1 WWW.GATORZONE.COM 2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT GA T ORS TRA VEL TO NASHVILLE TO TAKE ON VANDERBIL T The Florida-Vanderbilt game will mark the 40th meeting between the Gators and Commodores. UF has won each of the last 15 meetings and owns a 24-3-1 edge in the last 28 games between the schools and a 28-9-2 series advantage overall. The Gators enter the game with a 7-1 record and are 5-1 in the Southeastern Confernece. Vanderbilt is 4-5 overall and 1-4 in the league. THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER Coach Meyer is 13-5 all-time in the month of November and has won eight of the last nine outings in the month. Over the past three years, Urban Meyer-led teams have gone 8-1 in the month with the one loss coming on Nov. 12, 2005 at South Carolina (30-22). PLA YING THE NA TION’S BEST Georgia was the fourth team with a unit ranked inside the top 25 in total defense that the Gators have played this season. The chart below shows how many teams with a top-25 ranked defense the schools ranked inside the AP top 10 have faced this season and how many teams they’ve played with a total defense ranked 80th or lower (chart includes games through Nov. 4 and the defensive rankings are current and not as of game time): Faced Top 25 Faced Total Defense Team Record Total Defenses Ranked Below 80 Ohio State 9-0 0 4 Michigan 9-0 1 5 West Virginia 7-0 1^ 3* Texas 8-1 2 2* Louisville 7-0 2 3 Auburn 8-1 4 3 Florida 7-1 4 2 Tennessee 7-1 4 3 USC 6-1 1 2 California 7-1 1 2* ^ - West Virginia plays Thursday night against Louisville marking the first defense ranked inside the top 25 the Mountaineers have faced this season. *West Virginia, Texas and California have played one NCAA Division IAA opponent this season. UF has faced four teams with a unit ranked inside the top 25 in total defense this season. That total is one less than the amount of teams with top 25 total defenses the top 5 teams in the AP poll have faced combined this season to date (rankings are current and not as of game time). NCAA stats show Florida with the second-toughest schedule in the nation sorted on past opposition (through Oct. 28, 2006): 1. Georgia Tech 2. Florida BIG PLA Y OFFENSE Florida has opened the 2006 season with 44 plays of 20-or-more yards during the first eight games (14 runs and 30 receptions), 11 of which have gone for touchdowns. Last season, the Gators had 37 (11 runs and 26 receptions) of 20-or-more yards through the first eight games. UF is just three short of its 2005 total of 47 plays of 20-or-more yards (12 runs, 35 receptions). All but one offensive TD UF has scored this season has contained at least one run of 12-or-more yards or a pass of 16-yards or more on the TD drive. SPREADING IT OUT Twenty-six of Florida’s 44 rushing plays of 10-or-more yards this season have come from a quarter- back or a wide receiver. QUICK SCORING OFFENSE Through the first eight games of the season, UF has scored on its first drive four times. In 2005, UF scored on its first drive of the game three times all season and it took UF until its eighth game to do so. GA T OR ST OR YLINES Florida looks to move to 8-1 for the first time since 2001. Coach Meyer looks to join Charles Bachman (1928) Steve Spurrier (1990 and 1991) as the only three Gator head coaches to open a season 8-1 as quickly as their second season in Gainesville. Florida head Coach Urban Meyer enters the game with a career record of 55-12 (.820). The winning percentage ranks third nationally among active coaches with five-or-more years of head coaching experience. GAME SETUP THE POLLS UF VU Associated Press 7th NR USA Today Coaches 7th NR THE RECORDS UF VU Overall 7-1 4-5 Conference 5-1 1-4 TELEVISION The game will be broadcast on Lincoln-Financial. Dave Neal (play-by-play), Dave Rowe (color) and Dave Baker (sideline) call the action. View GatorZone for Lincoln Financial affiliates. POSTGAME For in-depth television coverage after the game, the “Geico Gator Postgame” airs live immediately following each game on Sun Sports, with inter- views from outside the lockerroom, press confer- ences and analysis. Sun Sports Network reporter Todd Lewis will be on site. DELA YED TELEVISION Sun Sports , with David Steele (play-by-play) Nat Moore (color) and Steve Babik (sideline) will air the game at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5, on Sun Sport’s “Breakfast with the Gators” and again Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 11 p.m. (replays available in SEC territory). THE GA T OR RADIO NETWORK The Gator Radio Network team of Mick Hubert (play-by- play), Lee McGriff (color) and Steve Babik (sideline) will broadcast the contest. Scot Brantley joins Babik as co- host of pregame, along with regular commentator James Jones. WFXJ radio (930-AM in Jacksonville) serves as UF’s flagship station. The pre-game show begins two hours before kickoff. There is also a 90-minute show following the conclusion of the game. SA TELLITE RADIO Florida football can be heard on Sirius Satellite Radio. The channel is Sirius Sports 123, however, fans can log on to www.sirius.com for more information. NO . 7 UNIVERSITY OF FL ORID A 2006 GATOR FOOTBALL at VANDERBILT SATURDAY, NOV. 6, 2004 DUDLEY FIELD/ VANDERBILT STADIUM (39,733) NASHVILLE, TENN. 12:30 p.m. ET WEEKLY GAME NOTES RELEASED: OCT. 29, 2006
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1WWW.GATORZONE.COM2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT
GATORS TRAVEL TO NASHVILLE TO TAKE ON VANDERBILTThe Florida-Vanderbilt game will mark the 40th meeting between the Gators and Commodores. UF
has won each of the last 15 meetings and owns a 24-3-1 edge in the last 28 games between theschools and a 28-9-2 series advantage overall. The Gators enter the game with a 7-1 record and are5-1 in the Southeastern Confernece. Vanderbilt is 4-5 overall and 1-4 in the league.
THE MONTH OF NOVEMBERCoach Meyer is 13-5 all-time in the month of November and has won eight of the last nine outings
in the month. Over the past three years, Urban Meyer-led teams have gone 8-1 in the month with theone loss coming on Nov. 12, 2005 at South Carolina (30-22).
PLAYING THE NATION’S BESTGeorgia was the fourth team with a unit ranked inside the top 25 in total defense that the Gators have
played this season. The chart below shows how many teams with a top-25 ranked defense theschools ranked inside the AP top 10 have faced this season and how many teams they’ve played witha total defense ranked 80th or lower (chart includes games through Nov. 4 and the defensiverankings are current and not as of game time):
Faced Top 25 Faced Total DefenseTeam Record Total Defenses Ranked Below 80Ohio State 9-0 0 4Michigan 9-0 1 5West Virginia 7-0 1^ 3*Texas 8-1 2 2*Louisville 7-0 2 3Auburn 8-1 4 3Florida 7-1 4 2Tennessee 7-1 4 3USC 6-1 1 2California 7-1 1 2*^ - West Virginia plays Thursday night against Louisville marking the first defense ranked inside the top 25 theMountaineers have faced this season.*West Virginia, Texas and California have played one NCAA Division IAA opponent this season.
UF has faced four teams with a unit ranked inside the top 25 in total defense this season. That totalis one less than the amount of teams with top 25 total defenses the top 5 teams in the AP poll have facedcombined this season to date (rankings are current and not as of game time).
NCAA stats show Florida with the second-toughest schedule in the nation sorted on past opposition(through Oct. 28, 2006):1. Georgia Tech2. Florida
BIG PLAY OFFENSEFlorida has opened the 2006 season with 44 plays of 20-or-more yards during the first eight games
(14 runs and 30 receptions), 11 of which have gone for touchdowns. Last season, the Gators had 37(11 runs and 26 receptions) of 20-or-more yards through the first eight games. UF is just three shortof its 2005 total of 47 plays of 20-or-more yards (12 runs, 35 receptions). All but one offensive TD UFhas scored this season has contained at least one run of 12-or-more yards or a pass of 16-yards ormore on the TD drive.
SPREADING IT OUTTwenty-six of Florida’s 44 rushing plays of 10-or-more yards this season have come from a quarter-
back or a wide receiver.
QUICK SCORING OFFENSEThrough the first eight games of the season, UF has scored on its first drive four times. In 2005, UF
scored on its first drive of the game three times all season and it took UF until its eighth game to do so.
GATOR STORYLINESFlorida looks to move to 8-1 for the first time
since 2001. Coach Meyer looks to join CharlesBachman (1928) Steve Spurrier (1990 and 1991)as the only three Gator head coaches to open aseason 8-1 as quickly as their second season inGainesville.
Florida head Coach Urban Meyer enters thegame with a career record of 55-12 (.820). Thewinning percentage ranks third nationally amongactive coaches with five-or-more years of headcoaching experience.
GAME SETUPTHE POLLS UF VUAssociated Press 7th NRUSA Today Coaches 7th NR
THE RECORDS UF VUOverall 7-1 4-5Conference 5-1 1-4
TELEVISIONThe game will be broadcast on Lincoln-Financial. DaveNeal (play-by-play), Dave Rowe (color) and Dave Baker(sideline) call the action. View GatorZone for LincolnFinancial affiliates.
POSTGAMEFor in-depth television coverage after the game,the “Geico Gator Postgame” airs live immediatelyfollowing each game on Sun Sports, with inter-views from outside the lockerroom, press confer-ences and analysis. Sun Sports Network reporterTodd Lewis will be on site.
DELAYED TELEVISIONSun Sports , with David Steele (play-by-play) Nat Moore(color) and Steve Babik (sideline) will air the game at8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5, on Sun Sport’s “Breakfastwith the Gators” and again Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 11 p.m.(replays available in SEC territory).
THE GATOR RADIO NETWORKThe Gator Radio Network team of Mick Hubert (play-by-play), Lee McGriff (color) and Steve Babik (sideline) willbroadcast the contest. Scot Brantley joins Babik as co-host of pregame, along with regular commentator JamesJones. WFXJ radio (930-AM in Jacksonville) serves asUF’s flagship station. The pre-game show begins twohours before kickoff. There is also a 90-minute showfollowing the conclusion of the game.
SATELLITE RADIOFlorida football can be heard on Sirius Satellite Radio.The channel is Sirius Sports 123, however, fans can logon to www.sirius.com for more information.
NO. 7 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA2006 GATOR FOOTBALL
at
VANDERBILTSATURDAY, NOV. 6, 2004
DUDLEY FIELD/VANDERBILT STADIUM (39,733)
NASHVILLE, TENN.12:30 p.m. ET WEEKLY GAME NOTES
RELEASED: OCT. 29, 2006
WWW.GATORZONE.COM2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT 2
FLORIDA RANKS HIGH IN RECENT GRADUATION SUCCESS RATESSeven University of Florida athletic teams scored a perfect 100 percent Graduation Success Rate
and the overall athletic program produced a 91 percent Graduation Success Rate in data releasedfrom the NCAA in late September. Fourteen of 16 Gator athletic programs turned in a rate above thenational average and the overall athletic program was 14 points above the national average. Thegraduation success rate for football was 80 and the national average was 65.
On Oct. 26, Chris Leak was named as a member of the 2006 National Scholar-Athlete Class as wellas a finalist for the 2006 Draddy Trophy by the National Football Foundation and College FootballHall of Fame. The winner of the Draddy Award will be announced at the 49th NFF Awards DinnerDec. 5 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Two Florida players have won the DraddyTrophy since its inception in 1990, making Florida one of only four schools with multiple recipients.Brad Culpepper was UF’s initial Draddy honoree in 1991, and former Gator great Danny Wuerffelgarnered the honor in 1996. Leak, who will graduate this Dec. with a degree in Sociology, wasselected as the 2006 Fall Graduating Oustanding Leader for all students on campus and will behonored at the graduation ceremony.
LEAK VS. VANDERBILTChris Leak is 69-of-95 for 743 yards and six touchdowns in his three starts against the Commo-
dores. He has rushed for at least one touchdown in each of his starts against Vanderbilt and his tworushing touchdowns against Vanderbilt last season equaled his single-game career-high. On his lasttrip to Nashville (2004), Leak averaged 10.59 yards per pass, which is his highest total against anSEC opponent.
LEAK AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN TOUCHDOWN PASSESChris Leak has thrown 16 touchdown passes this season. The total is tied for the 18th-highest
amount nationally.
Chris Leak’s 16 touchdown passes through eight games are four short of the 20 he threw all of lastseason. In records dating back to 1955, he has thrown for more or matched the UF leader in passingtouchdowns from 32 of 50 years.
TEBOW AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN YARDS PER CARRYTim Tebow carried the ball six times for 36 yards against Georgia and has run the ball 50 times for
282 yards this season. His 5.6 average yards per carry is tied for 45th nationally among all playersand is the third-highest total nationally among quarterbacks:Quarterback Rushing Avg.1. Pat White (West Virginia) 8.52. Mike Kafka (Northwestern) 6.13. Tim Tebow (Florida) 5.6
Tim Tebow’s 4.3 yards per carry against Top 25 opponents this season is the highest amongquarterbacks nationally:Quarterback Rushing Avg.1. Tim Tebow (Florida) 4.32. Bernard Jackson (Colorado) 4.23. Chris Nickson (Vanderbilt) 3.2
Tim Tebow leads the Gators with four rushing touchdowns this season, which is tied for 12th amongall quarterbacks nationally. Tebow is one of six quarterbacks nationally to have two rushing touch-downs against AP Top 25 teams this season.
SMITH AND NELSON PACING GATORS IN INTERCEPTIONSRyan Smith and Reggie Nelson lead the Gators with five and four interceptions this season,
respectively. Smith’s total is tied for sixth nationally and leads the SEC, while Nelson’s is tied for 16thin the country and is third in the league. Two of Smith’s interceptions this season have come againstAP Top 25 teams, the total is tied for the second-highest in the country.
COACH MEYER IN HOME GAMESStarting in 2001, when he began his head coaching career at Bowling Green, Coach Meyer’s teams
have posted a 33-2 record in home games. Meyer-coached teams join three other squads to havesuffered two or fewer losses on its home field during that period:Team Home Losses Since 2001 Overall Home Record Since 2001Boise State _________________ 2 ____________________________________ 35-2Oklahoma __________________ 2 ____________________________________ 35-2Southern California ____________ 2 ____________________________________ 32-2Urban Meyer Teams __________ 2 ____________________________________ 33-2
WESTERN DIVISIONTeam SEC Pct. OverallArkansas 4-0 1.000 7-1Auburn 5-1 .833 8-1LSU 2-2 .500 6-2Alabama 2-3 .400 6-3Ole Miss 1-5 .167 2-7Mississippi State 0-5 .000 2-7
NOV. 4Alabama vs. Misssissippi StateArkansas at South CarolinaAuburn vs. Arkansas StateGeorgia at KentuckyLSU at TennesseeOle Miss vs. Northwestern State
SOUTHERN MISS (4-4) at Memphis on Nov. 5Last week: L, 20-17 OT, East CarolinaNext week: at Tulane
UCF (2-6) vs. East CarolinaLast week: L, 51-31, at HoustonNext week: at Memphis
at Tennessee (7-1) vs. LSULast week: W, 31-24, at South CarolinaNext week: at Arkansas
KENTUCKY (4-4) vs. GeorgiaLast week: W, 34-31, at Mississippi StateNext week: vs. Vanderbilt
ALABAMA (6-3) vs. Mississippi StateLast week: W, 38-3, vs. Florida InternationalNext week: at LSU
LSU (6-2) at TennesseeLast week: BYENext week: vs. Alabama
at Auburn (8-1) vs. Arkansas StateLast week: W, 23-17, at Mississippi StateNext week: vs. Georgia
vs. GEORGIA (6-3) at KentuckyLast week: L, 21-14, vs. FloridaNext week: at Auburn
at Vanderbilt (4-5) vs. FloridaLast week: L, 45-28, at DukeNext week: at Kentucky
SOUTH CAROLINA (5-3) vs. ArkansasLast week: L, 31-24, vs. TennesseeNext week: at Florida
W. CAROLINA (2-6) at LibertyLast week: L, 35-7, at WoffordNext week: vs. Appalachian State
at Florida State (4-4) vs. VirginiaLast week: L, 27-24, at MarylandNext week: vs. Wake Forest
THE SEC THIS WEEK
TRACKING OPPONENTS
3WWW.GATORZONE.COM2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT
TODAY’S MATCHUP...
UF PLAYERS IN SEASON OPENERS
FLORIDA (7-1, 5-1 SEC)S2 ________________ SOUTHERN MISS, W 34-7S9 ___________________________ UCF, W, 42-0S16 ____________ at No. 13 Tennessee, W, 21-20S23 ___________________ KENTUCKY, W, 26-7S30 ____________________ ALABAMA, W, 28-13O7 ________________ NO. 9 LSU (HC), W, 23-10O14 ________________ at No. 11 Auburn, L, 27-17O28 ____________ vs. No. 25! Georgia^, W, 21-20N4 ____________________________ at VanderbiltN11 ____________________ SOUTH CAROLINAN18 __________________ WESTERN CAROLINAN25 _________________________ at Florida StateD2 _____________________ SEC Championship #HC - Homecoming ! - Only ranked in the USA^ - Jacksonville, Fla. Today/Coaches poll.# - Atlanta, Ga.
VANDERBILT (4-5, 1-4 SEC)S2 ______________________ at Michigan, L, 27-7S9 ______________________at Alabama, L, 13-10S16 ___________________ ARKANSAS, L, 21-19S23 ____________ TENNESSEE STATE, W, 38-9S30 _____________________ TEMPLE, W, 34-14O7 _____________________ at Ole Miss, L, 17-10O14 _____________________at Georgia, W, 24-22O21 _____________ SOUTH CAROLINA, L, 31-13O28 ______________________ at Duke, W, 45-28N4 ______________________________ FLORIDAN11 ___________________________ at KentuckyN18 _________________________ TENNESSEE
Florida Category Opponents227.2 Passing Offense 193.8157.5 Rushing Offense 67.2384.8 Total Offense 261.026.5 Scoring Offense 12.2193.8 Passing Defense 227.267.2 Rushing Defense 157.5261.0 Total Defense 384.812.2 Scoring Defense 26.5158 1st Downs For 133.440 3rd Down Conv. .380.220 4th Down Conv. .36023-163 Sacks By-Yards 13-10974-514 Penalties-Yards 48-34019-9 Fumbles-Lost 15-630:16 Avg. Time of Poss. 29:40
VU Category Opponents173.8 Passing Offense 155.8157.6 Rushing Offense 163.8331.3 Total Offense 319.623.2 Scoring Offense 20.2155.8 Passing Defense 173.8163.8 Rushing Defense 157.6319.6 Total Defense 331.320.2 Scoring Defense 23.2209 1st Downs For 182.350 3rd Down Conv. .430.620 4th Down Conv. .30040-332 Penalties-Yards 50-42321-12 Fumbles-Lost 22-1028:23 Avg. Time of Poss. 31:37
2006 TEAM STATS 2006 SCHEDULES/RESULTS
RushingFlorida G Att. Net Avg. TD YPGWynn 8 83 436 5.3 3 54.5Tebow 8 50 218 5.1 2 27.2
VU G Att. Net Avg. TD YPGNickson 9 106 564 5.3 7 62.7Jackson-Garr 9 128 516 4.0 4 57.3
VU G Rec. Yds. Avg. TD YPGBennett 9 54 753 13.9 4 83.7Bright 8 18 228 12.7 2 28.5
DefenseFlorida UT-AT-TT TFL S INT FF FREverett 31-20-51 4.0 1.0 0 0 0Siler 33-16-49 7.0 2.0 0 1 1
VU UT-AT-TT TFL S INT FF FRGoff 54-19-73 4.0 1.5 0 2 0Joyce 32-15-47 5.0 2.0 0 0 0
TOP INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
SERIES HISTORY
LAST 5 MEETINGS WITH VU
Urban MeyerRecord at Florida: 16-4 (.800)Overall Record: 55-12 (.820)Seasons at UF/Overall: 2/6
Bobby JohnsonRecord at Vanderbilt: 15-40 (.272)Overall Record: 75-76 (.496)Seasons at Vandy/Overall: 4/12
THE COACHES
2005 UF 49 VU 42 2OT(Gainesville) An interception by Reggie Lewis on a passby Commodore senior quarterback Jay Cutler ended thegame. On the previous possession, wide receiver JemalleCornelius hauled in a 16-yard reception from Chris Leakwith a dramatic catch in the back of the end zone. Leakfinished with a career-high 32 completions in 41 attemptsfor 257 yards and passed for three TDs.
2004 UF 34 VU 17(Nashville) Quarterback Chris Leak was 22-of-29 for 307yards with two touchdowns passing and another onerushing, while Ciatrick Fason gained 170 yards on 26carries and a touchdown to become the fourth-fastestGator to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in a season.
2003 UF 35 VU 17(Gainesville) Keiwan Ratliff broke the single-season in-terception record by nabbing his eighth interception with56 seconds remaining in the game and returned the ball52 yards into the end zone to put the game away. Therunning back trio of Ran Carthon, DeShawn Wynn andCiatrick Fason rushed for 181 yards. Chris Leak went 15-for-25 with 179 yards passing and one touchdown.
2002 UF 21 VU 17(Nashville) Earnest Graham topped the 100-yard markfor the third time on the season and the Florida defensemade a pivotal fourth-down stand with just over 90 sec-onds remaining to give UF a hard-fought win.
2001 UF 71 VU 13(Gainesville) The Gators scored 10 touchdowns, tallied28 first downs, forced five turnovers, and never had topunt.
WWW.GATORZONE.COM2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT 4
QB CHRIS LEAKMaxwell Award Semifinalist - presented to thecollegiate player of the year.
Leak was one of 15 semifinalists announced inOctober and the field will be trimmed to three final-ists in November. The winner will be announced onthe ESPN Home Depot College Football AwardsShow in December. The formal presentation willtake place at the Maxwelll Football Club AwardsBanquet in March of 2007.
LB BRANDON SILERBednarik Award Semifinalist - presented to thenation’s outstanding defensive player.
Siler was named one of 15 semifinalists in Octo-ber and the field will be trimmed to three finalists inNovember. The winner will be announced on theESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Showin December. The formal presentation will take placeat the Maxwelll Football Club Awards Banquet inMarch of 2007.
LB BRANDON SILERButkus Award Semifinalist - presented to thenation’s top college linebacker.
Siler was named one of 10 semifinalists in Octo-ber and the field will be trimmed to three finalists onNov. 9. The winner will be announced on Dec. 9 atthe Butkus Award Gala in Orlando and the trophywill be presented to its recipient by NFL Hall of Famemember Dick Butkus.
WR ANDRE CALDWELL AND DALLASBAKERBiletnikoff Award - presented to the wide receiverin college football.
The award is present on the ESPN CollegeAwards Show and the annual banquet is held duringFebruary in Tallahasee, Fla.
PK CHRIS HETLANDLou Groza Award - presented to the top placekickerin college football.
LB BRANDON SILERLott Trophy Watch List - presented to the playerwho exhibits the same characteristics Lott embod-ied during his career: Integrity, Maturity, PerformanceAcademics, Community and Tenacity.
LB BRANDON SILERNagurski Trophy Watch List - awarded to the bestdefensive player in college football.
CB REGGIE NELSONJim Thorpe Award Watch List - presented to thenation’s best defensive back.
The award will be announced on ESPN’s CollegeFootball Awards Show and the official presentationwill be in Oklahoma City on Feb. 12, 2007.
DT MARCUS THOMASOutland Trophy Watch List - presented to thenation’s top interior lineman on either side of the ballsince 1946.
DE RAY MCDONALD; DE JARVIS MOSS;DT MARCUS THOMASLombardi Award Watch List - presented to thenation’s top lineman.
DE RAY MCDONALD; DE JARVIS MOSSTed Hendricks Defensive End of the Year AwardWatch List - presented to the nation’s top defensiveend.
WHAT’S NEW WITH THE GATORS...* Meyer was the head coach at Bowling Green in 2001-02 and guided BGSU to a 10-1 home record.Chart reflects records from games held on home campuses.
Coach Meyer has started his UF career with a 11-0 home record. The streak is the second-bestby any coach in Gator history in terms of beginning a career without being defeated or tied at home.Undefeated and Untied at Home to Begin UF Career:1. Steve Spurrier, 1990 ___________________ 232. Urban Meyer, 2005-Present _____________ 113. Charles McCoy, 1914 ____________________ 6 J.A. Van Fleet, 1923 ___________________ 6
Florida currently owns an 13-game win streak in “The Swamp”. The streak is the third-longest in thenation for a team on its home field:1. Southern California 302. Louisville 153. Florida 13
Dating back to Oct. 25, 2003, Coach Meyer-led teams have not lost a game at home. The last lossby a Coach Meyer team was in his first season at Utah against New Mexico (47-35). His streak is thesecond-longest among active coaches:1. Pete Carroll Southern California 302. Urban Meyer Florida 183. Bobby Petrino Louisville 15
SERIES NOTES (SEE PAGE 3 FOR COMPLETE SERIES HISTORY) Florida and Vanderbilt were both charter members of the SEC when it began play in 1933 but the
two schools never met until 1945, with Vanderbilt posting a 7-0 win in the initial contest, which wasplayed in Gainesville.
