Meyer: Former Trinity star Brantley providing boost for Florida's defense
Former Ocala Trinity Catholic quarterback John Brantley came to UF as one of the top quarterbacks in the country last year. Now, the freshman is proving his worth by helping the defense prepare for an offense that is capable of putting up gaudy numbers against the Gators defense.
"It was earlier this year against Kentucky, where one of the practices I was down there watching defense and I think he hit like 15 (complete passes) in a row, and a lot of them were great throws," Meyer said of John Brantley. "There's not a lot of pressure because it's just scout team work, but it helps us quite a bit."
COLD CALL: Seventeenth-ranked Florida will not only be fighting to stay alive in the Southeastern Conference championship race Saturday night against South Carolina, but the Gators will also be fighting to stay warm. Weather reports indicate that temperatures could fall into the low 40s during the game.
Last week against Vanderbilt was the coldest game for UF this season and it was only in the mid-60s.
Wednesday's practice was much different for the Gators as temperatures dipped into the mid-50s toward the end of practice.
UF coach Urban Meyer said the cold weather wasn't a problem during practice and doesn't expect it to affect his team come game time.
"I think SEC East, South Carolina in November, there's nothing better than that," Meyer said after Wednesday's practice. "I don't think that'll be an issue. God forbid, if that's an issue."
Meyer, originally from Ashtabula, Ohio, was not bothered by the weather and pointed out that the weather in Florida is nothing close to what he is used to.
"I case you're wondering, this is not cold weather," he said. "It's nice."
TEBOW NAMED MAXWELL SEMIFINALIST: Sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow was named one of 15 semifinalists for the Maxwell Award Wednesday, according to a press release by the Maxwell Football Club. The award is presented each year to college football's player of the year.
Tebow is No. 1 nationally in passing efficiency (179.1) and has completed 151 of 223 passes for 2,228 yards, 21 touchdowns and has only four interceptions. Tebow leads UF in rushing with 598 yards on 144 carries and tied Emmitt Smith for the single-season school record of 14 rushing touchdowns.
He is ninth nationally and first in the SEC in total offense, averaging 314 yards per game.
The winner of the Maxwell Award will be announced on the Home Depot College Football Awards Show Dec. 6, on ESPN.
SAFETY'S STATUS: Despite South Carolina being No. 1 nationally in passing defense , surrendering only 149 yards a game, the Gamecocks could be in trouble against UF's talented receiving corps if sophomore safety Emmanuel Cook (ankle) is unable to play.
"I'm curious to see who's going to play in the back end for them because they play a lot of man coverage and that's going to be a big part of this game, how the matchups are in the back end," Meyer said.
Cook leads South Carolina with 76 tackles and two interceptions.
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