Backyard Brawl: "We want this one"

GAINESVILLE -- The chant echoed outside of Florida’s football facilities: “Beat Georgia! Beat Georgia! Beat Georgia!”

Following nearly two decades of dominance, the Gators -- losers of three straight in the border war -- hope to stem the tide in a series suddenly favoring the No. 9 Bulldogs.

“It’s personal,” said linebacker Jarrad Davis, a Georgia native.

“If we don’t get anything else [the rest of the season], we want this one. We want this one.”

The Florida-Georgia rivalry always heats up the hate and war of words, but with the Gators in dizzying tailspin for the second straight season, the fury has reached a fever pitch.

Florida (3-3, 2-3 SEC) is technically mathematically alive for the Eastern Division title, but Saturday (3:30 p.m., CBS) is really about pride.

“We’re out to get a ‘W’ at all costs,” Gators left tackle D.J. Humphries said.

“It’s Florida-Georgia. It’s time to hit somebody in the mouth.”

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Mushcamp: execution not effort the issue

Will Muschamp | John Raoux/AP

GAINESVILLE -- A year ago, Florida’s season snowballed following a myriad of injuries and a fragile team psyche.

While the results haven’t been much better in 2014, beleaguered coach Will Muschamp is adamant Florida’s effort and attitude aren’t the issue this season. 

"I think our attitude has been outstanding,” Muschamp said.

“You go on the open week and we had very physical practices on Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday. We had 6 a.m. meetings on Thursday, everybody is there 20 minutes early getting ready to go. They understand what's at stake at this game playing Georgia. We had a great practice Monday and Tuesday and look forward to another good day today. Our attitude has been outstanding. I don't think for a second that our guys don't have confidence in what we're doing.”

Instead, the Gators -- 3-3 for just the second time since 1986 -- have been plagued by execution errors and a lack of production. Florida has turned the ball over 15 times in the last four games, and ranks 99th nationally in total offense. 

“I've never questioned our effort,” Muschamp said.

“Let's don't confuse effort with production. That's one of the things I told our team on Sunday after Missouri. You can go practice extremely well and practice hard and prepare yourself well and play hard in the game. But if you are not productive that's not what we're looking for. You've got to be productive. You can have great effort and maybe not have the production, the results that you want. We just need to be more productive.''

Florida fell behind Mizzou 42-0 before scoring the game’s final 13 points. It was hardly a rousing comeback, but the team didn’t stop trying even the with game out of hand.

“[The season] hasn't gone as planned, but when you watch these games we never have lost our fight in the game,” senior right tackle Chaz Green said.

“We didn't quit. That last drive vs. Missouri, we ended up scoring. Unfortunately the field goal was blocked. We never quit, though. We've just got to shore up some things and make sure we take care of the ball. That's huge. Don't turn the ball over. But we don't quit. We've got a lot of tough guys, which is a great starting point. We've just got to play a lot smarter across the board.”

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The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party stirs hate

GAINESVILLE -- Florida, on dizzying tailspin, looks to avoid a fourth straight loss to No. 9 Georgia for the first time since 1978-83.  

The border rivals have met annually in Jacksonville since 1933, with the lone exception a two-year stretch in 1994-95.

UF's embattled coach Will Muschamp -- winless in the series as a UGA safety and as Florida’s coach -- explained exactly what the Florida-Georgia rivalry is all about.

Several Gator players commented on the classic series history, too, many also admitting they don’t care what happens the rest of the season so long as they upset the Bulldogs on Saturday (3:30 p.m., CBS).

***** WILL MUSCHAMP *****

“It’s one of the great rivalries in all of college football. There’s nothing like it coming over the bridge and getting ready for this game and the excitement that’ll be in the air certainly on game day but also in the buildup to it.

"We’ve had three games that have come down to the last time of the drive and we need to coach and play better in those situations. I told our team that Thursday. We’ve had our opportunities to get off the field defensively; we’ve had opportunities to go for a possible tie in another situation and we haven’t done it. Credit their team and what they’ve been able to do. We certainly had our opportunities.”

***** SENIOR CENTER MAX GARCIA *****

“I’m a Georgia boy. One of the first memories I have is watching this game. I just feel like this game has so much hype, so much tension about it. I don’t even know how to describe the atmosphere. It’s so much antsiness and anxiousness around the game. It’s a huge game."

***** SENIOR LINEBACKER MIKE TAYLOR *****

"It's a big rivalry game. It's probably one of the best college atmosphere you can play in knowing it's split down the middle. Georgia on one side, Florida on the other side. Coming out of the tunnel and on the field on a neutral site, it's something that you just pride yourself on playing in. You want to have a good game in this big game.

"You know being recruited by them and being recruited in the state of Georgia means a lot, because you chose to go away for college. So it is a big game, it impacts us, too, as it does Muschamp, too, because he went there so, it's a big game for all of us. It's a border rivalry. You want to play good in this game, and this game has decided who has come out the East the last couple of years except for last year.”

***** SENIOR RIGHT TACKLE CHAZ GREEN *****

“The rivalry speaks for itself. Like Muschamp said, the last few years its come down to the last drive. And you know they’ve got the upper hand the last few years and we want to be on the other side this year.

“You can see the tailgate, cause it’s crazy. You go over that bridge and then all of the sudden you see a bunch of Gator fans, a bunch of Georgia fans. It’s crazy because you don’t see it until you get all the way over the bridge. Your heart starts pumping. You finally know it’s about that time.” 

***** JUNIOR DEFENSIVE END DANTE FOWLER JR. *****

“It’s the Florida-Georgia game. I mean, everyone dreams of playing this game, seeing themselves in this game. A lot of people know each other. We have a lot of people on our team that’s from Georgia. They’ve got some players on their team that’s from Florida.

"It’s really crazy how it is. You go over the bridge. First of all it’s a nice bridge, just to see an NFL football stadium that you’re about to play in. That excites you ever more. And just seeing the cocktail party, tailgating, things going on. Seeing the Georgia fans and how they react. So I like things like that. That kind of gets me pumped up when I see our fans and you get to see their fans. It’s really emotional to see the blue and red split.”

***** SOPHOMORE LINEBACKER JARRAD DAVIS *****

“It’s always personal. … It just seems  like in this game everybody out there is just turned all the way up. No matter what is going on outside or what’s going on before the game or the week before or the week after. It’s just THIS game. When this game comes up, it’s all about THIS game from both sides, that’s what it seems like. 

“You can tell these guys they want it so bad. If we don’t get anything else, we want this one. I’m going to be honest with you, we want this one. That’s how we have to go out every week and that’s how we’re definitely going at it this week. We want this one. We want this one.”

***** JUNIOR LEFT TACKLE D.J. HUMPHRIES *****

“It’s Florida-Georgia, you know what I mean. It’s time to hit somebody in the mouth.

“It’s kind of one those things, I’m from North Carolina so I kind of just inherited this hate. I never really understood it. It’s kind of like Florida State. I never knew anything about Florida-Florida State, but as soon as I got there my freshman year, like I automatically hate them. It’s just like an aura when you get there. It’s like, ‘We don’t like you all all all. Period. It’s definitely personal, one of those physical, personal games.”

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Be careful what you wish for...

GAINESVILLE -- The Florida Gators want Todd Gurley.

Seriously.

Georgia’s star tailback remains sidelined as the No. 9 Bulldogs await the NCAA’s ruling regarding his reinstatement, but Florida hopes the conference’s leader in all-purpose yards per game (194.6) is back on the field Saturday (3:30 p.m., CBS).

“I think he’s going to play,” junior defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. said. “I really want him to play. He’s a great player and great players bring great competition out of you. I feel like he’ll be a good competition for our defense coming up and just for the team. He’s a good player and I look forward to playing him.”

Added sophomore safety Keanu Neal, “I hope he's playing. It's always good to go against good, so I'm looking forward to going against him. … He's a freakish athlete. Anyone can see it. I'm looking forward to it."

Gurley has missed Georgia’s last two games while under investigation for allegedly receiving money for signing autographs.

The All-American tailback has dominated in his only two meetings against Florida, but the Gators are adamant they hope the former Heisman Trophy frontrunner plays. 

A year ago, Gurley, hobbled after missing nearly four straight games, torched UF for 187 total yards and two touchdowns in a 23-20 win. 

In 2012, then a freshman, the running back rushed for 118 yards and a score, becoming the lone player to crack the century mark against the nation’s fifth-ranked defense.

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Driskel's future role remains unspecified

GAINESVILLE -- Jeff Driskel will have a role against No. 9 Georgia this Saturday (3:30 p.m., CBS), but it may be simply supporting starting quarterback Treon Harris from the sidelines.

The junior signal-caller, benched in UF’s 42-13 loss to Missouri, lost his starting job after turning the ball over 12 times in the last four games.

Expectations were high for Driskel entering his third year as a starter, but offensive coordinator Kurt Roper couldn’t “put his finger” on why Driskel has struggled so much in 2014.

“There’s been ups and downs,” Roper said.

“The LSU game there were a lot of good things. Kentucky game there were a lot of good things, Eastern Michigan, too. Tennessee was a challenge for us. The last game … the thing is he works hard, he’s prepared. He cares, it means a lot to him. He made some mistake in that last game that weren’t typical mistakes that weren’t necessarily mistakes he’d been making earlier in the year. It just is what it is.”

Driskel was hampered by an injured back against the Tigers. Still, his mistakes proved too costly to overcome, and a change was necessary.  

Driskel is the team's definitive No. 2 quarterback, and Florida isn’t heading to Jacksonville with a two-quarterback system.

“Treon’s going to go play well, we’re counting on Treon to play well,” Roper said.

“If something happens. Treon gets hurt, then we’ve got to be ready for Jeff to step in.”

Driskel could see a role as a designated runner, but that remains unknown. Regardless, Harris won’t be looking over his shoulder Saturday.

“You’ve got to be ready to go play the game, got to be ready to play situationally. If we feel like we need to put [Driskel] in and use his size [we will],” Roper said. “But I hope Treon plays well.”

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Tebow: "Stop booing"

 

GAINESVILLE -- Former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, now a SEC Network analyst, implored Florida fans to “rise above the booing,” and support embattled coach Will Muschamp.

Tebow, who just last week questioned his beloved Gators’ leadership, heart and offensive identity, said Florida should “be better than these other universities that boo their student-athletes.”

The SEC Nation crew -- Tebow, alongside Paul Finebaum, Marcus Spears -- discussed Florida’s woes this season. Their comments are presented below (courtesy ESPN).

The Gators (3-3, 2-3 SEC) take on No. 8 Georgia (6-1, 4-1 SEC) on Saturday in Jacksonville.

Tim Tebow -- "I think the University of Florida team has a lot of talent.  I think they have a lot of good coaches.  I don’t think they’ve played up to their potential.  I think this team has a chance to be pretty good.  Right now, they have the number three defense in the SEC.  But, offensively, I don’t think they have an identity.  I don’t think they have a leader that is taking people together saying let’s do our job, focus on doing your job, getting better and making everyone around them better. But, I also know Will Muschamp, when he was at Auburn, he had one of the best game plans I’ve ever played against in college.  This guy knows how to coach.  A few years ago, they went to the Sugar Bowl; they were 12-1.  He knows how to lead a team.  He knows how to be successful.  But, to do that, they have to find a way to score points, and they have to have better leadership offensively."

Marcus Spears -- "Players get coaches fired, and that’s what is happening at Florida right now.  These guys just have to play better.  The talent is there; the playmakers are there.  I would take this defense up against any team in the country.  When you have 10 interceptions in six games, when guys are dropping passes in the end zone, when those plays are not being made, giving up special teams touchdowns, letting turnovers go back to the house for touchdowns, that is a formula for losing football games; that has nothing to do with Will Muschamp. It’s easy to fire a coach, but let’s look at these guys." 

Paul Finebaum -- "Next week, the narrative is going to be “Do or Die.”  If he loses to Georgia, that’s four straight.  Losing four straight to Georgia will get you fired."

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UFPD report details Harris' alleged sexual assault

Treon Harris | Tim Casey/Gatorzone.com

GAINESVILLE -- On the same day Treon Harris was named the University of Florida’s starting quarterback, the school released the police report regarding the freshman’s connection to the Oct. 5 alleged sexual assault on campus.

Florida suspended Harris on Oct. 6 after the 19-year-old Miami native was accused of sexually assaulting a female student at the Springs Residential Complex, an on-campus dorm, around 3 a.m. the night before.

According to the 58-page report released Wednesday, the UF student accused Florida’s quarterback of rape in Harris’ dorm room, saying she voluntarily decided to sleep over but persistently rejected Harris’ sexual advances.

However, Harris told multiple investigators the encounter was consensual. 

Harris was never charged, and the woman withdrew her complaint four days later.

The former Booker T. Washington star, whose brother Tim ‘Ice’ Harris Jr. coaches the Tornadoes, was reinstated Oct. 10, but days earlier his attorney, Huntley Johnson, adamantly defended the freshman quarterback.

“Mr. Harris is not guilt of a crime and did not mistreat this young lady in any way that night,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the accuser had sexual relations with another man an hour before the alleged incident with Harris, and that she had text messaged Florida’s freshman quarterback immediately after he’d rallied the Gators to a 10-9 win over Tennessee in Knoxville.

The UFPD’s incident report corroborates Johnson’s claim, with a heavily redacted section detailing the alleged victim’s sexual encounter with another football player.

The report outlines Harris’ interactions with the accuser, including hanging out with the woman immediately upon returning from Knoxville.

According to the report, on Oct. 5, Harris and the accuser watched the Auburn-LSU game before parting ways.

Later that night, Harris, along with several of his teammates, met up with the accuser at ‘Rain,’ a Gainesville nightclub, partying until 2 a.m.

The group convened in the parking lot afterward, where they drove in multiple vehicles to a local Waffle House, which was closed. The group then drove to a Kangaroo gas station nearby, where surveillance cameras show Harris and the accuser walking arm-and-arm into the store.

There, Harris and the woman got into a separate vehicle and drove back to the Springs Complex, where the alleged sexual assault occurred.

The 175-page report covers multiple supplemental narratives, as well as Harris’ 63-page interview. 

During the interviews, Harris repeatedly denied he raped the accuser and expressed his disbelief in the situation. The freshman quarterback asked an officer for the opportunity to speak with the alleged victim, and struggled to grasp the gravity of the allegation, asking several times, “Is this going to be on ESPN and stuff?”

Later, Harris brought up Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston’s name, saying. “You think I’m going to do the same as that?” 

Text messages made up a comprehensive portion of the report, but ultimately, they shed little light on exactly what happened that evening.

Following the sexual encounter, Harris and the accuser had a notable back-and-forth, with Harris texting the alleged victim, “Don’t tell nobody bout nothing,” to which she replied, “Don’t try me ever again” and “I wouldn’t even come near me If I were yu.”

As part of the investigation, detectives interviewed 11 Florida football players: Harris, safety Jabari Gorman, wideout Demarcus Robinson, tailback Matt Jones, cornerback Marcus Maye, cornerback Quincy Wilson, receiver C.J. Worten, safety Keanu Neal, cornerback Brian Poole, tailback Kelvin Taylor and wideout Latroy Pittman. 

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Gator Grades: Kaboom

GAINESVILLE -- It’s not even the beginning of the end anymore for Will Muschamp.

That was Georgia Southern. 

Saturday night was worse. 

The Gators were humiliated -- in primetime -- on homecoming for the second straight season, embarrassingly falling to Missouri 42-13. It was a nightmare, dumpster-fire performance.

The Tigers were fresh of a shutout shellacking at home to No. 10 Georgia. Maty Mauk was terrible again. They didn’t eclipse 120 yards on offense … yet they still won by four touchdowns. 

#ItsgrimUF was the theme a year ago. Now, it’s eulogizing time.  

OFFENSE - F

There’s little left to say about a dreadful attack that continues to invent new ways to lose. 

The two-quarterback system was a bust, as both Jeff Driskel and Treon Harris struggled protecting the football. 

The Gators coughed up the ball six times and had just 66 yards by halftime. A rapture couldn’t have saved this offense.

Every drive was Gun. Meet Foot. 

