Nick Savage, director of strength and conditioning for the Gators, played the role of Santa on Tuesday with help from the training staff . (Photo: UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: Gators Celebrate Christmas, Social Scene in Atlanta, Etc.
Tuesday, December 25, 2018 | Football, Scott Carter
ATLANTA -- In a rarity for the UF football program, the Gators spent Christmas away from home as they continue to prepare for Saturday's Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against Michigan.
That didn't mean St. Nicholas forgot about them. Nick Savage, Florida's director of strength and conditioning, played Santa Claus on Tuesday morning as the team gathered to receive their bowl gifts and some new Jordan Brand sneakers.
The Gators spent time with their families and teammates in the morning after breakfast and then reconvened in the afternoon for practice.
While a bowl trip over Christmas presents unique challenges, Gators head coach Dan Mullen and his support staff wanted to make sure the holiday was fun for the team.
Mullen considers the bowl experience still an important part of the game in an era when the College Football Playoff dominates media and fan attention after the regular season.
"The key to the bowl game is its' a great reward,'' Mullen said. "A lot of guys have never been here to the city of Atlanta. And we get to go play a big-time football game. I think it's as great of an experience as anything you're going to do in college football."
SOCIAL SCENE IN ATLANTA ...
Sights and sounds during the Gators' first two days in Atlanta via the University Athletic Association and Peach Bowl staff members who spent Christmas with the team:
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FRESH HEADLINES ...
A look at some of the freshest links touching on Saturday's matchup:
--Michigan has added a former head coach to serve as a consultant for the Peach Bowl writes Andrew Olson of SaturdayDownSouth.com.
--Gators begin work in Atlanta for Peach Bowl via Gainesville.com.
--Michigan in the Peach Bowl: Everything you need to know by Aaron McMann of MichiganLive.com.
--First-year quarterback Emory Jones patiently waits for his opportunity with Gators writes Edgar Thompson of The Orlando Sentinel.
That didn't mean St. Nicholas forgot about them. Nick Savage, Florida's director of strength and conditioning, played Santa Claus on Tuesday morning as the team gathered to receive their bowl gifts and some new Jordan Brand sneakers.
#MerryChrismas & #HappyHolidays from the @FloridaGators Football Family. #GoGators pic.twitter.com/IyLMhG8J1r
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) December 25, 2018
The Gators spent time with their families and teammates in the morning after breakfast and then reconvened in the afternoon for practice.
🎵🎶🎵🎶#CFAPeachBowl 🐊 #MerryChirstmas pic.twitter.com/VnN04ATMUt
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) December 25, 2018
While a bowl trip over Christmas presents unique challenges, Gators head coach Dan Mullen and his support staff wanted to make sure the holiday was fun for the team.
🎄🎁#HappyHolidays 🐊 #GoGators pic.twitter.com/zowv12nPqI
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) December 25, 2018
Mullen considers the bowl experience still an important part of the game in an era when the College Football Playoff dominates media and fan attention after the regular season.
"The key to the bowl game is its' a great reward,'' Mullen said. "A lot of guys have never been here to the city of Atlanta. And we get to go play a big-time football game. I think it's as great of an experience as anything you're going to do in college football."
SOCIAL SCENE IN ATLANTA ...
Sights and sounds during the Gators' first two days in Atlanta via the University Athletic Association and Peach Bowl staff members who spent Christmas with the team:
Welcome to the 🅰#GoGators | #CFAPeachBowl pic.twitter.com/ShRyKlW8kd
— #CFAPeachBowl (@CFAPeachBowl) December 24, 2018
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.@CoachDanMullen brought his dog Heisman to bowl week. 🐶#GoGators | #CFAPeachBowl pic.twitter.com/ripoIy2cwg
— #CFAPeachBowl (@CFAPeachBowl) December 24, 2018
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Who did it better? 🤔
— #CFAPeachBowl (@CFAPeachBowl) December 25, 2018
Retweet for @GatorsFB
Like for @Drake pic.twitter.com/TXf4TLzLWm
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MOOD. #CFAPeachBowl 💪 #GoGators pic.twitter.com/NbBktQ83aa
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) December 24, 2018
*****
FRESH HEADLINES ...
A look at some of the freshest links touching on Saturday's matchup:
--Michigan has added a former head coach to serve as a consultant for the Peach Bowl writes Andrew Olson of SaturdayDownSouth.com.
--Gators begin work in Atlanta for Peach Bowl via Gainesville.com.
--Michigan in the Peach Bowl: Everything you need to know by Aaron McMann of MichiganLive.com.
--First-year quarterback Emory Jones patiently waits for his opportunity with Gators writes Edgar Thompson of The Orlando Sentinel.
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