, and so apparently are the outside expectations for the Florida basketball team.

With only one returning experienced player, not surprisingly the Gators didn't place a single player on the preseason All-SEC first or second teams.

Tennessee was picked to win its ninth SEC men's basketball championship by select SEC media members Tuesday. The Vols were also a unanimous selection to win the SEC East, followed by Kentucky, Florida, Vanderbilt, Georgia and South Carolina.

In the West, Arkansas was chosen to win, followed by Mississippi State, Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Ole
Miss.

Tennesse is coming off a Sweet 16 appearance in the 2007 NCAA Tournament and a 24-win season. The Vols earned 28 first-place votes, topping Mississippi State which earned two votes as SEC Champion.
Tennessee returns eight letterwinners and four starters, including Wayne Chism, Chris Lofton, JaJuan Smith and Ramar Smith.

"Certainly I think we are going to be picked by a number of people to be competitive,'' Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said. "Our first year we won the East and last year we tied for the second-best record in the SEC. I think our team is going to play for it. We're going to compete for it. We'd like to think that we can do that every year. Some years are more realistic than others and I would think this would be a year, based on our roster, where people should expect us to be able to compete for the SEC championship.''

Tennessee guard Chris Lofton was the preseason selection for SEC Player of the Year.

Vandy kickoff at 12:30 p.m.

The Florida-Vanderbilt game time has been set for 12:30 p.m., Nov. 3 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

The game will be broadcast on Lincoln Financial Sports.

Wright, Cooper undergo surgery

GAINESVILLE - Safety Major Wright and receiver Riley Cooper both underwent surgery Monday afternoon, but each may still be able to play against Georgia this Saturday.

Wright had his broken thumb repaired, while Cooper had screws inserted into his two smallest fingers, which were broken Saturday against Kentucky.

Florida coach Urban Meyer said doctors told him there's a possibility both may be cleared to play this weekend.

Offensive lineman Carlton Medder remains questionable with a heel injury.

Major Wright's thumb a key to UGA game

Major Wright has drawn praise from coaches all around the SEC this season. Even Georgia coach Mark Richt called the true freshman safety a "big league hitter'' on Sunday.

But the news may not be good for Florida on Monday. Gators coach Urban Meyer hoped to find out before UF starts preparation for this week's game against the Bulldogs whether Wright will be available after suffering a broken thumb on his right hand in last Saturday's 45-37 win against Kentucky.

"They're saying he might have to have surgery,'' Meyer said. "If he has to have surgery then I'd say it'd be the week after (before he can play). They could cast it, which we all know a safety without a hand that can grasp, make tackles, intercept a pass, that's awful difficult.''

If Wright can't play, Kyle Jackson and Dorian Munroe  will compete for playing time this week in practice.

The Gator secondary is already in dire straits after getting bombarded for 415 yards against UK. Florida ranks 95th nationally and dead last in the SEC in passing yardage allowed per contest (256.5).

That makes Wright's thumb a major topic of interest this week.

Gators pass Bulls in human polls

Florida started last week trying to stay out of last place in the SEC East. Now it's back on top, in a tie with South Carolina and Georgia and even climbed over USF in the human polls.

The Gators are ninth in the Associated Press writers' poll and the Harris poll. UF is also 11th in the USA Today coaches' poll.

The Bulls were bellow Florida in all three but managed to edge Florida in the BCS rankings. USF is No. 10 in the BCS while Florida is No. 11. USF, which lost to unranked Rutgers, was able stay in front of the Gators thanks to the computer rankings.

Which brings us to the age old debate. Which is smarter? The computers or the humans?

Harvey named to Hendricks watch list

GAINESVILLE - Defensive end Derrick Harvey is one of 37 players named to the mid-season watch list for the 2007 Ted Hendricks Award, announced Friday.

The award is given annually to the defensive end of the year.

Harvey ranks fourth in the SEC and 24th nationally with five sacks. He had a career-high six tackles (four solo, two assisted), three tackles for loss and two sacks in the Gators' Sept. 29 loss against Auburn.

The list will be shorted to invlude five or six finalists in November, and the final vote will be held on Dec. 3. The Hendricks winner will be announced on Dec. 5.

