UF track coach Holloway expects Demps to be ready
Monday, November 29, 2010 | Football, Gymnastics, Track and Field, Scott Carter
Two games into his junior season, Gators running back Jeff Demps surfaced as a potential Heisman candidate in some circles. In wins over Miami (Ohio) and USF, Demps rushed for 237 yards, two touchdowns, and averaged 12.5 yards per carry.
However, in a 31-17 win at Tennessee on Sept. 18, Demps suffered a left foot injury while rushing for 73 yards on a career-high 26 carries. The ligament injury hampered Demps the rest of the season.
He never had more than 11 carries in a game after Tennessee and Demps missed the LSU and Vanderbilt games due to what Gators coach Urban Meyer called a “stress reaction'' in Demps' foot.
After playing but without a rush in UF's 48-10 win over Appalachian State, Demps had nine carries for 44 yards in Saturday's loss at FSU.
The Gators don't play again for a few weeks while awaiting their bowl destination. The added rest should benefit Demps as much as anyone on the team.
Demps became the first UF student-athlete in school history to help two teams win a national title a year ago when he helped the UF men's track team win the 2010 National Indoor Track Championship.
Gators track coach Mike Holloway spoke to Demps on Sunday about his future and expects Demps to be ready physically when UF opens the indoor season Jan. 15 at the Nittany Lion Challenge at Penn State.
“In talking to Jeff, everything is status-quo,'' Holloway said Monday. “The biggest thing with Jeff is: Jeff has another football game to play. When that football game is over, we'll evaluate where he is going with track.
"Honestly, they are going through a tough time right now. My main concern is keeping his spirits up so he can keep helping the football team.''
