Austin Appleby lets out his emotions following Saturday's SEC East-clinching win at LSU. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)
Appleby Makes Most of Second Chance with Gators
Monday, November 21, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
The graduate transfer from Purdue is back in lineup after Luke Del Rio was injured for second time this season.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Austin Appleby's career at Florida could easily have gone down in history as nothing more than a blip on the radar as recently as two weeks ago.
Once Luke Del Rio returned from a knee injury that cost him two games and led the Gators to wins over Missouri and Georgia, it appeared Del Rio would go the distance as Florida's starting quarterback.
And then when head coach Jim McElwain didn't replace a struggling Del Rio in Florida's 31-10 loss at Arkansas on Nov. 5, you wondered if Appleby would ever see the field again.
Of course, two days after the Arkansas loss everything changed when McElwain announced Del Rio was out with a shoulder injury and Appleby would start against South Carolina.
Two wins and an SEC East title later, Appleby is walking around campus with a big grin and renewed outlook.
"This is [why I came here],'' the graduate transfer from Purdue said following Saturday's win at LSU. "If you would have told me that I'd be quarterbacking the SEC East champ, I would have told you you're crazy. It's been an incredible ride."
Appleby earned his undergraduate degree from Purdue last spring and then informed the Boilermakers his plan to transfer for his final year of eligibility. He signed with the Gators and was omnipresent around the football offices over the summer trying to catch up on the offense and make an impact.
Test passed.
"Guys around him believe in him,'' McElwain said Monday. "And that has to do more so because they see the work he puts in studying, playing, and affecting the people around him in a positive way. I'm excited for him."
Appleby's biggest contribution for the Gators came at a crucial time in the third quarter Saturday. Trailing 7-3, Appleby connected with receiver Tyrie Cleveland for a 98-yard touchdown pass on UF's first offensive play of the second half.
The second-longest touchdown pass in school history rejuvenated the Gators and gave them their first lead. The play reminded Appleby of summer workouts when Cleveland, a true freshman, insisted to run a deep go-route at the end of each practice before calling it a day.
"Dude, my arm is hanging,'' Appleby would tell him. "We just threw like 40 of them."
Cleveland remained persistent and Appleby often gave in. The go-route at LSU was worth every one of Appleby's tired arms over the summer.
"It makes it pretty easy when you can take five steps and throw it up and the guy does the rest,'' Appleby said. "I saw our little section gong insane. I figured I should go insane, too."
Appleby is 3-1 as Florida's starter and with Del Rio still out, he'll play in his first Florida-Florida State game on Saturday in Tallahassee.
That's a long way from Purdue.
"I'm right where I'm supposed to be and I couldn't be more thrilled,'' Appleby said.
Added receiver Brandon Powell: "He's just playing with so much confidence right now. That's good. That's helping us out."
Once Luke Del Rio returned from a knee injury that cost him two games and led the Gators to wins over Missouri and Georgia, it appeared Del Rio would go the distance as Florida's starting quarterback.
And then when head coach Jim McElwain didn't replace a struggling Del Rio in Florida's 31-10 loss at Arkansas on Nov. 5, you wondered if Appleby would ever see the field again.
Of course, two days after the Arkansas loss everything changed when McElwain announced Del Rio was out with a shoulder injury and Appleby would start against South Carolina.
Two wins and an SEC East title later, Appleby is walking around campus with a big grin and renewed outlook.
"This is [why I came here],'' the graduate transfer from Purdue said following Saturday's win at LSU. "If you would have told me that I'd be quarterbacking the SEC East champ, I would have told you you're crazy. It's been an incredible ride."
Appleby earned his undergraduate degree from Purdue last spring and then informed the Boilermakers his plan to transfer for his final year of eligibility. He signed with the Gators and was omnipresent around the football offices over the summer trying to catch up on the offense and make an impact.
Test passed.
"Guys around him believe in him,'' McElwain said Monday. "And that has to do more so because they see the work he puts in studying, playing, and affecting the people around him in a positive way. I'm excited for him."
Appleby's biggest contribution for the Gators came at a crucial time in the third quarter Saturday. Trailing 7-3, Appleby connected with receiver Tyrie Cleveland for a 98-yard touchdown pass on UF's first offensive play of the second half.
The second-longest touchdown pass in school history rejuvenated the Gators and gave them their first lead. The play reminded Appleby of summer workouts when Cleveland, a true freshman, insisted to run a deep go-route at the end of each practice before calling it a day.
"Dude, my arm is hanging,'' Appleby would tell him. "We just threw like 40 of them."
Cleveland remained persistent and Appleby often gave in. The go-route at LSU was worth every one of Appleby's tired arms over the summer.
"It makes it pretty easy when you can take five steps and throw it up and the guy does the rest,'' Appleby said. "I saw our little section gong insane. I figured I should go insane, too."
Appleby is 3-1 as Florida's starter and with Del Rio still out, he'll play in his first Florida-Florida State game on Saturday in Tallahassee.
That's a long way from Purdue.
"I'm right where I'm supposed to be and I couldn't be more thrilled,'' Appleby said.
Added receiver Brandon Powell: "He's just playing with so much confidence right now. That's good. That's helping us out."
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