Florida’s 38-7 victory in 1995 was its 12th consecutive SEC win, which set a school record forconsecutive league wins, breaking the previous mark of 11 set by the 1990-92 UF teams.
YEAR TWO PRODUCTIONThe following chart shows the differences between Coach Meyer’s first and second-year offenses
at in terms of where the squads ranked nationally:Total Offense (1st yr./2nd yr.) Scoring Offense(1st yr./2nd yr.)
BGSU 55/9 31/3UTAH 64/3 42/3FLORIDA 61/31 49/43
SQUAD NOTESWith the win over Georgia, UF has now won six straight against Tennessee, Georgia and Florida
State. It is the longest streak over those three teams in school history, topping the five-game streakestablished over the 1995-96 seasons. Urban Meyer is the only coach in school history to begin hiscareer with five straight wins over the three teams.
Florida saw its eight-game win streak come to a close at Auburn on Oct. 14. The streak was thelongest since the 1996 season and ranked third nationally at the time.
Florida scored 23 points vs. LSU after the Tigers entered the game giving up just 30 total in the fiveprevious contests.
UF has overcome 10-point deficits two times this season (at Tennessee and vs. Alabama). The lasttime UF came back from being down 10-or-more points twice in one season was 1995. During thatseason, the Gators trailed 23-7 and 30-14 vs. Tennessee (Sept. 16) before posting a 63-27 win. UFalso spotted Auburn an early 10-0 lead (Oct. 14) before eventually winning the game, 49-38.
Coach Meyer joined Galen Hall as the only two coaches in school history to defeat Tennesseetwice to start their UF careers. He also joined Steve Spurrier, Mark Richt and Tommy Tuberville asthe only coaches to defeat Tennessee under Phillip Fulmer in back-to-back seasons.
With 8:40 remaining in the third quarter at Tennessee, Florida trailed by 10 points (17-7). ChrisLeak found Dallas Baker in the end zone twice and UF allowed only a field goal the remainder of thegame to give Coach Meyer the largest come-from-behind victory of his career. UF was 0-2 in 2005when trailing entering the fourth quarter. Coach Meyer is now 4-8 when trailing after three quar-ters. The comeback was the fifth since 1990 for the Gators when trailing entering the fourth quarterto an SEC team on the road.
Twenty-one total freshmen have seen game action this year for the Gators. The 13 true freshmen(T4 highest total nationally and tops among teams ranked inside the top five with USC) and eightredshirt freshmen are: Percy Harvin (T), Cade Holliday (R), Jarred Fayson (T), Tim Tebow (T),
POSTSEASON HONORS
5WWW.GATORZONE.COM2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT
WHAT’S NEW WITH THE GATORS...
TOP INDIVIUDAL PERFORMANCES
Dustin Doe (T), Dorian Munroe (R), Markihe Anderson (T), Jermain Cunningham (T), BrandonSpikes (T), Roderick Blackett (R), Kyle Newell (R), Eddie Haupt (R), Marcus Gilbert (T), MauriceHurt (T), David Nelson (R), Wondy Pierre-Louis (T), Mon Williams (T), Simon Codrington (R),Riley Cooper (T), Brandon Antwine (T) and Ronnie Wilson (R).
The Gators have had 11 starters this year who are seniors (half of the 22 total seniors on the team).The following chart reflects how many the Gators have had each year since 1995:1995 - 161996 - 141997 - 91998 - 111999 - 6
Florida’s 42-0 win over UCF was the first shutout recorded by the Gators since a 52-0 win overMississippi State on Sept. 29, 2001.
Entering the 2006 season, UF’s leaders in each of the following departments returned: rushing,passing, kick returns, fumble recoveries, field goals, total offense, punting and kickoffs. UF alsoreturned five of its top seven leaders in tackles.
The Gators returned six starters on offense and lost five, while the defense returned six startersand lost five. After losing four two-year starters heading into 2005, the Gators lost six going into2006 (LT Randy Hand, RT Lance Butler, C Mike Degory, DE Jeremy Mincey, SS Jarvis Herringand CB Dee Webb).
Overall, the Gators returned 25 players who made at least one start during the 2005 regularseason. They also lost 11 players who started at least one game after losing six going into 2005.
UF returned seven of the eight players who accounted for nine of the 12 runs of over 20 yards in2005. In addition, the 2006 Gator roster includes six different players who accounted for 22 ofFlorida’s 33 receptions of 20-plus yards in 2005.
Going into 2005, the Gators brought back seven players who began playing for UF in the fallsemester of 2001. In 2006, Florida brought back 10 that started in the spring of 2002 (Dallas Baker,Jemalle Cornelius, Brian Crum, Reggie Lewis, Steven Harris, Jermaine McCollum, TremaineMcCollum, Ray McDonald, Kenneth Tookes and DeShawn Wynn).
THE OFFENSEFlorida averaged 6.1 yards per rush at Auburn, marking the second game this season that UF
averaged 6.0-plus yards per carry (6.2 vs. Kentucky). The last time UF had two games averaging6.0 yards per rush or more in the same season was 2004, when they had three.
Florida has six players averaging over 5.0 yards per carry this season (DeShawn Wynn, TimTebow, Kestahn Moore, Percy Harvin, Andre Caldwell and Jarred Fayson).
Under head coach Urban Meyer, the Gators have outrushed 18 of 20 opponents (10-of-12 in 2005and 8-of-8 in 2006).
Against UCF, Florida totaled 637 yards of total offense (tied for the third-highest single-game totalnationally in 2006). The effort ranked ninth on the all-time list for top total offensive yardage in agame. It marked the first time the Gators have gained 600-or-more yards in a game since posting695 yards against Maryland in the 2002 Orange Bowl. Florida’s 433 yards passing were the mostsince recording 410 against UAB on Aug. 31, 2002.
Florida finished with 514 yards of total offense vs. Kentucky (T62 highest single-game total by anyteam this season). UF had one game last season in which the offense produced 500-or-more yards.The Gators have already done so twice in 2006.
Returning to the offense were WR Dallas Baker, WR Jemalle Cornelius, WR Andre Caldwell, CSteve Rissler, QB Chris Leak and RB DeShawn Wynn. Departing are LT Randy Hand, LG TavaresWashington, C Mike Degory, RT Lance Butler and WR Chad Jackson.
QUARTERBACKSWith the win over Georgia, Chris Leak finished his career with a 3-1 record against the Bulldogs.
Since Leak’s arrival in Gainesville, the three wins are more than all but one team (Auburn) have hadover Georgia.
With the win at Tennessee, Chris Leak became the only starting quarterback in school history towin in Knoxville, against Georgia twice, in Tallahassee, in Baton Rouge and win a bowl game.
POSTSEASON HONORSCONTINUED...
QB CHRIS LEAKWalter Camp Player of the Year Watch List -presented to the collegiate player of the year.
The Watch List will be narrowed to 10 semifinal-ists in early November. The 2006 Walter Camp Awardrecipient, which is voted on by the 119 Division I-Ahead coaches and sports information directors, willbe announced on the ESPN/Home Depot CollegeFootball Awards Show in December. The winner willthen receive his trophy at the Foundation’s annualawards banquet on Jan. 13, 2007 at Yale University.
QB CHRIS LEAKDavey O’Brien Award - presented annually to thenation’s top quarterback.
Semifinalists will be announced in November.The committee will then narrow the field to threefinalists and then the winner. The winner of the 2006Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award will beannounced on the College Football Awards Show onDec. 7 in Orlando.
P ERIC WILBURRay Guy Award Watch List - presented to the topcollegiate punter in the nation.
The top three finalists who will be announced atthe end of November. In December, the top threefinalists will be in Orlando, Fla., for the Home DepotCollege Football awards show. The winner will beannounced live on ESPN.
STAT RANKINGS
The chart below shows where UF ranks as ateam and indviduals in the SEC and nationally
WWW.GATORZONE.COM2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT 6
WHAT’S NEW WITH THE GATORS...
Florida returns home for the first time in overa month as the Gators play their final SECcontest of the season against South Carolinaon Nov. 11 in Gainesville. The meeting will bethe 27th between the two programs and the15th in SEC play since USC joined the leaguein 1992. Florida leads the series, 19-4-3, andhas claimed wins in 14 of the last 15 contests.The Gators hold a 10-0 advantage over theGamecocks in games played in Gainesville.
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ON THIS DATE
In the game against Alabama, Chris Leak had a career-long 45-yard run. The run was the longestby a UF quarterback since Terry LeCount had a 74-yarder against Georgia on Nov. 5, 1977. The runis tied for the eighth-longest by a quarterback in 2006.
Florida is one of four teams nationally to have a pair of quarterbacks with a long rush of more than29 yards (Central Michigan, Texas A&M, West Virginia).
With his 14 completions against Georgia, Chris Leak has 787 on his career, which is first in schoolhistory. Leak is also first on the Florida career attempts list. With 28 against the Bulldogs, Leak has1,294 in his career (SEE PAGE 13 FOR CHARTS).
Through eight games this season, Chris Leak has thrown for 16 touchdowns. The Gators were intheir 10th game in 2005 when Leak reached 16 passing TDs.
Chris Leak needs 939 yards to pass Danny Wuerffel as UF’s all-time passing leader and 1,591 topass Georgia’s David Greene as the SEC’s all-time leader.
Prior to Coach Meyer’s arrival, Leak started 22 games and did not throw an interception in eightgames. Under Coach Meyer, he has not thrown one in nine of 20 starts.
Leak was the only quarterback in the nation last year to lead his team to a top 15 AP finish and throwmore than 350 pass attempts and have less than six interceptions.
Chris Leak’s interception percentage of 1.6 in 2005 tied for the sixth-lowest total in the nation andtied with Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn and Tulsa’s Paul Smith for the third-highest total among thosereturning for the 2006 season.
This season, Leak is in a position to lead the Gators in passing for the fourth-straight year. Onlythree UF quarterbacks have done that since 1955 (Danny Wuerffel, 1993-96; Kerwin Bell, 1984-87;Wayne Peace ,1980-83). Of the four, Leak and Wuerffel are the only two to pass for over 2,000yards in three seasons and Leak is the only one who could do it all four years.
Following the game against Georgia, Chris Leak is second in school history and is fourth in the SECin the category of most touchdowns responsible for by a Gator. Leak has been involved in 91 (81passing, 10 rushing).
Chris Leak has a career completion percentage of 60.8 and just behind Rex Grossman (61.1) forthird on Florida’s all-time list (61.6, Wayne Peace).
Chris Leak’s 26 touchdown passes against teams ranked in the AP top 25 since 2003 are thehighest amount by any active quarterback during that time span and his 354 completions and 4,148passing yards are the most by any player in the nation vs. ranked foes.
Chris Leak made his 41st career start against Georgia. Leak now owns a 29-12 record in starts onthe collegiate level. Shown below are the consecutive starts leaders among 2006 Division I-A quar-terbacks:1. Kevin Kolb, Houston 452. Reggie Ball, Georgia Tech 443. Chris Leak, Florida 41 Brady Quinn, Notre Dame 415. Jordan Palmer, UTEP 38
Chris Leak is the SEC’s active career leader in the following categories:Wins: 29-12 recordTouchdown passes: 81Passing yards: 9,937Completions: 787
Chris Leak has passed for 9,937 yards in his career, which is second on the UF career passingyardage chart (SEE PAGE 13 FOR CHARTS). The total is also the third-highest nationally amongquarterbacks who are active in 2006 since 2003:Player School Yards1. Kevin Kolb Houston 11,7532. Brady Quinn Notre Dame 10,5693. Chris Leak Florida 9,9374. Jordan Palmer UTEP 9,6215. John Beck BYU 9,197
In the game against Georgia, Chris Leak increased his career yardage (passing, rushing andreceiving) to 10,061, which ranks second in school history. Leak is only the second player in school
Nov. 4 – (2006 vs. Vanderbilt)Record on date: 5-8Games:1911: W, 9-0 vs. Columbia College (Gainesville)1912: W, 78-0 vs. College of Charleston(Gainesville)1922: L, 24-0 vs. Harvard (Boston)1933: L, 14-0 vs. Georgia (Jacksonville)1939: L, 6-0 vs. South Carolina (Columbia)1950: L, 40-6 vs. Kentucky (Lexington)1961: L, 20-0 vs. Georgia Tech (Atlanta)1967: L, 26-21 vs. Auburn (Auburn)1972: L, 26-20 vs. Auburn (Gainesville)1978: W, 31-7 vs. Auburn (Gainesville)1989: L, 10-7 vs. Auburn (Auburn)1995: W, 58-20 vs. Northern Illinois (Gainesville)2000: W, 43-20 vs. Vanderbilt (Nashville)
Nov. 4, 1995 – Florida vs. Northern IllinoisUF 58, Northern Illinois 20 – GainesvilleQuarterback Eric Kresser set a school recordby throwing for 458 yards in this Homecomingvictory against the Northern Illinois Huskies.Kresser completed 26-of-42 passes with sixtouchdowns, including a 96-yarder to JacquezGreen. Florida wasted little time in getting onthe board by scoring in the first minute of thegame. In all, eight different players got into theendzone as three quarterbacks threw passesand 13 receivers caught passes. The Gatorsended the game with 506 yards passing and695 total yards on offense, both ranked as thesecond-best single-game effort in UF history.
