Tag Archives: florida

James Franklin to miss at least 6 weeks

Missouri quarterback James Franklin will miss up to six weeks with a Grade 2 shoulder separation, according to CBSSports.com’s Bruce Feldman.

Franklin injured his shoulder during a four-yard run during the start of the fourth quarter. Backup quarterback Maty Mauk took over with the Tigers leading 28-20. A trick pass from Bud Sasser to L’Damian Washington turned into a 40-yard touchdown that gave Missouri a comfortable 34-20 lead.

Franklin was having a pretty good day before getting injured. He completed 18 of 27 completions for 170 yards and one touchdown.

Missouri improved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in SEC play, but their schedule remains tougher. Missouri has back-to-back home games against Florida next Saturday and South Carolina on Oct. 26.

The Tigers face Tennessee on Nov. 2, following a road trip to Kentucky on Nov. 9. They will also travel to Ole Miss on Nov. 23 after their bye week and will host Johnny Manziel and the Aggies on Nov. 30. If Franklin’s shoulder shows positive progression, he could possibly be back for the Ole Miss game.

SEC Battle in the Swamp

The Gators return home to face Arkansas this Saturday after a 24-7 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington, Kentucky. Head coach Will Muschamp said, on Monday, that he was “pleased with the win. Offensively we were very workman-like, very efficient…Defensively I thought we handled the tempo very well.” The Gators Defense stepped up in their first game without defensive tackle Dominique Easley. Easley underwent a season-ending knee injury during practice last Tuesday. The Gators had to start Dante Fowler and Ronald Powell on the outside against the Wildcats and repositioned Jonathan Bullard inside beside defensive tackle Damien Jacobs. Even with the injuries the gators have sustained on defense, the two-deep rotation is solid but untested.

Arkansas(3-2, 0-1) and Florida(3-1, 2-0) have not played each other since 2009, when the ranked #1 Gators kicked a field goal in the closing nine seconds of the game propelling the Gators to a win with a score of 23-20. The Razorbacks are coming of an impressive game putting up 33 points against Texas A&M in Fayetteville, AR. Although they fell short losing 45-33, Arkansas stayed close in points throughout the game, boosted by the return of quarterback Brandon Allen. Allen left the game early against Southern Miss, and missed the following Rutgers game due to a sprained shoulder. Allen started against Texas A&M and threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns in the impressive effort.

Florida’s defensive tackle Damien Jacobs anticipates a very physical game with Arkansas’s offensive line. “They’re real physical,” Jacobs said to the Orlando Sentinel, “I think they’re a little chippy. They’re a little dirty. So we’re going to have to be ready for it all this week.” Arkansas has an average of 237 rushing yards a game, ranking second in the SEC. In contrast, Florida through the first three games had only relinquished 214 rushing yards. Florida has been the best team in the country at preventing the running game, only allowing 53.5 yards per game. Even without defensive tackle Dominic Easley Arkansas had coach Bret Bielema said that the gators are still dangerous. According to the Arkansas News website Bielema stated,  “Obviously, they lost a real good player in (Easley), But across the board up front, they use their hands well. They’re powerful. Their linebackers run.” In my opinion, the key to winning this game is to win the battle on the line of scrimmage. Let the games begin. The game will be on ESPN2 at 7pm on Saturday.

Information from The Associated Press, Sbnation, GatorZone, The Orlando Sentinel and The SEC Network was used in this article.

Freshman Star Emerges In Florida’s DB

By: John Whitelow

In just four games, Florida’s corner back Vernon Hargreaves III has managed to produce seven tackles, four pass break ups and three interceptions for 39 return yards. Hargreaves is tied for No. 2 nationally in interceptions and is tied for No. 1 in the SEC.

Hargreaves was originally listed as a back up corner at the stat of the season up until they faced Kentucky this past weekend, he earned his first career start. In that game alone he racked up two tackles, an interception and a pass break up.

Yesterday Hargreaves earned the SEC Freshman player of the week award. Hargreaves intercepted a pass in the end zone from Kentucky’s Maxwell Smith and also leads the gators in interceptions. Hargreaves currently holds the most interceptions by an SEC freshman and the third-most nationally among freshmen.

Hargreaves is definitely a big impact on the SEC’s best pass defense. The group of guys around him will only push Hargreaves to get better and already seems to have good chemistry and trust with each other. Hargreaves has yet to face the tougher teams of the SEC but will only improve through the season. This rookie for Florida is the real deal and by the end of the season, he will be known as one of the best corners in the nation.

Connor Shaw may start Saturday vs Kentucky

According to South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier, quarterback Connor Shaw might start against the Kentucky Wildcats this Saturday.

Shaw injured his shoulder last week against UCF, and was expected to miss up to three weeks. Shaw practiced with the team on Monday and threw the ball about 60 yards Spurrier said. If he continues to show that he is healthy, you may see Shaw starting this week. The No. 13 (3-1) Gamecocks host Kentucky (1-3) at Williams-Brice Stadium.

Spurrier had no idea that Shaw would show this much progress this early.

“Our trainer had him out two to three weeks,” Spurrier said. “You’ll have to ask our trainers how he made such a miraculous recovery.”

Shaw left the game early and was taken to the locker room, but later returned with his right shoulder in a sling with ice. It looked as if he was another fallen soldier in the SEC and his season was ending early.

For those who remember, Shaw injured his same throwing shoulder in 2012 against Vanderbilt in their season opener. Shaw returned late in the game and led the Gamecocks to the winning drive in their 17-13 win.

Spurrier said he will not be making a decision on who will start this week until Shaw practices more and see if he progresses more.

If Shaw does miss Saturday’s game, it will be a big loss for the Gamecocks. Kentucky gave Florida a small test last week and South Carolina will need to be ready.

Shaw is fourth in SEC pass efficiency and has thrown six touchdowns without a single interception.

SEC Week 5 predictions

Well football fans, its Friday and just a matter of hours away until we kick off with week 5. But at least this week will be a little more exciting than week 4. LSU-Georgia and Alabama-Ole Miss should give the weekend some hype, but the Texas A&M-Arkansas’ rivalry should have everybody on their toes.

#12 South Carolina at UCF

– Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks better bring their A game tomorrow or UCF will take care of business. The Knights won’t lose without a fight. They are a much talented team than last year when Missouri beat them. I still have the Gamecocks though. South Carolina 28, UCF 17.

#6 LSU at #9 Georgia

– This is definitely one of the biggest games of the year and its going to be exciting to watch. My only concern with Georgia is can their defense show up and play good enough to stop LSU’s talented offense? I think LSU tames the Dogs today but not by much. LSU 28, Georgia 21.

South Alabama at Tennessee

– South Alabama beat WKU this year, who Tennessee killed. The Vols can’t expect to get a win handed to them but they shouldn’t have any problem. Tennessee 35, South Alabama 17.

#21 Ole Miss at #1 Alabama

– Everybody has Alabama on their upset alert, but Alabama is still the king of college football this year. They have some fixes in some areas but Saban and the Crimson Tide are too strong for this Ole Miss ball club. It will be a good first half game but look for Alabama to pull away in the second half. Alabama 42, Ole Miss 21.

#20 Florida  at Kentucky

– Its going to be interesting to see how Tyler Murphy plays tomorrow in his first start. With the loss of Driskel and Easley things are going to be shaken up a bit, but the Gators still have a strong reliable defense and they should pull this one out. The score is going to be close and Kentucky will put up a fight. Florida 28, Kentucky 14.

Arkansas State at Missouri

– Missouri has be real surprised the way they have been playing so far this year. I like them for tomorrows game. Missouri 38, Arkansas State 17.

UAB at Vanderbilt

– Vanderbilt has struggled every game so far but UAB still can’t size up to Vandy. Vanderbilt can use this game to fix their on going issues.

#10 Texas A&M at Arkansas

– I’m feeling quite confident in Johnny Manziel and the Aggies this week. They put a good beaten on SMU last week and I think they will handle their business by at least 2 touchdowns. Texas A&M 38, Arkansas 20.