Georgia's final drive haunts UF's Quinn
October, 24, 2012
10/24/12
2:21
PM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn experienced a lot of lows during the 2011 season, but perhaps the lowest came against Georgia.
It wasn’t that the Gators got out-scored 21-3 after taking a 17-3 lead -- although that was agonizing for Quinn, too. It’s what the Bulldogs did in the game’s final 5:32.
Protecting a three-point lead, the Bulldogs methodically ate clock and never gave up the ball -- partly because of a costly penalty on a third down that extended the drive.
"It was certainly a low point for me," Quinn said Wednesday as the No. 2 Gators (7-0, 6-0 SEC) prepared for Saturday’s rematch with the No. 10 Bulldogs (7-1, 4-1). "When you look back at it we had chances to win the game and when you don’t, it eats at you for a long time. When you’re thinking about it or when you put the film on during the offseason to start on the study for them … and then certainly the number of times we’ve seen that sequence of plays this year, during this week especially, is hard."
It wasn’t that the Gators got out-scored 21-3 after taking a 17-3 lead -- although that was agonizing for Quinn, too. It’s what the Bulldogs did in the game’s final 5:32.
Protecting a three-point lead, the Bulldogs methodically ate clock and never gave up the ball -- partly because of a costly penalty on a third down that extended the drive.
"It was certainly a low point for me," Quinn said Wednesday as the No. 2 Gators (7-0, 6-0 SEC) prepared for Saturday’s rematch with the No. 10 Bulldogs (7-1, 4-1). "When you look back at it we had chances to win the game and when you don’t, it eats at you for a long time. When you’re thinking about it or when you put the film on during the offseason to start on the study for them … and then certainly the number of times we’ve seen that sequence of plays this year, during this week especially, is hard."
Big 3: Georgia's RBs present problems
October, 24, 2012
10/24/12
1:07
PM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida coach Will Muschamp took to the SEC's weekly teleconference on Wednesday morning to talk about the Gators’ game against Georgia on Saturday. He touched on Georgia's running backs, motivation for the Georgia game and what he learned form his first season.
1. Freshmen sensations
Georgia RBs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall have more than capably made up for the loss of RB Isaiah Crowell, and Muschamp is familiar with both players because he recruited them. The two have combined to rush for 1,110 yards and 14 touchdowns.
"Well, both guys are really talented. Gurley and Marshall are guys we recruited, both guys, and very familiar with both of them. Both have top end speed. Obviously Todd’s a little heavier at 6-1, 218 and Keith’s 5-11, about 215, 210. So both are very talented guys, do a nice job as far as the inside running game and getting the ball on the perimeter and have been very dangerous. In every game they’ve played they’ve broken runs. I think it’s a credit to what they’ve done with that offensive line. They lost some good players last year and they’ve done a good job with that."
2. Just another game
Florida can win the SEC’s Eastern Division by beating its biggest rival on Saturday, but despite what’s at stake the coaching staff isn’t doing anything special in terms of preparation or motivation for the game.
"We approach all games the same, and I know no one wants to hear that but that’s the way we do it here. When you consistently approach things the same way you approach consistent performance in your players and you don’t get a lot of peaks and valleys in how they play and how they approach it because all of a sudden, ‘If Coach Muschamp thinks this is the most important game, the next week may not be as important,’ and they all count for one and they’re all critical. We understand what’s at stake. When we got on the practice field on Monday, our guys were excited. You don’t need a bunch of pep talks this week to get them going. You don’t need to find different ways to try to motivate them this week. They’ll be excited to play."
3. Learning process
Muschamp’s second season has obviously been significantly better than his first. Here’s what he learned:
"Well, I think if you continue to do the same thing you’ll get the same results. And I’ve always lived by that. We needed to tweak some things here and there: how we worked, how we practiced, and some of the things we did because we had to. We lacked some depth and some numbers and we had some youth and we needed to continue to work. But the things that we didn’t change is philosophically our core values in the program and what we believe and what we want to be as a football program. That’s what you can’t do. It’s one thing to tweak something, but you can’t start changing every time it doesn’t work for sake of change. We never wavered. I never wavered of the path of the program and where we were headed."
1. Freshmen sensations
Georgia RBs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall have more than capably made up for the loss of RB Isaiah Crowell, and Muschamp is familiar with both players because he recruited them. The two have combined to rush for 1,110 yards and 14 touchdowns.
"Well, both guys are really talented. Gurley and Marshall are guys we recruited, both guys, and very familiar with both of them. Both have top end speed. Obviously Todd’s a little heavier at 6-1, 218 and Keith’s 5-11, about 215, 210. So both are very talented guys, do a nice job as far as the inside running game and getting the ball on the perimeter and have been very dangerous. In every game they’ve played they’ve broken runs. I think it’s a credit to what they’ve done with that offensive line. They lost some good players last year and they’ve done a good job with that."
2. Just another game
Florida can win the SEC’s Eastern Division by beating its biggest rival on Saturday, but despite what’s at stake the coaching staff isn’t doing anything special in terms of preparation or motivation for the game.
"We approach all games the same, and I know no one wants to hear that but that’s the way we do it here. When you consistently approach things the same way you approach consistent performance in your players and you don’t get a lot of peaks and valleys in how they play and how they approach it because all of a sudden, ‘If Coach Muschamp thinks this is the most important game, the next week may not be as important,’ and they all count for one and they’re all critical. We understand what’s at stake. When we got on the practice field on Monday, our guys were excited. You don’t need a bunch of pep talks this week to get them going. You don’t need to find different ways to try to motivate them this week. They’ll be excited to play."
3. Learning process
Muschamp’s second season has obviously been significantly better than his first. Here’s what he learned:
"Well, I think if you continue to do the same thing you’ll get the same results. And I’ve always lived by that. We needed to tweak some things here and there: how we worked, how we practiced, and some of the things we did because we had to. We lacked some depth and some numbers and we had some youth and we needed to continue to work. But the things that we didn’t change is philosophically our core values in the program and what we believe and what we want to be as a football program. That’s what you can’t do. It’s one thing to tweak something, but you can’t start changing every time it doesn’t work for sake of change. We never wavered. I never wavered of the path of the program and where we were headed."
Gators, Dawgs on different paths in Jax
October, 24, 2012
10/24/12
12:27
PM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
Success can be a tricky thing to handle.
Too much, and arrogance can set in. Too little, and depression follows.
For Florida’s football team, success has seemingly come and gone like the tide the past few years. From 2008 to 2009, the Gators stood with the giants of college football with a 26-2 record, a national championship and an SEC title. Then, Florida dabbled in mediocrity for two years with a 15-11 record.
Now, that wave of success has touched land in Gainesville again with the Gators undefeated and No. 2 in the BCS standings. A win against Georgia on Saturday, and Florida claims the SEC Eastern Division for the first time since 2009.
Florida’s rise back to relevancy has been a pleasant surprise, but so much success so quickly can be crippling, especially when players aren’t used to it.
Unlike the weeks -- and years, really -- prior, now all the pressure is on Florida. Win, and the Gators are headed to Atlanta. Lose, and the East is all but lost to one of its biggest rivals. All the work, the road comebacks and the top-10 victories will drift away.
That can be a lot for a team to digest, but senior defensive tackle Omar Hunter, one of the few Gators who has seen this sort of success before at the college level, doesn’t see a change in approach. The same demeanor that got Florida to 7-0 hasn’t disappeared before the season’s biggest game.
“This team is pretty mature compared to where we were last year,” Hunter said. “For the most part, those guys have been pretty focused on what we have to get done and not let stuff get to them.”
What Florida has to do is win, but it faces a team that was expected to be in Florida’s spot. The 10th-ranked Bulldogs (6-1) are almost limping into Saturday’s showdown. They were routed by South Carolina this month and are having an internal war of words on defense.
For a team that had BCS aspirations before the season, the Bulldogs will quietly bus into Jacksonville with a lot to prove. And unlike the Gators, this is familiar territory for the Dawgs.
Too much, and arrogance can set in. Too little, and depression follows.
For Florida’s football team, success has seemingly come and gone like the tide the past few years. From 2008 to 2009, the Gators stood with the giants of college football with a 26-2 record, a national championship and an SEC title. Then, Florida dabbled in mediocrity for two years with a 15-11 record.
[+] Enlarge
John Sommers II/Getty ImagesCoach Will Muschamp has Florida back in the top five of the national rankings.
John Sommers II/Getty ImagesCoach Will Muschamp has Florida back in the top five of the national rankings. Florida’s rise back to relevancy has been a pleasant surprise, but so much success so quickly can be crippling, especially when players aren’t used to it.
Unlike the weeks -- and years, really -- prior, now all the pressure is on Florida. Win, and the Gators are headed to Atlanta. Lose, and the East is all but lost to one of its biggest rivals. All the work, the road comebacks and the top-10 victories will drift away.
That can be a lot for a team to digest, but senior defensive tackle Omar Hunter, one of the few Gators who has seen this sort of success before at the college level, doesn’t see a change in approach. The same demeanor that got Florida to 7-0 hasn’t disappeared before the season’s biggest game.
“This team is pretty mature compared to where we were last year,” Hunter said. “For the most part, those guys have been pretty focused on what we have to get done and not let stuff get to them.”
What Florida has to do is win, but it faces a team that was expected to be in Florida’s spot. The 10th-ranked Bulldogs (6-1) are almost limping into Saturday’s showdown. They were routed by South Carolina this month and are having an internal war of words on defense.
For a team that had BCS aspirations before the season, the Bulldogs will quietly bus into Jacksonville with a lot to prove. And unlike the Gators, this is familiar territory for the Dawgs.
UF-UGA: Top 10 recruiting battles 
October, 24, 2012
10/24/12
12:00
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson and
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
The Florida-Georgia rivalry doesn't just take place in Jacksonville. The two schools compete all year long on the recruiting trail around the Southeast. Kipp Adams of DawgNation and Derek Tyson of GatorNation take a look at ten of the top battles for blue-chip players, five from each school's perspective.
DE Jermaine Cunningham (Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson): The four-star defensive end had offers from Auburn, Georgia, Florida State, Tennessee and Virginia Tech. Cunningham had his most productive year at Florida in 2006 when he produced 64 tackles, including 12 for a loss and 6.5 sacks. A second team all-SEC selection in 2008 and 2009, Cunningham was a second-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in the 2010 NFL draft.
Florida
WR Jacquez Green (Fort Valley, Ga./Peach Co.): Green played quarterback in high school and was recruited by the in-state Bulldogs to be a cornerback. Green, however, admittedly wasn't a fan of Georgia head coach Ray Goff and wanted to play offense on the next level. Green signed with Florida to play wide receiver for Steve Spurrier. Green caught 61 passes for 1,024 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior and was a consensus All-American in 1997. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1998 draft.DE Jermaine Cunningham (Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson): The four-star defensive end had offers from Auburn, Georgia, Florida State, Tennessee and Virginia Tech. Cunningham had his most productive year at Florida in 2006 when he produced 64 tackles, including 12 for a loss and 6.5 sacks. A second team all-SEC selection in 2008 and 2009, Cunningham was a second-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in the 2010 NFL draft.
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DawgNation links: Defense's slow starts
October, 24, 2012
10/24/12
10:57
AM ET
By DawgNation staff | ESPN.com
Note: During this rivalry week, GatorNation will offer you a peek behind enemy lines with links to DawgNation stories.
David Ching writes
: Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham likes the way his players are closing out games, but he wants the unit to start quicker.
Ching writes: Georgia safety Shawn Williams said his piece following Monday’s practice. On Tuesday evening, his teammates had their opportunity to respond to Williams calling the Bulldogs’ defense soft.
Radi Nabulsi writes: The Bulldogs are already targeting some of the top defensive backs in the 2014 class.
David Ching writes
: Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham likes the way his players are closing out games, but he wants the unit to start quicker.
Ching writes: Georgia safety Shawn Williams said his piece following Monday’s practice. On Tuesday evening, his teammates had their opportunity to respond to Williams calling the Bulldogs’ defense soft.
Radi Nabulsi writes
: The Bulldogs are already targeting some of the top defensive backs in the 2014 class.
Top 5 heartbreaks for Georgia vs. Florida
October, 24, 2012
10/24/12
8:00
AM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- It’s Florida-Georgia week, which means it’s time to take a look back at the annual series between the two Southeastern Conference rivals.
Each day this week, GatorNation will have a top five list that captures the colorful history of the series.