Gal named female athlete of the week

GAINESVILLE - UF All-American Sandra Gal was named Female College Player of the Week by Golf World, the publication announced Wednesday.

The feature will appear in the October 19 issue of Golf World.

Gal, ranked No. 9, posted a three-under 210 to set up a playoff with Auburn’s Cydney Clanton for the individual title at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Classic. She birdied her first extra hole to earn her third
college win and helped the fifth-ranked Lady Gators to claim the team title.

Her performance in Knoxville tied the school’s low tournament total for the third time in UF history, equaling the 210 set by Cheryl Morley in 1986 at the Pat Bradley Championships and Page Dunlap in 1985
at the Ryder Championships. Gal leads the team in scoring average this year at a 71.6 clip through six rounds.

Golf World’s “College Players of the Week” section highlights a male and female golfer who have demonstrated outstanding individual play during a seven day period.

Kentucky still looking for respect

Kentucky is ranked No. 8 in this week's Associated Press poll, yet the Wildcats are still a 7-point underdog in Saturday's game against No. 14 Florida.

It's just one of many reasons Kentucky players said they still feel like they aren't getting the credit that's due, despite knocking off No. 1 LSU last week. It's also why they really need another signature win over a team like Florida.

"We're  still not getting the respect,'' defensive end Jeremy Jarmon said. "I think it will open more people's eyes if we can get a victory on Saturday.''

The players said they are trying to keep a level head about all the success the team is having this season, from GameDay on campus for the first time ever to the Top 10 ranking.

"We've believed we could do it for a long time,'' tight end Jacob Tamme said. "Honestly, none of that stuff matters right now. It's great for the program to get recognition, but like you saw with the South Carolina game, we took a step back. What matters is where you're at in the BCS at the end of the year.''

Vandy tickets available

GAINESVILLE - A limited number of tickets are available for the Nov. 3 Homecoming game against Vanderbilt, UF announced Tuesday.

Tickets are $40 each and can be purchased at the Gator Ticket Office or by calling 1-800-34-GATOR. Ticket office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Kickoff time for the game will be announced on Oct. 22.

Kentucky fined $50,000 by SEC

At the time, it seemed like a celebration well worth paying for, but Kentucky may be rethinking it now.

School officials allowed fans to rush the field after the Wildcats triple-overtime upset victory over then- No. 1 LSU last Saturday, and on Monday the SEC slapped Kentucky with a $50,000 fine for violating the league's sportsmanship policy.

The fine is so stiff because it's Kentucky's third violation.

Its second offense occurred on Sept. 15, 2007 when fans entered the competition area following the Kentucky's 40-34 football win over Louisville on Sept. 15. On Nov. 4, 2006, fans entered the competition area after Kentucky defeated Georgia 24-20.

“This policy is designed to create a safe environment for everyone who participates and attends our athletic contests,” SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said.  “The security and protection of our student-athletes, coaches, officials and fans is our primary concern.”

The policy, which went into effect on Dec. 1, 2004, states that “access to competition areas shall be limited to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly-credentialed individuals at all times.''

      

GameDay is going to Lexington

GAINESVILLE - When you're 6-1 and you just knocked off the No. 1 team in the nation, all of a sudden you're one of the popular kids.

So ESPN is jumping on Kentucky's bandwagon.

College GameDay will be in Lexington this weekend for the Florida-Kentucky game, which will be televised at 3:30 p.m. on CBS.

It is the first ever visit to Lexngtion for the GameDay crew of host Chris Fowler and analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard.

This will be the Gators' second game this season with the GameDay crew on campus; they were also at the LSU-Florida game two weeks ago. 

Florida-Georgia game time set

GAINESVILLE - The Gators will get back to back weekends on CBS.

The network announced Monday it will televise the Florida-Georgia game at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 in Jacksonville.

Florida will play at Kentucky on Saturday, with CBS also televising that game at 3:30 p.m.

Guilford to be laid to rest Tuesday morning

GAINESVILLE - A memorial service for Michael Guilford will be held this evening on the University of Florida campus, and his coaches and teammates are expected to be in attendance.

