http://gatorcountry.com/football/ GatorCountry.com football news feed English ray@gatorcountry.com Copyright 2012 2012-02-03T20:41:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/potential_position_changes_for_spring/13441 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/potential_position_changes_for_spring/13441#When:20:41:00Z
While the Gators shored up the defensive line, there are still holes on the defensive side of the ball heading into spring practice because many of Florida’s 17 of Florida’s 23-man won’t arrive until this summer.

To account for some of the holes in the depth chart, Will Muschamp said Wednesday that his staff is looking at potential position changes for spring football practice.

“We're in discussions right now with guys that we may look at at some different spots in the spring, but we're going to do that regardless,” he said. “We've got to find out what they can do and where they'll fit and help our football team. We're still in discussions. We haven't made any concrete decisions.” ]]> 2012-02-03T20:41:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/10_reasons_to_stay_with_gator_country/13433 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/10_reasons_to_stay_with_gator_country/13433#When:03:30:00Z Subscribe now or upgrade today!

Now, more than ever, is a great time to join Gator Country or upgrade to an annual subscription ... Here's what you can expect in the coming weeks and months after National Signing Day at Gator Country:]]> Feature image story, Wide article (exclude from top stories) 2012-02-03T03:30:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/david_lerner_up_for_another_award/13432 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/david_lerner_up_for_another_award/13432#When:17:30:00Z
However, a training camp battle with Crohn’s disease and a starting punting job changed all that in a hurry last fall for Lerner, who has continued to see awards pile up next to his name.

The 6-foot, 194-pound punter initially planned to hang up the cleats following the 2011 season, but he’ll return for another year for Florida after winning the Dick Schapp Sportsman of the Year Award for his efforts to raise awareness for Crohn’s disease. ]]> Wide article 2012-02-02T17:30:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/gctv_floridas_national_signing_day_highlights/13423 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/gctv_floridas_national_signing_day_highlights/13423#When:05:13:00Z Video (wide - exclude from top stories) 2012-02-02T05:13:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/derrick_calloway_receives_interest/13318 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/derrick_calloway_receives_interest/13318#When:18:25:00Z 2012-01-22T18:25:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/leon_orr_cited_for_two_misdemeanors/13286 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/leon_orr_cited_for_two_misdemeanors/13286#When:23:23:00Z
According to an arrest report obtained by the Independent Florida Alligator, Orr consented to a police search of a Keys dorm room at 11:30 p.m. and the UPD officer found a “baggy of a green leafy substance, a glass pipe and rolling papers.”

The Alligator reports that Orr consented to the search and admitted the marijuana was his, though the report did not state the reason for the police presence. ]]> 2012-01-19T23:23:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/despite_playoff_run_doubts_cloud_tim_tebow_denver_future/13248 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/despite_playoff_run_doubts_cloud_tim_tebow_denver_future/13248#When:04:07:00Z
McDaniels drafted quarterback Tim Tebow in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, and Tebow helped lead the Broncos to a miraculous turnaround to the 2011 season following a 1-4 start. McDaniels, on the other hand, was fired in Tebow’s rookie season after Denver started the season 3-9.

After a 45-10 loss to the Patriots on Saturday evening, Tebow’s future is in just as much doubt as McDaniels’ was midway through the former Florida star’s rookie season in Denver. ]]> Feature image story 2012-01-15T04:07:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/notebook_strength_shakeup_for_gators/13220 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/notebook_strength_shakeup_for_gators/13220#When:19:09:00Z
The team reconvened on Jan. 9 following its Gator Bowl win over Ohio State. They got to meet Dillman and will begin training to prepare for the 2012 season with a slightly different approach.

“I’m really excited about Jeff,” Muschamp said. “Jeff and I were together at LSU, won a national championship together. He left and went to Appalachian State for three years and won two national championships, in ’06 and ’07 I believe.” ]]> 2012-01-12T19:09:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/prep_coaches_discuss_brent_pease_hire/13211 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/prep_coaches_discuss_brent_pease_hire/13211#When:09:00:00Z
The highly-successful head coach at Plant High School, who has led his program to four state championships in six years, keeps a close eye on the trends in college football in an effort to infuse new ideas into his offensive philosophies at the prep level. Weiner believes the hiring of former Boise State assistant Brent Pease, announced as the new offensive coordinator at Florida on Wednesday, will allow some of the magic that has taken place in the Spud State over the past decade to rub off on the UF program as well.]]> 2012-01-12T09:00:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/brent_pease_good_fit_for_florida/13212 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/brent_pease_good_fit_for_florida/13212#When:00:53:00Z
Coach Will Muschamp knew continuity would be important for his team, and he stressed that point repeatedly in a press conference Wednesday to announce Brent Pease as Florida’s new offensive coordinator.

“We have an outstanding offensive staff,” Muschamp said. “Really it was about bringing a guy in that would be a good fit for the room, would bring some new ideas and energy to what we’re trying to do, but understand that we’re not changing philosophically where we’re headed.” ]]> Feature image story 2012-01-12T00:53:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/florida_hires_brent_pease_gators_offensive_coordinator/13174 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/florida_hires_brent_pease_gators_offensive_coordinator/13174#When:21:25:00Z
Little did Herzog know, he was about to become part of college football lore.

