Gators Notebook: Debose flashes big-play potential at receiver; Florida hangs steady in polls
Monday, October 3, 2011 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Andre Debose has been labeled a deep-threat receiver since the day he stepped on campus for the Gators. He has been, but primarily on kickoff returns, finishing second in the SEC a season ago.
But on Saturday night in Florida's 38-10 loss to Alabama, Debose showed why he is considered such a potential dangerous threat in the passing game.
Debose used his speed to blow by highly touted Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick on Florida's second play from scrimmage, hauling in a 65-yard reception from quarterback John Brantley for his first career touchdown catch.
It was also the longest reception of Debose's career and a play Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis scripted before the game.
“Coach Weis told me that he was just going to go at me first play and try to make something happen,'' Debose said. “Kirkpatrick is a great player. We know that he has speed, he has NFL potential. Whoever was in front of me on that play, I feel like we were going to take a shot.''
Debose added a 25-yard reception on a third-and-7 play in the second quarter, finishing with two catches for 90 yards. He also caught an apparent 4-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone late in the first quarter, but after a review, the replay official overturned the play.
The Gators settled for a field goal instead.
It has taken time for Debose to develop a role in the passing game. He now has seven receptions for 154 yards. Debose is hoping for more passes thrown his way the rest of the season.
“I feel like I made a great improvement at wide receiver, just working on my technique and just the little things that come along with being a wide receiver,” Debose said. “I feel like I just got more opportunity to make a play.”
Florida coach Will Muschamp sounded as if those opportunities could continue to come Debose's way if the redshirt sophomore continues to improve.
“He's done a good job at practice,” Muschamp said. “He's practiced hard. He's presented those opportunities to be in the position he's in right now. [I'm] very pleased with his progress.”
POLL POINTS
The Gators' loss to No. 2-ranked Alabama didn't hurt them too much in the polls. Florida dropped to No. 17 in the AP Top 25 poll released Sunday, and to No. 18 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
Florida (4-1, 2-1 in SEC) faces another difficult challenge on Saturday when it travels to face No. 2-ranked LSU in Baton Rouge.
CHALLENGE OF RICHARDSON
Entering the Alabama game one of Florida's top goals was to contain Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson, considered a top Heisman Trophy contender.
That proved easier said than done on Saturday as Richardson carried 29 times for a career-high 181 yards.
Florida defensive tackle Jaye Howard considers Richardson one of the best running backs he has faced in his UF career.
“It's a force [to tackle him],'' Howard said. “I face scat backs every day in practice. They are shake and bake, but he's a powerful guy. He will try to run through you. It takes 11 hats to bring him down. He's a great player, I'll give him that.''
Richardson scored two touchdowns and essentially allowed Alabama's offense to control the game with his hard-nosed style of running behind a physical offensive line.
“He runs behind his pads,'' Florida defensive end Sharrif Floyd said. “He's a normal runner who just runs a little harder.''
ALVAREZ'S SPECIAL MOMENT
It seemed fitting that during the timeout immediately after Debose's touchdown catch, former Florida receiver Carlos Alvarez was honored by the National Football Foundation for his upcoming induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Alvarez was recognized on the field along with his former quarterback at UF, John Reaves. The two received a huge ovation. Alvarez will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame in December in New York.
SWAMP NUGGETS
The crowd of 90,888 was the second-largest in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium history, trailing only the 90,909 in attendance for the Florida-Florida State game in 2009 – Tim Tebow's final home game at Florida … Kicker Caleb Sturgis made his 14th consecutive field goal when he booted a 21-yarder in the first quarter to give Florida a 10-3 lead. The streak included two field goals a season ago and 12 to start the 2011 season. Sturgis' streak came to an end when he missed a 52-yarder at the end of the first half that had the distance but sailed right … Muschamp said that freshman starting safety De'Ante “Pop” Saunders did not play due to a suspension and that he is expected back for the LSU game … The UF lacrosse team was honored for winning the American Lacrosse Conference championship last season, only the second season of the program's existence … Former UF quarterback Chris Leak signed autographs at Fan Fest and attended the game … The Gators scored on their first drive for the fourth time in five games when Debose hauled in the long pass from Brantley … The 28-point loss to Alabama was Florida's worst home defeat since a 36-7 loss to LSU in 2002, a team that Muschamp served as defensive coordinator on for then-LSU and current Alabama coach Nick Saban … Former Florida men's basketball players Lee Humphrey, Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Mike Miller were recognized for their contributions to the men's basketball goal with an on-field salute.