Guilford, a 19-year-old walk-on, and UF student Ashley Slonina, 20, died early Friday morning when the motorcycle Guilford was driving hit a median and the two were ejected.

A native of Quincy, Guilford will be buried following funeral services which will be held at  10 a.m. CST Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Blountstown. He was a star quarterback and linebacker at Blountstown High.

The  school will remain open,  but principal Duane Barber said many of the students and teachers plan
to attend the services, so the school will operate on shortened schedule.

The Blountstown team wore No. 13 on their wristbands in last week's game.  Blountstown coach Greg Jordan said there would be a moment of silence and the team will wear the wristbands again this week, which is Homecoming for the school.

Kentucky-Florida set for 3:30 on CBS

GAINESVILLE - The game usually reserved for regional TV such as Lincoln Financial is going national.

With Kentucky's triple overtime win over No. 1 LSU, CBS has opted to pick up the UF-Kentucky game on Oct. 20 at 3:30 p.m.

The Gators will travel to Lexington for the must-win game. A loss knocks the Gators out of contention for the SEC East title.

Florida walk-on killed in accident

GAINESVILLE - Michael Guilford, a redshirt-freshman walk-on, was killed in a motorcyle accident early Friday morning.

Guilford, 19, was a native of Quincy who graduated from Blountstown High.

Guilford was driving the 1998 Kawasaki, and fellow UF student Ashley E. Slonina, 20, was riding with him when when they hit a median at SW 23rd Terrace and Old Archer Road at about 1 a.m.

According to Gainesville police, Guilford and Slonina, who were traveling about 25-30 mph over the speed limit, were ejected and died instantly.

Neither was wearing a helmet.

Nicknamed "Sunshine'', Guilford played defensive back and was a Social and Behavioral Sciences major.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Michael Guilford,’’ Florida coach Urban Meyer said in a statement. “He was an outstanding, quality young man that was loved, respected and admired by all of us. His unselfish efforts on helping his teammates getting ready to play every week were only a glimpse of the person he was. We pray that God's blessing be with Michael’s family, friends and teammates during this sad and difficult time.”

Joiner could possibly regain captain's status

GAINESVILLE - Urban Meyer hasn't ruled out the possibility that senior safety Tony Joiner could regain his captain's status, which he was stripped of after he was arrested last week.

Meyer said during Wednesday's SEC Teleconference that he hasn't completely ruled out the possibility that Joiner could be a captain again. Meyer took the honor from Joiner after he was arrested for allegedly trying to steal his girlfriend's car from a towing lot. The charges were eventually dropped after the owner refused to press charges.

"I've never really done that to a player,'' Meyer said. "That's a crushing blow because obviously you're forever remembered a captain here. So I'm not sure. A lot of it defends on, we're halfway through a season and there's not a whole lot of leadership, not a whole lot of older players on this team so he's
a guy that our team is counting on to provide some leadership. He acted like a captain we don't want a captain to act on a Monday night. It's too early to tell that. I haven't even given it any thought yet.''

Joiner said he deeply regrets the "mistake'' and called the moment Meyer told him he was no longer a captain "the worst thing in the world.''

Donovan: 2007 is similar to 1996-97

GAINESVILLE - If you're a longtime Gator fan - and your mind hasn't completely blocked it out- these probably aren't the words you want to hear, but here goes.

Billy Donovan said during Wednesday's media day that this season may be his most challenging since his first year at Florida.

If you remember that team, you're probably concerned right now.

In his inaugural year, Donovan's team went 13-17 and was 5-11 in the SEC.

Actually, Donovan said he doesn't mean this team lacks talent, as that first one did, but the situations are similar.

"I don't mean in regard at all to the talent level or where we're at, I mean I walked into a situation that I didn't know any of the players and reall what they could do. I saw them in workouts. There's a lot of things I've got to do to put them on my shoulsders to put them in the best position to be successful. . .  So I liken it to when I first got here in the fact that I had these kids that worked hard and were great kids, but I didn't really know what they could and couldn't do. And you're trying to feel your way through it.

