Carter's Notebook: Hines Provides Spark For Gators In Second Half
Sunday, October 17, 2010 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On a night when the Gators needed a spark on offense, receiver Omarius Hines delivered.
Hines scored Florida's only touchdown – and the first rushing touchdown of his career -- on a 5-yard run late in the third quarter. And then, on the Gators' first drive of the fourth quarter, Hines took an option pitch and raced 31 yards to Mississippi State's 23. On the next play, Hines rushed for six yards as the Gators marched into the red zone.
However, instead of tying the game or taking the lead, the Gators turned the ball over on a second-and-four play from the Bulldogs' 17 when running back Jeff Demps fumbled after a catching a pass from John Brantley.
While the Gators ended up losing, 10-7, Hines provided a bright spot the same way Andre Debose did in UF's loss to LSU.
“He did a great job,'' senior center Mike Pouncey said. “Omarius stepped in – we've got some guys down – and he stepped in and carried the ball for us.''
Hines finished with a team-high 58 yards rushing on six carries, an average of 9.7 per carry.
“He is a really good athlete,'' quarterback Trey Burton said of Hines. “He can play any position.''
INJURIES ADD UP
In the first half, the Gators lost WR Andre Debose (ankle), DT Jaye Howard (foot) and LB Jelani Jenkins (head) to injuries for the rest of the game.
Several key players were already nursing injuries, including RB Jeff Demps (foot), WR Deonte Thompson (concussion) and SS Matt Elam (safety).
The Gators have a bye week before facing Georgia in Jacksonville on Oct. 30.
“We have to get some guys healthy,'' Florida head coach Urban Meyer said. “We had zero running backs at one point [Saturday].''
Demps, who did not play in last week's loss to LSU, returned to action against Mississippi State. Demps had five carries for 36 yards and caught three passes for seven yards.
BURTON'S BOOST
Brantley and true freshman Trey Burton alternated at quarterback for most of the second half. Burton's ability to run out of the wildcat formation proved beneficial as he rushed eight times for 43 yards.
When Brantley was in, Burton caught five passes for 37 yards, teaming with Hines as the Gators' most effective playmakers on Saturday.
Burton took no comfort in his performance since the Gators lost.
“It's always tough when you're losing,'' Burton said. “We just have to find a way to get better. We just have to find a way to with the people we have.''
MULLEN'S MOMENT
Former Gator offensive coordinator Dan Mullen, who was on Meyer's staff during Florida's national championship seasons in 2006 and 2008, enjoyed a victorious return to The Swamp.
In his second season as Mississippi State's head coach, Mullen had not been back to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium since leaving after the 2008 season.
He improved to 1-1 all-time vs. Meyer, his mentor and a close friend. The Gators won in Starkville last season.
“I have said all week that I have had success in this stadium,'' Mullen said. “This is not an upset – our team expected to win this football game.''
HALL OF FAME RECOGNITION
Prior to the game, the 2010 UF Athletic Hall of Fame class was introduced on the field, including Brian Gay (men's golf), Leah Kirklin Anderson (women's track), Jenny Manz Theis (volleyball), Jason Odom (football), Fred Taylor (football), Laurie Burns (women's golf), William Freeman (men's track) and Brad Wilkerson (baseball).
EXTRA POINTS
Redshirt sophomore WR Frankie Hammond Jr. led the Gators with a career-high five catches for 69 yards … Florida finished with 361 yards to Mississippi State's 245; it's the second time during the Gators' three-game losing streak that they have outgained the opponent … Senior S Ahmad Black led the Gators with 10 tackles, the fourth time he has led the team in tackles this season … Florida P Chas Henry had a 67-yard punt in the second quarter, making him just one of three players this season to have three punts of 60 or more yards … DT Justin Trattou has nine tackles in each of the last two games and has recorded 2.5 tackles-for-loss during that span.
