Luke Del Rio is planning on playing this Saturday when the Florida Gators host the LSU Tigers at noon in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
“He’ll go some [Monday], he’ll go more tomorrow and Wednesday,” Jim McElwain said. “We’ll see exactly where and how much that swells and where the pain is and where the stability is.”
Del Rio sustained a MCL sprain late in a win over North Texas and missed the following two weeks recovering from the injury. The redshirt sophomore quarterback did practice prior to Florida’s game against Vanderbilt and was ready on as an emergency option last Saturday.
Purdue graduate transfer Austin Appleby has taken the starting job in Del Rio’s absence, leading the Gators to a 1-1 record. Appleby started off strong completing 10-of-16 passes for 213 yards (21.3 per completion) and two touchdowns in the first half against Tennessee. The next six quarters haven’t been as kind. Appleby has completed 32-of-51 pass attempts for 227 yards (7.1) per completion with one touchdown, one interception and one fumble.
“He’s done a good job. You always want to have a couple throws back,” McElwain said of Appleby’s time as starter. “I bet if you ask a quarterback in the NFL today based on yesterday, there’s a couple guys who might want a throw or two back, right? That’s part of it. That’s part of playing the position, and you know what? He’ll continue to grow.”
Del Rio and Appleby will split reps with the first team offense this week in practice but you won’t see or hear of any friction between the two veterans in the quarterback room.
“People want to make it Austin versus Luke. It’s not that. It’s never been that,” said Appleby. “We support each other. It’s about our position group being the very best it can possibly be to help the Gators win on Saturdays. Regardless of whose number is called.”
Del Rio has completed 62-of-101 (61%) of his passes this season with six touchdowns and two interceptions.