Tebow harassed by LSU fans

GAINESVILLE - Tim Tebow said Tuesday afternoon that LSU fans somehow got ahold of his cell phone number and bombarded him with calls prior to last Saturday's LSU games.

Tebow's father said the calls numbered in the hundreds, all of which the sophomore quarterback had to answer.

"I have to  (listen) on my phone to get them off, to delete them as fast as possible," Tebow said.

Tebow said the calls began the Monday or Tuesday before the game, and there were reports that LSU students were walking around the campus on gameday with T-shirts posting Tebow's cell number.

Tebow said many of the calls that were so harsh he couldn't repeat what was said.

"I really don't use that type of language too much, so I can't tell you,'' he said. "Some people did take it way too far, farther than you should take it with sports. But I think for the most part people were just
having fun. Unfortunately, there's people like that everywhere."

In case you were wondering, that's what Tebow's cell-phone celebration was all about. After his 2-yard touchdown pass to Kestahn Moore, and again on another touchdown, Tebow ran toward LSU fans, pretended to dial a phone, then put it to his ear mouthing "call me now.''

"They were having fun with me, so I was having fun with them, too,'' Tebow said. "It's what college football is all about. It's just fun, and I had fun with it. I know it probably got under their skin a little bit."

Of the calls, many were physical threats, but Tebow said he didn't worry about his safety.

"I didn't even think it was that big of a deal,'' he said. "You couldn't help but pick up when you want to open your phone. But I would just hang up."

Florida coach Urban Meyer said he worries for his players' safety and the LSU fans may have crossed the line, but Tebow may have been able to handle it differently.

"It’s easy to just get rid of your phone,'' Meyer said. "I told Tim, just dump it and get another one. And he changed his number and all that.''

Towing company owner receives threats

Although he maintained from the very beginning he had no intention of pressing charges against Florida safety Tony Joiner, hundreds of Gator fans apparently still felt the need to verbally harass and threaten the man who owns the property where Watson’s Towing stores its towed cars.

Stan Forron said Saturday he has received more than 200 calls from fans enraged about Joiner’s arrest.
The Florida senior was arrested around 5 a.m. Tuesday morning after Watson’s Towing employees called police and said Joiner was trying to steal his girlfriend’s car out of the towing lot without paying the $76 towing bill.

Joiner  and Forron  said the player had made arrangements to pick up the car, and that the incident was a misunderstanding. Forron told the Times on Tuesday he had no intention of pressing charges and he didn’t think Joiner should have been arrested.

Forron told Florida Today on Saturday morning that  more than a dozen of the calls were death threats, including one message on the company answering machine in which a caller said he would shoot  Forron the next time he saw him. Others made bomb threats if Forron didn’t drop the charges.

The Gainesville State Attorney’s office dismissed the charges against Joiner on Friday, saying it could not sustain charges without Forron’s cooperation.

Forron said he assumed most of the calls came from students trying to impress their friends. Still, he found it all disturbing.

“I’m disappointed that people could be like that,” he said. But I realize how passionate people can be (about sports). But it’s disappointing that they would threaten lives and property over something like this.”

Antonya English, Times staff writer

Joiner likely to play against LSU

Florida safety Tony Joiner most likely will play Saturday when the No. 9 Gators take on No. 1 LSU after felony burglary charges against him were dropped Friday afternoon.

Gainesville State Attorney Bill Cervone has decided not to pursue charges against Joiner, who was arrested early Tuesday morning at Watson’s Towing after, according to police, he tried to steal his girlfriend’s car from the lot without paying the $76 towing bill.

Despite police 911 calls in which employees working that night said a burglary was occurring, property owner Stan Forron, who was not at the scene when the incident occurred, said after talking with employees he believed it was a “misunderstanding” and that Joiner didn’t intend to steal the car.

Based on that, the State Attorney’s office said it had no case.

“We reviewed the case reports,” spokesman Spencer Mann said. “The victim was adamant that he sustained no loss or damage and does not want to pursue criminal charges. He believes it’s a misunderstanding. Based on this information, we cannot sustain criminal charges.”

Joiner is in Baton Rouge with the team, but Florida officials would not say if he would play tonight. But comments by coach Urban Meyer on Thursday seem to indicate he will. Meyer said he would not allow Joiner to play if he was still facing felony charges, but did not rule out the possibility of Joiner taking the field if the charge was lessened or dismissed.

Cervone was in a murder trial Friday and was not available for comment.

Joiner, 21, has been stripped of his captain’s status and Meyer said he has been, and will continue to be punished.

“Tony being out late on Monday is not consistent with the expectations of a leader and a team captain of our football program,” he said in a statement Friday. “Tony is no longer captain of the Gator football team and he will pay a heavy price for his behavior internally for the next few weeks.”

-- Antonya English, Times staff writer

State drops Joiner's felony charge

Tony Joiner likely will be at safety for the Gators Saturday when they meet top-ranked LSU. State prosecutors dropped a felony burglary charge against Joiner Friday, saying the victim "believes it's a big misunderstanding."

Joiner was arrested around 5 a.m. Tuesday after taking his girlfriend's car out of a towing company's impound lot.

Spencer Mann, chief investigator for the State Attorney's Office, told the Associated Press: "The victim is adamant that he sustained no loss or damage and does not wish to pursue criminal charges. Based on the information, we cannot sustain a criminal charge. Without a victim, I have no crime."

Coach Urban Meyer had said Joiner wouldn't play if facing a felony charge.

Meyer: Joiner won't play with felony charge

GAINESVILLE - Urban Meyer said after Thursday's practice that senior safety Tony Joiner will not play Saturday against LSU if the felony charges he currently faces aren't reduced.

Joiner was arrested and charged with felony burglary early Tuesday morning after police said he broke into Watson's Towing and tried to steal his girlfriend's car. The car had been towed earlier in the evening and the towing bill was $76.

"I'm just waiting on the legal part,'' Meyer said. "I've got my own thing I've taken care of for him being out at night. . . "If the charge that I've heard, that you've heard stays, then he will not play.''

Asked how Joiner is coping, Meyer said "he's struggling.''

"He knows that the head football coach at Florida, that he's very close with, is about as disappointed in him as I've ever been,'' Meyer said. "It's not even the legal part, just Monday night doing that.'

The Gainesville State Attorney's office received the police report Thursday afternoon and has begun processing the case.

Joiner no longer a team captain

GAINESVILLE - Urban Meyer has stripped senior safety Tony Joiner of his captain's duties, saying his conduct was unbecoming for a team captain. Joiner was arrested Tuesday morning on charges of felony burglary after police said he broke into a towing company impound lot and attempted to remove his girlfriend’s car.

“My biggest issue is he was out at a ridiculous hour of the morning,” Meyer said. “That’s not behavior I expect out of the captains.”

Meyer said following Wednesday's practice that Joiner's status for Saturday's game against No. 1 LSU remains up in the air. He said he's waiting to see how the legal issues sort out before making a decision on whether Joiner will play, or even make the trip to Baton Rouge.

The owner of the property where the towing company is located said Tuesday the incident was "a misunderstanding and Joiner didn't mean to steal the car. But in audio tapes released by police Wednesday of the 911 calls from Watson’s Towing, employee Travis Watkins tells the dispatcher: “I had someone break in the yard and try to steal a car. He’s still here. It’s Tony Joiner from the Gators.’’ 
 

Meyer: No decision on Joiner yet

GAINESVILLE - Tony Joiner's status with the football team remains up in the air as of Wednesday morning.

Urban Meyer said during the SEC coaches teleconference he has not made a decision yet on Joiner's status.

The 21-year-old senior captain was arrested early Tuesday morning and charged with felony battery after police said he attempted to remove his girlfriend's car from a Gainesville towing lot.

The business owner said Tuesday the arrest was a "misunderstanding'' and that he did not want Joiner arrested. He said the company just wanted the $76 towing bill paid, which Joiner told police he had planned to do.

Meyer said he will not make a decision until he has gathered all the information possible.

Urban Meyer: Joiner not allowed with team until facts are sorted out

GAINESVILLE -- Florida coach Urban Meyer wouldn't use the word suspended, but said senior safety Tony Joiner will not be allowed back with the team until he knows all the facts concerning Joiner's arrest for burglary early Tuesday morning.

"I still don't know the whole thing,'' Meyer said following Tuesday evening's practice. "I'm like a lot of people, I don't know yet. I'm going to find out pretty soon. I've been gettting ready for practice and we've been in practice. Until I find out everything, he won't be out here.''

Joiner, a 21-year-old team captain, was charged with one count of felony burglary after he allegedly tried to remove his girlfriend's car from a local towing lot. He was released Tuesday afternoon on his own recognizance.

According to a GPD incident report, Joiner's teammate, safety Kyle Jackson, drove him to the towing lot but never entered the locked compound. He was not arrested in the incident. Jackson declined to comment after Tuesday's practice.

Towing company employees: Joiner was not trying to steal car

GAINESVILLE - The property owner of Watson's Towing in Gainesville said Tuesday afternoon there was a miscomunication between UF saftey Tony Joiner and the company's dispatcher and that he does not believe Joiner was trying to steal his girlfriend's car from the lot.

Stan Forron, who owns the property that Watson's Towing uses, said Joiner called earlier Tuesday morning and made arrangements to pick up his girlfriend's car. The company has a 24-hour service in which cars can be picked up. When he arrived and the dispathcher had stepped away, Joiner pulled the car out of a gate that had been left open by Forron.

Forron said employees asked the police not to arrest Joiner, whom he said was prepared to pay the $76 towing bill, but police declined the request.

Joiner, 21, was arrested around 4:30 a.m. and charged with felony burglary.

Forron said neither he, nor the Watson Towing company employees he has talked with, believe Joiner was trying to steal the car.

Tony Joiner arrested on felony charge

GAINESVILLE - Florida starting safety Tony Joiner was arrested early Tuesday morning after trying to remove his girlfriend's impounded car from a lot where it had been towed.

He was charged with one count of burglary and taken to the Alachua County Jail, where he remained as of 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Gainesville Police Department Lt. Keith Kameg said Joiner attempted to remove the car from the impound lot without paying the $76 towing bill.

Three players questioned in connection with nightclub shooting

GAINESVILLE - Three Florida football players and former Gator Reggie Nelson have been questioned in connection with a shooting outside a Gainesville nightclub early Sunday morning.

Gainesville Police would not identify the players due to the ongoing investigation, but said neither Nelson, now a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, nor the current players are suspects.

Two men where shot on W. University Ave., after leaving The Venue nightclub.

"We have questioned a number of people, including Reggie Nelson, including some UF athletes and a number of citizens,' GPD spokesman Sgt. Keith Kameg said. "We have no suspects. They are not wanted in connection with anything. We are looking for information.''

 

ESPN's GameDay to broadcast at LSU-Florida game

It's not No. 1 vs. No. 3 as most had anticipated, but Florida's game against LSU must still be pretty big in the college football world.

ESPN's College GameDay is coming to town.

The GameDay crew, Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corson, will be on the LSU campus this weekend for Saturday night's game between No. 1 LSU and No. 9 Florida. The set will be located on the Parade Grounds in the center of the LSU campus, beginning on Friday.

It is the second time this season and the sixth overall that GameDay has broadcst from Baton Rouge. The game can be seen nationally on CBS, with kickoff set for 8:28 p.m. EST. It is the first prime time regular season game on one of the big thre non-cable networks for LSU since 1981.

Trautwein out for the season

GAINESVILLE - For weeks, Urban Meyer had been holding out hope that offensive lineman Phil Trautwein might somehow be able to make it back to help the Gators this season.

Apparently, that's not going to happen.

Meyer said Monday that Trautwein will miss the entire season due to the fractured right foot he suffered in preseason drills in August.

"He's done,'' Meyer said.

Trautwein was a preseason All-SEC selection and was expected to be a vital part of Florida's veteran offensive line. He has been on crutches in a cast or boot since the injury and hasn't been able to practice.

Trautwein played as a true freshman, which makes him eligible for a redshirt, giving him an additional year to play.