Spikes one of 20 Lott Trophy Quarterfinalists

Junior LB Brandon Spikes is among 20 quarterfinalists for the Lott Trophy, awarded to college football's defensive impact Player of the Year.

Now in its fifth year, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.

Seven different conferences are represented on the list of 20 with the SEC leading the way with five candidates.  Ohio State (James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins) is the only school with two quarterfinalists. There are nine linebackers on the list, seven defensive linemen and four defensive backs. While there are 10 seniors on the list, there are also nine juniors (and one sophomore, Eric Berry), the most underclassmen to make the quarter-finalist Lott Trophy Watch List.

The 20 Quarterfinalists:

Asher Allen, Jr., DB, Georgia

Eric Berry, So., DB, Tennessee

Aaron Curry, Sr., LB, Wake Forest

Brian Cushing, Sr., LB, USC

Zack Follett, Sr., LB, Cal

Mark Herzlich, Jr., LB, Boston College

George Hypolite, Sr., DT, Colorado

Jeremy Jarmon, Jr., DL, Kentucky

Malcolm Jenkins, Sr., DB, Ohio State

Jan Jorgensen, Jr., DE, BYU

James Laurinaitis, Sr., LB, Ohio State

Scott McKillop, Sr., LB, Pitt

Brit Miller, Sr., LB, Illinois

Eric Norwood, Jr., LB, South Carolina

Brian Orakpo, Sr., DE, Texas

Nick Reed, Sr., DE, Oregon

Myron Rolle, Jr., S, Florida State

George Selvie, Jr., DE, South Florida

Brandon Spikes, Jr., LB, Florida

Sean Weatherspoon, Jr., LB, Missouri

Gators get Top 10 recruit

Kenny Boynton, a 6-foot-2 shooting guard who is ranked the nation's No. 8 prospect by Scout.com, orally committed to the Gators Thursday evening.

Boynton, of Plantation American Heritage, made his announcement on ESPNU. He chose UF over Duke, Southern Cal, Texas and Georgia Tech.

"I took numerous visits to all the schools, and on my Florida visit I was very comfortable,'' Boynton said.

Boynton averaged 34.5 points per game as a junior last season.

Tebow has been playing slightly injured

Tim Tebow suffered a hyper-extended knee in the Oct. 4 game against Arkansas, but coach Urban Meyer said Thursday it has not affected Tebow's play at all and he hasn't missed any practice time.

"It’s fine,'' Meyer said. "Go to sleep tonight knowing he’s fine."

The injury was revealed after CBS play-by-play announcer Gary Danielson said Thursday that Meyer told him Tebow had been injured earlier in the season, but Florida had kept it quiet.

"Tim Tebow was a little bit nicked early on and no one talked about it,'' Danielson said in his weekly press release for CBS. "Urban Meyer didn't even tell us (for previous CBS broadcasts). They kept it well-hidden that he had a little bit of a hyper-extended knee that he hurt early in the season. I wondered why he wasn't running like last year. He didn't seem the same. He was more of a finesse runner than a power runner. Urban Meyer had told us that he is finally 100 percent. We will see the real Tebow (Saturday).''

Meyer said the injury happened on an interception throw in the Arkansas game, and he didn't not talk about it because Tebow continued to play.

"The other day he told me he said "Boy my knee’s feeling really good.' And I was like your knee? What are you talking about? He said "well I banged it a little bit.' He’s fine, he’s 100 percent.''

Meyer said Tebow isn't one to talk about his injuries, pointing out that Tebow told him before last year's Georgia game that he was "fine.''

"I later found he couldn’t pick his arm up,'' Meyer said.

Meyer said he has not noticed any different in Tebow, including his running ability.

Georgia QB: Players love the game in Jacksonville

It never fails that every year this time, talk turns to the future of the  Florida-Georgia rivalry in Jacksonville, with fans from both sides arguing that the game should be moved to a home-and-home situation in Athens and Gainesville.

The two schools have played in Jacksonville 75 times, but the subject of moving the game never seems to go away.

Interestingly enough, the people with the most at stake don't seem to care. Many players say they like the series just the way it is, including Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Stafford said this week that despite what the fans think, the players don't want the game moved.

"I don't think it's a big deal for us as players,'' Stafford said. ""I think the fans make more of a big deal about it than anything, that the game is played in Jacksonville. We love that venue. The fans are split half-and-half. I don't think we'd have it any other way. We really enjoy it there.''

Florida coach Urban Meyer said this week that he also  likes the game in Jacksonville, with the 50-50 split of fans.

"It's all good,'' Meyer said. "The players will experience one of the greatest things they can experience in college football. To walk into that stadium and see a 50-50 crowd split right down the middle of the uprights. Bot the red and black and the orange and blue are loud the entire game. (Motioning for the crowd) to quiet down doesn't work at this game. I'm honored to coach in these types of games and I know our players will feel the same way about their experience.''

For more on where contract negotiations between the City of Jacksonville and the two schools, click here.

Ronnie Wilson facing more trouble

Lineman Ronnie Wilson will not make the trip to Jacksonville this week, and may have played his last game as a Gator.

Wilson is currently not practicing with the team, and coach Urban Meyer would only say Wednesday that Wilson has some business to attend to.

Wilson, who was a reserve lineman on the 2006 national championship team, was suspended in 2007 after firing a gun into the air in the offseason. He attended UF with his own money before being reinstated, but his return hasn't been all smooth.

Meyer said following Wednesday's practice: "We have some expectations and he's got to meet them. He's not practicing. He's got to take care of some business.''

