Austin Appleby provides spark Gators’ offense needed

In the second quarter Austin Appleby looked up in the huddle and saw familiar faces. T.J. McCoy was in at center for an injured Tyler Jordan, who was already replacing the injured starter Cam Dillard. Then David Sharpe went down. Martez Ivey slid down to left tackle and Kavaris Harkless was inserted into the game but it didn’t faze Appleby, it may have even made him more comfortable.

“I’ve been with the twos the entire spring camp and the entire fall camp. So those were my dudes,” the senior quarterback said. “I’m actually more comfortable with them. The only time I was ever with the ones was in camp was in fastball. Those are my guys.”

Appleby earned the start by proxy. The graduate transfer, who went through his second senior day ceremony prior to his start against South Carolina, had started twice before but never at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. It would be the last home game of his football career and the Gators needed a win to stay alive in the SEC East race.

“It was my first start in the Swamp. It was my last start in the Swamp,” he said. “It’s a day that I’m never going to forget. I’m going to cherish it.”

Appleby started the game off strong. He connected with C’yontai Lewis for 11 yards on the second play of the game and then took off for a 33-yard scamper on a read-option. He found Lewis again on the next play for a six-yard score.

“We’ve been running it all year, teams have been making us give it. That particular play the end crashed and we had a great block on the edge by C’yontai, who played a great game,” Appleby said. “I was doing my best to get 240 pounds moving. It kind of got the spark going. We were able to score a play later and kind of set the tone for the game of what we’re going to be all about. I think it was big for us.”

It was just the second time the Gators have score on the opening drive of the season The other time? Appleby’s first start against Tennessee.

Florida’s offense needed just that. The offense struggled against Vanderbilt with Appleby at the helm. It struggled when Luke Del Rio came back and assumed the starting role. The offense was getting to the point where you could visibly see the confidence seeping out of their pores. One three-and-out turned into four and before you knew it fans were comparing McElwain’s offense to Will Muschamp’s. the Gators needed something, someone, anything to get the offense going and Appleby’s 33-yard run did just that.

“I thought Austin did a really good job of steadying them throughout,” McElwain said of his quarterback.

It would have been easy for Appleby to check out when Del Rio was inserted back into the starting lineup. Appleby had started two games and played one good half of football. The Gators went 1-1 in those starts and it looked like Del Rio was going to be given the keys to the car again and Appleby would spent the rest of the season watching from the sideline.

“It would be easy for somebody to say, to heck with this. I’m going to sit at the end of the bench and pout,” he said. That’s not who I am. That’s not the way I was raised. I owe it to my teammates to be ready, because I am at the drop of a hat. They count on me, so I can’t for even one second even think about packing it in.”

Appleby completed 17-of-21 (81%), good enough for fifth all time in a single game at Florida and the highest percentage for a Florida quarterback since Rex Grossman in Georgia in 2002 (36-of-46, 78.3%).

Appleby’s passing prowess and mobility softened the Gamecocks’ defense, creating running lanes for Jordan Scarlett, who rushed for over 100-yards for the second time this season. The Gators had more yards at halftime (257) than they had in three of their last four games total. Appleby even threw a couple stiff arms at defenders during several long runs.

“I told him to get out of bounds.” Scarlett said of Appleby with a laugh. “Don’t stiff arm anymore. We need that hand.”

The Gators have a tough test on the road next week in Baton Rouge. Appleby will lead the Gators looking for its first road win since 2012 (vs Texas A&M) and if he’s successful in that Florida will go to the SEC Championship game. Appleby never got down on himself, he never stopped preparing and for that the Gators should be thankful.

“I don’t count my reps, I make my reps count, but I’m going to be ready to do everything I can do to be the most prepared quarterback in the country, the most prepared quarterback on this team,” Appleby said “

I’m up for the challenge and I’m excited for the challenge.”

Nick de la Torre
A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC