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After falling to Arkansas by three touchdowns last weekend, the Gators will look to rebound at home against South Carolina. Unfortunately for Florida, head coach Jim McElwain announced the team will be down several key starters Saturday.
The most notable loss is starting quarterback Luke Del Rio but both starting linebackers Jarrad Davis and Alex Anzalone will also sit out the South Carolina game.
Gators will be without QB Luke Del Rio (shoulder) as well as Jarrad Davis, Cam Dillard and Alex Anzalone
— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) November 7, 2016
Del Rio has thrown for 1,358 yards, eight touchdowns and as many interceptions in his first season as Florida’s starting quarterback. However, his play had begun to decline in recent weeks after a strong start to the season. The redshirt sophomore threw six interceptions over the last three games alone, compared to only two touchdowns.
Reports surfaced Sunday indicating Anzalone’s season has come to an end following a broken arm suffered against Arkansas.
While Austin Appleby has started for Florida in place of Del Rio in the past – throwing for 440 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against Tennessee and Vanderbilt combined, don’t rule out either of the true freshmen quarterbacks (Kyle Trask or Feleipe Franks) playing against the Gamecocks, something McElwain touched on during his Monday press conference – although playing either would require a redshirt to be burned.
Mac says that Trask and Franks get a lot of time in practice and they don't get lost in practice.
— Andrew Spivey (@AndrewSpiveyGC) November 7, 2016
The length of Del Rio’s absence was not stated by McElwain other than saying the quarterback would be ‘out for awhile.’
'He'll be out for awhile,' Mac on LDR. "it's bad, man. When you can't life your duffle bag up chances are something's hurt.'
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) November 7, 2016
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