Wuerffel to sign autographs in Jacksonville this weekend

As part of the "Sports Illustrated Evolution of the Game Tour". former Florida Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel will be among former Florida and Georgia legends signing autographs prior to Saturday's Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville.

Sports Illustrated and Nissan are paying tribute to the ever-evolving game of college football by stopping at 10 games across the country throughout the 2008 season.  Admission to the tour is free, and fans can get a complimentary copy of a special “Game Breakers” collector’s edition of Sports Illustrated.

Wuerffel, the quarterback of the 1996 UF national champions, will sign autographs from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

SI senior writer Dan Patrick will be signing autographs from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Former Georgia All-America running back and 1992 Doak Walker Award winner Garrison Hearst will sign autographs from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

From 10 a.m. until the game's 3:30 p.m. kickoff, fans can have their  picture taken on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the Heisman Trophy, take a trip into college football history inside the SI Vault Museum and watch football games and highlights on plasma TVs.

The events will be held at the Championship Dreams Festival located outside of the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium’s South End Zone.

Miles, Fulmer breakdown UF-UGA matchup

Statistically, they are about as close as two teams can get, near mirror-images of each other in several categories, including total offense.

But while the Florida and Georgia coaching staffs continue to break down film of each other, two league coaches know first-hand what to expect from the Gators and Bulldogs.

Tennessee and LSU have each played both teams. Here's how their respective coaches breakdown the matchup.

Les Miles, LSU:

They are certainly both very capable teams. If Georgia continues to run the football like they have, they have a very, very talented receiving corps and they can throw the ball down the field well. I think that gives the Georgia offense their best opportunity at that matchup. I think the Florida offense certainly is extremely dangerous in itself with Tebow running their offense. It’s going to be a great matchup. I think it will really test both defenses and I think the big plays that are made in that game and the fewest mistakes made will probably win.''

Phillip Fulmer:

"Both of them are really fine football teams. I’m not sure at this point in the seson where they are health-wise. Both have that guy that can pull the trigger for them – Stafford and Tebow. That’s kind of where a good offensive team needs to start with efficient quarterbacks. And both are definitely that, where it’s throwing, or in Tebow’s case the ability to make a play by running. Certainly, both of them have good, solid defensive football teams, and both have solid kicking games. So it should be a heck of a matchup when they play."

Asked if either team has an advantage, Fulmer replied: "No, I don’t see it.''

Florida-Georgia preview

Antonya English previews Saturday's Florida-Georgia game, including a look back at the end zone celebration controversy that defined last season's 42-30 Bulldogs win, in an audio slide show.

(Pictured: Florida's Percy Harvin runs with the ball during last season's game. Times photo -- Brian Cassella. Click to enlarge.)

Special teams living up to expectations

It's considered the favorite unit on an Urban Meyer-coached team, so you can bet Florida's special teams players are in good stead with the coach these days.

Florida's five blocked kicks this season surpasses last year's total of four, and brings to 42 the number of blocked kicks by teams with Meyer as head coach (including Bowling Green and Utah).

And then there's Brandon James, who is one of three players in the nation to return two punts for touchdowns this season, and who is tied for first nationally on the NCAA active chart for career punt returns for a touchdown (4).

In last Saturday's game, Florida blocked two punts and a field goal. Meyer said it's that kind of effort on special teams that wins games, particularly big games like this week's showdown with Georgia.

"It crushes you,'' Meyer said. "There is no worse sound than the thump-thump of a kick being blocked; especially if we are playing in another stadium. In our mind, it's hard to equate another play as significant as a blocked punt."

Tebow among O'Brien semifinalists

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is among 13 semifinalists for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award on Monday.

Tebow, the reigning O'Brien winner, joins two other SEC quarterbacks, Alabama's John Parker Wilson and Georgia's Matthew Stafford.

Semifinalists were selected by The O'Brien Selection Committee, comprised of journalists, broadcasters, commentators and former winners, as well as fans across the country with the top three quarterbacks from The O'Brien Fan Vote being added to the list. The Selection Committee is asked to evaluate each candidate on his quarterback skills, athletic ability, academics, character, leadership, sportsmanship and reputation as a team player.

The 13 Semifinalists will contend for the award until the list is narrowed to three Finalists on November 24. All Finalists will be in attendance when the winner is announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards in Orlando on Dec. 11. The recipient will be honored February 16, 2009, at the 32nd Annual O'Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fans are able to vote for semifinalist candidates once daily at www.VoteOBrien.org. The voting will continue throughout the semifinalist and finalist rounds with 5% of the final tally coming directly from the Fan Vote.

Here are the semfinalists:

2008 O'Brien Semifinalists

Sam Bradford        SO    Oklahoma    Big 12

Daryll Clark           JR      Penn State      Big Ten

Chase Daniel            SR      Missouri        Big 12

Max Hall                JR      BYU             MWC

Graham Harrell          SR      Texas Tech      Big 12

David Johnson           SR      Tulsa           C-USA

Colt McCoy              JR      Texas           Big 12

Todd Reesing            JR      Kansas          Big 12

Zac Robinson            JR      Oklahoma State  Big 12

Mark Sanchez            JR      USC             Pac-10

Matthew Stafford        JR      Georgia         SEC

Tim Tebow               JR      Florida         SEC

John Parker Wilson      SR      Alabama         SEC

Jeff Demps named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week

Freshman RB and special teams player Jeff Demps on Monday was named Special Teams Player of the Week, the league office announced.

In Florida's 63-5 win over Kentucky, the 5-foot-8 Demps was involved in key plays in several facets of the game.

