Gators will be without 2 starting LBs, top backup in Outback Bowl
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Florida coach Jim McElwain revealed Friday that the Gators’ defense will be without two key starters: Alex Anzalone and Jarrad Davis.
Jim McElwain says #Gators will be without Alex Anzalone (arm) and Jarrad Davis (ankle) for Outback Bowl.
— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) December 30, 2016
While Anzalone has been out since breaking his arm in the Nov. 5 game against Arkansas, his absence for the Outback Bowl is somewhat surprising. Anzalone had been practicing in full pads this week.
Good news for Florida: Gators LB @AlexAnzalone34 was practicing today at @JesuitTampaFL. Several others out, including LB Jarrad Davis #WTSP pic.twitter.com/hCpoGZw9eq
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) December 28, 2016
Davis has been battling the injury bug throughout the second half of the season. He surprised teammates and coaches by playing against Georgia in Week 9 despite a painful injury to his left ankle. He injured his right ankle the following week against Arkansas, and missed the final three games of the regular season. Davis played against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 3, making four tackles.
Despite their time missed due to injuries, Davis and Anzalone are the team’s Nos. 2 and 3 tackles, with 60 and 53 total tackles respectively.
Davis’ top backup, David Reese, was previously announced as out, meaning the Gators will be dangerously thin at linebacker in Monday’s Outback Bowl. Florida and Iowa are set for a 1 p.m. kickoff on ABC.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
