Meyer: 'Let's make this place nuts'
Monday, November 8, 2010 | Football, Soccer, Scott Carter
Gators football coach Urban Meyer was fired up Sunday.
He wants Gator fans to be fired up Saturday night at The Swamp.
Meyer, appearing on his weekly TV show Sunday morning, urged Florida fans to make a difference in the Gators' showdown with South Carolina and former UF coach Steve Spurrier for the SEC East title.
"I've never really done this, but I want to make this the most intense stadium in the history of Florida football,'' Meyer said. "This is for the SEC [East] Championship. We're going to be intense.
"Get there early. I want everybody to wear blue, head to toe, including our players. Let's make this one of those ones that when you get those great books about Florida Gator history, let's put this down in there as one of the great weekends. The Gators have to do their part on the field. Let's flip the switch on this one and kind of make history."
Meyer was obviously pumped up after watching the Gators roll past Vanderbilt 55-14 on Saturday in Nashville.
Florida dominated in every facet to make this week's game against the Gamecocks meaningful, which looked doubtful two weeks ago as the Gators were mired in a three-game losing streak.
"We're not a great team, but we are getting better, getting better in all areas,'' Meyer said. "Gator Nation is a powerful place and the players will play for those people.
"Let's make this place nuts.''
A couple of other quick notes --
--Meyer praised the way Chris Rainey has played since returning from his five-game suspension and for the way he has conducted himself off the field.
"Chris Rainey hit rock bottom. We all know that. We're not ashamed to say that,'' Meyer said. "Chris is like a son to me. He hit rock bottom and he is coming up and going as fast as he possibly can right now.''
--There was a good reason that Jordan Reed played quarterback the entire second half and Trey Burton sat.
"We didn't play him much because his value is just unprecendented as far as all the things he can do,'' said Meyer, adding he didn't want to risk a Burton injury with such a big game coming up.
--As for starting quarterback John Brantley sharing snaps with two quarterbacks now, Meyer said: "Johnnie is the quarterback at Florida. We have to do a better job of protecting him early in the game.''
Meyer does like what Reed brings besides his bruising running style.
"He can really throw. I mean really throw,'' Meyer said. "That makes our package that much more diverse.''
--Florida ran 88 plays on Saturday, the most in three seasons.
"We wanted to hit 90. We almost hit it,'' Meyer said. "We can't start slow.''
--Last but not least, Meyer said this will be one of the most intense weeks of practice since he has been at Florida.
"November in Gainesville and we're playing for a championship. This is why we're all here.''