He blocked a punt in the first quarter that set up a 1-yard touchdown run to give UF a 14-0 lead. He had a 27-yard return on that play. He was one of three Gators who had blocked kicks in the game.

He also led the Gators in rushing (seven carries for 50 yards) and receiving (four catches for 67 yards and a TD).

"The fact that he takes so much pride in special teams tells you what a special player he is,'' RB coach Kenny Carter said. "It doesn't surprise me at all what he's accomplished in such a short time.''

Cornerback Janoris Jenkins injured vs. Kentucky

After earning himself a starting job two weeks ago, freshman cornerback Janoris Jenkins suffered a setback on Saturday.

Jenkins has a bruised shin. He left the game before halftime and did not return.  

“He’s day-to-day,’’ UF coach Urban Meyer said. “We expect him to be very probable for this week.’’     

Senior OL Phil Trautwein has a shoulder injury, but is expected to practice and play this week. RB Emmanuel Moody did not play, but Meyer said he was “80 percent’’ last week and should be ready to go against Georgia.

DT Troy Epps has a knee injury and DT Torrey Davis did not play due to coaches decision. Meyer said he did not practice well leading into the game.

Adam Allen suffers injury setback

Florida sophomore forward Adam Allen has suffered a sprained knee and is out at least one week,'' Florida coach Billy Donovan said Saturday. Adam had an MRI on Friday night,  which did not show any additional damage.

"It looks like it’s a significant sprain and he’ll probably be out about a week right now,'' Donovan said. "I watched the  film and he didn’t land that awkwardly but he kind of came up.''

Donovan said Allen was playing well before the injury.

"Adam has done a good job and Adam’s a physical, tough and strong kid but with him being out right now that makes it more difficult as well,'' Donovan said. "Adam was doing well. He is what he is. He’s a phenomenal shooter, a great kid and a great teammate and a guy that gives you everything he has.''

Donovan said Allen has had to battle other problems, as well, the past two years.

"He does have some asthma where he’s always battling and trying to get in great shape,'' Donovan said. "The one thing about Adam is that he always gives you everything he has and as a coach you’re so much of the time coaching effort, let’s get going. You’re never coaching effort with Adam, which is something you wish all your players would be  like that.''

James named to Sporting News Midseason All-American team

Junior return specialist Brandon James is among seven players from the SEC, and the only Gator, selected to the inaugural Sporting News Today's Midseason All-American team, announced on Friday.

Selected as a punt returner, James currently ranks fourth in the nation with a 20.9-yard average return. He has scored two touchdowns off punt returns this season and is currently tied with Jacquez Green (1995-97) for the school record for career punt returns for a touchdown with four.

The full team selections follow:

Offense
QB Colt McCoy, Texas
RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State
RB Shonn Greene, Iowa
WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
WR Eric Decker, Minnesota
TE Chase Coffman, Missouri
OL Andre Smith, Alabama
OL Michael Oher, Mississippi
OL Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
OL Alex Mack, California
OL Herman Johnson, LSU
K Louie Sakoda, Utah
KR Derrick Williams, Penn State

Defense
DE Brian Orakpo, Texas
DE Jerry Hughes, TCU
DT Terrence Cody, Alabama
DT Fili Moala, USC
LB Rennie Curran, Georgia
LB Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
CB Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
S Eric Berry, Tennessee
S Kevin Ellison, USC
P Kevin Huber, Cincinnati
PR Brandon James, Florida

Seven former Gators to become newest Hall of Fame members

Former Gator football players Reidel Anthony and Ike Hilliard are among seven former Florida athletes who will be inducted into the Florida Athletics Hall of Fame next April.

Also to be inducted are: Erin (Baxter) McCorkle (soccer), Mike Cotton (track and field), Tommy Kelley (football), Murriel Page (women’s basketball) and Cheryl (Morley) Pontious (women’s golf).

Longtime Florida ticket manager Bill Holloway will be inducted as an honorary letterwinner.

Each year, a committee of F Club members selects members to the Hall of Fame.They are divided into three different categories: Gator Greats,Distinguished Letterwinners and Honorary Letterwinners. Gator Greats and Distinguished Letterwinners can be nominated 10 years after they have completed their eligibility.  Honorary Letterwinners are considered after they have contributed 10 years of employment to the University of Florida, the University Athletic Association or Gator Boosters, Inc.

Anthony and Hilliard both played from 1994-96. Anthony was a member of the 1996 National Championship team and of the 1994, 1995 and 1996 SEC Championship teams. He was named a first-team All-American and All-SEC in 1996.  He was also a Biletnikoff finalist the same year.  In 1997, he was selected in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Hilliard was also a member of the 1996 National Championship team and of the 1994, 1995 and 1996 SEC Championship teams.  He earned first-team All-American and All-SEC status in 1996.  He was the first wide receiverdrafted in the 1997 NFL Draft and currently plays for Tampa Bay.

Page was a women's basketball standout from 1994-98. She earned first-team All-America honors in 1998 and was a finalist of the Naismith Player of the Year award.  She also ranks sixth all-time in the SEC in career rebounds and second in the Florida record books. She was the third pick in the 1998 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics and currently plays for the L.A. Sparks.

Here are bios of the other inductees:

Cheryl (Morley) Pontious – Women’s Golf, 1986-89
Pontious was a member of the 1986 National Championship team and was the 1988 SEC medalist.  She is the only four-time All-American in the program’s history.  She was also on the 1986 and 1987 SEC Championship teams and earned All-SEC status in 1987, 88 and 89.  Pontious played on the Futures Tour for two years and was inducted in the National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) Hall of Fame in 2000.  She also played two years in the U.S. Women’s Open.

