Del Rio’s back-up is Purdue transfer Austin Appleby, who Del Rio beat out for the starting job during fall camp.in Del Rio’s absence, Appleby completed two passes for just 30 yards late in the game to finish things out. Florida head coach Jim McElwain is always critical of his quarterbacks, and Del Rio has been no different. With the game not in doubt, a defender was actually kind of blocked into Del Rio on the play, but McElwain’s emotions got the better of him.
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In what should be a battle of “David vs. Goliath”, the North Texas Mean Green (1-1) will take on the No. 23 Florida Gators (2-0). McElwain, who clearly believed Wheeler’s hit was dirty, started yelling at the North Texas (1-2) sideline and had to be restrained by officials and then his players.
Tennessee cornerback Justin Martin and receiver Josh Smith should play Saturday after missing the OH game with ankle injuries.
If Del Rio’s injury broke Appleby’s heart, it made McElwain’s blood boil. Florida offensive guard Tyler Jordan will miss a second straight game as he recovers from eye surgery, and receiver Antonio Callaway is questionable after missing the North Texas game with a quadriceps injury.
It was the start of a dominating first half for the Gators, who led 19-0 at intermission. I don’t think you ever want to be someone’s caddie. The Gators wound up 6/13 and were 3/9 at one point in the game, including three early drives that came inside the North Texas 10 yard line only to result in, respectively, a field goal and two turnovers on downs.
“I’ve got their back”, McElwain said. As a graduate transfer, he was eligible to play right away. He’s bigger than Del Rio at 6 feet 4 and 240 pounds and is a bit faster.
McElwain said freshmen Kyle Trask and Feleipe Franks also may have to get ready to play. You want to be the guy that’s got the ball in his hands.
Florida junior running back Max Thompson did his part to silence the Mean Green with a 20-yard rush with 13:46 left to play in the fourth.
The offense has its work cut out… They also were both ranked in 2012.
Beating Florida will require the Vols to be livelier and sharper than they’ve been in their first three games.
North Texas: Opens Conference USA play at Rice (0-3).
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Along with the Mean Green’s arrival, the Gators are anticipating the presence of multiple highly recruited prospects on Saturday. Florida is 3-0 and arguably looked more impressive than the Vols thus far.