Nov. 4, 2000 – Florida vs. VanderbiltUF 43, Vanderbilt 20 – NashvilleFlorida took advantage of five interceptions, themost for a Gator team since 1952, and a 334-yard passing performance form quarterbackRex Grossman to defeat Vanderbilt, 43-20. TheGators started slowly but soon dominated inthe third quarter by scoring 19 points and hold-ing Vanderbilt to zero. Grossman’s 334 pass-ing yards were a career-high and JabarGaffney (101) and Reche Caldwell (102) bothsurpassed the 100+ yard receiving mark. Rob-ert Gillespie rushed for 93 yards on 14 carrieswith one touchdown. The Gator defense heldVanderbilt to 52 yards rushing, its best outingof the season.
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Since 1996, the Gators rank third in the countryin combined passing yards:NATIONAL LEADERS1. Louisiana Tech ___________ 37,7722. Marshall _________________ 37,6793. FLORIDA _______________ 35,964
100-7 when it rushes for 150 or more yards ina game and is 70-39-1 when held under 150yards.
139-18 when it rushes for at least 100 yardsin a game and is just 21-28-1 when held under100 yards.
76-7 when a back rushes for 100 or moreyards in a game.
123-11 when UF out-rushes its opponent andjust 38-36-1 when it is out-rushed.
113-16 when UF scores first and 46-31-1when its opponent scores first.
144-10-1 when leading at the half and 16-35when tied or trailing at the half.
UF has been out-rushed in 35 of the 45 gamesit has lost.
The Gators have posted a 93-5-1 record whenthey hold an opponent to less than 100 teamrushing yards.
UF is 28-4 in games in which it blocks a punt.
The Gators are 111-22-1 in games played inthe state of Florida (92-11 in Gainesville, 14-2in Jacksonville, 2-1 in Orlando, 1-0 in Miami, 1-6-1 in Tallahassee, 1-2 in Tampa).
104-6 vs. unranked teams at game time.
history to have over 10,000 yards of offense in his career. (SEE CHART ON PAGE 13).
Chris Leak has thrown for 81 touchdowns since the 2003 season. The total is the highest among allquarterbacks nationally since that time:
Player School TDs1. Chris Leak FLORIDA 812. Brady Quinn Notre Dame 793. Jordan Palmer UTEP 774. Kevin Kolb Houston 765. Colt Brennan Hawaii 68
Chris Leak passed for a career-high 352 yards against UCF. His previous career-high was 322against Arkansas in 2004. The total was Leak’s seventh career 300-yard game moving him into a tiewith Doug Johnson (1996-99 for third on UF’s all-time chart (SEE PAGE 13 FOR CHARTS). TheGators are 7-0 when Leak throws for 300-or-more yards in a game.
Florida quarterback Chris Leak is 75-12 in his last 87 games as a starting quarterback. He won 46in a row at Independence High School and then his first start at Florida (at Kentucky). His 12 losseshave been to Ole Miss, Florida State, Iowa (2004 Outback), Tennessee, LSU (twice), MississippiState, Georgia, Miami (2004 Peach), Alabama, South Carolina and Auburn.
RUNNING BACKSDeShawn Wynn returned to the starting running back position for Florida at Auburn. Wynn missed
all but one snap against LSU due to a twisted knee suffered in the Alabama game.
DeShawn Wynn and Kestahn Moore combined have averaged 5.1 yards per carry this season andhave lost only three fumbles. UF running backs averaged 3.9 yards per carry on 279 runs and lostonly one fumble in 2005.
DeShawn Wynn rushed for 104 yards on 14 carries against Kentucky, giving him back-to-backgames with 100-yards rushing for the first time in his career. Prior to the game, Wynn averaged just56.0 yards following his previous 100-yard performances during his career.
DeShawn Wynn carried the ball 22 times for 104 yards at Tennessee. The effort was the fourth100-yard performance in Wynn’s career. Wynn was the first 100-yard rusher against Tennesseesince Carnell Williams (Auburn) ran for 100 in the 2004 SEC title game.
For the first time since 2002, the Gators returned their leading rusher from the previous season asDeShawn Wynn returned to the squad after running for 621 yards on 130 attempts in 2005. Wynnscored seven of the 10 touchdowns by a UF running back in 2005 and has scored two of the threeby UF running backs this year.
The Florida running back unit returned only one upperclassman running back who carried the ballthe previous season for the second time in three years (DeShawn Wynn).
In 2005, the Gators started four different running backs (Markus Manson, Kestahn Moore, SkylerThornton, DeShawn Wynn). Wynn got the majority of the starts at running back with six, while Moorestarted three and Manson started two.
Since 1996, there has only been one time a running back has led the Gators in rushing yards inback-to-back seasons (Earnest Graham, 2002-2003). DeShawn Wynn led Florida with 621 yards in2005 and is the leading rusher on the 2006 squad with 96 yards on 16 carries.
The most rushing yards by an Urban Meyer running back in a season was 976 (on 237 carries) byUtah’s Brandon Warfield in 2003. The running backs that return from last season (Wynn, Manson,Moore) combined for 1,263 yards on 259 carries.
The Gators’ ground game averaged 146.8 yards per game in 2005 and ranked fifth in the SEC. Thetotal was the second-highest since the 1996 season (2004, 155.8). The unit also averaged 3.9 yardsper carry, which was the highest amount by a first-year offense under Coach Meyer. In addition, UFran for 19 touchdowns in 2005, equaling the total from Meyer’s first offense at Bowling Green (2002).
WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDSAndre Caldwell caught a pass for a touchdown and ran for one against Georgia. The last time the
Gators had a player with one of each in a game was when Chad Jackson did so against Vanderbiltin 2005.
WWW.GATORZONE.COM2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT 8
INSTANT REPLAY
WHAT’S NEW WITH THE GATORS...
For the 2006 season, the rules committee is allowingseveral varying systems to implement video replay,as determined by each conference or institution.Each head coach is allowed one Instant Replay chal-lenge per game, which is exercised by requesting ateam timeout. A head coach may issue a challengeonly if his team has one or more timeouts remaining inthe half. If the challenged ruling is overturned, thetimeout is not charged, but the coach has no morechallenges during that game.Plays that MAY be reviewed:1. Governed by sideline, goal line and end line:a) Scoring plays, including a runner breaking the planeof the goal line.b) Pass complete/incomplete/intercepted at sideline,goal line and end line.c) Runner/receiver in or out of bounds.d) Recovery of loose ball in bounds.2. Passing Plays:a) Pass ruled complete/incomplete/intercepted in thefield of play and end zones.b) Touching of a forward pass by an ineligible re-ceiver.c) Touching of a forward pass by a defensive player.d) Quarterback (passer) forward pass or fumble (ifruled incomplete, the play is finalized).e) Illegal forward pass or illegal handing beyond theline of scrimmage.f) Illegal forward pass or illegal handing after changeof possession.g) Forward or backward pass thrown from behind theline of scrimmage.3. Other detectable infractions:a) Runner ruled not down.b) Forward progress errors with respect to first down.c) Touching of a kick.d) Number of players on field.e) Clock adjustments.f) Fourth-down/try fumble plays.Plays that MAY NOT be reviewed:1. Holding2. Offside/encroachment3. Pass interference4. Personal fouls (e.g., late hits)5. Illegal blocks6. Illegal formations7. Face mask8. Taunting/excessive celebration9. False starts10. Roughing the passer/kicker11. Fighting participants
RULE CHANGES FOR 2006REGARDING THE CLOCK
The clock will start on kickoffs as soon as thekicker’s foot hits the ball.When the ball changes hands, by kick or turn-
over, the clock will start as soon as the ball isready for play, not at the snap.When a team is awarded a first down, the
clock will be stopped and will start on the readyfor play signal.
Andre Caldwell’s touchdown reception against Georgia was his fourth of the season. Caldwellentered the season with three for his career. Caldwell equaled his career-high with eight receptionsand had a season-high 88 yards receiving. He carried the ball a career-high five times and totaled 28yards against the Bulldogs.
Florida is one of only three schools in the nation to have a pair of wide receivers who have had a longrun of 27 yards or more this year (Wake Forest and Kansas State).
In Florida’s last two games, the Gator wideouts have accounted for 178 of the teams’ 327 yardsrushing.
Over the past nine games, Dallas Baker has caught eight touchdown passes (1 of 13 playersnationally). His 47 receptions over the span rank in a tie for 25th and his 743 yards are 16th.
Percy Harvin has accumulated 358 yards of total offense on 32 touches for an average of 11.2yards per touch.
Against Auburn, Percy Harvin had a 35-yard run which is the longest run by any Gator this seasonand tied for the 18th longest by any receiver nationally in 2006. It was the second-longest run by aFlorida receiver in records dating back to 1996 and the longest by a Gator receiver against an AP Top25 team since at least 1996.
Jemalle Cornelius has had 18 catches for 337 yards for an average of 18.7 yards per catch thisseason. He is one of 16 players nationally and three in the SEC to have an average of 18.7 yards-or-more this year.
This season, Dallas Baker leads the Gators with six touchdown receptions (T27 nationally). He hascaught a touchdown in seven of the last 10 games. Baker had five touchdowns his entire sophomoreand junior seasons.
Against Southern Miss, Percy Harvin became the first true freshman wide receiver in school historyto start a season opener.
Dallas Baker returned to the squad after an Outback Bowl MVP performance in which he set careerhighs in catches (10) and yardage (147). Baker is the fifth player in school history to be named theMVP of a bowl game the Gators won and return to the squad for the next season (Larry Smith,Emmitt Smith, Travis Taylor, Taylor Jacobs). The list below is how they performed the next season:Player Bowl MVP Following Season StatsLarry Smith 1967 Orange 205 att., 754 yds., 8 TDs (1967 season)Emmitt Smith 1988 All-American 284 att., 1,599 yds, 14 TDs (1989 season)Travis Taylor 1999 Orange 34 rec., 463 yds., 6 TDS (1999 season)Taylor Jacobs 2002 Orange 71 rec., 1,088 yds., 8 TDs (2002 season)
True sophomore Nyan Boateng underwent surgery to repair damage to his right ankle Sept. 21.Boateng is expected to return four to five weeks from the date of the surgery.
Redshirt junior Andre Caldwell returned to the unit this season after he fractured the femur bone inhis right leg while returning the second-half kickoff against Tennessee in 2005 causing him to missthe remainder of the season. At the time of his injury, he was second among Gator receiversaveraging 14.8 yards per game.
Under the guidance of position coach Billy Gonzales, the leading receiver on the squad has equaledor set a new school record for receptions and for the last five years the leading receiver on the teamhas averaged nearly 80 receptions a season (79.8).
OFFENSIVE LINEFlorida has started every game of the 2006 season with the following at offensive line: LT Phil
Trautwein; LG Jim Tartt; C Steve Rissler; RG Drew Miller; RT Carlton Medder.
The Florida offensive line did not allow a sack in the Georgia game and has allowed 13 through thefirst eight games. UF has given up only one or less four times this season after doing so on only threeoccasions last year. The Georgia game marked the second time this year that the unit did not allowa sack (UCF). Through eight games last season, UF had allowed 28 sacks.
Against Auburn, UF’s Jason Watkins made the first start of his career as he lined up at tight end.Watkins, who switched his number to 89 for the game against the Tigers remained with that numberfor the Georgia game.
Redshirt freshman Ronnie Wilson suffered a broken left ankle during August practices. Wilson
9WWW.GATORZONE.COM2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT
PERCENTAGE RETURNING
Passing _________________________ Chris Leak**Rushing _____________________ DeShawn WynnReceiving ______________________ Dallas Baker^Scoring ______________________ DeShawn WynnPunting _________________________ Eric Wilbur**Tackles __________________________ Earl EverettTackles For Loss ________________ Jarvis MossSacks ___________________________ Jarvis MossKickoff Returns _______________ Markus MansonPunt Returns _______________ Jemalle Cornelius* - Second straight season** - Third straight season^ - Andre Caldwell will return and led the Gators inreceiving in 2004Based on UF’s final 2005 regular season stats.
