Florida Gators

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Seven Gators were picked to the Associated Press and Coaches 2016 All-SEC teams, the AP and Southeastern Conference announced this week. Teez Tabor was Florida's lone first-team selection for both the AP and Coaches' squads, while Martez Ivey, Caleb Brantley, Quincy Wilson and Johnny Townsend each garnered second-team honors. Additionally, Jarrad Davis received Coaches second-team accolades, while Marcus Maye made the AP second team.
 
Tabor, who was an AP and Coaches' All-SEC first team selection in 2015, led Florida with four interceptions, including one he returned for a 39-yard touchdown. He also broke up five passes, recovered a fumble and made 32 tackles.
 
Ivey, a two-time SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week this season, was instrumental in helping Florida's offense this season. Running back Jordan Scarlett ran for over 100 yards in three games this season, and UF recorded over 500 yards of total offense in two SEC games (Kentucky, Missouri) for the first time since 2008. In addition, Ivey and the rest of Florida's offensive line ranked eighth in the conference in sacks allowed (2.08 per game).
 
Brantley tied for the Florida lead in tackles for loss, registering 8.5 for a total of 28 yards lost. He commanded double teams throughout the season, which allowed his teammates to make plays well. Overall this season, the Gators held opponents to 142.2 rushing yards per game, which is good for fifth in the conference. In addition, UF ranked fourth in the SEC in sacks per game (2.50).
 
Wilson, who started all 12 games, recorded 31 tackles, six pass breakups and three interceptions, including one returned for a 78-yard touchdown.
 
Townsend, a repeat AP and Coaches All-SEC second-teamer, totaled 2,883 yards off 61 punts, averaging 47.3 yards per punt. Twenty-eight punts went for 50 yards, and 25 punts landed inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
 
Despite missing three games due to injury, Davis put up 60 tackles, good for second-most on the team, and now has over 200 in his career. He also broke up four passes and had five quarterback hurries. In addition, Davis was named as one of 19 finalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, one of five finalists for the 2016 Pop Warner College Football Award and Butkus Award and a semi-finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award.
 
Maye, who has also been sidelined for the last three games, garnered 50 tackles to give him over 200 in his career. He additionally collected his first career sack, an interception and six broken-up passes.
 
Outback Bowl
Florida (8-4) accepted an invitation on Sunday from the Outback Bowl to play Iowa (8-4) on Jan. 2 in Tampa. The schools have met three times previously with the last two meetings coming in the Outback Bowl. The Gators are ranked No. 20 in the latest AP Top 25 released Sunday, and Iowa is No. 21. Florida checked in at 17^th, and Iowa was unranked in the College Football Playoff rankings.
 
Florida and Iowa first played 33 years ago when the Gators beat the Hawkeyes 14-6 in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville. Twenty years passed before they met again, a 37-17 Iowa victory after the 2003 season. Two years later, the Gators avenged that loss in Urban Meyer's first season at UF with a 31-24 victory.
 
The Gator Ticket Office began taking ticket orders for the 2017 Outback Bowl on Monday, Dec. 5. All season ticket holders can order online at FloridaGators.com/tickets, visit the Gator Ticket Office or call their order in.
 
To see the complete Coaches All-SEC and AP All-SEC selections, visit secsports.com and ap.org.