One of most successful senior classes in school history set to say goodbye on Saturday
Thursday, November 18, 2010 | Football, Soccer, Scott Carter
Senior center Mike Pouncey was asked this week whether the Gators' 6-4 record and three consecutive home losses put a damper on Senior Day.
Pouncey left little doubt about how important Saturday will be for him.
“In most people's [view] it probably does, but for guys who gave their life to this program it doesn't,'' Pouncey said. “We obviously accomplished a lot. This weekend coming up is going to mean the world to me. It's just going to be a very emotional day.''
The Gators host Appalachian State in the home-season finale at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. While the Gators must play well to avoid an upset against the FCS Mountaineers, the day clearly belongs to Florida's 23 seniors more than anything else.
The group of seniors has a 41-10 record, a national championship, a 24-8 SEC record and two SEC East titles. They are 11-1 against Florida's traditional rivals Tennessee, Georgia, Florida State and Miami, earning a special place in the program's history.
“There are a bunch of Gator greats and a bunch of guys that we're awful proud came to Florida,'' Gators coach Urban Meyer said. “We want to send them out winners. That's our whole intent this week.''
Meyer said two of the seniors have already graduated, eight others will in December, and the rest are on schedule to complete their degrees. Five other potential members of the group – DE Carlos Dunlap, TE Aaron Hernandez, CB Joe Haden, S Major Wright and OL Maurkice Pouncey – left a year early and are now in the NFL.
Here is a complete list of the 23 seniors who will be honored Saturday: NT Brandon Antwine, DT Gary Beemer, S Ahmad Black, S Miguel Carodine, LB Lorenzo Edwards, LS John Fairbanks, OL Marcus Gilbert, P/K Chas Henry, LB Brandon Hicks, OL Maurice Hurt, OL Carl Johnson, DE Samuel Johnson, LB A.J. Jones, DE Duke Lemmens, NT Lawrence Marsh, RB Emmanuel Moody, WR Carl Moore, C Mike Pouncey, DT Terron Sanders, DT Shawn Schmieder, DE Justin Trattou, DT Glen Watson and WR Justin Williams.
