From: jpm@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu (jpm@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu (Jeff Mejia))
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college
Subject: Swamp news (sorry it's so late)
Date: 8 Sep 92 20:50:49 -0500

Sorry for the delay, but here's the latest news from the Swamp (aka Ben Hill
Griffin Stadium at Florida Field).

First, after two weeks which has seen the Gators plummet to #6 (AP) and then
rise to #4 (AP) in two weeks of idleness, the bad news (and there is a lot).

1. GAINES LIKELY OUT FOR SEASON-  projected starting DT William "the Big Hurt"
Gaines got the big hurt in prctice last Wednesday, tearing his anterior
cruciate ligament in his left knee, leaving him out until at least the FSU
game, and possibly the season.  This leaves redshirt freshman Mark Cambell to
replace Gaines in the starting lineup, with sophomore Ben Johnson starting at
the other tackle position.  As things stand ad the moment, the defensive front
line will consist of two players who had any playing time last year (Johnson
and DE Kevin Carter) and two redshirt freshmen, with true freshmen being the
main backups on the second team.  As reported earlier, the very thin defensive
line for Florida has gotten thinner.

2.  GOLDEN SUSPENDED FOR FIVE GAMES- projected strating OT Dean Golden, a
sophomore who had the only significant playing time last year besides returning
starter Jim Watson, has been suspended for the first five games, allegedly for
testing positive in a drug test (apparently for pot).  As this was the second
time that he failed the drug test, school rules dictate that he sit out for the
next five games.  It was announced that he already was expected to miss the
first game against Kentucky, since he tested positive once before.  This leaves
the inexperienced offensive line lacking further experience.

3.  MACMILLAN ARRESTED AND RELEASED- as reported elsewhere on the net, DE Henry
MacMillan, a redshirt freshman, was arrested and released last week for a
shooting incident in July up in Georgia.  I haven't been able to get many
details about this case (the local papers aren't reporting them), but MacMillan
continues to practice with the Gators and will play Saturday in the Kentucky
game.  As more details come in, I will report them, but it sure seems strange
that Henry is still practicing.

4.  MALONE REINJURES ANKLE- (boy the bad news sure builds up)  Backup tailback
Kedra Malone has re-injured his (right?) ankle and appears to be doubtful for
at least three games.  This leaves true freshman Tony Davis as the immediate
backup to Errict Rhett.  A thin Gator backfield gets thinner. (Boy it seems
that all the significant injuries have hit at areas where the Gators can least
afford them).

5.  EVERRET EXPECTED TO BE BACK-  (finally some good news!) Senior WR Tre
Everett is expected to make a full recovery from his pre-season arthroscopic
knee surgery and will play in the Kentucky game.  He apparently has been
practicing at full speed for the past week and is as fast as ever.  The only
trouble for Tre is to get enough time in the receiving rotation, because his
potential replacements have looked sharp in practice.  A deep receiving corps
gets deeper.

6.  SCRIMMAGE NEWS-  The final scrimmage was last Thursday, and boy, Spurrier
was pissed.  The scrimmage was lackluster and the offense did not move the
ball, as expected starting OT Reggie Green was held out to rest a sore knee. 
Apparently, the first team offensive line looks good, but if somebody is
missing, the quality as a unit drops off.  Offensive line coach Rick McGeorge
says that the boys are trying and they just need more time to get to know the
system.  He predicts that 8-9 guys will see time in the Kentucky game, and he
will evaluate how each does with their opportunities.

I'll post a detailed analysis of the starting line-up as soon as Spurrier lets
everyone else know what it is, and also a review of the upcoming game with
Kentucky (probably I'll post it tomorrow or Thursday). 
-- 
	Jeff Mejia         University of Florida   jpm@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu
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Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college