Driskel, hampered by an ankle injury, was woeful once again. Muschamp all-but feed his third-year starter to the wolves in the third quarter before mercifully pulling the junior. Harris, with a limited playbook, wasn’t much better until it was too late. The freshman was indecisive and had as many errant throws early as Driskel. 

Florida’s revamped offensive line crumbled against Mizzou’s fearsome front-four, surrendering six sacks. 

DEFENSE - B+

Missouri had just 20 yards after halftime … and still outscored UF 22-13 in the second half. The Gators’ defense did its damnedest to put out all the self-inflicted fires, but the ugliness by the offense (and special teams) was too much to overcome. 

The Tigers had success running the ball in the first half, and once they jumped out to an insurmountable lead (for Florida’s offense) they simply stopped trying to score. 

Florida yielded just 2.4 yards per play, but a lack of sacks (just one) and forced turnovers (Marcus Maye’s interception was the lone takeaway) allowed Mizzou to just slowly grind the game away.    

SPECIAL TEAMS - F

A week after a dominating special teams effort, Florida had a putrid performance Saturday evening.

Marcus Murphy ran roughshod on returns (96-yard kickoff touchdown, 82-yard punt touchdown), and the Tigers also comically blocked an extra point late in the fourth quarter. 

Andre Debose did nothing (four punt returns for six yards), while Gators punter Kyle Christy averaged just 38 yards on five punts. 

OVERALL - F

In this section last week: "The ship may not be sunk, yet, but I’m not sure how much more water it can hold." It’s officially overflowing. 

For a team that’s lost 10 of 13, Saturday night’s ugliness was still unimaginable. In a mind-blowing stat (courtesy of ESPN), Muschamp's Gators are the only team in the last decade to lose a game -- TWICE -- when allowing fewer than a 120 yards.

All other teams are 94-0. Chew on that. 

Athletic director Jeremy Foley once famously stated, “What should be done eventually, must be done immediately.” We’ll know soon enough if that statement still holds true.  

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McCalister talks breakout year, former hoop dreams

GAINESVILLE -- Alex McCalister dreamed of playing basketball for Roy Williams. Instead, the 6-foot-6, 255-pound North Carolina native has developed into a menacing pass rusher for the Florida Gators.

“He didn’t even know who I was,” McCalister said of UNC's legendary hoops coach.

McCalister was a star basketball player in high school, but football was his true destiny. 

Florida’s redshirt sophomore was guided towards football by his high school coaches. With raw and freakish athleticism, many major colleges viewed McCalister as a long-term project with limitless upside.

He's been worth the wait.

McCalister has gone from project to player, and is suddenly a budding star opposite preseason All-American Dante Fowler Jr.

He leads the Gators in sacks (4.0) and tackles for loss (5.0). Earlier this week, he spoke on his previous basketball aspirations, development and early-season production.

On translating the preseason hype into production… 

“Coming out [this fall] my goal was to be a part of this team, bring something to this team. So, fulfilling those pass-rush goals, and keep working and keep working, just trying to help the team, that’s it. But I am glad I am producing for this team.”

On the “project” label out of high school

“Just that word, the ‘project.’ I mean, everybody wants to come in and play. Even my second year, my sophomore year, I still wanted to play but I was still that project. I still had to develop, I still had to learn. The biggest hurdle was really just accepting that, knowing that you are a project guy and you’ve got to just keep fighting, keep fighting, keep hurdling that stuff. And now it’s pretty much paying off. I’ve just got to keep working. Still got a long way to go.”

On his hoops skills…

"I don’t think nobody here can beat me. I say I’m top 3 on the team. I’m definitely [the best].”

On learning how to maintain weight… 

“[Gaining weight] wasn’t that fun. Not in the beginning. It was overwhelming. I came in at like 215. It was like you’ve got to eat, eat, eat if you want to play. OK, I’m eating but I’m not gaining weight. But I finally learned that too. I learned how to manage it. Eat certain amount of meals throughout the course of the day. I finally got that.”

********** BONUS QUOTE **********

“[He was] a stick. Like the dude from ‘A Bugs Life.’ The little stick figure. … He’s playing good. He’s long, extremely long, like 7-foot long. He can rush the passer. He can play the run. He’s playing good coming off the edge and getting to the quarterback. It’s just another good thing having him and Dante on both edges of the ball.”

--- Senior linebacker Mike Taylor, on McCalister’s sophomore season and inital impressions when the defensive end first arrived on campus

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Chris Walker still not "a savior," suspended 3 games

 

GAINESVILLE -- Florida forward Chris Walker will miss the team’s first three games (including an exhibition contest) for violating team rules, coach Billy Donovan announced Wednesday. 

At the team’s media day, the 6-foot-10, 225-pound sophomore declined comment on his suspension, only saying, “It’ll be tough, but I’ll get through it.”

Walker, a former five-star prospect and McDonald’s All-American, played just 18 games in 2013-14 after failing to qualify academically until December and later serving a NCAA suspension for receiving improper benefits. 

“He has such a long way to go as far as being reliable, accountable and disciplined,” Donovan said.

Walker averaged just 1.9 points, 1.3 rebounds on 4.8 minutes last season, and many expected the talented big-man -- currently projected as a 2015 NBA first-round pick -- to play a key role this year. 

Maybe, but maybe not, according to Donovan. 

“His biggest challenge this year is going to be his ability to manage expectations,” he said. “Chris Walker played four minutes a game and everybody thinks he’s this savior. I can’t really tell you he is ready to handle that or even capable of handling that.”

Donovan continued: “I’ve never seen a guy have more hype coming into the middle of a season. … I don’t know what kind of impact he’s going to make. He’s got a long way to go.”