Today’s list:
Top 5 heartbreaking moments in series history for Georgia:
2002: Florida 20, Georgia 13
No. 5 Georgia was unbeaten. Florida was unranked and lost its best receiver to a knee injury on the first series. Easy victory for the Bulldogs? Nope. Backup WRs Kelvin Kight (nine catches, 115 yards) and Carlos Perez (12 catches, 115 yards) responded with career days while UF’s defense kept Georgia from converting a single third down (0 for 13). Georgia WR Terrance Edwards also dropped a potential touchdown pass with less than three minutes to play.
The heartbreak: That loss is what kept Georgia from playing for a national title. The Bulldogs finished 13-1.
1993: Florida 33, Georgia 26
On a muddy, rain-soaked field, Georgia QB Eric Zeier threw an apparent game-winning 12-yard touchdown pass to WR Jerry Jerman in the final seconds. Except it didn’t count because officials ruled that UF freshman CB Anthone Lott signaled time out just before the snap. Lott was penalized for face guarding on the ensuing play, and Zeier got one more chance to win the game. His final pass bounced off the hands of WR Jeff Thomas.
2003: Florida 16, Georgia 13
The fourth-ranked Bulldogs were very much in the national title race until a Saturday afternoon in Jacksonville. Georgia ran for 202 yards and held unranked Florida to 1-for-12 on third down, but the Gators sacked QB David Greene four times and intercepted him twice. QB Chris Leak drove the Gators from their 17 to the Georgia 15, where Matt Leach kicked a game-winning field goal with 33 seconds remaining.
1995: Florida 52, Georgia 17
Why is this a heartbreaking loss? The game was being played in Athens, Ga., because of renovations to the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., which is significant because UF coach Steve Spurrier found out that no team had ever scored 50 points on the Bulldogs in their home stadium. That’s why he scored a TD with 1:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. "We wanted to score 50 because it had never been done," Spurrier said after the game. "Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?"
2008: Florida 49, Georgia 10
Florida coach Urban Meyer delivered payback for the Gator Stomp – Georgia’s end-zone celebration after Knowshon Moreno’s first-quarter TD run -- the year before by calling two timeouts with less than a minute remaining to prolong the Bulldogs’ misery.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Phil CoaleTim Tebow and the Gators got revenge for the 'Gator Stomp' in 2008, putting a 49-10 beating on the Bulldogs.
AP Photo/Phil CoaleTim Tebow and the Gators got revenge for the 'Gator Stomp' in 2008, putting a 49-10 beating on the Bulldogs.Today’s list:
Top 5 heartbreaking moments in series history for Georgia:
2002: Florida 20, Georgia 13
No. 5 Georgia was unbeaten. Florida was unranked and lost its best receiver to a knee injury on the first series. Easy victory for the Bulldogs? Nope. Backup WRs Kelvin Kight (nine catches, 115 yards) and Carlos Perez (12 catches, 115 yards) responded with career days while UF’s defense kept Georgia from converting a single third down (0 for 13). Georgia WR Terrance Edwards also dropped a potential touchdown pass with less than three minutes to play.
The heartbreak: That loss is what kept Georgia from playing for a national title. The Bulldogs finished 13-1.
1993: Florida 33, Georgia 26
On a muddy, rain-soaked field, Georgia QB Eric Zeier threw an apparent game-winning 12-yard touchdown pass to WR Jerry Jerman in the final seconds. Except it didn’t count because officials ruled that UF freshman CB Anthone Lott signaled time out just before the snap. Lott was penalized for face guarding on the ensuing play, and Zeier got one more chance to win the game. His final pass bounced off the hands of WR Jeff Thomas.
2003: Florida 16, Georgia 13
The fourth-ranked Bulldogs were very much in the national title race until a Saturday afternoon in Jacksonville. Georgia ran for 202 yards and held unranked Florida to 1-for-12 on third down, but the Gators sacked QB David Greene four times and intercepted him twice. QB Chris Leak drove the Gators from their 17 to the Georgia 15, where Matt Leach kicked a game-winning field goal with 33 seconds remaining.
1995: Florida 52, Georgia 17
Why is this a heartbreaking loss? The game was being played in Athens, Ga., because of renovations to the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., which is significant because UF coach Steve Spurrier found out that no team had ever scored 50 points on the Bulldogs in their home stadium. That’s why he scored a TD with 1:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. "We wanted to score 50 because it had never been done," Spurrier said after the game. "Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?"
