Gators Face New Challenge as Season Takes a Turn

UF coach Jim McElwain looks toward the North Texas bench on Saturday night after a questionable hit on quarterback Luke Del Rio created changed the tone surrounding UF's road game at Tennessee. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)

Gators Face New Challenge as Season Takes a Turn

Sunday, September 18, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter

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If quarterback Luke Del Rio's injury is serious, Austin Appleby faces a difficult test at Tennessee.

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The tone changed on one play.

The tone of Florida's 32-0 win over North Texas on Saturday night. The tone surrounding whether the Gators had finally found their quarterback. And most definitely, the tone leading up to next week's Florida-Tennessee game at Neyland Stadium.

The play in question was a first-and-10 for the Gators at their 41-yard line with less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Gators led 19-0 and the only question left was how many points would they win by.

Gators quarterback Luke Del Rio dropped back and fired a pass for Brandon Powell that fell incomplete. Del Rio fell, too. More like crumbled.

As Del Rio threw the ball, North Texas defensive end Joshua Wheeler did a no-no, going low and hitting Del Rio at the knees. Del Rio immediately plummeted to the turf in pain. The UF training staff rushed onto the field and began looking at Del Rio's left knee.

32743 — Austin Appley replaced injured Luke Del Rio on Saturday and finished 2 of 4 for 30 yards. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)

Meanwhile, Florida head coach Jim McElwain began to fume. The tackle by Wheeler had the look of a classic cheap shot. Mean Green coach Seth Littrell said later that Wheeler tripped over tight end DeAndre Goolsby's leg as he raced toward Del Rio.

Regardless, the Gators suffered a costly injury to their starting quarterback that McElwain said "doesn't look great."

Meanwhile, after checking on Del Rio, McElwain turned to the North Texas sideline and started to voice his displeasure. Goolsby and offensive lineman Fred Johnson held McElwain back as players from both teams took notice of the outburst.

Nothing materialized beyond a few frantic seconds of disruption, but after Del Rio was able to stand up and walk off the field, offensive lineman Martez Ivey was ejected for a questionable personal-foul penalty based on replays.

"Let's face it, that penalty probably was mine," McElwain said. "I get how it is. I'm sure he did it, and yet there's probably some makeup calls every now and then, too."

Once the drama subsided and play resumed, fifth-year graduate transfer Austin Appleby replaced Del Rio and led the Gators on two scoring drives that ended with rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

The Gators walked off Steve Spurrier-Florida Field with a three-game winning streak and the looming showdown with SEC East rival Tennessee.

And plenty of lingering questions.

How severe is Del Rio's injury? If Del Rio is out for a significant time, can Appleby keep the positive early-season vibes alive heading into the biggest game of the young season? And can Florida, whether it's Del Rio or Appleby at quarterback, win consistently behind its dynamic defense and four-headed running game?

Those questions will take time to answer. What is clear is that three games into the season, the Gators face their biggest challenge yet.

"It's a big blow. It's your starting quarterback," running back Jordan Cronkrite said. "It's next man up. We just rely on Austin now and take him under our wing and go out and execute next week."

Appleby arrived at UF in January after transferring from Purdue, where he played in 19 games and started 11. He played catch up in the spring and over the summer in preparation for a battle with Del Rio in preseason camp.

Del Rio won the battle and passed for 320 yards and four touchdowns a week ago in a 45-7 rout of Kentucky. His promising start had many Florida fans excited about the possibilities at a position that has caused them headaches since the departure of Tim Tebow.

And then Saturday night happened.

Injured #Gators QB Luke Del Rio's message to the fans pic.twitter.com/oKr9uuzvfJ
— Landon Watnick (@LandonWatnick) September 18, 2016

Appleby stood at the podium during his postgame press conference with the poise of a veteran player familiar with the spotlight.

"The preparation doesn't change,'' he said. "I prepare as the starting quarterback ever since I've been on campus whether I was No. 1 or not. You don't want to get an opportunity like that. You want to come here and get an opportunity to play; you don't want to see one of your friends get hurt."

Del Rio is expected to undergo more tests on Sunday to determine the severity of his injury.

All the Gators can do is wait and focus on Tennessee.

"Hopefully it's nothing too bad,'' starting left tackle David Sharpe said. "We were happy he got up and walked off."

Del Rio's injury overshadowed a dominant performance by Florida's defense, which established a school record by holding the Mean Green to just 53 yards of total offense. Florida has surrendered only 14 points through three games, its fewest allowed through three games since Steve Spurrier's senior season 50 years ago.

The Gators added seven sacks and made life miserable for North Texas quarterback Mason Fine, who was sacked by Caleb Brantley for a safety on the Mean Green's first drive.

As good as Florida's defense played, Saturday night is going to be remembered for Del Rio's injury and McElwain's fiery outburst.

They represent a potential turning point in the Gators' season.

"He's got our backs,'' Appleby said. "It's not all talk. The way he will put himself on the line for us, we'll return the favor."

A win at Tennessee would be a good start.