He completed two of four passes for 30 yards last week against North Texas after Del Rio was hurt late in the third quarter.
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Freshman Mason Fine was the only QB for North Texas all day, and he was stifled and overwhelmed, going 6 for 22 with 66 yards passing and a pick.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Florida quarterback Austin Appleby has starting experience, even in hostile environments. He also has rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns after rushing for 390 yards and seven scores past year. Florida coach Jim McElwain had some words for the Mean Green sideline afterward, understandably furious to lose his starter over an illegal hit in a walkaway win. “We’ll stretch the field”. All we have to go on are three words from McElwain: “Doesn’t look good”. Appleby played in 19 games at Purdue and started 11. He threw 16 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions and had seven rushing scores. He also has nine touchdown runs. Meanwhile, the Boilermakers scored an average of 26.9 points with Appleby at quarterback.
McElwain said Appleby is prepared to take over the offense.
“You know what, I really care about these players”, McElwain told reporters.
“I obviously took that low hit on Luke very bad personal”, McElwain said in his postgame press conference.
“We’re going to go ahead and close our practices this week, not that I don’t trust anybody in here”. “We’ll get some guys ready and move forward and get ready to go play next week”.
Florida: Plays the Volunteers (3-0) for the 27th consecutive year.
He has a reputation for having a stronger arm than Del Rio, but isn’t as accurate.
Meanwhile, the Gators have won 11 consecutive games against Tennessee and are expected to start graduate transfer Austin Appleby, who replaced Del Rio on Saturday.
“I know you guys have had a long, already kind of long season“, he said. You want to be the guy that’s got the ball in their hand, and I’m excited about my opportunity. I’m really hoping he’ll be back with us and healthy as soon as possible. We have a job to do.
Del Rio was injured after throwing a pass and getting hit low by North Texas linebacker Joshua Wheeler, who was called for a personal foul for diving into the unprotected knees of Del Rio. Del Rio, a former Bolles and Episcopal player who has guided No. 19 Florida’s offense efficiently this season, was able to leave the field under his own power a few minutes later.
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As of now, McElwain said they are going to prepare this week like they will not have Del Rio against the Vols. Tabor said that regardless if Del Rio is the leader of the offense, it will not make one difference to the defense. Del Rio limped gingerly back to the locker room. You know what? I think you ought to thank me. I’d just appreciate that we kept to the Gators and go on from there.