2008: Florida 49, Georgia 10
Florida coach Urban Meyer delivered payback for the Gator Stomp – Georgia’s end-zone celebration after Knowshon Moreno’s first-quarter TD run -- the year before by calling two timeouts with less than a minute remaining to prolong the Bulldogs’ misery.
Bama TE commit O.J. Howard interview
October, 23, 2012
10/23/12
7:32
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Greg Ostendorf talks to ESPN 150 tight end and Alabama commit O.J. Howard about his career night on the field and which schools still recruit him off it.
Alabama, Oregon, Florida, Kansas State and Notre Dame all have undefeated aspirations. Which of them has the best shot? ESPN Insider Brian Fremeau compared each team against a close recent profile and modeled the results. So far, Bama has the best shot, but some of the results might surprise you. Read the complete story here .
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- They call them violators.
That's the term Florida's coaches and players use for players who don't secure the football when they're carrying it. Don't hold it high and tight? A violator. Hold the ball away from their body? A violator. Don't hold it with two hands in traffic? A violator.
And the Gators are making violators pay. A lot.
Kim Klement/US PresswireFlorida's Chris Johnson (32) picked up a fumble and nearly scored during the second quarter against South Carolina. Florida forced four fumbles and recovered three.Florida has already forced nine fumbles this season. The Gators have recovered seven, including three in last Saturday's victory over South Carolina. Why have they been so successful this season? Because they're watching film to find violators who don't secure the ball, and they're going after those players on Saturdays.
"Coach [Dan] Quinn brought that word around and it hung with us ever since," CB Loucheiz Purifoy said. "A violator is someone who is going to lose the ball, regardless. If you've got the tip of the ball down, you’re a violator. If we can get it out, that’s what you call violator. I’m sure South Carolina heard that a lot [last] weekend."
Purifoy said QB Connor Shaw was the Gamecocks' No. 1 violator on film, which is why he went for the ball when he hit Shaw on a blitz on the game's first play. The ball popped loose and the Gators recovered on the South Carolina 1-yard line. Another noticeable violator on film? WR Ace Sanders. Trey Burton got him, too, forcing a fumble on a punt return.
That's the term Florida's coaches and players use for players who don't secure the football when they're carrying it. Don't hold it high and tight? A violator. Hold the ball away from their body? A violator. Don't hold it with two hands in traffic? A violator.
And the Gators are making violators pay. A lot.
Kim Klement/US PresswireFlorida's Chris Johnson (32) picked up a fumble and nearly scored during the second quarter against South Carolina. Florida forced four fumbles and recovered three."Coach [Dan] Quinn brought that word around and it hung with us ever since," CB Loucheiz Purifoy said. "A violator is someone who is going to lose the ball, regardless. If you've got the tip of the ball down, you’re a violator. If we can get it out, that’s what you call violator. I’m sure South Carolina heard that a lot [last] weekend."
Purifoy said QB Connor Shaw was the Gamecocks' No. 1 violator on film, which is why he went for the ball when he hit Shaw on a blitz on the game's first play. The ball popped loose and the Gators recovered on the South Carolina 1-yard line. Another noticeable violator on film? WR Ace Sanders. Trey Burton got him, too, forcing a fumble on a punt return.
DawgNation links: Reverse the curse
October, 23, 2012
10/23/12
4:45
PM ET
By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com
Note: During this rivalry week, GatorNation will offer you a peek behind enemy lines with links to DawgNation stories.
David Ching writes: Georgia is 8 for its last 20 in games against ranked opponents. Saturday’s SEC East showdown with No. 2 Florida offers a chance to reverse the trend.
Ching writes: Senior safety Shawn Williams thinks his fellow defensive players aren’t playing with any toughness.
Ching writes: Injuries are getting in the way of awards campaigns for some key Bulldogs.
Radi Nabulsi and Derek Tyson write: Despite the overlap in prospects, few top recruits are expected to attend the neutral-site Florida-Georgia game.
David Ching writes: Georgia is 8 for its last 20 in games against ranked opponents. Saturday’s SEC East showdown with No. 2 Florida offers a chance to reverse the trend.
