Florida Gators
SEC Coaches Classic (Day 2)
Muschamp updates injuries, other notes from Monday's press conference
Monday, September 26, 2011 | Football, Women's Tennis, Scott Carter
Here are some quick notes from Florida's press conference earlier today previewing Saturday's game against Alabama.
--Gators coach Will Muschamp said CB Jeremy Brown (knee) is the only player expected to miss Saturday's game against the No. 3-ranked Crimson Tide (tied for No. 2 in USA Today Coaches Poll). Brown has not played this season due to a knee injury suffered during camp that has been slow to heal.
--Florida QB John Brantley, less than 48 hours after taking a hit to the ribs from Kentucky's Danny Trevathan that forced him to the locker room for a portion of Saturday's win, said he felt fine Monday.
“I feel good. I took a couple of shots but that happens in football.''
--Muschamp said senior RB Jeff Demps was Offensive Player of the Game vs. Kentucky, Kyle Koehne the Scrap Iron Award winner as the best offensive lineman. The Defensive Player of the Game was LB Jon Bostic, whose hit on Kentucky QB Morgan Newton forced a fumble that Florida's Jaye Howard caught and ran in from 2 yards out for a touchdown. Muschamp named freshman LB Chris Johnson as the Special Teams Player of the Week.
--A popular storyline this week will be Muschamp's relationship with Alabama coach Nick Saban. Muschamp worked for Saban at LSU and in the NFL with the Dolphins and considers Saban a mentor.
Perhaps the highlight of Monday's presser was when a reporter phrased a question about their relationship using a Star Wars reference about a “master vs. Padawan.”
Muschamp quipped: “What's a Padawan? ... You didn't call me a bad thing, did you?''
--On a more serious tone, Muschamp did say he and Saban are both very intense coaches but than neither would be taking a snap on Saturday night once the game starts.
--Muschamp is pleased with the way Gerald Christian has played at tight end after moving to linebacker in the spring and back to tight end.
“Gerald's very intelligent. He can handle a lot. We would not have asked a player to do that who maybe couldn't have handled it,'' Muschamp said. “The bottom line is, the best thing for our football team was for him to play tight end.''
--Speaking of tight end, sophomore Jordan Reed has missed the past two games due to a sore hamstring. He warmed up at Kentucky on Saturday but did not play. Muschamp expects his presence on Saturday to boost Florida's chances in the passing game.
“[In] vertical passing game, he's a guy that can stretch the field,'' Muschamp said. “He's a guy that blocks well at the point of attack, but he's also a guy you have to account for in the passing game, he's an accomplished receiver.''
--This is Alabama's first trip to Gainesville since 2006, a 28-13 Florida win. It will be Saban's fourth game in The Swamp – his first as head coach at Alabama. He made three trips with LSU, losing 41-9 in 2000 and winning 36-7 in 2002 and 24-21 in 2004.
Muschamp expects a fired up atmosphere at The Swamp come kickoff.
“I'm sure it's going to be loud,'' Muschamp said. “We've got the best fans in the country. I know they're going to be excited.''