Meanwhile, freshman point guard Brandone Francis is academically ineligible for the entire 2014-15 campaign, per Donovan. 

“He needs to prove himself academically,” Donovan said. 

Francis is enrolled at UF, but the 6-6 guard from the Dominican Republic, who moved to Jacksonville and finished high school at Arlington Country Day School, won’t practice with the team the first semester. 

“There’s things he has to do academically while he’s here to get himself eligible to play,” Donovan explained. “If he progress like we hope he will, he’ll be allowed to come back to practice for the second semester.”

INJURY UPDATE

Swingman DeVon Walker will miss the entire season with a torn ACL sustained during summer workouts, but Donovan said the junior guard may return to practice in January or February. 

Eli Carter (leg) and Dillion Graham (hips, ankle) are cleared for contact but both players remain limited as the Gators open practice. Carter and Graham both missed the entire 2013-14 season, receiving medical redshirts.  

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SEC announces 2015 schedule, UF to host Ole Miss

GAINESVILLE -- The Southeastern Conference announced the 2015 football schedule Tuesday night, with Florida’s slate officially set. 

While the Gators’ opponents were previously announced, the release confirmed the dates with Mississippi, New Mexico State (UF's opener), East Carolina and Florida Atlantic. 

UF will host Ole Miss, a playoff contender this year, on Oct. 3, kickstarting a brutal stretch during the heart of the season. 

Following the showdown with the Rebels, the Gators will play four of five games away from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium -- with trips to Missouri, LSU, Jacksonville (Georgia) and South Carolina. 

The 2015 FLORIDA GATORS SCHEDULE

Sept. 5 - New Mexico State

Sept. 12 - ECU

Sept. 19 - at Kentucky 

Sept. 26 - Tennessee

Oct. 3 - Ole Miss

Oct. 10 - at Missouri 

Oct. 17 - at LSU

OPEN

Oct. 31 - Georgia (Jacksonville)

Nov. 7 - Vanderbilt 

Nov. 14 - at South Carolina 

Nov. 21 - FAU

Nov. 28 - Florida State  

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SEC commissioner Mike Slive to retire July 2015

GAINESVILLE -- Due to a recurrence of prostate cancer, Mike Slive will retire as SEC Commissioner on July, 31, 2015, the conference announced Tuesday.

Slive -- the league’s commissioner since 2002 -- leaves a historic legacy as the architect of the nation's most dominant conference. 

During 74-year-old’s 13-year tenure -- the SEC’s “golden age” -- the conference won seven straight BCS national times, 60 additional national championships, expanded into Texas and Missouri, launched an unprecedented TV network and increased revenues by record numbers.

“Mike possesses all of the qualities of a great leader – visionary, consensus builder, integrity, intuition and commitment, but more than anything he is a great friend to so many of us in this league,’’ said UF athletic director Jeremy Foley to Gatorzone.com.

“He’s led this conference to historical milestones during his tenure and the impact he’s had on collegiate athletics management and structure will be felt for many years. I look forward to working with him during his final year and in his future role as a consultant to the league.”

According to the release, Slive’s medical prognosis is “good,” and he will serve as a consultant for four years following his retirement. 

"I have been blessed in more ways than I can count and I will have as much passion for this job on my last day as I did on my first," Slive said.

"I consider my health situation a temporary detour in a remarkable road that has allowed me to meet amazing people, experience incredible events and celebrate historic victories. I will relish my final year in this position and look forward to being the biggest fan of the SEC for many years to come."

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QBs Driskel, Harris both to play against Missouri

GAINESVILLE -- Florida will play two quarterbacks in a pivotal must-win against Missouri on Saturday (7 p.m., ESPN2), coach Will Muschamp announced Monday.

Embattled starter Jeff Driskel will continue to work with the first-team offense, but dynamic true freshman Treon Harris will see extended snaps, too.

“We’ll work through the week and we’ll see how things go,” Muschamp said. “Right now, Jeff will probably start, but they’re both going to play.”

Driskel turned the ball over three more times in UF’s 30-27 gut-punching loss to LSU. The junior leads the conference in interceptions (8) and has eight total turnovers the last three weeks. 

Harris, a former star at Miami Booker T. Washington, was scheduled to see snaps against the Tigers before he was investigated for an alleged sexual assault last Monday. The freshman was suspended for a week, before the university reinstated him late Friday afternoon after the accuser withdrew her complaint.

Harris -- who watched the LSU loss from the press box -- missed a week of practice and film-study, a concern for Muschamp.

“He’s a freshman. It means more than a third or fourth year player, certainly,” Muschamp said. “We’ll see today.”

Meanwhile, Driskel lamented Florida’s missed opportunities against LSU -- some his own fault, others not -- and said the offense “is close” to eliminating the costly mistakes. 

Driskel has never played in a two-quarterback system before, but said he’s open to whatever is best for the team to succeed. 

“Believe it or not, I’m not worried about me, I’m worried about the team,” he said. “I want the team to play well. If it’s going to help the team, I’m all for it. We’re confident in Treon. I think the guys are confident in me as well. It’s not going to be something that’s going to divide the team or anything like that.”

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Gator Grades: Booted

GAINESVILLE -- (Breathe, y’all)

Florida dropped a gut-punching and dramatic affair to an average LSU team, finding a way to lose over and over again on a wild evening in The Swamp.

Tigers kicker Colby Delahoussaye nailed a 50-yard field goal with three seconds remaining, moments after the Gators looked poised to win the game outright.

Florida had little business escaping Tennessee with a victory two weeks ago, and the football gods weren’t as kind Saturday night.