Ching writes: Senior safety Shawn Williams thinks his fellow defensive players aren’t playing with any toughness.
Ching writes: Injuries are getting in the way of awards campaigns for some key Bulldogs.
Radi Nabulsi and Derek Tyson write: Despite the overlap in prospects, few top recruits are expected to attend the neutral-site Florida-Georgia game.
Despite a loss to its bitter rival, Tennessee cemented its standing with Jalen Tabor.
The Watch List safety from Washington Friendship told ESPN that Tennessee is firmly in his top five, along with Alabama, Maryland, Ohio State and Florida.
"It was great," Tabor said via text message when asked about the visit. "I couldn't ask for anything more."
The Watch List safety from Washington Friendship told ESPN that Tennessee is firmly in his top five, along with Alabama, Maryland, Ohio State and Florida.
"It was great," Tabor said via text message when asked about the visit. "I couldn't ask for anything more."
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We have a new No. 1, and he's getting more national Heisman buzz as well:
1. AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama: People wondered if he could throw when called upon and he did just that against Tennessee. McCarron passed for a career-high 306 yards and had four touchdowns in Alabama's blowout win. He is still one of the country's most efficient passers and is tied for first in the SEC with 16 passing touchdowns. He's one of only two quarterbacks nationally to start seven games without throwing an interception. McCarron has more than 1,400 passing yards and the more Alabama wins, the better for McCarron in this race.
2. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M: For the second time this season, a stout defense found a way to shut down Johnny Football in the second half. First, it was Florida, and Saturday it was LSU. Both turned out to be losses for the Aggies. Manziel passed for 276 yards, but threw three interceptions and rushed for only 27 yards. He also was held out of the end zone for the first time this season. Still, Manziel has a chance to get back in this race nationally with strong showings down the home stretch. He's second in the SEC in passing (1,956), second in rushing (703) and has accounted for 24 touchdowns (14 passing, 10 rushing).
3. Mike Gillislee, RB, Florida: South Carolina kept Gillislee in check over the weekend. He carried the ball 19 times for 37 yards, averaging 1.9 yards per carry. The Gamecocks swarmed around him whenever he touched the ball and made his life miserable. There are still plenty more opportunities for Gillislee to make some real Heisman noise, and he'll get a great chance this weekend against Georgia. He's fourth in the SEC in rushing with 652 yards and has seven touchdowns.
4. Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia: The bye week was great for Murray. He had a true record-breaking night against Kentucky on Saturday, completing a career-high 30 passes for a career-high 427 yards and had four touchdowns. His 427 yards were fourth best in school history and second best in the SEC this season. His 78.95 completion percentage was a school record by a quarterback with at least 30 completions. Murray is now tied for third in the SEC in passing (1,914) and is tied for first with 16 touchdowns. A win over Florida will definitely give him a boost in this race.
5. LaDarius Perkins, RB, Mississippi State: Another back with dynamic ability in the SEC. Real shocker there. Perkins has flown under the radar all season, but he leads the SEC in rushing (724) and all-purpose yards (1,002). He can hurt defenses so many different ways when he touches the ball. He isn't just a bruiser; he can outrun a few guys out there. He'll get a chance to really make a name for himself with a big day against No. 1 Alabama Saturday.
1. AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama: People wondered if he could throw when called upon and he did just that against Tennessee. McCarron passed for a career-high 306 yards and had four touchdowns in Alabama's blowout win. He is still one of the country's most efficient passers and is tied for first in the SEC with 16 passing touchdowns. He's one of only two quarterbacks nationally to start seven games without throwing an interception. McCarron has more than 1,400 passing yards and the more Alabama wins, the better for McCarron in this race.
2. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M: For the second time this season, a stout defense found a way to shut down Johnny Football in the second half. First, it was Florida, and Saturday it was LSU. Both turned out to be losses for the Aggies. Manziel passed for 276 yards, but threw three interceptions and rushed for only 27 yards. He also was held out of the end zone for the first time this season. Still, Manziel has a chance to get back in this race nationally with strong showings down the home stretch. He's second in the SEC in passing (1,956), second in rushing (703) and has accounted for 24 touchdowns (14 passing, 10 rushing).