RETURNING LEADERS
Rushing Yards _______________________ 87.8^^Tackles ________________________________ 63.7Passing Yards __________________________ 96.6Receiving Yards ________________________ 66.9Scoring ________________________________ 76.0Sacks __________________________________ 82.8Interceptions ___________________________ 62.5Break Ups ______________________________ 53.1Forced Fumbles ________________________ 58.3Fumble Returns ______________________ 86.6^^Punt Return Yards ______________________ 11.9Kick Return Yards _____________________ 100.0Field Goals __________________________ 100.0^^Extra Points _________________________ 100.0^^Punting _______________________________ 96.5** - Higher than percent returning to the 2005 squad^^ - More than double the percent returning to the 2005squadAll totals are based on UF’s final 2005 regular seasonstats.
underwent surgery on August 12 and returned to play for the LSU game.
Only one player (Jim Tartt) on the offensive line entered the 2006 season with a start at their currentposition. Tartt started the Kentucky game at left guard last season.
In University of Florida records dating back to 1980, Florida’s 17 combined starts on the offensiveline entering the 2006 season are the lowest since that time.
Florida has no fifth-year seniors up front and only two fourth-year players (Steve Rissler and CarltonMedder).
Florida starting center Steve Rissler and starting right guard Drew Miller both attended Sarasota’sRiverview High School. In research dating back to 1982, there have been no two members ofFlorida’s starting offensive line during a season from the same high school.
Four members of the starting offensive line for the season opener were from the state of Florida. Inthe last 11 seasons, four members of the starting day offensive line have been from the state ofFlorida on seven occasions.
THE DEFENSEThe Florida defense has surrendered just seven touchdowns all year, which is tied for the lowest
total in the country. Florida is tied for fourth nationally with three rushing touchdowns allowed thisseason and is tied for third with four passing touchdowns allowed. In addition, the unit has allowedone fourth-quarter touchdown this season, which came in the Georgia game when the Bulldogsstarted a drive on the UF 14-yard line following a fumble.
The Florida defense has allowed only six touchdowns after opponents have been inside the redzone 19 times this year.
The Florida defense has created five turnovers by opponents in two of the last three games and 11overall in three games in the month of October combined.
Florida opponents have scored 10 touchdowns against the Gators this season. Three of thosehave come on returns (one punt block and two fumbles). Four of the 10 touchdowns have comefollowing turnovers. The UF defense has given up only three touchdowns on the season when nottaking the field following a turnover.
In its last game, Florida limited Georgia to 64 rushing yards. In records dating back to 1996, thetotal was the 15th lowest single-game rushing effort by the Bulldogs and the lowest by a Georgiateam against Florida.
The UF defense has scored 18 points in the second half this season, while the unit has allowed only30 to opposing offenses after halftime.
In its last game, Florida recorded foursacks against UGA and now has 19 over the past five games.UF has 23 total this season (second in the SEC) resulting in a loss of 163 yards. The Gators havehad four-or-more sacks in each of the last two outings and have done so three times this year.
The UF defense has allowed SEC opponents to gain only 2.4 yards per carry this season.
The Florida defense has given up one touchdown or less in all but two of eight games this season(Auburn and Tennessee).
Through eight games this season, opponents are 12-for-19 (.631) in the red zone and six have gonefor touchdowns. UF opponents scored on 14-of-19 (.736) trips to the red zone last year through eightgames and 11 went for touchdowns.
In the game against Alabama, UF had three interceptions returned for 100 yards. The total was thehighest for the Gators since returning three for 102 yards against Florida State on Nov. 25, 1995.
In the game against Kentucky, Florida limited the Wildcats to 39 rushing yards, which was the third-lowest total in the Rich Brooks era. The Gator defense did not give up a play of 20-or-more yards toUK.
Florida’s defense limited Tennessee to -11 yards on 23 carries. The total was the lowest rushingperformance in the 168 games Phillip Fulmer has coached in Knoxville. The total ranks as theseventh-lowest allowed by a Florida defense in school history and the fifth-lowest to an SEC team.
Returning to the defense were DE Joe Cohen, DT Marcus Thomas, DT, Steven Harris, LBBrandon Siler, LB Earl Everett, and Reggie Nelson and Kyle Jackson who split time at FS . Departing
CURRENT CONSECUTIVEGAMES WITHOUT BEING SHUTOUT
NATIONAL LEADERS1. Michigan ___________________ 2712. Washington State ____________ 2583. Oregon _____________________ 2534. Florida State ________________ 2315. FLORIDA __________________ 2246. Colorado ___________________ 219
WWW.GATORZONE.COM2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT 10
were DE Jeremy Mincey, LB Todd McCullough, SS Jarvis Herring, CB Vernell Brown and CBDee Webb.
The Florida defense has held its opponent’s top rusher to under 100 yards in 27 of the last 32games. The Gators have held opponents under 100 yards net rushing in 14 of the last 18 winsdating back to the 2004 season.In the last 45 games, the Gators have scored points off turnovers in 33 games. 109 of UF’s
points in 2005 came off turnovers (31.7 percent).
The Gators ranked third nationally in turnover margin in 2005, while Urban Meyer-coachedteams rank second nationally during the last six years in turnover margin (+68) after forcing 170turnovers and committing just 99 in 67 games.Turnover Ratio Last Six Years Turnovers Turnovers
Games Gained Lost Margin1. Southern California 71 197 89 +1.522. Urban Meyer Coached Teams 67 168 99 +1.473. Oklahoma 74 170 118 +0.694. Fresno State 73 148 116 +0.43
The Florida defensive staff finished the 2006 season with 115 years of combined collegiatecoaching experience: Chuck Heater (31), Doc Holliday (29), Greg Mattison (31), Charlie Strong(24).
LINEBACKERSAgainst Georgia, Brandon Siler was one of four Gators to record a sack to raise his season total
to 3.5, which ranks third on the team and first among members of the team not on the defensiveline.
Brandon Siler and Earl Everett have combined for 63 starts in their careers. Siler has started 24straight games, while Everett has started 32 in a row.
Brandon Siler and Earl Everett returned after leading the team in tackles in each of the past twoyears. Siler became the second true freshman in school history to do so when he totaled 77 in2004, and Everett led the squad with 72 in 2005. The last time UF returned two players that led thesquad in tackles in previous seasons was 2001 when Marquand Manuel (118, 1999) and ToddJohnson (102, 2000) were on the roster.
Freshman A.J. Jones and sophomore Jon Demps have suffered injuries that will affect the depthat the position. Demps suffered an ACL tear in his left knee in preseason drills, while Jones suffereda fracture in his right foot on Monday, Aug. 28. Both injuries occurred during non-contact drills.
DEFENSIVE LINEDerrick Harvey added to his sack total with one against Georgia. He now has seven on the
season, which ranks first in the SEC. Harvey entered the season with one career sack and heneeds just two more to break onto the Florida all-time single-season list. In the Georgia game,Harvey forced and recovered a fumble.
Against Georgia, Ray McDonald scored the first touchdown of his career on any level as herecovered a Georgia fumble and returned it nine yards for the score on the Bulldogs’ opening driveof the second half. The fumble recovery for a touchdown was the first by a Gator since a 77-yardreturn by Keiwan Ratliff against Florida State on Nov. 29, 2003.
Against Georgia, Florida opened the game with Ray McDonald and Jarvis Moss at defensive endsand Marcus Thomas and Joe Cohen at defensive tackles. It was the fourth time this season UFopened with the four players on the line after doing so against UCF and at Tennessee and Auburn.
Defensive tackle Marcus Thomas returned to action against LSU after missing the Kentucky andAlabama games. Since his return, Thomas has led the Gators in tackles in two of the last threegames with eight against LSU and 10 at Auburn.
UF’s defensive line accounted for 19.5 of the 33 sacks the team had in 2005. Returningmembers to the team combined for 16 of those.
Defensive tackle Marcus Thomas ranks second on the squad with four sacks, matching his totalfrom all of last season.
SECONDARYThe Gators are one of 11 teams nationally and one of two in the SEC to intercept 13-or-more
passes this season.
2006LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE
On March 20, 2006, the Florida football teamannounced 13 players had been voted to the2005 Gator Football Leadership Committee bytheir teammates. The Committee is chargedwith acting as spokesmen for the team andhandling situations related to team policy is-sues, academic affairs, off-campus circum-stances and other topics. The 13 players forthe 2006 season are:
* -Named to the committee for the secondstraigth year.
SEC _____________________________ 5ACC ____________________________ 4Big 10 ___________________________ 4Big 12 ___________________________ 4Pac-10 ___________________________ 4Big East __________________________ 1Conference USA ___________________ 1Independent ______________________ 1Mountain West _____________________ 1
The SEC is the only conference in the nationwith three teams ranked inside the AP pre-season top 10 (No.4, Auburn; No. 7, Florida;No. 8, LSU).
In 10 of the past 11 seasons, the SEC hashad five-or-more teams ranked in the AP pre-season top 25. In 2003, the SEC had four andin 2001, the SEC had six (including preseasonNo. 1 Florida). Every other season, the yearstarted off with five league teams ranked in theAP top 25 to begin with.
TEAMS RANKED IN AP PRESEASON POLL
11WWW.GATORZONE.COM2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT
100 YEARS OF FLORIDAFOOTBALL
CELEBRATING 100 YEARSThis year marks the 100th of Florida football.
Through the past 99 seasons, UF has won onenational title (1996) and six Southeastern Con-ference Championships (1991, ‘93, ‘94, ‘95, ‘96,2000). The Gators have produced 57 first-teamAll-Americans, two Heisman Trophy winners(Steve Spurrier, 1966; Danny Wuerffel, 1996)and two members of the Academic All-AmericaHall of Fame (Carlos Alvarez, 1989; CrisCollinsworth, 2001).
The Gators are the first Division I-A team inthe state of Florida to play for 100 years. UF isthe final team in the SEC to do so and the 86thteam in NCAA Division I-A to have had its firstseason 100-or-more years ago. No other schoolin the nation is celebrating its 100th year offootball in 2006.
GAME-BY-GAMEThe season-long celebration of 100 years has
been highlighted by several recognitions at UFgames this season:
vs. Southern Miss, Sept. 2Prior to the game, Florida recognized the
1996 national championship team with an on-field presentation. That season, UF posted a12-1 record and defeated then-No. 3 FloridaState on Jan. 2, 1997, in the Sugar Bowl, 52-20, to claim the consensus 1996 national cham-pionship.
vs. Alabama, Sept. 30A special pre-game ceremony was held hon-
oring four Gator football legends. The namesof Gator legends Emmitt Smith, SteveSpurrier, Danny Wuerffel and JackYoungblood were unveiled on the FloridaFootball Ring of Honor. The announcement ofthe Ring of Honor was made the night beforeat the Gator Gala at the Stephen C. O’ConnellCenter. Nearly 1,100 members of the GatorNation celebrated 100 years of Florida footballat the event, where it was announced that $6.1million has been raised for the UF Athletic En-dowment Fund from proceeds of the gala andother projects surrounding the centennial cel-ebration.
Additionally, UF players wore throwback uni-forms for the game. The jersey was from the1966 season and the helmets were from 1967.
Ryan Smith had one interception against Georgia to bring his total to a team-leading five on theseason. Smith’s five interceptions this season are two more than UF’s leader in the department lastseason (Vernell Brown, 3). Earlier this year, Smith became the only player under Coach Meyer everto have two-or-more interceptions in a game on two occasions by doing so against Alabama and LSU.
Four players have had two-or-more interceptions this season for the Gators this season. In all, fourplayers had more than one all together last season.
Against Alabama, Reggie Nelson returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown. The returnwas the third-longest by a Gator since 1996.
Against Alabama, UF returned three interceptions 100 yards. The total was the highest by the Gatorssince UF had 102 yards on three interceptions against Florida State on Nov. 25, 1995.
Florida’s defense has intercepted 66 passes since 2003, when Charlie Strong took over as defensivecoordinator. The four-year total is the tied for the fourth-highest total in the nation over the time periodand is the best among SEC teams:Total Interceptions from 2003-Present1. Boise State 742. Southern California 713. Nebraska 68
UF has had an interception in 22 of the past 32 games. UF’s 16 interceptions in 2005 tied withGeorgia for the highest amount by any SEC team.