As Randall took the snap and heaved a prayer downfield, Kentucky fans behind him began to tear down the goalposts in celebration. But Randall’s pass somehow bounced through a handful of UK defensive backs into the hands of Devery Henderson, who ran in for the game-winning touchdown as Herzog sprinted onto the field – decked out in a purple and gold cow suit. ]]> Wide article 2012-01-10T21:25:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/tim_tebow_tim_tebow_time_denver_broncos_steelers_playoffs/13196 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/tim_tebow_tim_tebow_time_denver_broncos_steelers_playoffs/13196#When:01:18:00Z
Within minutes, laptops were shaking in the press box of Mile High Stadium and a deafening roar took the place of the whispers of discontent.

Tebow had been let loose. ]]> Feature image story 2012-01-09T01:18:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/florida_jeff_dillman_hired_gators_as_strength_and_conditioning_coach/13032 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/florida_jeff_dillman_hired_gators_as_strength_and_conditioning_coach/13032#When:20:06:00Z
Florida coach Will Muschamp is hoping he’s much more than a ball of muscle with a commanding voice, though. The Gators hired Dillman as their new strength and conditioning coordinator on Tuesday, luring him away from the IMG Performance Institute.

“The strength coach is such an important part of your program,’’ Muschamp said in a press release. “Jeff has a championship pedigree. He’s been a part of several championship teams and that’s what we’re trying to be here at the University of Florida. He is my voice in the weight room when the coaches can’t have contact with the players." “It’s very important for someone to share the same philosophies and approach as I do on how to build a championship program.” ]]> Wide article 2012-01-03T20:06:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/urban_meyer_as_backdrop_will_muschamp_gets_rallying_point/13148 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/urban_meyer_as_backdrop_will_muschamp_gets_rallying_point/13148#When:18:40:00Z
Angry and frustrated after an embarrassing loss to Florida State, Elam would make an impassioned speech about a week and a half later, after the Gators learned they would take on the Ohio State Buckeyes, soon to be coached by their former shot-caller, Urban Meyer.

On Monday, the rest of the Gator Nation got to see just how ready Elam was to play against Ohio State.

He flew all over the field like a pinball, putting a vicious hit on quarterback Braxton Miller’s right hip on a sack that left the Buckeyes’ signal caller on the ground for a few seconds in pain.

“A lot of anger. A lot of anger,” Elam said of his mental state going into the Gator Bowl. “It was a great feeling just to be on the field after a month and losing to Florida State, so a lot of things going on through the break. It was great to release the anger and play.” ]]> Feature image story, Wide article (exclude from top stories) 2012-01-03T18:40:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/super_photo_gallery_uf_football_vs_ohio_state/13149 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/super_photo_gallery_uf_football_vs_ohio_state/13149#When:10:05:00Z Photo gallery story 2012-01-03T10:05:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/will_muschamp_already_looking_to_future_florida/13139 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/will_muschamp_already_looking_to_future_florida/13139#When:03:40:00Z
It’s been a frustrating year for Muschamp and the Gators, and the drive on the first-year coach’s face was evident as he talked about his goals for the team moving forward.

“We've got guys that have had a frustrating year,” he said. “The realization of this whole thing if you want to see big pictures in the last two years of the University of Florida, we're 15 11. That's unacceptable. That's what we are.” ]]> 2012-01-03T03:40:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/special_day_for_special_teams_lifts_gators/13142 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/special_day_for_special_teams_lifts_gators/13142#When:22:25:00Z
The former head coach was well known for his love of special teams. He would treat the special teams unit better than the offense and defense. It would eat first at team meals, getting the red carpet rolled out for it time and time again to emphasize the importance Meyer wanted his team to place on special teams.

So it was only fitting Florida’s special teams unit feasted on Meyer’s future team in a thrilling 24-17 Gator Bowl win, salvaging an otherwise forgettable season.

“Special teams is huge,” coach Will Muschamp said. “D.J. Durkin does the best job in the country on special teams. Week-in, week-out momentum changers and putting our guys in situations to be successful.” ]]> Feature image story 2012-01-02T22:25:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/ten_with_thomas_a_crucial_bowl_win/13136 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/ten_with_thomas_a_crucial_bowl_win/13136#When:21:47:00Z
Gator Country's Thomas Goldkamp checks in for some instant analysis with a 10-point recap of the game. ]]> 2012-01-02T21:47:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/florida_defense_special_teams_stuff_osu/13137 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/florida_defense_special_teams_stuff_osu/13137#When:21:46:00Z 2012-01-02T21:46:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/position_review_the_safeties/13126 http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/position_review_the_safeties/13126#When:02:42:00Z
Today, we take a look at the safety position, one of Florida’s strongest units on the team throughout the season. ]]> Wide article 2012-01-02T02:42:00-05:00