3. Mike Gillislee, RB, Florida: South Carolina kept Gillislee in check over the weekend. He carried the ball 19 times for 37 yards, averaging 1.9 yards per carry. The Gamecocks swarmed around him whenever he touched the ball and made his life miserable. There are still plenty more opportunities for Gillislee to make some real Heisman noise, and he'll get a great chance this weekend against Georgia. He's fourth in the SEC in rushing with 652 yards and has seven touchdowns.
4. Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia: The bye week was great for Murray. He had a true record-breaking night against Kentucky on Saturday, completing a career-high 30 passes for a career-high 427 yards and had four touchdowns. His 427 yards were fourth best in school history and second best in the SEC this season. His 78.95 completion percentage was a school record by a quarterback with at least 30 completions. Murray is now tied for third in the SEC in passing (1,914) and is tied for first with 16 touchdowns. A win over Florida will definitely give him a boost in this race.
5. LaDarius Perkins, RB, Mississippi State: Another back with dynamic ability in the SEC. Real shocker there. Perkins has flown under the radar all season, but he leads the SEC in rushing (724) and all-purpose yards (1,002). He can hurt defenses so many different ways when he touches the ball. He isn't just a bruiser; he can outrun a few guys out there. He'll get a chance to really make a name for himself with a big day against No. 1 Alabama Saturday.
ESPN 150 TE Howard talks UF visit
October, 23, 2012
10/23/12
9:10
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Although ESPN 150 tight end O.J. Howard (Prattville, Ala./Autauga Academy) is committed to the University of Alabama, he took a visit to Florida during the weekend to see the Gators play South Carolina on Saturday.
“It was different from my usual visits,” Howard said. “It was a different environment going to Florida. It was overall a good visit. The fans were into it the whole time. They did the fourth-quarter song where they stand up. That was pretty cool.”
The game did not disappoint either, as Florida dominated the Gamecocks 44-11 to take control of the SEC East.
“It was different from my usual visits,” Howard said. “It was a different environment going to Florida. It was overall a good visit. The fans were into it the whole time. They did the fourth-quarter song where they stand up. That was pretty cool.”
The game did not disappoint either, as Florida dominated the Gamecocks 44-11 to take control of the SEC East.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Here’s a recap of how Florida’s players on national award Watch lists are faring this season:
Rob Foldy/Icon SMIKyle Christy is now first in the nation in punting after a huge day against South Carolina.LB Jon Bostic
Watch lists: College Football Performance Award Linebacker Trophy, Butkus Award, Rotary Lombardi.
Last week’s stats: four tackles.
Season stats: 38 tackles, three sacks for minus-17 yards, three QB hurries, one forced fumble, two pass break-ups.
Comment: Stats don’t show it, but he played a solid game against the Gamecocks.
FB Trey Burton
Watch list: CFPA Running Back Trophy.
Last week’s stats: five carries for 10 yards, 1-for-1 passing for 1 yard, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery.
Season stats: 15 carries for 119 yards and two TDs, seven catches for 74 yards, 1-for-1 passing for 1 yard, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery.
Comment: His hit on Ace Sanders resulted in a fumble he recovered to set up Florida’s second touchdown.
P Kyle Christy
Watch list: CFPA Punter Trophy
Last week’s stats: averaged 54.3 yards on seven punts.
Season stats: averaging 47.9 yards on 36 punts, 13 inside the 20, 18 of at least 50 yards.
Comment: Huge day vaulted him to No. 1 in the nation in punting. Won SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.
WR/KR Andre Debose
Watch lists: CFPA All-Purpose Trophy, CFPA Kickoff Returner Trophy, CFPA Wide Receiver Trophy, Biletnikoff.
Last week’s stats: one punt return for 19 yards, one kickoff return for 39 yards.
Season stats: averaging 25.3 yards on 12 kickoff returns, averaging 10.2 on nine punt returns, two carries for 1 yard, one catch for 5 yards.
Comment: Debose did a much better job of coming up to field punts and saving the Gators yardage. He’s starting to develop the consistency the coaching staff is looking for.
DE Dominique Easley
Watch list: Ted Hendricks Award.
Last week’s stats: one tackle, one sack for minus-3 yards.
Season stats: nine tackles, two sacks for minus-8 yards, two QB hurries.