Since 2003, 27 of Florida’s 66 interceptions have come against teams ranked inside the top 25. Thetotal is the highest among any team in the nation:Interceptions vs. AP Top 25 teams Since 20031. FLORIDA 272. Ohio State 21 Washington State 21
SPECIAL TEAMSThrough the first eight games of the 2006 season, the Gators have allowed 12 punts to be returned
for 38 yards. The Florida punt return defense ranks ninth nationally. In 2005, Florida’s special teamsranked ninth nationally in net punting (38.1 per punt), while the Gators’ punt return defense was thesecond-best nationally allowing 3.3 per return.
The Gator punt return defense limited Georgia to two returns for four yards. The Bulldogs enteredthe contest ranked fifth nationally and second in the SEC averaging 17.4 yards in punt returns pergame.
The Gator punt return defense limited Georgia to two returns for four yards. The Bulldogs enteredthe contest ranked fifth nationally and second in the SEC averaging 17.4 yards in punt returns pergame.
Brandon James had a career-long 38-yard kickoff return against Georgia, breaking his previous longby eight yards (30 vs. Alabama). James’ 38-yard return tied for the 19th longest by a Gator in recordsdating back to 1996.
In its last outing, the Florida punt return defense limited Georgia to two punt returns for four yards.The Bulldogs entered the game ranked fifth nationally and second in the SEC in the category averag-ing 17.4 return yards a game.
UF held LSU to -10 yards on thre punt returns and the Gators blocked their second punt of theseason and the seventh under head coach Urban Meyer.
In research kept by the UF coaching staff, Florida’s special teams accounted for 199 yards of gainedfield position in the LSU game.
The charts below reflects how Urban Meyer coached teams have made a difference on specialteams:Punt Returns for a TD Under Urban Meyer (4)2005 12004 12003 02002 12001 1
WWW.GATORZONE.COM2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT 12
THE STADIUM...ATTENDANCE NOTES
In 2005, Florida ranked eighth nationally inaverage attendance with a total of 90,406.
The attendance for the Tennessee game onSept. 17, 2005, of 90,716, established a schoolrecord.The previous school record stood at90,707, set against Wyoming in the 2005 sea-son opener on Sept. 3. The school record set-ting crowd as the largest to ever watch a footballgame in the state of Florida. The state has hosted12 Super Bowls, two BCS national title gamesand have featured a team that went on to win atleast a share of the national title in a bowl game18 times.
The attendance for the 2005 season opener(90,707) was the largest opening-day crowd inFlorida history. The previous record was 90,011against San Jose State in the 2003 opener.The Gators opened the 2004 season againstEastern Michigan in front of a crowd of 90,009.
The attendance of Florida’s game at Tennes-see (109,061) on Sept. 18, 2004, was the larg-est ever to see a Gator team play.
The attendance for the 2004 Florida-Georgiagame was an AllTel Stadium record (84,753).The previous record of 84,433 was set at theFlorida-Georgia game in 2002.
In 2005, the Gators sold all available seasontickets (78,300). That figure continues to rankas the second-highest in the state of Floridahistory for any team - collegiate or professional.
The Gators have ranked among the nation’stop-15 schools in average home attendance ineach of the last 24 years (1982-2005) and haveranked among the nation’s top-eight schools ineach of the last 15 years (1991-2005).
UF’s average of 90,405 fans per home gamein 2005 ranked as the best single-season markin school history. The mark bettered that of the2003 season in which the Gators averaged90,176.
Florida has a current streak of 107-consecu-tive home sellouts dating back to the 1989 sea-son. Here is where UF ranks nationally for cur-rent consecutive sellouts:
BEN HILL GRIFFIN STADIUMAT FLORIDA FIELD“THE SWAMP”
A look at the Gators at home since 1990:Overall: _______________________ 92-11SEC: __________________________ 52-7SEC East: ______________________ 30-2SEC West: ______________________ 22-5Non-Conference: _________________ 40-4Top-25 Teams: _________________ 20-10Top-10 Teams: __________________ 11-6Top-5 Teams: ____________________ 8-4Unranked Teams: ________________ 71-1At Night (6 p.m. or later) ___________ 32-2
Florida’s home winning percentage of .893 (92-11) ranks third-best in the nation since 1990.
The Gators had two significant streaks at “TheSwamp” in the 1990s: a 23-game win streak from1990-93 and a 30-game streak from 1994-99, In103 home games since 1990, UF has scored 30-or-more points 76 times and has held its oppo-nent to 14-or-less points 57 times.
Since 1990, UF has outscored its opponents at“The Swamp” by a combined total of 4,099-1,588(an average of 39.7 to 15.4 for an average victorymargin of 24.3).
Since 1990, Florida has lost only five times athome to a team ranked below the top five.
HOME RECORDS SINCE 1990 1. Florida State ______ 83-7-1 _____ .912 2. Nebraska ________ 101-11-0 ___ .901 3. FLORIDA ________ 92-11-0 ____ .893 4. Kansas State _____ 95-15-1 ____ .855 5. Texas A&M _______ 86-17-1 ____ .826
13WWW.GATORZONE.COM2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT
RECORDS WATCH...
Passing Attempts (Career)1. 1,294 _____________________ Chris Leak, 2003-2. 1,202 ______________ Shane Matthews, 1989-923. 1,170 _______________ Danny Wuerffel, 1993-964. 1,128 __________________ John Reaves, 1969-715. 1,110 ________________ Rex Grossman, 2000-026. 991 ___________________ Wayne Peace, 1980-837. 949 _____________________ Kerwin Bell, 1984-878. 907 ___________________ Doug Johnson, 1996-999. 692 ___________________ Steve Spurrier, 1964-6610. 479 ________________ Jesse Palmer, 1997-2000
Passing Completions (Career)1. 787 _______________________ Chris Leak, 2003-2. 722 ________________ Shane Matthews, 1989-923. 708 _________________ Danny Wuerffel, 1993-964. 677 __________________ Rex Grossman, 2000-025. 610 ___________________ Wayne Peace, 1980-836. 603 ____________________ John Reaves, 1969-717. 549 _____________________ Kerwin Bell, 1984-878. 504 ___________________ Doug Johnson, 1996-999. 392 ___________________ Steve Spurrier, 1964-6610. 254 ________________ Jesse Palmer, 1997-2000
Passing Yards (Career)1. 10,875 ______________ Danny Wuerffel, 1993-962. 9,937 _____________________ Chris Leak, 2003-3. 9,287 ______________ Shane Matthews, 1989-924. 9,164 ________________ Rex Grossman, 2000-025. 7,585 ___________________ Kerwin Bell, 1984-876. 7,549 __________________ John Reaves, 1969-717. 7,206 _________________ Wayne Peace, 1980-838. 7,114 _________________ Doug Johnson, 1996-999. 4,848 _________________ Steve Spurrier, 1964-6610. 3,755 ______________ Jesse Palmer, 1997-2000
Passing Touchdowns (Career)1. 114 _________________ Danny Wuerffel, 1993-962. 81 _______________________ Chris Leak, 2003-3. 77 ___________________ Rex Grossman, 2000-024. 74 _________________ Shane Matthews, 1989-925. 62 ____________________ Doug Johnson, 1996-996. 56 ______________________ Kerwin Bell, 1984-877. 54 _____________________ John Reaves, 1969-718. 39 ______________________ Terry Dean, 1991-949. 36 ____________________ Steve Spurrier, 1964-6610. 34 ___________________ Wayne Peace, 1980-83
Passing Touchdowns (Game)1. 7 _________ Doug Johnson, vs. Cent. Mich, 1997 7 ___________ Terry Dean, vs. New Mexico, 19943. 6 _________________ Chris Leak, vs. USC, 2004 6 __________ Danny Wuerffel, vs. Alabama, 1996 6 _____________ Danny Wuerffel, vs. Tenn., 1995 6 ____________ Eric Kresser, vs. N. Illinois, 1995 6 _______________ Terry Dean, vs. SW La., 1993
CHRIS LEAK
5,000-Yard Club (Pass, Rec., Rush)1. 10,500 ______________ Danny Wuerffel, 1993-962. 10,061 ____________________ Chris Leak, 2003-3. 9,248 ______________ Shane Matthews, 1989-924. 9,040 ________________ Rex Grossman, 2000-025. 7,297 __________________ John Reaves, 1969-716. 7,032 ___________________ Kerwin Bell, 1984-877. 6,955 _________________ Wayne Peace, 1980-838. 6,793 _________________ Doug Johnson, 1996-999. 5,393 ___________________ Errict Rhett, 1990-9310. 5,295 ________________ Steve Spurrier, 1964-66
200-Yard Passing Games (Career)1. 31 _________________ Danny Wuerffel, 1993-962. 30 ________________ Shane Matthews, 1989-923. 29 _______________________ Chris Leak, 2003-4. 26 __________________ Rex Grossman, 2000-025. 23 ____________________ John Reaves, 1969-716. 20 ___________________ Doug Johnson, 1996-997. 14 ___________________ Wayne Peace, 1980-83
14 _____________________ Kerwin Bell, 1984-879. 12 ___________________ Steve Spurrier, 1964-66
300-Yard Passing Games (Career)1. 17 ___________________ Rex Grossman, 2000-022. 15 _________________ Shane Matthews, 1989-923. 13 __________________ Danny Wuerffel, 1993-964. 7 _____________________ Doug Johnson, 1996-99 7 _________________________ Chris Leak, 2003-6. 6 ______________________ John Reaves, 1969-71
Consecutive Completions (Florida)1. 17 _____ Chris Leak, 2005 vs. Wyoming, 20052. 16 ___________________________ Steve Spurrier
______ 9 vs. Florida State, 7 vs. NC State, 19663. 14 _____________________________ Terry Dean
__ 11 vs. Arkansas State, 3 vs. Kentucky, 1993
Consecutive Completions (SEC)1. 24 _________________________ Tee Martin (UT)
____________ 1 vs. Alabama, 23 vs. USC, 19982. 20 ________________________ Kent Austin (OM)
________ 5 vs. Tulane, 15 vs. Tennessee (1982)3. 18 ___ Eli Manning (OM) vs. Murray State (2001)4. 17 _____ Chris Leak (UF), vs. Wyoming (2005)
17 ______________________ Dave Marler (MSU)____ 6 vs. Florida St., 11 vs. Tennessee (1978)
17 ______________________ Rohan Davey (LSU)6 vs. Arkansas, 11 vs. Western Carolina (2000)
17 _______________________ Matt Mauck (LSU)___ 10 vs. Arizona, 7 vs. Western Illinois (2003)
Efficiency (Career)Min. 500 Att.
1.163.6 __________________ Danny Wuerffel, 1993-962. 146.7 _________________ Rex Grossman, 2000-023. 140.4 ______________________ Chris Leak, 2003-4. 137.6 ________________ Shane Matthews, 1989-925. 136.5 _____________________ Kerwin Bell, 1984-87
Lowest InterceptionPercentage (Career)
Min. 500 Att.1. 2.78 _______________________ Chris Leak, 2003-2. 3.24 __________________ Rex Grossman, 2000-023. 3.59 __________________ Danny Wuerffel, 1993-964. 3.68 ______________________ Kerwin Bell, 1984-87
TD Responsibility (Florida)1. 122 ___________________ Danny Wuerffel, 1993-962. 91 _________________________ Chris Leak, 2003-3. 83 ____________________ Rex Grossman, 2000-024. 82 ___________________ Shane Matthews, 1989-925. 65 _____________________ Doug Johnson, 1996-99
TD Responsibility (SEC)1. 122 ______________ Danny Wuerffel (UF), 1993-962. 118 _________________ Eli Manning (OM), 2000-033. 101 ______________ Peyton Manning (UT), 1994-974. 91 _____________________ Chris Leak (UF), 2003-5. 90 _______________ Jared Lorenzen (UK), 2000-036. 83 ________________ Rex Grossman (UF), 2000-027. 82 ______________ Shane Matthews (UF), 1989-928. 81 _______________ Casey Clausen (UT), 2000-039. 78 ___________________ Tim Couch (UK), 1996-9810. 77 _______________ David Greene(UGA), 2001-04
WWW.GATORZONE.COM2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT 14
ERIC WILBUR
Yardage Avg. (Career)Min. 90 Att.
1.44.4 ___________ Ray Criswell (161 punts), 1982-852. 43.1 ____________ Eric Wilbur (183 punts), 2003-3. 42.6 _______ Bobby Joe Green (97 punts), 1958-594. 42.5 _________ Shayne Edge (145 punts), 1991-945. 41.8 ___________ Alan Rhine (94 punts), 1999-20006. 41.2 _________ Alan Williams (100 punts), 1976-777. 40.7 ______ Robby Stevenson (113 punts), 1995-988. 40.3 _________ Steve Spurrier (130 punts), 1964-66
15WWW.GATORZONE.COM2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT
HEAD COACH URBAN MEYER...
