Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Van Jefferson is one of Florida's veteran leaders, a fifth-year senior who added instant production following his transfer from Ole Miss prior to last season. He is the kind of teammate others try to emulate for the way he handles business.

Jefferson had one of the best games of his college career in Saturday night's 45-0 rout of UT Martin, catching four passes for a career-high-tying 94 yards. Jefferson's 69-yard scoring reception from quarterback Feleipe Franks – putting the Gators up 10-0 midway through the second quarter – was the longest catch of his career and a career-long pass for Franks.

As pumped as Jefferson was about the play, he was equally animated for a touchdown that came while he was on the sideline. Jefferson nearly ran onto the field when redshirt freshman receiver Jacob Copeland caught a 9-yard touchdown from Kyle Trask on the first play of the fourth quarter.

"Got his first college touchdown,'' Jefferson said. "Coach [Nick] Savage was holding me back."

Copeland was just one of the fresh-faced Gators who made their presence felt Saturday. Others who shined when the opportunity arrived:

• True freshman defensive back Kaiir Elam recorded his first career interception.
• Redshirt sophomore running back Malik Davis, who lost most of the last two seasons to injuries, scored his first touchdown since early in the 2017 season.
•  Redshirt freshman quarterback Emory Jones scored on a 16-yard run in the fourth quarter for his first career rushing touchdown.
• Freshman defensive end Khris Bogle had five tackles and his first career sack.
• True freshman defensive backs Chester Kimbrough and Jaydon Hill each had four tackles.
• Redshirt freshman running back Iverson Clement reeled off a 41-yard run.

There were others, which was part of the plan against the overmatched Skyhawks of the Ohio Valley Conference.
 
"It felt like we were rolling a lot of players through,'' Gators head coach Dan Mullen said. "It was like, 'OK younger guys, you're getting these reps kind of when the game is at hand.' They were getting reps with the one defense and real stuff going on. We just wanted to keep rolling right through from the beginning."

What wasn't part of the plan was a pair of injuries to a key offensive player (Kadarius Toney) and defensive standout (CJ Henderson) in the first half. Both players left the game and never returned.

Toney appeared to suffer and arm or shoulder injury and Mullen said the Gators will have more information on Monday. Meanwhile, Henderson suffered a left ankle injury according to Mullen and returned to the sideline on crutches and in a protective boot on his left foot in the second half. Mullen sounded more optimistic about Henderson's injury.

Regardless, it was an opportune time for players such as Copeland to get significant reps.

A talented recruit out of Emmitt Smith's old high school – Escambia High in Pensacola – the 6-foot, 192-pound Copeland easily passes the eye test given his physical skills. However, lingering ankle and hamstring injuries limited his availability as a freshman.

Copeland had the most productive game of his career Saturday, catching three passes for 23 yards and rushing once for 15 yards in a role reminiscent of the way the Gators like to use Toney.

"Him leaving the game was tough, because he's a big part of our offense,'' Jefferson said of Toney.

Still, Copeland played the part well when called upon.

"He looked pretty explosive with the ball, made some good catches,'' Mullen said. "Obviously, he's got a ways to go, still learning the intricacies of playing because being hurt last year and a little bit through spring hurt him with his knowing everything."

While Copeland could factor into the mix should Toney miss extended time, Florida's depleted secondary took a hit when Henderson dropped to the turf and needed assistance from trainers to get off the field after covering a deep pass. The Gators were already without safeties Brad Stewart (suspended) and Jeawon Taylor (injured) Saturday, Meanwhile, versatile Amari Burney (injured) did not play and reserve defensive back C.J. McWilliams is out for the season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in preseason camp.

Elam, Kimbrough and Hill all got plenty of work Saturday.

Junior safety Shawn Davis had no qualms about sharing the field with the newcomers.

"I feel confident in those guys. Those guys prepared and are ready to play in the game and make big plays,'' Davis said. "They play like how we play. We're DBU, so I feel you should be ready to come here and play in a big-time game."

The conga line of young players who saw action in the runaway victory reminded Davis of himself two years ago when he broke into the lineup as a true freshman before a knee injury ended his season.

"I was rooting for them,'' he said. "Watching them practice, everyone don't get to see what we see. It's fun to see those guys out there."

The Gators must forge ahead with who they have available, starting next weekend in their Southeastern Conference opener at Kentucky.

While they could be without two of their most talented players, Jefferson won't be fazed if that's the case. The young players who stood out Saturday were ready.

"Hopefully in the near future they can have some big plays for us,'' Jefferson said.

They may have to.