Comment: He blew up South Carolina’s first place, forcing QB Connor Shaw to hold onto the ball too long and setting the stage for Loucheiz Purifoy’s strip sack.
Rob Foldy/Icon SMIKyle Christy is now first in the nation in punting after a huge day against South Carolina.Watch lists: College Football Performance Award Linebacker Trophy, Butkus Award, Rotary Lombardi.
Last week’s stats: four tackles.
Season stats: 38 tackles, three sacks for minus-17 yards, three QB hurries, one forced fumble, two pass break-ups.
Comment: Stats don’t show it, but he played a solid game against the Gamecocks.
FB Trey Burton
Watch list: CFPA Running Back Trophy.
Last week’s stats: five carries for 10 yards, 1-for-1 passing for 1 yard, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery.
Season stats: 15 carries for 119 yards and two TDs, seven catches for 74 yards, 1-for-1 passing for 1 yard, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery.
Comment: His hit on Ace Sanders resulted in a fumble he recovered to set up Florida’s second touchdown.
P Kyle Christy
Watch list: CFPA Punter Trophy
Last week’s stats: averaged 54.3 yards on seven punts.
Season stats: averaging 47.9 yards on 36 punts, 13 inside the 20, 18 of at least 50 yards.
Comment: Huge day vaulted him to No. 1 in the nation in punting. Won SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.
WR/KR Andre Debose
Watch lists: CFPA All-Purpose Trophy, CFPA Kickoff Returner Trophy, CFPA Wide Receiver Trophy, Biletnikoff.
Last week’s stats: one punt return for 19 yards, one kickoff return for 39 yards.
Season stats: averaging 25.3 yards on 12 kickoff returns, averaging 10.2 on nine punt returns, two carries for 1 yard, one catch for 5 yards.
Comment: Debose did a much better job of coming up to field punts and saving the Gators yardage. He’s starting to develop the consistency the coaching staff is looking for.
DE Dominique Easley
Watch list: Ted Hendricks Award.
Last week’s stats: one tackle, one sack for minus-3 yards.
Season stats: nine tackles, two sacks for minus-8 yards, two QB hurries.
Comment: He blew up South Carolina’s first place, forcing QB Connor Shaw to hold onto the ball too long and setting the stage for Loucheiz Purifoy’s strip sack.
Top 5 heartbreaks for Florida vs. Georgia
October, 23, 2012
10/23/12
8:00
AM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – It’s Florida-Georgia week, which means it’s time to take a look back at the annual series between the two Southeastern Conference rivals.
Each day this week, GatorNation will have a top-five list that captures the colorful history of the series.
Today’s list:
Top 5 heartbreaking moments in Florida-Georgia series history for Florida:
1974: Georgia 17, Florida 16
Florida needed to beat Georgia to win the first SEC title in school history, and it looked like the Gators were on the verge of getting it. QB Don Gaffney had scored on a 4-yard run with 28 seconds remaining, and coach Doug Dickey elected to go for two instead of the tie. Gaffney had beaten Georgia with a two-point conversion the previous year, but this time his pass to Jimmy DuBose was incomplete because Georgia safety Dave Schwak hit DuBose as the ball got there.
Each day this week, GatorNation will have a top-five list that captures the colorful history of the series.
Today’s list:
Top 5 heartbreaking moments in Florida-Georgia series history for Florida:
1974: Georgia 17, Florida 16
Florida needed to beat Georgia to win the first SEC title in school history, and it looked like the Gators were on the verge of getting it. QB Don Gaffney had scored on a 4-yard run with 28 seconds remaining, and coach Doug Dickey elected to go for two instead of the tie. Gaffney had beaten Georgia with a two-point conversion the previous year, but this time his pass to Jimmy DuBose was incomplete because Georgia safety Dave Schwak hit DuBose as the ball got there.
ABOUT GATOR NATION
Michael DiRocco
Michael DiRocco came to ESPN.com in 2011 after spending 10 and a half years covering UF for the Florida Times-Union. He lives in Middleburg, Fla., with his wife and two sons. Email him at espndirocco@gmail.com.
Derek Tyson
Derek Tyson joined ESPN.com in 2011. He worked as a football and recruiting analyst for GatorCountry.com before joining ESPN. He currently resides in Gainesville, Fla. Email him at derektysonespn@gmail.com.