Meyer on facing FSU, Matt Patchan's surgery and more
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 | Football, Gymnastics, Scott Carter
Florida football coach Urban Meyer talked about facing Florida State on Saturday and other topics this morning during his weekly appearance on the SEC media teleconference.
Here are some highlights:
--The Gators (7-4) travel to Tallahassee on Saturday for their annual rivalry game with No. 22-ranked FSU (8-3). In a rarity of late, the Gators are not ranked and considered the underdog.
“Obviously a big rivalry game that we anxiously look forward to,'' Meyer said. “We've got to really play well down there. I think [a win] would do a lot to make the season a success with everything that has happened.
“We're certainly not discussing that as a team. That's a good team we're playing. We've got our hands full with just taking care of the execution on offense, defense and kicking.''
--Meyer said starting CBs Janoris Jenkins (concussion) and Jeremy Brown (hamstring) are “probable'' to play at FSU. Brown missed the win over Appalachian State and Jenkins missed most of the game after getting hurt.
In other injury news, Meyer said LB A.J. Jones (hamstring) is probable, and that WR Andre Debose (ankle) is questionable. Debose will practice this afternoon to test his injured ankle after missing the Appalachian State game.
--Does Meyer consider this season his toughest as a head coach considering the Gators' up-and-down season?
“I haven't had time to go through all the seasons,'' he said. “I mean, it's been a tough season. It's been tough with the injuries. It's been tough with execution, but to say [it's my toughest season], I can't do that.
“It would have to be one of the highest rates of injuries we've had week in and week out.''
--Junior offensive lineman Matt Patchan underwent wrist surgery earlier this week and is hopeful of being ready for spring practice. Patchan has not played this season after getting hurt in fall camp.
“It was all positive so we're hoping to get him back in spring ball,'' Meyer said. “It was an injury that just never improved. We feel real confident – and so does Matt and his family -- that he should be ready to crank it up, maybe not full contact in spring, but real close to that.
“We need him.''
--Senior center Mike Pouncey left practice early Tuesday after feeling sick. Meyer expects Pouncey to be fine for Florida State.
“He was lightheaded,'' Meyer said. “It wasn't really from contact.''
--Redshirt junior receiver Deonte Thompson leads the Gators in receptions (36) and receiving yards (548). While Thompson has been the team's most productive receiver, he has also been plagued by dropped balls.
Meyer said Thompson continues to make strides in that area.
“I've seen similar problems and I have seen him progress,'' Meyer said. “This is the first year he has started for us… He has progressed maybe not at the pace he would like to. He's a hard-working guy and he'll get better and better.
--Another receiver who has made progress is redshirt sophomore Frankie Hammond. Meyer took away Hammond's scholarship over the summer when Hammond was charged with a DUI.
Hammond fulfilled his off-the-field obligations and returned to the team, playing in nine games. Hammond has 19 receptions for 261 yards and two touchdowns.
“I'm evaluating everything he is doing and that includes his unselfish contribution to this team, his academic reports and his off-the-field behavior and assisting us with a lot of off-the-field things,'' Meyer said. “He is doing very well.''
Meyer said it remains undetermined if Hammond will go back on scholarship in the spring.
--Meyer helped the team load groceries on Monday during a charitable event to help feed the homeless in Gainesville. Since he arrived at UF in 2005, the Gators' football team has added to its community service schedule.
Meyer credited people such as Senior Athletic Director for Compliance Jamie McCloskey and Terry Jackson, director of player and community relations, for helping boost the team's community service efforts.
He also thanked his former quarterback.
“I think Tim Tebow had a lot to do with the whole making the head coach even more compassionate,'' Meyer said. “We've taken it to a much-different level than I've ever seen as far as community service hours and giving back. The growth of this part of our program has been phenomenal.''
