Florida announces starting quarterback for Outback Bowl
Florida coach Jim McElwain isn’t making Iowa wait to find out who his starting quarterback will be in the Outback Bowl.
On Thursday, the Gators announced that Purdue transfer Austin Appleby would get the start over Luke Del Rio:
Appleby will still be the starter, McElwain said. Luke Del Rio would be the backup should he be cleared. #Gators
— Jordan McPherson (@J_McPherson1126) December 8, 2016
McElwain also said that neither of his freshmen quarterbacks, Kyle Trask and Feleipe Franks, would see action in the bowl game in order to preserve their redshirts:
McElwain says Luke Del Rio should be healthy for Bowl, and he doesn't plan to burn a redshirt for Franks or Trask
— Matt Baker (@MBakerTBTimes) December 8, 2016
Appleby struggled in the SEC Championship Game against Alabama, throwing three interceptions, but he has been solid in his time with the Gators, finishing the regular season with 1,225 passing yards, eight touchdowns and five picks.
The Gators will take on Iowa in the Outback Bowl on Monday, Jan. 2, at 1 p.m. Eastern time. The game can be seen on ABC.