OFFENSE - D

About that up-tempo, spread offense: Florida totaled 306 yards on just 57 plays.

Much-maligned quarterback Jeff Driskel can’t win for losing. Florida’s third-year starter was awful and awesome all in the same game, but if anything can go wrong for Driskel, it will.

He turned the ball over three more times, including the decisive tipped-pick with under 30 seconds left in the game.

Florida’s offensive line was up and down, as the Gators failed to establish an explosive running game against the nation’s No. 90 ranked unit. Andre Debose’s 35-yard jet sweep was UF’s longest run of the game.

Demarcus Robinson hurled in a perfect 11-yard touchdown, and later, Driskel’s 73-yard bomb, yet Florida Florida’d, failing to score a touchdown on first-and-goal at the 3-yard-line.

The playcalling was poor and the offense was ghastly in the third quarter: 16 yards on 10 plays.

Brandon Powell was a bright spot, but Kelvin Taylor remains M.I.A. (pass protection woes). 

DEFENSE - C-

The total yardage was fine (305 yards, just 4.2 y/p), but UF’s defense was inconsistent against a very subpar offense.

Florida’s front four mauled LSU on passing downs (four sacks), yet the Gators’ front-seven was gashed by dynamic freshman tailback Leonard Fournette (140 yards, two scores).

The busted coverage on 3rd-and-25 was inexplicable and was a microcosm of the night for the unit: When a big play was needed, it wasn’t made.

Without Vernon Hargreaves III for much of the game, the revamped secondary played well (aside from the key bust). Jalen Tabor continues to impress, as does Alex McCalister (2 sacks) and Bryan Cox Jr. (5 tackles, 1 TFL).

In a seesaw game where the Gators turned the ball over three times, zero takeaways were a killer.

SPECIAL TEAMS - A

Debose was electrifying, and would’ve been the Gators’ hero had they won the game.

He sparked three Florida touchdowns, including two dynamic punt returns — one for a 62-yard touchdown.

Kyle Christy was solid again (47.5 yard average on four punts) and the coverage (punts and kickoff) units were really good. 

OVERALL - D

Florida played hard, but it simply found a way to lose. Whether it was Driskel gift-wrapping turnovers or the defense folding at key moments, the Gators gave the game away.

Will Muschamp’s hot-seat is scorching. The ship may not be sunk yet, but I’m not sure how much more water it can hold. 

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Late Driskel pick sends Gators to gut-wrenching loss

Jeff Driskel | John Raoux/AP

GAINESVILLE -- Murphy’s Law strikes again.

Beleaguered quarterback Jeff Driskel appeared poised to rally Florida (3-2, 2-2 SEC) to a nail-biting win over LSU, only to see a potential game-winning touchdown dropped, and then later, a ball tipped for an interception to setup the Tigers’ winning score.

Colby Delahoussaye nailed a 50-yard field goal with just three seconds left in the fourth quarter, sending LSU (5-2, 1-2 SEC) to a controversial but dramatic 30-27 win over UF and increasing the temperature on Florida coach Will Muschamp’s already scorching hot seat.

“It’s a really tough loss,” Driskel said. “Hat’s off to LSU.”

With 26 seconds remaining, Driskel forced a throw over the middle to Latroy Pittman, who tipped the ball to LSU defensive back Ricky Jefferson. 

Pittman was scarily injured on the play and was carted off the field. Although the wideout was completely immobilized by medical personnel, he gave the crowd a thumbs up with his right arm as he left the field.

“We think Pittman will be fine,” Muschamp said.

Still, it was surreal scene that marred an ugly but entertaining game.

And ultimately a gut-wrenching loss for the Gators.

LSU ran the ball on first down, but a scrum at the end of the play forced the officials to put seven seconds back on the clock -- even though LSU had no timeouts remaining.

With new life, Delahoussaye drilled the long kick.

Muschamp said he’s never seen officals put time back on the clock in that situation and would have a discussion with Steve Shaw, the conference’s head of officals, Sunday.

The Gators held the game’s momentum late in the quarter, pinning LSU deep in its own territory and forcing a 3rd-and-25.

But Florida (defensive backs Brian Poole and Keanu Neal) badly blew a coverage, and Anthony Jennings found Travin Duval for 41 yards up the sideline.

“Just poor communication,” Muschamp said. “10 guys got it [the defensive call] and one didn’t. … You cut a guy lose on a play like that and you don’t deserve to win.”

Jennings (10-for-21, 110 yards) wasn’t any better than Driskel (14-of-25, 183 yards), as LSU leaned on explosive freshman tailback Leonard Fournette.

The 6-1, 230-pound back ran wild, displaying his special blend of size, speed and video-game moves. He powered for a career-high 140 yards and two scores.

Fournette ran over, past and through UF’s defense, injuring All-American cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III on a thunderous run in the second quarter. Florida’s top defensive player did not return.

The Gators’ offense was largely stagnant without workhorse tailback Matt Jones, who barely played with a bum ankle.

Florida tried to run the offense with Driskel as the power runner -- without a ton of success. Florida’s 6-foot-4, 230-pound quarterback bruised his way for 71 yards on 21 carries. 

He rumbled for a first down early in the game and delivered a fiery, emotional reaction historically reserved for Tim Tebow. Otherwise, it was another forgettable night for the third-year starter.

Driskel turned the ball over three times, negating many of his finer moments -- a beautiful 11-yard touchdown to Demarcus Robinson -- during Florida’s comeback.

LSU went up 27-24 on a splendid 11-yard, one-handed touchdown reception by Duval.

