Lots of Clutter (and Injuries) to Cut Through, as Gamecocks Head to Town

Junior center Cam Dillard was one of several key UF players injured in Saturday's loss at Arkansas.

Lots of Clutter (and Injuries) to Cut Through, as Gamecocks Head to Town

Monday, November 7, 2016 | Football, Chris Harry

The Gators have to somehow look past the stakes and storylines of Saturday's date against former UF coach Will Muschamp and focus on getting a much-needed victory.

By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The first question put to Jim McElwain on Monday had to do with his Florida offense and how it was (in the media rep's words) "struggling a little bit."

McElwain interrupted in.

"A lotta bit."

The UF coach was saying just what Gator Nation was thinking in the wake of Saturday's 31-10 leveling at Arkansas, an outcome that, given the anemic performance on the offensive side of the ball, was even more lopsided than the final score suggested. The Gators failed to score an offensive touchdown and finished with just 241 total yards, including only 12 rushing on 14 tries.

And they lost their quarterback.

McElwain announced at his weekly Monday news conference that sophomore quarterback Luke Del Rio suffered a shoulder injury in the first half against the Razorbacks (unbeknownst to the UF coaches and trainers) and tried to play through the pain in the second half. The results were just 19 completions on 37 attempts for 229 yards and two interceptions.

The first of the picks came on Florida's first play from scrimmage (before Del Rio was hurt) and was returned for a touchdown; the second came on a badly underthrown ball down the middle of the field (after he was hurt).

In revealing the injury to the media Monday, McElwain said he was throwing open the QB competition this week as the No. 16 Gators (6-2, 4-2) prepare for Saturday's home finale against former UF coach Will Muschamp and his South Carolina Gamecocks (5-4, 3-4). Fifth-year senior Austin Appleby, who started at Tennessee (a loss) and Vanderbilt (win) earlier this season will get the first crack at practice, but McElwain insisted both of his true freshmen, Kyle Trask and Feleipe Franks, would get close looks as well.

He also said, hindsight being 20/20, he should have relieved Del Rio at halftime of the game at Fayetteville.

"He's a tough guy. Never said anything," McElwain said of Del Rio, adding the QB will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of an injury that figures to keep him out several weeks, minimum. "It speaks to him. … And yet, you know, we didn't execute. Like I said, had I known the severity, probably wouldn't have [sent him back in the game]."

Linebacker Alex Anzalone wasn't nearly as fortunate. The fourth-year junior and one of UF's best defensive players broke his arm in the game and is done for the season. Center Cameron Dillard suffered a knee injury and already has been ruled out for the South Carolina game, while linebacker and leading tackler Jarrad Davis is doubtful for his "Senior Day" swan song at the "Swamp" after aggravating the ankle injury sustained Oct. 15 against Missouri.

Defensive end Cece Jefferson (leg), wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (knee) and wideout/kick returner Chris Thompson will be game-time decisions.

Is it any wonder that when asked what disappointed McElwain most in what happened against the Hogs, the coach said, "The way they took it to us."

As in the physical, take-charge manner the Razorbacks seized control of both lines of scrimmage, thwarting everything the Gators offense tried to do while rolling up 466 yards of offense, including 243 yards on the ground.

Throw in the slew of injuries on defense — freshmen David Reese and Kylan Johnson not only will have to play a bunch at linebacker, but make the defensive calls — and UF is facing its greatest hurdle of adversity this season, with a confident South Carolina team coming to town. The Gamecocks have won three straight, including an upset of Tennessee two weeks ago, and will be led by a coach toting a bunch of knowledge about the Florida personnel, not to mention the chip on his shoulder of having something to prove to the place that fired him two years ago.

"It's going to be different,'' said senior wideout Ahmad Fulwood, one of more than 25 Gators who were recruited to UF by Muschamp. "I'm excited for what he's going to bring on the other sideline, the energy. I'm excited for the game."

Will Muschamp embrace the role of spoiler?

"Oh, no doubt."

McElwain had some nice words to say about his predecessor; both for what he left behind at Florida and what he's developed in the short time at South Carolina.

"I said from the get-go, Will did a heck of a job and he's a really good football coach," McElwain said. "Sometimes things don't work and that's no fault of his. There's good players. You're going to see them go out there on this senior week, [the ones] that he brought into this organization. He means a lot to them and vice versa.

"That's the way it should be. That's the sign of a good coach. I'm sure there are things going through his mind, and yet, I'm also sure he's worried about his team just as I am about our team."

With regard to the latter, the loss at Arkansas brought the Gators back to the Southeastern Conference East Division pack a bit. Kentucky's loss to Georgia later Saturday night allowed UF to maintain a cozy edge on the Wildcats, but Florida needs a win to remain hold of its margin on Tennessee, which can overtake the Gators for the East crown by winning its final three games (at home against Kentucky, Missouri, at Vanderbilt), if UF falls in one of its final two SEC dates (South Carolina or next week at LSU).

With regard to the former (as in the Gamecocks; as in the next one), that's the only one that matters.

You may have heard McElwain use the phrase, "focus on the now" once or twice.

South Carolina represents "the now."

Ironically, so does Will Muschamp.

"That's huge," McElwain said. "That's what we have to do."