Tommy Kelley – Football, 1960-62
Kelley was named to the 1960 All-SEC Sophomore team and was a Blue Key Recipient.  He was the 2006-07 F Club President and member of the UF Hall of Fame.  He is well-known as a principal engineer consultant to Ocoee, Windermere and Orange County.  He served on the Gator Boosters’board in 2005-06.

Erin (Baxter) McCorkle – Soccer, 1995-98
McCorkle was a co-captain of the 1998 National Championship team.  She earned All-American honors in 1996, 1997 and 1998.  She was also the 1998 SEC Tournament MVP.  She garnered All-SEC honors from 1996-98 and was named 1997 SEC Player of the Year.  The 1998 Tracy Caulkins award winner as UF’s top graduating female student-athlete, she also was the GTE Academic All-American of the 1998-99 academic year.

Mike Cotton – Track and Field, 1970-73
Cotton was the 1973 National Pole Vault champion, as well as the SEC champion in 1971 and 1973.  He earned All-American recognition in 1973 and he was an All-SEC selection in 1971, 1972 and 1973.  He held the UF pole vault record of 17’6” for 14 years and was a member of the 1976 USA National Team.

Bill Holloway – UAA Ticket Office
Holloway served as the Assistant Athletics Director - Ticket Operations
for the University Athletic Association for over 25 years.He was well-known and respected for his customer service efforts while he handled the many duties of the Gator Ticket Office, which included priority ticket and seating arrangements for Boosters, alumni, faculty and staff, students and the general public.

Kentucky hoping for offensive improvement this week

If Kentucky coach Rich Brooks could have the offensive unit he had last season to go with the defense he has this year, he'd be a much happier man right now, he admits.

But as the Wildcats prepare to play the Gators in Gainesville this weekend, Brooks is bringing in an injury-filled team he hopes can find a consistent, offensive rhythm.

Kentucky scored two touchdowns in just under five minutes in a come-from-behind win over Arkanasas last week, and Brooks is hoping that will be the catalyst for improvement.

"We need to continue to get the ball down the field,'' he said. "For five minutes we looked like we had an offense this last week. We need to build on that, as well as how good our running game looked in the first half. I think we would have looked better if we would have had more opportunities in the second half, but we didn't get the ball very much. On the three scoring drives with a total of six plays it doesn't let you see what you really have. I wouldn't be upset to continue to see that, however. It is going to be difficult. It is difficult to move the ball when you have experience on offense let alone when you have inexperience, especially with the defenses we have in this league."

Brooks said his biggest concern is the Wildcats' injuries as they face a team that had last week off to rest and heal. Kentucky has five defensive starters who are either out or doubtful this week. And its two best offensive players, WR Dicky Lyons, Jr. and RB Derrick Locke are both out for the season with knee injuries suffered the past two weeks.

The Gators enter this game with a 21-game winning streak over Kentucky.

SEC official is new YouTube sensation

If you were watching the South Carolina- LSU game last Saturday night when an SEC official inadvertently tackled South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia during the game, you might get a laugh out of this story.

You know how things go. Almost anything will get you on YouTube these days, and the SEC ref is no exception.

Meyer hoping LSU momentum carries over this week

If he had his druthers, following Florida's dominating win over LSU two weeks ago Urban Meyer would have wanted to play the next week instead of having an open date as the Gators did.

Meyer said Wednesday that while the open date has helped players heal and rest up for the final stretch of the season, he wonders if the Gators have lost momentum.

"I'd rather play,'' Meyer said when asked if he liked having the open date last week. "Anytime you have good momentum and chemistry, you'd like to carry that on into the next week. But it's also mid-year and you need the chance to get some guys healthy.''

Meyer said if the team makes it through Wednesday's practice injury-free, the Gators will enter Saturday's Homecoming game against Kentucky "about as healthy as we've been in awhile.''

LB Dustin Doe (double hernia) could return this weekend after missing the past two games, and RB Emmanuel Moody (ankle) is probable, although how long, and how well. he'll be able to play is uncertain.

Meyer said the Gators played so well against LSU that he's eager to see if they can sustain that this weekend.

"You worry about losing time and momentum, that's what you worry about,'' he said.

Dotson, Brooks selected to preseason All-SEC team

The Florida women's basketball team was picked to finish sixth in the league this season, but seniors Marshae Dotson and Sha Brooks were selected to the preseason All-SEC team.

Dotson was voted First-Team All-SEC by the league's coaches last year. The 5-foot-11 forward enters the 2008-09 season with 1,082 career points and 634 career rebounds. In 2007-08, Dotson was UF’s leading rebounder (262, 7.9 rpg), while ranking second for scoring (432, 13.1 ppg), also leading the Gators in field goal percentage (53.1%), free throws made (110) and free throws attempted (162), while ranking third in assists (54) and steals (57). In the 2007-08 SEC statistics for all games, she ranked No. 1 for offensive rebounding (3.42 pg), No. 10 for scoring, No. 8 for rebounding and No. 8 for free throw percentage.

Brooks enters the season having started 91 consecutive games and 94 overall, starting all except one in her career, and has never missed a game. During her first three years, the 5-foot-7 guard has accumulated 1,295 career points and 164 three-pointers, while totaling 2,909 minutes of playing time (30.9 mpg). Last year, Brooks worked on her game and emerged as more of a complete player, averaging 12.3 points, logging 32.2 minutes per game and contributing a team-high 87 assists (2.6 apg),
in addition to ranking second in steals (62) and made three-pointers (48). In the SEC statistics for all games, she ranked No. 13 for scoring, No. 2 for free throw percentage (79.8%, 103-129), No. 14 for steals, No. 13 for three-pointers made and No. 11 for minutes played. She also was UF’s second-leading scorer in SEC games (12.9 ppg), while hitting 36.6 percent (26-71) from the three-point arc.

Vanderbilt was picked to finish first in the SEC, followed by Tennessee, Auburn, Georgia, LSU and Florida. Kentucky is seventh, followed by Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Arkansas, South Carolina and Alabama.

Leave a question for Antonya

Do you have a question about the Gators' big win over LSU or upcoming games against Kentucky and Georgia? Wondering about Percy Harvin's health? Tim Tebow's Heisman hopes?

We want to hear from you. Leave us a question in the 'Comments' area below, and Gators beat reporter Antonya English will answer them. We'll post a full transcript on Oct. 28, in preparation for the Florida-Georgia game.

Fans encouraged to say farewell to "Mr. Two-Bits"

He retired once before, but was lured back into his familiar role.

Now it appears Florida's "Mr. Two-Bits'' is ready to hang it up for good this time.

Tampa resident George Edmondson, who has led the cheer at Gator games for 60 years, will retire at the end of the season.

Edmondson, 86, will be honored prior to kickoff of this weekend's Homecoming game against Kentucky. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for the ceremony, and to wear orange.

Spikes a Lombardi Trophy Semifinalist

Junior LB Brandon Spikes is one of 12 players selected as a semifinalist for the Lombardi award, presented annually to college football's top
lineman or linebacker.

Four finalists will be selected in November, and this year's winner will be announced at the Dec. 10 award dinner at the Hilton Americas Hotel in downtown Houston.

Spikes leads the Gators with 46 tackles and intercepted two passes against LSU, one of which he returned 52-yards for a touchdown. Spikes ranks third in the SEC with 9.2 tackles per game.

Calathes among preseason All-SEC; Gators picked to finish 2nd in East

Sophomore guard/forward Nick Calathes was selected on Monday as a preseason All-SEC selection by a select panel of SEC and national media members.

Calathes is joined on the team by Kentucky's Patrick Patterson, Sr. G Marcus Thornton (LSU), Jr. G Devan Downey (South Carolina) and Jr. F Tyler Smith (Tennessee), who was also the preseason selection for Player of the Year.

The Gators were picked to finish second in the SEC East behind defending champion Tennessee. Kentucky, Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Georgia followed. In the West, Alabama was picked to finish first, followed by LSU. Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn and Arkansas.

Each SEC school selected two media members that cover their team and six additional writers from across the nation were selected by the conference office to form the 30-member voting panel.

Several injured Gators could return this week

Florida will return to practice Monday afternoon after taking the weekend off, and several injured Gators are expected to participate and be ready to play when the Gators host Kentucky on Saturday, coach Urban Meyer said.

RB Chris Rainey (shoulder), RB Emmanuel Moody (sprained ankle) and K Caleb Sturgis (hyperextended knee) are all scheduled to return to practice. Moody may not participate in the full practice on Monday, but Meyer said there's a good chance he'll be ready to play on Saturday. He did not play in the LSU game two weeks ago, while Rainey was injured in that game.

Meyer described his team as "very professional'' in the two weeks following the loss to Ole Miss and said he's eager to see how they respond this week at practice, particularly today, after taking several days off and being away from each other and the coaching staff all weekend due to the bye week.

Tampa's Tommy Toledo to miss entire 2009 season

Sophomore pitcher Tommy Toledo underwent arthroscopic surgery on his throwing right shoulder and will miss the entire 2009 season, the school announced today.

"While this was difficult news for Tommy, his family and our team, we are hopeful that he will start the rehabilitation process right away," head coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "We are confident that Tommy will be
back better than ever next year."

Named to the SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll, the former Alonso standout tied for third on the Gators with 11 starts and was 4-4 with a 4.40 earned run average in 15 appearances. Over 59.1 innings, the he gave up 60 hits and 36 runs (29 earned). He permitted 32 walks, totaled 30 strikeouts and opponents batted .265 against him. Toledo worked at least five innings in his first six collegiate starts and posted a 4-1 mark and a 2.70 ERA during that stretch.

Fan of Brandon Spikes? He needs your vote

If you're a Gator fan who thinks LB Brandon Spikes deserves to be recognized, here's your chance to help.

Spikes is one of four nominees for the AT&T All-America Player of the Week, following the Gators’ 51-21 victory over defending national champion LSU last weekend. He is the only defensive player to be nominated this year.

Spikes joins Oklahoma State RB Kendall Hunter, Texas WR Jordan Shipley and Arkansas RB Michael Smith as nominees following the seventh week of college football.

The SEC Defensive Player of the Week had a career-high two interceptions, including a 52-yard touchdown return in the fourth quarter for his first career score. With the interceptions, he became one of only six linebackers in the nation to have two picks in a game this season.

Fans can vote for Spikes by using the text message VOTE to 51234 on their wireless phone. The deadline to vote is 11:59 ET on Wednesday and the winner will be announced during Thursday’s ESPN College Football Primetime. There is no limit on fan voting and each vote counts as one entry into a sweepstakes to win a trip to the 2009 BCS National Championship game in Miami.

CBS announces Florida-Georgia game time

The Florida vs. Georgia game on Nov. 1 will kickoff at 3:30 p.m., and will be televised on CBS, the network announced on Tuesday.

The game will be held at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville.

Florida gets another early game on Raycom

The Oct. 25 Kentucky at Florida game will kickoff at 12:30 p.m., the school announced Monday morning.