The Tigers then dared Driskel to beat them deep. And he did.

Finally. 

But Florida wasted the perfect 73-yard pass to Robinson, stalling on the 3-yard-line and settling for the tying field goal.

Tight end Tevin Westbrook dropped an easy go-ahead score with 1:50 left in the fourth quarter.

Although the offense struggled (306 total yards), Andre Debuse flashed his best Percy Harvin impression, sparking three Florida touchdowns.

The sixth-year senior jumpstarted a frenzied crowd, igniting The Swamp with a 62-yard punt return touchdown early in the first quarter. It was Debose’s fifth touchdown return of his career, setting a school record. Later, he added a 53-yard return to setup a score late in the fourth quarter. He also rushed for 35 yards on a jet sweep.

Despite the team’s usual shakiness, Florida didn’t play like a group distracted by the turmoil from the Treon Harris fallout.

On Friday, Harris’ accuser withdrew her sexual assault complaint, and the university and the UAA quickly reinstated Florida’s freshman quarterback.

Harris wasn’t on the sideline Saturday night, with The Associated Press reporting Florida didn’t want the freshman to be the game’s storyline and the constant focus of TV cameras.

“It was a very taxing week for him. I’m very proud of the way he’s handled the situation,” Muschamp said.  “Everybody is a victim in this situation. No one wins in this situation.” 

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Harris' accuser withdraws sexual assault complaint

GAINESVILLE -- Treon Harris’ accuser withdrew her sexual assault complaint Friday and, the university and the UAA quickly reinstated Florida’s freshman quarterback.

Although Harris will not play Saturday against LSU (7:30 p.m., SEC Network), he is completely eligible moving forward.

“We have been notified that the University and legal process is complete,” coach Will Muschamp said.

“Treon has been reinstated to the team, but he will not play Saturday. This has been a learning experience for everyone involved. Treon has been honest with me throughout the process and is looking forward to rejoining his teammates.”

Earlier Friday afternoon, UF assistant vice president of media relations and public affairs Janine Sikes announced, “The student who accused Treon Harris of sexual battery has withdrawn her criminal complaint. This means she is not pursuing criminal charges against him at this time but maintains the right to do so in the future. The police report will be released when it is available.”

Sikes added, “The university always will take swift and decisive action when we have concerns about the safety of our students.”

Harris was suspended by Florida on Monday after the 19-year-old was accused of sexually assaulting a female student at an on-campus dorm around 3 a.m. Sunday.

On Thursday, Harris’ attorney, Huntley Johnson, adamantly defended him in a statement, saying, “Mr. Harris is not guilt of a crime and did not mistreat this young lady in any way that night.”

He continued: “Misstatements in the media have painted a picture that is inconsistent with the evidence.”

In the graphic statement, Johnson said the accuser had sexual relations with another man an hour before the alleged incident with Harris, and that she had text messaged Florida’s freshman quarterback immediately after he’d rallied the Gators to a 10-9 win over Tennessee in Knoxville.

Harris was ultimately never charged. Under Florida law, Harris’ accuser could be charged if authorities believe she filed a false report.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Johnson told the Orlando Sentinel.

“The university did the right thing.”

The Tornadoes’ head coach Tim ‘Ice’ Harris Jr., Treon’s older brother, tweeted, “Thank god! Love my family. #Harris #F5.”

Later, Harris posted on his Instagram account for the first time since the allegations were made public, saying, “I wanna thank everybody who supported me through this whole situation with the prayers and the love. #TheComeBack #GodIsGreat.”

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Esq. Huntley Johnson: Suspended QB Treon Harris "not guilty," paints accuser as the "sexual aggressor"

GAINESVILLE -- Suspended University of Florida quarterback Treon Harris is under investigation for an alleged sexual assualt against a female student early Sunday evening in an on-campus dorm, but his lawyer, Huntley Johnson, adamently defended the former Miami Booker T. Washington standout in a statement Thursday. 

The complete release...

"We are releasing this statement in an attempt to help clarify the circumstances surrounding the investigation of Treon Harris.

The status of Mr. Harris as a student at the University of Florida is that he was given an interim suspension pending a resolution by the administration of the University. After an appeal of the decision to suspend Mr. Harris, the University decided to allow Mr. Harris to continue his online courses. Because he is not allowed on campus, Mr. Harris is currently not attending those classes which occur in a classroom.

In terms of the criminal case, as most of you are aware, the University released a redacted police report yesterday evening. Currently, Mr. Harris has not been arrested and the criminal investigation is ongoing.

First, we want to dispel the idea that the alleged victim and our client didn’t know each other. Our client and the alleged victim knew each other to the extent that they had each other’s cell phone numbers and had previously spent time together of their own accord for the purpose of socializing together.

We want to dispel the idea and rumors floating around that our client forced his way into the alleged victim’s apartment. Those rumors are patently false. Mr. Harris has never been inside the young lady’s room. We understand that all of the evidence was gathered from our client’s room, which is where the interaction between the two parties took place.

We know that an individual has given testimony to law enforcement that he had sexual relations with the alleged victim less than an hour before the alleged sexual conduct with our client took place. In fact, testimony indicates that the young lady in question was the sexual aggressor in that interaction.

Our investigation has produced no evidence whatsoever that the young lady in question was impaired.

We have provided law enforcement with multiple witnesses that will indicate what the interaction was between the alleged victim and our client before they returned to our client’s room: they were smiling and they were holding hands. They returned to the Springs Residential Complex in a car driven by another female student who was a friend of the alleged victim.

