Thompson Embraces Shannon's Challenge

Running back Mark Thompson in last season's game against Missouri at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)

Thompson Embraces Shannon's Challenge

Thursday, November 2, 2017 | Football, Scott Carter

Gators interim head coach Randy Shannon met with senior running back Mark Thompson this week and challenged him to show up ready to play on Saturday at Missouri.

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Mark Thompson has looked the part since the first time he buckled his shoulder pads, put on his No. 24 Florida jersey, and strapped on his helmet.

Gators interim head coach Randy Shannon wants to see Thompson play the part.

"It's time for Mark Thompson to step up," Shannon said. "It's his opportunity to come in and play. We've got to challenge him on offense to make sure there was a reason why he was recruited to be a part of Florida and that's for him to be a skilled running back like he is, but also be productive and be a physical-type guy that can get open in space and make plays."

Thompson possesses a blend of power and speed that no other running back on Florida's roster has. In Saturday's game at Missouri, expect Thompson to share the bulk of the carries with sophomore Lamical Perine.

The reason Shannon met with Thompson on Monday and challenged the 6-foot-2, 240-pound senior to up his game is because the Gators need him to be ready with true freshman Malik Davis, the team's leading rusher, lost for the season due to a knee injury.

Davis suffered a season-ending right knee injury in the first quarter of last week's 42-7 loss to Georgia. Thompson has only 30 carries for 119 yards with Davis (526 yards) and Perine (365 yards) getting most of the work.

Thompson took Shannon's call for production serious.

"He told me the expectations for myself and the expectations that are on me right now," said Thompson, who transferred from Dodge City (Kan.) Junior College prior to last season. "That's totally fine. That's what I came here to do, to play football and it's football-related, so let's do it.

"Whenever my number is called, I'll be ready to play and ready to produce."

Thompson signed with UF following a 1,000-yard season as a sophomore and garnered attention in the preseason when he vowed to rush for 1,000 yards in his first season for the Gators.

Thompson didn't come close as Jordan Scarlett emerged as Florida's featured back.

Thompson did finish strong with an 85-yard catch-and-run touchdown in the Gators' 30-3 victory over Iowa in the Outback Bowl, providing a jolt of confidence heading into the offseason.

"I'm pretty confident in everything that I do," Thompson said. "I know what's expected of me, but I'm going to go out there and play my game and put on film what I need to put on film."