The game will be televised on Raycom Sports.

This will be the fourth 12:30 game of the season for the Gators. Florida also played Hawaii, Ole Miss and Arkansas on Raycom Sports.

Brandon Spikes Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week

After a subpar game at Arkansas two weeks ago, junior LB Brandon Spikes rebounded with a performance that was so good Saturday night against LSU that it earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

In Florida's 51-21 win over LSU, Spikes had five tackles and a career-high two interceptions, including one he returned 52 yards for a touchdown to put the game out of reach for the Tigers.

He is one of just six linebackers in the nation to have two interceptions in a game this season. Spikes is Florida's leading tackler with 46.

Gators move up in polls after LSU win

Florida's 30-point win over then-No. 4 LSU Saturday night vaulted the Gators back into to Top 5 in one poll, the Top 10 in another.

Florida is ranked No. 5 in the AP poll, ahead of three undefeated teams: Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and BYU.

However, in the USA Today Coaches Poll, the Gators are ranked No. 7, behind Texas Tech, and BYU.

Texas, with its win over last week's No. 1 Oklahoma, jumped Alabama to take over the No. 1 position in both polls.

The Gators (5-1) will be off this week, then host Kentucky on Oct. 25.

Here is the AP Top 10:

1. Texas (6-0)

2. Alabama (6-0)

3. Penn State (7-0)

4. Oklahoma (5-1)

5. Florida (5-1)

6. USC (4-1)

7. Texas Tech (6-0)

8. Oklahoma State (6-0)

9. BYU (6-0)

10. Georgia (5-1)

USA TODAY

1. Texas, 2. Alabama, 3. Penn State, 4. USC, 5. Texas Tech, 6. Oklahoma; 7. Florida, 8. BYU, 9. Georgia, 10. Oklahoma State.

Gators to get visit from 28 recruits at LSU game

Four of the nation's top high school recruits will join 24 other high school players who will be attending tonight's LSU game to see what the Gators have to offer.

Bob Redman, of FightinGators.com is all over the recruiting scene. Here's his breakdown of tonight's visitors.

LSU will be without DT Ricky Jean-Francois vs. Gators

LSU DT Ricky Jean-Francois, who was quoted earlier this week as saying if he got a shot, he wanted to take Florida QB Tim Tebow out, is injured and did not make the trip to Gainesville, according to Glenn Gilbeau of Gannett News Service.

Jean-Francois injured his groin and hip in the Tigers' last game on Sept. 27 against Mississippi State and was held out of practice during the open date last week. He returned to practice this week, but it was determined that he would not be able to play, according to a story on the USA Today website.

Here's the story.

Harvin's ankle won't keep him out of LSU game

Despite missing several days of practice this week with a sprained right ankle, junior WR/RB Percy Harvin is expected to play when the Gators host LSU Sunday night, coach Urban Meyer said Thursday.

OG Jim Tartt and RB Emmanuel Moody remain questionable for the game.

Freshman DT Omar Hunter Omar Hunter has a sprained ankle, and did not make the trip to Arkansas. Hunter, who has been plagued by injuries, has not practiced yet this week. Meyer said he does not know if Hunter will redshirt this season. And although he has struggled with the injuries, Meyer said his attitude and work ethic remain strong.

LSU player clarifies comments on Tebow

Okay, let's just forget the whole thing.

That's what LSU DT Ricky Jean-Francois is saying now. The junior said earlier this week he wanted to take Tebow out of the game if he had a clear shot during Saturday night's LSU-Florida game, but in a release by the school he said he never meant it the way it may have initially sounded.

"We never go into any football game trying to hurt a player from the other team," he said in the release. "My comments in regard to Florida quarterback Tim Tebow were misinterpreted and were intended to reflect the style of football that we play at LSU. We have great respect for Tim as player and a competitor. By taking him out of the game, I meant, as a defense we are going to try to make him ineffective. I'm sorry that my initial comments were interpreted another way."

Apology most likely accepted since Tebow said on Tuesday he wasn't offended and he didn't think Jean-Francois meant it the way it in a harmful way.

Gators get commitment from top-rated junior safety

Palm Beach Gardens safety Matt Elam, a junior at William T. Dwyer High School, orally committed to the Gators today.

"I talked to Coach Meyer this morning and we talked about my scholarship offer and the great family atmosphere that Florida has and how great this class will be,'' Elam told Scout.com. "I feel the love that Coach (Urban) Meyer has for me and for my brother when he coached him at Notre Dame and then I told him that I wanted to be a Gator and I can't wait to play for him."

Elam is 6-foot-1, 205 pounds with 4.45 speed. In his freshman and sophomore seasons, he had a combined eight interceptions and more than 100 tackles.

He told Scout.com he'll be in attendance at this weekend's Florida-LSU game.

Gators, Tigers still troubled by recent losses to each other

The video of last year's loss to LSU has now expanded from the weight room to the hallways and other areas of the Florida football facility.

That final, fateful fourth-quarter drive in a 28-24 loss still haunts the Gators.

But it turns out, the Tigers are still bothered by, and looking for motivation from, Florida's 23-10 victory in 2006 at Florida Field.

"It certainly is not a pleasant memory,'' LSU coach Les Miles said Wednesday morning. "I didn't feel like we as a team played as well as we're capable. We made mistakes, we turned the ball over unecessarily. I really felt like we should have played a lot better football game there. And certainly that's the goal, to change that as we go to Florida this weekend.''

Meanwhile, the Gators continue to use last year's loss at motivation.

