Hurtin' Gators Turn to Appleby at QB, Others at Key Positions
Wednesday, November 9, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
Florida to face South Carolina on Saturday without several key starters.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- This is not exactly the way Jim McElwain pictured his second Senior Day at Florida.
Far from it.
The 22nd-ranked Gators (6-2, 4-2) host South Carolina (5-4, 3-4) Saturday afternoon at the Swamp in a game with SEC East implications on the line. If McElwain had magical healing powers, he would have brought his medical kit to practice all week.
Senior linebacker Jarrad Davis' ankle would feel as good as new. There would be no break in linebacker Alex Anzalone's arm. Luke Del Rio's knee and shoulder would be fine, and center Cam Dillard's knee would be as strong as ever.
Alas, McElwain is a coach, not a doctor. And Florida's loss at Arkansas on Saturday still lingers in mind and body.
"They definitely took it to us,'' McElwain said Wednesday. "Injuries are part of the game."
That truth is front and center for the Gators with the Gamecocks and former UF head coach Will Muschamp coming to town. McElwain announced Wednesday that fifth-year senior quarterback Austin Appleby will make his first career start at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday.
Appleby started road games at Tennessee and Vanderbilt earlier this season while Del Rio recovered from a knee injury.
"Austin's prepared well," McElwain said. "He did some really good things in there, and I think probably the heightened piece of these games he deserves it. He'll be ready to go."
McElwain said freshman Feleipe Franks will serve as Appleby's backup, and Kyle Trask is third on the depth chart.
Franks has not appeared in a game this season but McElwain said he has improved on his throwing mechanics since he arrived at UF and has the arm talent and knowledge of the playbook if needed.
"We're not afraid at any point of him playing,'' McElwain said. "He's done a good job all year. He's got a bright future."
Meanwhile, Appleby has not played since starting in a 13-6 win at Vanderbilt. Appleby made his first start for the Gators at Tennessee and helped the Gators jump to a 21-point lead before the Vols stormed back for a 38-28 victory.
Appleby is 42 of 67 for 440 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. His biggest advantage over Del Rio is size (6-4, 239) and arm strength.
With Dillard out, Tyler Jordan is slated to start at center and Fred Johnson will start in Jordan's usual spot at right guard. McElwain sounded optimistic after Wednesday afternoon's practice that receivers Chris Thompson (head) and Tyrie Cleveland (knee) would be available Saturday.
"I think this being Senior Day for him is something that's pretty special,'' McElwain said of Thompson, a product of Gainesville High. Cleveland practiced Wednesday and "should be in good shape to go" according to McElwain.
On the defensive side, losing both your starting linebackers the same week leaves a gaping hole. Davis leads the Gators with 56 tackles and Anzalone is second with 53. Freshman David Reese, senior Daniel McMillian and redshirt freshman Kylan Johnson are expected to get the bulk of snaps in their absence.
Sophomore defensive lineman Cece Jefferson remains a question mark. Jefferson went down with a foot injury early against Arkansas and returned. However, McElwain called Jefferson "highly doubtful" against South Carolina.
McElwain is taking an optimistic approach in dealing with the rash of injuries. If the Gators win Saturday and Kentucky defeats Tennessee, Florida clinches the SEC East title for the second consecutive season.
"Each week's an opportunity,'' he said. "It truly is, and this is another opportunity."
