In two home contests against UMass and Kentucky, he’s combined for 201 yards and two touchdowns on 13 catches.
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A main reason is their confidence in backup Austin Appleby, who will start Saturday.
“All our guys have good arms”, McElwain said. “We’ll definitely go back and watch the film and see what we did well, what we can improve on and get ready for Monday to be a better football team when we come to practice”. Appleby threw for 2,777 yards, with 19 touchdowns and 19 interceptions in 17 games with the Boilermakers.
Although Appleby has done this before, including a start at Nebraska in 2014, there’s really no telling how he will handle sold-out Neyland Stadium (102,455) on Saturday.
SEC officials said Ivey’s ejection will not impact his status for next week’s game at Tennessee.
“I’ve come to the University of Florida to play”, said Appleby, a graduate transfer from Purdue.
“I feel disgusting for him, especially how it happened, ” McElwain said. “I looked up, gave him an eyes check and he looked like he was ready to go. But, he ran good, you know, did some special teams things for us, which is good”‘. “It’s one of those games I’m sure they’ve been zeroed in on since a year ago in ‘The Swamp.’ We’ll show up, we’ll be there, so it should be a lot of fun”.
“Obviously, we’ll be going with a new quarterback, ” McElwain said. Like Del Rio, Appleby is a pro-style quarterback and pocket passer who fits the offense. It’s a great opportunity for Austin (Appleby), Felipe (Franks) and Kyle (Trask).
Florida will have almost its full contingent of playmakers available for the game as freshman WR Tyrie Cleveland (hamstring) has been cleared to play. “I don’t think you ever want to be someone’s caddie. That’s what I want, for our guys to let loose and enjoy the environment, the atmosphere because I’ve been at places where you had to make the rivalry up”. If they can’t get the job done they will have to hope Tennessee doesn’t do well so that they don’t have to worry about any tie breakers with Tennessee.
The injury occurred on a low hit by North Texas defensive end Josh Wheeler, who was called for a personal foul.
According to multiple reports, Del Rio suffered a sprained MCL and will be out two to four weeks, but Florida coach Jim McElwain did not confirm the diagnosis this week. Del Rio has been one of the most reliable signal-callers in the SEC, throwing for 762 yards and six touchdowns, while completing 61 percent of his passes.
That is what Florida did in beating North Texas 32-0 last week. I know that. I care about these kids.
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The point is he’s still not Luke Del Rio.