"What's tough is you look at that game and we led up until a minute before it ended,'' UF defensive coordinator Charlie Strong said. "It's just the third downs we allowed them to get. Every possession, we were
watching it just the other day, and it was third-and-1, third-and-2, and then they get the fourth-and-1 and fourth-and-2. We get them to third-and- 18 and guy scrambles for 17 yards. It's hard because all those fourth downs, they made them. The goal line stand, we bring (Ryan) Stamper off the edge and you think you have the guy stopped . . . But it's tough and it's good that our players saw that game. You can still show it to them (and say) 'Look guys this cannot happen again.' ''

Florida-LSU audio slide show

Has Florida regained its footing from its upset loss to Mississippi with last weekend's win over Arkansas?

What did the Gators learn from last season's come-from-ahead loss to LSU? Why is Urban Meyer replaying the game in the weight room?

And what is Percy Harvin's status for Saturday's game?

Times beat writer Antonya English discusses this and more in an audio slide show.

LSU lineman says Tebow will be a target

Ahhhh, the buildup just keeps getting better for this weekend's Florida-LSU game in Gainesville. Now we've officially got trash-talking.

LSU DT Ricky Jean-Francois, a fomer Miami Carol City standout, told the Orlando Sentinel that if the Tigers get a clean shot at Tim Tebow, they'll try to knock the Florida quarterback out of the game Saturday night.

Details here.

Following Tuesday night's practice, Tebow said he's not concerned about Jean-Francois' comment.

"I'm a competitor and I think he really wasn't meaning it like a lot of people took it,'' Tebow said. "I just heard the statement and I think you'll try to use anything as motivation. But I don't think he really meant everything he said.''

Florida coach Urban Meyer said he was disappointed in the comment adding, "there's no place for that.''

Tebow said he thinks players should shy away from trash talk.

"I don't think it's ever a really good thing to talk trash because all it does is fire your opponent up,''
Tebow said. "At least I know that's how it is for me. I think people get fired up and even more competitive because that's how I am. So I don't think that's ever a good thing. But I really don't think he meant it like he said it.''

Ranked higher than Florida, LSU responds to underdog role

If you listen and read many college football analysts this week, No. 4 LSU is considered the underdog against No. 11 Florida this week. A lot of that has to do with the game being played in Gainesville.

LSU, therefore, is out to prove itself against the Gators.

Here's a Times-Picayune story on the the Tigers' thoughts about being the underdog.

Les Miles: Florida and Tebow underrated

LSU coach Les Miles said this week that despite Florida's loss to Ole Miss, he believes the Gators might be better than a No. 12/13 team.

Miles said after watching tape of the UF-Mississippi game, he thought Florida "played very well, but credit should go to Mississippi'' for outplaying the Gators on that particular day.

Still, he thinks the Gators may be underrated.

"Florida is a tremendous team in my opinion,'' Miles said. "They don't have any weaknesses. Nationally ranked, No. 11 is probably underselling them some. I think they are as talented a football team as I've seen.''

As for questions about whether Florida QB Tim Tebow is "struggling'' this season, Miles said he's not sure why people keep making that assessment.

"In my opinion, as a sophomore Heisman Trophy winner I think he's becoming more well-rounded, understands the game more and appears to me he's making better reads,'' Miles said. "He's certainly a competitive player, plays best when the chips are down, so I certainly have great respect for their quarterback and leader on their football team.''

You can decide for yourself it it's sincere, or just a coach saying nice things about the opponent because he has to.

Harvin's ankle injury not serious

Even though he was spotted wearing a boot Sunday night, UF coach Urban Meyer said RB Percy Harvin's ankle isn't seriously injured and he should be good to go for the LSU game.

"He was sore (Sunday), and they had him in a boot,'' Meyer said. "But he should be fine. Today is a good day off for him and those guys (injured).''

And add Will Hill to the list of players expected to return from injuries this week. Hill missed the Arkansas game with a hamstring injury.

Kenny Carter excited about his former team's success

Vanderbilt is 5-0 for the first time since 1943 and Florida RB coach Kenny Carter is ecstatic about the success Vandy is having this season. Carter joined the UF staff last spring after spending four seasons as the RB coach with the Commodores.

“I’m extremely excited about what’s going on with those guys,’’ Carter said. I talk to them all the time. I’m on the bus to Arkansas and I text Bobby (Johnson, Vandy head coach), and Bobby text me back. I have a great relationship with those guys and that’ll never change. Until we go to Nashville.’’

Carter said Johnson warned him earlier this year that the Commodores would be No. 1 at this point in the season.

"When I got here (at Florida), he text me and said, 'How's it going?' And I text him back and said, 'Everything's going good,''' Carter recalled. "He said, 'Well the only thing good thing that happened since you left is i got a better golf partner.' He's a really good golfer. I sent him one back and I said, 'I'm glad you guys are doing great, well deserved, you know how much I respect you.'  I said, 'It's too bad that you're going to be in second-place in the SEC once we get in the thick of this thing.' And he said, 'Well, we think we're going to be in first place.'  So I guess he knew what was going on.''

Vanderbilt leads the SEC East with a 3-0 record. Florida is in second at  2-1.

Two Gators honored by SEC

Sophomore center Maurkice Pouncey was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week and Jeff Demps is the SEC Freshman of the Week, the league office annouced Monday morning.

