Assuming Del Rio misses just a minimum of two games, Appleby still faces the daunting task of beating both Tennessee and Vanderbilt on the road in back-to-back weeks. “There’s some things we kind of need to do to that I’d just appreciate that we kept to the Gators and go on from there”, McElwain said. “Guys who might not be playing at the beginning of the season might have a significant role later in the season”.
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Appleby could become the latest reserve quarterback to help Florida continue its winning streak against Tennessee after Tyler Murphy and Treon Harris came off the bench in wins against the Vols in 2013 and 2014.
Fifth-year senior Austin Appleby will start in place of Del Rio against the Vols. Appleby played at Purdue before transferring to Florida as a post-graduate transfer. Having started 11 games over three years with Purdue, Appleby is another Gator transfer who will play a key role in the matchup with the Volunteers as Florida is looking for their 12th win in a row against their arch nemesis.
Tabor will be matched up against Josh Malone, who leads the Volunteers with nine catches for 196 yards and four touchdowns. “Way to go. There’s a pretty good chance we’ll show up in Knoxville”.
“Lucky to be able to play for a coach and teammates that care for me so much!”
Appleby said he wasn’t aware of the fact Florida backup quarterbacks have a recent history of performing well against the Vols. “We’ve got to grow a lot on the perimeter part of the (defense) right now”. But the Gators are turning to a new quarterback, one with a 2-9 career record as a starter, to keep the streak alive.
Sutton has a fractured right ankle that will sideline him for “an extended period of time”, according to Jones.
Allen injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 35-32 loss at Nebraska. “McElwain on last season’s 28-27, come-from-behind victory”.
With Del Rio probably out against Tennessee, don’t expect them to back off of the game plan in the throwing game.
Whether it’s through tough love after a missed play, biting sarcasm spoken through a slight Montana drawl or a simple nod of approval after they exit his office, McElwain said he wants the players to know they have his support. “How can you not feel excited about 100,000 people booing you?” he said. “It’s one of those games I’m sure they’ve been zeroed in on since past year in ‘The Swamp.’ We’ll show up, we’ll be there, so it should be a lot of fun”. He was in as good a mood as you can possibly imagine.
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Check out the highlights from Week 3 of the Amway Coaches Poll.
