After some struggles on offense in a 13-6 win over Vanderbilt, Florida received some encouraging news on the injury front heading into Saturday’s showdown at The Swamp against LSU.
Starting quarterback Luke Del Rio plans to practice this week, and if his injured knee holds up, could return to play against the Tigers.
“This is something that Luke has been targeting,” Florida coach Jim McElwain said. “So he wants to see if he can play, and that’s good. But I’m not going to put him out there unless he’s ready.”
Del Rio started UF’s first three game, completing 62 of 101 passes for 762 yards with 6 TDs and 2 interceptions before suffering a knee injury while getting sacked against North Texas. If Del Rio can’t play, senior backup Austin Appleby will start his third straight game at quarterback.
The Gators are hopeful that Del Rio’s possible return will provide a spark to an offense that generated just 236 yards and 13 points against the Commodores.
“Our effort is 100 percent better,” McElwain said, when asked about the offense. “Consistency and performance are nowhere where they need to be.”
It won’t get any easier against an LSU team that played inspired last in its first game under interim coach Ed Orgeron. The Tigers beat Missouri 42-7, breaking out of their season-long offensive doldrums. Preseason Heisman running back candidate Leonard Fournette also is expected to return for LSU against the Gators after sitting out last week with an ankle injury. Fournette’s backup, Derrius Guice, rushed for 163 yards and 3 TDs against Missouri.
“They’ve got a rested Fournette and he’s as good as there is,” McElwain said. “And their backup is not too shabby, either.”
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Jordan Scarlett was strong in the ground game for the Gators with 12 carries for 55 yards and a TD against Vanderbilt. The 5-10, 213-pound sophomore from Fort Lauderdale is emerging as UF’s feature back. For the season, Scarlett has a team-high 274 yards rushing on 5 yards per carry with 4 TDs. “He plays with good pad level and he keeps his feet moving,” McElwain said. “Had some good yards after contact.”
–TE DeAndre Goolsby had a team-high 8 catches for 37 yards against Vanderbilt and is becoming more of a factor in the passing game. For the season, the 6-4, 244-pound Goolsby leads the Gators in receptions (22) and is second in receiving yardage (175) with 1 TD catch.
–DL Jabari Zuniga continued his strong play up front for the Gators with a sack and two tackles. For the season, the 6-3, 245-pound redshirt freshman has 11 tackles and a team-high 5 sacks. “He’s got a good first step,” McElwain said. “He can really bend and he can really get around the corner.”
–S Nick Washington recorded his first career interception to close the game out for the Gators in the fourth quarter against Vanderbilt. Washington also contributed in stopping the running game with four tackles. For the season, Washington has 15 tackles and one interception.
–CB Quincy Wilson was again strong in pass coverage for the Gators and finished the game with three tackles and a sack on a corner blitz. For the season, Wilson has seven tackles, one sack, two pass breakups and two interceptions.