Charlie Strong .................. Asst. Head Coach/.................................. Co-Defensive Coor./LB
Greg Mattison ............ Co-Defensive Coor./DL*Chuck Heater ................ Recruiting Coor./CBDoc Holliday ...... Assoc. Head Coach/Safeties*Dan Mullen ..................... Offensive Coor./QBBilly Gonzales ............................................ WRJohn Hevesy ............. OL/Centers and Guards*Steve Addazio ...................... OL/Tackles; TEStan Drayton ............................................. RB* - In press box on game day.
20 years collegiate coaching experience(Florida, Ohio State, Illinois State, ColoradoState, Notre Dame, Bowling Green, Utah)Participated in 10 bowl games (all as a coach)
PERSONALBirthdate: July 10, 1964Hometown: Ashtabula, OhioAlma Mater: Cincinnati (1986); Ohio State (1988)Family: Wife, Shelley; children, Nicole, Gigi, Nathan
COACHING EXPERIENCEFlorida2005-Present __________________ Head Coach
Utah2003-04 ______________________ Head Coach
Bowling Green2001-02 ______________________ Head Coach
PLAYING EXPERIENCELettered as a defensive back at the University ofCincinnati...A 13th-round pick in the 1982 MajorLeague Baseball June Amateur Draft as ashortstop...Played two years in the Atlanta Braves’organization...Spent the summer of 1982 withSarasota of the Rookie League and played for Pulaski(Va.) a Class A team in 1983.
THE MEYER FILE
THE COACHING STAFF
TOP WINNING PCT. OF ACTIVE HEAD COACHES BY PERCENTAGE (MIN. 5 YEARS)
Year Category League Rank National Rank2005 Turnover Margin (+1.50) 1 3
NATIONAL AND CONFERENCE RANKINGS UNDER URBAN MEYERFIRST OR SECOND CONFERENCE RANKING AND TOP 50 NATIONALLY
YEAR-BY-YEAR TEAM OFFENSIVE STATS BY URBAN MEYER-COACHED TEAMS
Coach School Record Win Percentage1. Pete Carroll USC 60-11 .8452. Larry Coker Miami 58-12 .8283. Urban Meyer Florida 55-12 .8204. Bob Stoops Oklahoma 81-18 .8185. Mark Richt Georgia 58-16 .7836. Phillip Fulmer Tennessee 135-38 .7807. Bobby Bowden Florida State 363-111-4 .7658. Steve Spurrier South Carolina 154-48-2 .7629. Lloyd Carr Michigan 111-34 .76510. Dan Hawkins Colorado 93-31-1 .744
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HEAD COACH URBAN MEYER...URBAN MEYER SUPERLATIVES
1907 ____________________ Jack Forsythe, 4-1-11910 _________________________ G.E. Pyle, 6-11915 __________________ Charles J. McCoy, 4-31918 _______________________ A.L. Busser, 0-11921 _____________________ William Kline, 6-3-21924 ____________________ J.A. Van Fleet, 6-2-21926 _____________________ H.L. Sebring, 2-6-21929 ___________________ Charles Bachman, 8-21934 ____________ D.K. Stanley, 6-3-1, 2-2-1 SEC1937 ________________ Josh Cody, 4-7, 3-4 SEC1941 ____________ Thomas J. Lieb, 4-6, 1-3 SEC1947 ________ Raymond B. Wolf, 4-5-1, 0-3-1 SEC1951 ______________ Bob Woodruff, 5-5, 2-4 SEC1961 ______________ Ray Graves, 4-5-1, 3-3 SEC1971 _______________ Doug Dickey, 4-7, 1-6 SEC1980 _______________ Charley Pell, 8-4, 4-2 SEC1985 _______________ Galen Hall, 9-1-1, 5-1 SEC1991 ____________ Steve Spurrier, 10-2, 7-0 SEC2003 _________________ Ron Zook, 8-5, 6-2 SEC
Wins ________________ 10, Steve Spurrier (1991)SEC Wins _____________ 7, Steve Spurrier (1991)Most Points Scored _______ 390, Ron Zook (2003)Most Home Wins ____________ 6, Steve Spurrier,Undefeated at Home ______ 4-0, G.E. Pyle (1910)________________ 3-0, Charles J. McCoy (1915)___________________ 3-0, J.A. Van Fleet (1924)________________ 2-0, Charles Bachman (1926)_____________________ 5-0-1, Galen Hall (1985)___________________ 6-0, Steve Spurrier (1991)
Shutouts ______________ 5, Jack Forsythe (1907)__________________________ G.E. Pyle (1910)_______________________ J.A. Van Fleet (1924)
URBAN MEYER SUPERLATIVESTEAM GAME HIGHS
Points ____________________ 72, Ohio (10/5/02)First Downs _______________ 37, Ohio (10/5/02)Rushes ______________ 58, Kent State (10/6/01)Yards Rushing ___________ 354, BYU (11/20/04)Yards Per Rush ________ 7.4 at Kansas (9/21/02)___________________________ BYU (11/20/04)
TD Rushes _________________ 5, Ohio (10/5/02)_____________________ at Air Force (11/01/03)________________________ Air Force (9/25/04)___________________________ BYU (11/20/04)
Pass Attempts ___ 53, at Northwestern (11/17/01)________________________ N. Illinois (11/9/02)
Pass Comp _______ 36 at Northwestern (11/17/01)Yards Passing ___ 472 at Northwestern (11/17/01)Yards Per Pass ___________ 17.3, UCF, (9/9/04)TD Passes _______________ 5 , Ohio (10/05/02)_________________ Eastern Michigan (11/23/02)________________ at San Diego State (10/30/04)
Total Plays ______ 100, vs. Kent State (10/06/01)Total Offense ____________ 692, Ohio (10/05/02)Yards Per Play ____________8.9, Ohio (10/05/02)Sacks By _______________ 9, Pittsburgh (1/01/05)Penalties __________________ 14, LSU (10/7/06)Penalty Yards ____ 130, Colorado State (11/06/04)Turnovers . ____ 5 at Western Michigan (10/13/01)Interceptions By ______ 4 at Kent State (11/02/02)Punts __________________ 10 at LSU (10/15/05)Fumbles _____________ 9 at Texas A&M (9/6/03)Fumbles Lost _________ 3 at Texas A&M (9/6/03)Forced Fumbles ________ 7, Kent State (10/6/01)Fumbles Recovered _____ 4, Kent State (10/6/01)________________________4, Toledo (11/23/01)_________________ 4 at Colorado State (9/27/03)___________ 4 at Southern Mississippi (12/31/03)
Time of Possession __________________ 43:34,____________________ vs. Kent State (10/6/01)
Points, First Quarter _______________ 28 points_______________ 10/23/04 vs. UNLV W (63-28)
Points, Second Quarter ____________ 35 points_________________ 9/24/05, at Kentucky (49-28)
Points, Third Quarter ______________ 21 points________________ 11/23/04 vs. UNLV W (63-28)_________ 1/1/05 vs. Pittsburgh (Tempe) W (35-7)
Points, Fourth Quarter _____________ 29 points___________ 11/17/01 at Northwestern W (43-42)
Points Half ______________________ 49 points_________________ 9/24/05, at Kentucky (49-28)
Points First Half ___________________ 49 points_________________ 9/24/05, at Kentucky (49-28)
Points Second Half ________________ 35 points__________________ 10/5/02 vs. Ohio W (72-21)_______ 11/23/02 vs. Eastern Michigan W (63-21)
INDIVIDUAL GAME HIGHSRushes _________________ 36, Brandon Warfield______________________ at Texas A&M (9/6/03)
Yards Rushing __________ 181, Brandon Warfield______________________ at Texas A&M (9/6/03)
TD Rushes _________________ 4, Marty Johnson______________________ vs. Air Force (9/25/04)
Long Rush _________________ 92, Steve Savoy________________________ vs. BYU (11/20/04)
Pass Attempts ________________ 52, Josh Harris______________________ vs. N. Illinois (11/9/02)
Pass Completions _____________ 32, Chris Leak_____________________ vs. Vanderbilt (11/57/05)
Yards Passing _______________ 402, Josh Harris___________________ at Northwestern (11/17/01)
TD Passes ____________________ 5, Alex Smith________________ at San Diego State (10/30/04)
Long Pass ___________________ 80, Chris Leak__________________ vs. Louisiana Tech (9/10/05)
Receptions _________________ 15, Paris Warren______________________ vs. Pittsburgh (1/1/05)
Yards Receiving _____________ 215, Robert Redd________________________ at Marshall (9/29/01)
TD Receptions ________________ 3, Robert Redd__________________________vs. Ohio (10/5/02)_____________________________ Paris Warren__________________ vs. Colorado State (11/6/04)____________________________ Chad Jackson_______________________ vs. Wyoming (9/3/05)
Long Reception _____________80, Chad Jackson__________________ vs. Louisiana Tech (9/10/05)
Field Goals ___________________3, David Carroll________________ at San Diego State (10/30/04)___________________________ 3, Chris Hetland_____________________ vs. Tennessee (9/18/05)
Long Field Goal _____________ 47, Chris Hetland_______________________ vs. Wyoming (9/4/05)
Punts _______________________ 10, Eric Wilbur__________________________ at LSU (10/15/05)
Punting Average _____________ 52.0, Eric Wilbur______________________ vs. Kentucky (9/23/06
Long Punt _______________68, Matt Kovacevich______________________ at Utah State (9/18/04)
Long Punt Return ____________ 61, Robert Redd________________________ vs. Miami (11/03/01)
Long Kickoff Return ________ 90, Morgan Scalley________________________vs. UNLV (10/23/04)
Tackles ___________________ 18, Chris Haneline___________________ at Northwestern (11/17/01)
Sacks _____________________ 3, Brandon Hicks________________________ at Marshall (9/29/01)_______________________ Tommy Hackenbruck______________________ vs. Pittsburgh (1/1/05)_________________________ Marques Ledbetter________________________vs. Oregon (10/3/03)______________________________ Jarvis Moss__________________________ at LSU (10/15/05)
Tackles For Loss _________ 3, Marques Ledbetter________________________vs. Oregon (10/3/03)___________________________ Marcus Thomas______________________ vs. Alabama (10/1/05)____________________________ Jeremy Mincey________________ vs. Mississippi State (10/8/05)______________________________ Jarvis Moss____ at LSU (10/15/05), vs. Florida State (11/26/05)
Interceptions ______________ 2, Janssen Patton_________________________ at Missouri (9/1/01)________________________________ Karl Rose__________________________at Ohio (11/10/01)_______________________________ Chad Long___________________ at Northwestern (11/17/01)____________________________ Morgan Scalley__________________ vs. Colorado State (11/6/04)______________________________ Earl Everett_______________________ at Kentucky (9/24/05)____________________________ Reggie Nelson______________________ at Tennessee (9/16/06)______________________________ Ryan Smith_______ vs. Alabama (9/30/06) and LSU (10/07/06)
17WWW.GATORZONE.COM2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT
ONE OF THE ONLY SCHOOLS IN THE NATION TO:One of three schools in major college history, and the only one in the SEC, to win at least nine
games for a period of 12 consecutive years (1990-2001).
One of six schools in major college history to win 100 games during a decade (102 wins in the1990s).
The only school in modern major college history to score 500 or more points for a period of four-straight years (1993-96).
In the history of the NFL Draft, Florida and Miami hold the distinction of being the only schoolsrepresented for the most consecutive years in the first-round of the draft. From 1983-91, UF had atleast one first round draft choice for nine straigt seasons. Miami’s 11-year streak, which began in1995, is active.
One of only two schools in the nation to have multiple recipients of the Draddy Trophy, which ispresented by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame to the nation’s top footballscholar-athlete.
The only school in the nation that can boast of a Heisman Trophy recipient (Danny Wuerffel) whoalso received the Draddy Trophy, which is presented by the National Football Foundation andCollege Hall of Fame to the country’s top football scholar-athlete.
THE ONLY SCHOOL IN THE SEC TO:The only school in SEC history, and one of only three in major college history, to win at least 10
games for a period of six-straight years (1993-98).
Post a perfect 8-0 conference record in back-to-back seasons (1995-96).
The only school in SEC history, and one of only four schools in major college history, to rank in thetop 15 of the final polls in 12-consecutive seasons (1990-2001).
Its 87-13 SEC record from 1990 to the seventh conference game of 2001 is the best league recordover a 100 SEC game-time period in conference history.
It holds the SEC record for most consecutive seasons (12) with at least six league wins, a streakthat doubles the previous record of six set by Alabama from 1961-66.
