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Gators dealing with flu bug as they prepare for third-ranked Ole Miss
By John Hollis
Published:
The flu has managed to do to the Florida football team what Tennessee failed to do in the fourth quarter of the Gators’ epic 28-27 come-from-behind win at The Swamp.
Florida coach Jim McElwain said during Monday’s teleconference that nine players are currently out with several others in need of intravenous fluids to combat the illness. The news ironically came on the same day in which Gators players were slated to receive their flu shots, McElwain said.
“Obviously, the timing is impeccable,” the coach said.
McElwain, whose team cracked The Associated Press rankings for the first time since 2013 with their spot at No. 25, said he didn’t anticipate the illness affecting his team’s preparation for this week’s upcoming game against third-ranked Mississippi.
“It’s something we have to deal with,” McElwain said.
In other press conference news:
- McElwain said his players should feel good about the school’s first 4-0 start since 2012, but cautioned against getting too complacent with so much football left to play. “I want them to feel good,” the coach said. “OK, we won four games. That’s what we should do.” McElwain said he will be interested in seeing how his young team prepares this week for the Rebels on the heels of its success. Properly handling success is just as critical as handling adversity, he said.
- McElwain singled out backup kicker Jorge Powell, who played Saturday in place of the injured Austin Hardin. Powell, a redshirt freshman, was good on all four extra points he attempted and even added a touchdown-saving tackle on a kickoff. It’s unclear when Hardin will return.
- McElwain said that quarterback Treon Harris and starting cornerback Jalen Tabor have rejoined the team after being suspended for the Tennessee game for violating unspecified university rules.
- In other injury news, McElwain said that starting left guard Trip Thurman (shoulder) and All-American cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (back) are likely to play this week.
John Hollis is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia and Florida.