In Florida's 38-7 win over Arkanasas last week, Demps gained a career-high 103 yards on seven carries and scored on touchdown runs of 48 and 36 yards in the Gators’ 38-7 road victory over Arkansas. He joined teammate Chris Rainey as the first two Gator running backs to rush for over 100 yards in the same game since 1997 and the first freshman duo to accomplish the feat in school history. Demps currently owns three of the four longest carries by the Gators this season (62, 36, 48), ranks second on the team in rushing yards (178) and leads the team with three rushing touchdowns. His 13.7 average yards per carry is first in the nation among running backs with a minimum of 10 carries.

Pouncey graded out a team-best 94 percent and anchored a Gator offensive line that produced 278 rushing yards - the most in an SEC game under coach Urban Meyer.

Pouncey said following Sunday night's practice he's proud of the way the offensive line has held together, despite numerous injuries.

"All the guys just keep hanging in, playing hard and doing everything we can to help out each other and this team,'' he said.

Gators expect to get some injured players back for LSU

Injuries have taken a toll, but Florida could get some key players back this week, when defending national champion and No. 4 LSU comes to town.

Against Arkansas Saturday, UF was without two starting running backs, three offensive linemen and three defensive players.

Coach Urban Meyer said at least four injured players are expected to play this week: LB Ryan Stamper (ankle), RB Kestahn Moore (hamstring), G Marcus Gilbert (ankle) and freshman S Will Hill (hamstring). RB Emmanuel Moody and OG Jim Tartt (shoulder) are questionable. Junior WR Percy Harvin, who hurt his right foot Saturday but returned to the field, was in a boot after Sunday night's practice. His status was unknown. LB Dustin Doe (double hernia) will not play until after next week's bye.

The Gators moved up one spot in the AP poll to No. 11, and are No. 12 in the USA Today coaches poll.

Donovan signs new multi-year contract

Billy Donovan signed a multi-year contract on Friday, 16 months after he backed out of an agreement to coach the Orlando Magic and decided he wanted to remain with the Gators.

The contract has been on the table since last year, but Donovan had yet to sign. Despite speculation about the delay, both Donovan and Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley insisted there was no set timetable to sign, and that both sides were amenable to the contract.

Neither Foley nor Donovan were available for comment Friday.

Donovan, who is 285-115 and entering his 13th season with the Gators, has five years remaining on the contract, with an option for a sixth year, according to a copy obtained by The Times Friday evening.

He is set to earn a total compensation package that ranges from $3.3 million this season to $3.77 million in 2012-13. Donovan’s base salary during those years ranges from $195,000 this season to $215,000 in 2012-13. His incentives range from $50,000 for winning the SEC championship to $150,00 for winning a national title.

If Donovan decides to leave before the end of the contract, it will up to $500,000, but if he’s fired, he will receive $2.5 million for every year remaining on the contract. Donovan is also prohibited from exploring other employment options with any other university or professional team without written permission of the UF athletic director.

The contract also includes longevity incentives for approximately $450,000 over the length of the contract and compensation for speaking engagements, radio, television and website, and camps and promotional appearances that range from $2.49 million this season to $2.67 million in the final year of the contract.

James Smith named among Draddy semifinalists

Long snapper James Smith is among 164 semifinalists for the 2008 Draddy Trophy, presented to an athlete who has excelled in academics, football and community service. The award is commonly referred to as the "academic Heisman.''

Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, semifinalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2, be a first-team football player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The award was established to honor former National Football Foundation Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who developed the Izod and Lacoste brands. The award comes with a 25- pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.

Smith has appeared in 43 games during his career at Florida as the long snapper and has also been an important member of special teams on the kickoff unit. He is a three-time member of the Leadership Committee, which is a group of players selected by head coach Urban Meyer based on commitment, character and leadership who serve as spokesmen for the team regarding team policies, team academics and any off-campus situations that arise. A two-time member of UF’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Smith graduated from Florida in August of 2008 with a 3.5 GPA and bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Entrepreneurship at Florida and is on track to graduate in May of 2009.

Up to 15 finalists will be announced on Oct. 29.

SEC Basketball Tournament tickets on sale now

Public tickets for the 2009 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, which will be held in Tampa for the first time in league history, are on sale now.

Fans can purchase tickets through www.SECsports.com or by calling    1-800 732-4849.

The tournament will take place March 12-15, 2009, at the St. Pete Times Forum. Tickets will only be available by purchasing the reserved book for $300, which includes one ticket for each of the six sessions (11 games total).

Hospitality packages for the tournament will be available by contacting the Colonnade Group at (205) 320-1234.

Harvin insists Gators ready to rebound

The weekly team meeting on Sunday evening started out about as gloomy as possible, but by the end every member of the Gator squad had renewed enthusiasm for the season, Florida RB/WR Percy Harvin said.

Harvin said while the team and players are entirely different, the Gators were reminded that of the bitter loss to Auburn in 2006, and the fact that Florida went on to win the national championship that season.

"We were down, but that's the spirit that came after the team meeting on Sunday,'' Harvin said. "We knew we lost, but at the same time we know we're still where we need to be.''

Where they "need to be'' right now is in the thick of the SEC East race. The Gators will travel to struggling Arkansas this week, but after last week's loss to Mississippi, Harvin said the Gators are ready for a strong rebound.

"Nobody will take any team lightly anymore,'' Harvin said.

Harvin, who missed the first two games of the season recovering from surgery, said he has watched the Ole Miss game "about six times'' from kickoff until the final seconds ticked off the clock.

He said he takes a large responsibility for the loss because one of his fumbles led to an Ole Miss field goal early in the third quarter.

Needless to say, that's something the Gators are working extra hard on this week.

"It's something we've got to come back and work on a lot, ball securty,'' Harvin said. "That was my first time fumbling since my freshman year and that's something I take pride in.''