We have provided multiple text messages to the authorities investigating this incident. These texts were exchanged among the alleged victim, Mr. Harris, and the other gentleman mentioned above.

When these text messages are released, they will show that the young woman making these allegations initiated the conduct with Mr. Harris while he was still in the locker room in Knoxville. Shortly after the team plane landed, texting continued between Mr. Harris and the alleged victim.

We believe the evidence will show the alleged victim was in fact in the sexual aggressor with not one, but two young men early last Sunday morning.

Misstatements in the media to date have painted a picture that is inconsistent with the evidence. That said, we have fully cooperated with this investigation. Mr. Harris agreed to a search of his dorm room. Mr. Harris agreed to a search of his phone. Mr. Harris gave a voluntary statement to law enforcement. We have turned over at least six (6) eyewitnesses to the events in questions to law enforcement. We have turned over the text messages to law enforcement. We have suggested to law enforcement multiple locations from which they should secure video surveillance. We have provided law enforcement with information gathered from the Internet that this young woman posted on Sunday, after the alleged misconduct, where she is smiling and happy. There is no indication of any physical or mental trauma.

We have previously indicated that we do not believe that Mr. Harris will be arrested or prosecuted. That is because of our experience and the facts of this case. He is not guilty of a crime and he did not mistreat this young lady in any way that night."

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UFPD releases heavily redacted Treon Harris report

GAINESVILLE -- Late Wednesday afternoon, the University of Florida Police Department released an 18-page report on the alleged sexual assault incident at the Springs Residential Complex involving 19-year-old Florida quarterback Treon Harris,  but the heavily redacted document (17 ½ pages blacked-out) offered minimal information on what exactly occurred in the wee hours Sunday morning. 

Harris, who was suspended indefinitely Monday, has not been charged as the investigation continues. 

Janine Sikes, assistant vice president of media relations and public affairs, cited privacy laws as the reasons behind the redacted document. Sikes also outlined the steps for the UF student code of conduct review -- mandated by the Department of Education Title IX federal statute. 

According to Sikes, even if Harris isn’t charged with sexual assault, he could still face student code of conduct sanctions.

Florida coach Will Muschamp, who canceled his regularly scheduled news conference Monday, (reluctantly) addressed reporters Wednesday for the first time since the allegation became public. 

“It’s a very serious charge and there’s been no change in Treon’s status,” he said. “I think our statement Monday was self-explanatory.” 

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Cleat-Gate? Hardly

GAINESVILLE -- Will Muschamp remained somber discussing Treon Harris’ alleged sexual assault investigation, but Florida’s coach managed to laugh rehashing UF’s other off-the-field incident Monday evening.

Muschamp called the fistfight between sophomore quarterback Skyler Morhinweg and freshman defensive end Gerald Willis III “a tremendous misunderstanding.”

“I tell you what, we’ve made a big one out of this,” he said.

Around 7 p.m. Monday, UFPD was dispatched to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to breakup a scuffle over a pair of missing cleats.

The two players exchanged punches but no charges were filed.

“Nobody stole anything,” Muschamp said. “If anybody stole anything, they wouldn’t be on this football team anymore. I can assure you of that. We had a disagreement, and I wish it would have been handled a little bit differently.”

Before Monday’s practice, Willis -- a New Orleans native -- couldn’t find his cleats on UF’s “air-drying system,” grabbing a pair inscribed with No. 17. The “excitable freshman” thought the shoes belonged to friend and fellow defensive end Jordan Sherit. Instead, the cleats actually belonged to Mornhinweg, who now wears No. 8 after changing from No. 17 last season.

“We’ve got an air thing that takes the wetness out of the cleats,” Muschamp explained.

“Skyler last year was No. 17 and Jordan Sherit’s No. 17 this year. Gerald was coming from class and trying to get ready for practice. Couldn’t find his cleats on the air thing, and he grabbed No. 17 because he’s buddies with Jordan Sherit and he thought that’d be OK. Went out to practice, and there was a disagreement on the cleats and whose cleats they were. Nobody stole anything. If anybody stole anything, they wouldn’t be on this football team anymore. I can assure you of that. We had a disagreement and I wish it would have been handled a little bit differently. Me and brother Mike used to fight all the time. It happened in our family. Maybe our family is really different from everybody else’s. Me and my brother Pat, I never won. Took swings. Never won. That’s the way it goes. Families [fight], it’s what happens.”

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Muschamp addresses Harris' suspension

GAINESVILLE -- Florida coach Will Muschamp said the sexual assault allegation against freshman quarterback Treon Harris is “a serious charge,” adding he agrees with the school’s stance to suspend the former Miami Booker T. Washington standout. 

“I think our statement Monday was self-explanatory,” Muschamp said Wednesday. “This was a serious charge and there’s been no change in Treon’s status.”

Muschamp addressed the media for the first time since Harris was suspended indefinitely Monday morning, saying, "It is what it is. You handle situations in this role and you move forward. You manage your football team and that's what we've done.”

Muschamp issued multiple “no comments” on the pending investigation, refusing to answer any inquires on Harris’ future, distractions or how he addressed the situation to his team.

“I feel very comfortable in how we’ve handled this situation,” he said.  

Harris is under investigation for an alleged sexual assault of a female student early Sunday morning. Hours earlier, the freshman quarterback sparked UF’s 10-9 comeback win over Tennessee with two fourth-quarter scoring drives.

The University Police Department is leading the investigation and said the police report won’t be released Wednesday. According to The Gainesville Sun, authorities want to interview Harris again. 

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