One of only two schools in SEC history to win four-consecutive league championships (1993-96).
Play in seven of the 14 SEC Championship Games and has won six SEC titles over the last 14years.
1990sFlorida State .............................. 109-13-1Nebraska ................................... 108-16-1FLORIDA .................................. 102-22-1
CONSECUTIVE WEEKS INTHE POLLS (ALL-TIME)
JANUARY BOWLAPPEARANCES SINCE 1993
MOST TOTAL WINS
TOP-15 FINISHES
TOP-10 FINISHES
COLLEGE LEADERSSINCE 1990
WWW.GATORZONE.COM2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS. VANDERBILT 18
The 2006 National Football League season be-gan on Thursday, Sept. 7. All notes below reflect2006 opening day totals and the 2006 NFL Draft.
GATORS AND THE NFL DRAFT Former Gator quarterback Rex Grossman’s first-
round selection by the Chicago Bears in 2003marked the seventh-straight year and eighth timein the last 12 years that a Florida players has beenselected in the first round of the NFL Draft. UF’s26 first-round selections since 1983 are tied forthe fifth-best total for a school in the nation overthe time frame (1983-2006). Since the first NFLDraft in 1936, a Florida player has been selectedin the first-round 35 times, covering 26 separateseasons. It marks the eighth-most number of yearsfor a top pick by any school in the nation.
One of only two schools to have had at least onefirst-round draft selection in 17 of the last 24 drafts.
UF has had at least 40 players chosen in theNFL Draft for the decades of 1950, 1960, 1970,1980 and 1990. UF already has 36 selections fromthe years 2000-06.
The Gators had at least one NFL first-rounddraft choice for nine-straight seasons (1983-91).This marked the second-longest streak by anycollege in the history of the draft.
FLORIDA NFL NOTESFlorida had 36 players on 2006 NFL opening
day rosters, which tied for the sixth-highest totalin the nation. Last season, UF’s 37 players weretied for the second-highest total of any school inthe country.
The Gators have at least one player (includingpractice squads) on 18 of 32 NFL teams. Here isthe breakdown of former Gators on active NFLrosters: 4 DE, 2 DT, 3 LB, 4 CB, 3 S, 2 T, 2 G, 3QB, 4 RB, 3 TE, 6 WR.
Florida’s three quarterbacks on 2006 NFL ros-ters ranks as the second highest total from anycollege in the country behind Michigan’s four.
Florida’s six wide receivers on 2006 NFL ros-ters is the second highest total from any school inthe nation. Last season, UF’s six wide receiverson 2005 NFL rosters tied for the highest totalnationally and in 2004 Florida’s seven wide re-ceivers on NFL rosters was the most in the coun-try.
Florida’s four defensive ends on 2006 NFL ros-ters ranks as the third highest total from any col-lege in the country behind five from Georgia andNebraska.
FLORIDA PLAYERS ON NFL OPENING DAYROSTERS
Brown, Alex DE ChicagoCaldwell, Reche W R New EnglandCarlisle, Cooper G DenverCarter, Kevin DE MiamiCarthon, Ran RB IndianapolisCrowder, Channing LB MiamiDavis, Andra LB ClevelandFason, Ciatrick RB MinnesotaGraham, Earnest RB Tampa BayGrossman, Rex QB ChicagoHill, Reynaldo CB TennesseeHilliard, Ike W R Tampa BayJackson, Chad W R New EnglandJackson, Darrell W R SeattleJacobs, Taylor W R San FranciscoJohnson, Doug QB CincinnatiJohnson, Todd S ChicagoKearse, Jevon DE PhiladelphiaKinney, Erron TE TennesseeManuel, Marquand S Green Bay*Martin, Ingle QB Green BayMcCray, Bobby DE JacksonvillePeterson, Mike LB JacksonvillePiller, Zach G TennesseeRatliff, Keiwan CB CincinnatiScott, Gus S HoustonScott, Ian D T ChicagoSheppard, Lito CB PhiladelphiaStarks, Max T PittsburghTaylor, Fred RB JacksonvilleTaylor, Travis W R MinnesotaTroupe, Ben TE TennesseeWalker, Aaron TE St. LouisWalker, Kenyatta T Tampa BayWarren, Gerard D T DenverWebb, Dee CB Jacksonville* - Attended UF 2001-03
Former GatorEmmitt Smith be-came the NFL’sall-time leadingrusher on Sun-day, Oct. 27,2002, with an 11-yard run againstthe SeattleSeahawks in Dal-las. Smith sur-passed the long-time record heldby Walter Payton,who rushed for16,726 yards inhis 13-year ca-reer.
Smith was athree-time All-American at theUniversity of Florida from 1987-89. He established 58 school records in three seasons, including acareer rushing mark of 3,928 yards. Following his junior season with the Gators, Smith was a first-round selection in the 1990 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. On Friday, Feb. 4, 2005, Smith retiredfrom the NFL. Smith starred for 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and spent the last two years withthe Arizona Cardinals. He finished his career with 18,355 rushing yards and 164 rushing touchdowns,both of which are the highest totals ever posted in NFL history.
FLORIDA AND THE NFL...
On April 12, 2003, Florida fans got the opportunity to recognize oneof their own as Emmitt Smith was honored at halftime of the 2003
Orange and Blue Spring game.
FLORIDA PLAYERS ON NFL PRACTICE SQUADROSTERS (AS OF SEPT. 6, 2006)Kight, Kelvin W R New EnglandMincey, Jeremy LB San FranciscoMitchell, Clint DE Kansas CityWashington, Tavares T San Francisco
SCHOOLS WITH THE MOSTPLAYERS ON NFL 2006
OPENING DAY ROSTERS1. Miami 422. Florida State 413. Tennessee 404. Georgia 39
Ohio State 396. Florida 36
Michigan 368. Nebraska 329 LSU 3110. Penn State 29
CONFERENCES WITH THE MOSTPLAYERS ON NFL 2006
OPENING DAY ROSTERS1. SEC 2662. ACC 2473. Big 10 2364. Pac-10 1845. Big 12 174
The Automated ScoreBook Florida Game Results (as of Oct 28, 2006) All games
Overall Conference Date Opponent Score Record Record Time Attend ---- -------- ----- -------- -------- ---- ------ Sep 02, 2006 SOUTHERN MISS W 34-7 1- 0- 0 0- 0- 0 3:00 90043 Sep 09, 2006 UCF W 42-0 2- 0- 0 0- 0- 0 3:11 90210 * Sep 16, 2006 at #13 Tennessee W 21-20 3- 0- 0 1- 0- 0 3:16 106818 * Sep 23, 2006 KENTUCKY W 26-7 4- 0- 0 2- 0- 0 3:13 90292 * Sep 30, 2006 ALABAMA W 28-13 5- 0- 0 3- 0- 0 3:33 90671 * Oct 07, 2006 #9 LSU W 23-10 6- 0- 0 4- 0- 0 3:27 90714 * Oct 14, 2006 at Auburn 17-27 L 6- 1- 0 4- 1- 0 3:02 87541 * Oct 28, 2006 vs Georgia W 21-14 7- 1- 0 5- 1- 0 3:33 84572
* indicates conference game
The Automated ScoreBook Florida Overall Team Statistics (as of Oct 28, 2006) All games
TEAM STATISTICS UF OPP -------------------------------------------------------- SCORING....................... 212 98 Points Per Game............. 26.5 12.2 FIRST DOWNS................... 158 133 Rushing..................... 63 49 Passing..................... 85 73 Penalty..................... 10 11 RUSHING YARDAGE............... 1260 538 Yards gained rushing........ 1441 758 Yards lost rushing.......... 181 220 Rushing Attempts............ 272 215 Average Per Rush............ 4.6 2.5 Average Per Game............ 157.5 67.2 TDs Rushing................. 10 3 PASSING YARDAGE............... 1818 1550 Att-Comp-Int................ 215-134-8 285-154-13 Average Per Pass............ 8.5 5.4 Average Per Catch........... 13.6 10.1 Average Per Game............ 227.2 193.8 TDs Passing................. 18 4 TOTAL OFFENSE................. 3078 2088 Total Plays................. 487 500 Average Per Play............ 6.3 4.2 Average Per Game............ 384.8 261.0 KICK RETURNS: #-YARDS......... 13-248 32-551 PUNT RETURNS: #-YARDS......... 24-185 12-38 INT RETURNS: #-YARDS.......... 13-148 8-70 KICK RETURN AVERAGE........... 19.1 17.2 PUNT RETURN AVERAGE........... 7.7 3.2 INT RETURN AVERAGE............ 11.4 8.8 FUMBLES-LOST.................. 19-9 15-6 PENALTIES-YARDS............... 74-514 48-340 Average Per Game............ 64.2 42.5 PUNTS-YARDS................... 29-1186 41-1573 Average Per Punt............ 40.9 38.4 Net punt average............ 38.2 32.4 TIME OF POSSESSION/GAME....... 30:16 29:40 3RD-DOWN CONVERSIONS.......... 40/90 42/112 3rd-Down Pct................ 44% 38% 4TH-DOWN CONVERSIONS.......... 2/9 4/11 4th-Down Pct................ 22% 36% SACKS BY-YARDS................ 23-163 13-109 MISC YARDS.................... 0 0 TOUCHDOWNS SCORED............. 30 10 FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS.......... 1-7 9-13 ON-SIDE KICKS................. 0-0 0-0 RED-ZONE SCORES............... 19-27 70% 12-19 63% RED-ZONE TOUCHDOWNS........... 18-27 67% 6-19 32% PAT-ATTEMPTS.................. 25-28 89% 9-9 100% ATTENDANCE.................... 451930 194359 Games/Avg Per Game.......... 5/90386 2/97180 Neutral Site Games.......... 1/84572
The Automated ScoreBook Florida Game Superlatives (as of Oct 28, 2006) All games
INDIVIDUAL GAME HIGHS
Rushes.............. 22 Wynn, D. at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Yards Rushing....... 104 Wynn, D. at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Wynn, D. vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) TD Rushes........... 1 Tebow, T. vs Southern Miss (Sep 02, 2006) Wynn, D. vs Southern Miss (Sep 02, 2006) Wynn, D. vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Moore, K. vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Wynn, D. vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) Moore, K. vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) Tebow, T. vs Alabama (Sep 30, 2006) Tebow, T. vs LSU (Oct 07, 2006) Tebow, T. at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) Caldwell, A. vs Georgia (Oct 28, 2006) Long Rush........... 45 Leak, C. vs Alabama (Sep 30, 2006) Pass attempts....... 30 Leak, C. vs Southern Miss (Sep 02, 2006) Pass completions.... 21 Leak, C. vs Southern Miss (Sep 02, 2006) Yards Passing....... 352 Leak, C. vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) TD Passes........... 4 Leak, C. vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Long Pass........... 58 Leak, C. vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Receptions.......... 9 Baker, D. vs Southern Miss (Sep 02, 2006) Yards Receiving..... 148 Baker, D. vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) TD Receptions....... 2 Caldwell, A. vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Baker, D. at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Long Reception...... 58 Harvin, P. vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Field Goals......... 1 Hetland, C. at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) Long Field Goal..... 22 Hetland, C. at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) Punts............... 6 Wilbur, E. vs Georgia (Oct 28, 2006) Punting Avg......... 52.0 Wilbur, E. vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) Long Punt........... 59 Wilbur, E. vs Georgia (Oct 28, 2006) Long Punt Return.... 35 James, B. at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Long Kickoff Return. 38 James, B. vs Georgia (Oct 28, 2006) Tackles............. 11 Everett, E. at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Sacks............... 2.0 Thomas, M. vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Harvey, D. vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) McDonald, R. vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) Harvey, D. at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) Tackles For Loss.... 2.0 Joiner, T. vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Thomas, M. vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Siler, B. at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Everett, E. vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) Harvey, D. vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) Moss, J. vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) McDonald, R. vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) Thomas, M. at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) Harvey, D. at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) Everett, E. vs Georgia (Oct 28, 2006) Siler, B. vs Georgia (Oct 28, 2006) Interceptions....... 2 Nelson, R. at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Smith, R. vs Alabama (Sep 30, 2006) Smith, R. vs LSU (Oct 07, 2006)
The Automated ScoreBook Florida Game Superlatives (as of Oct 28, 2006) All games
TEAM GAME HIGHS
Rushes.............. 41 at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Yards Rushing....... 235 vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) Yards Per Rush...... 6.2 vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) TD Rushes........... 2 vs Southern Miss (Sep 02, 2006) vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) Pass attempts....... 38 vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Pass completions.... 25 vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Yards Passing....... 433 vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Yards Per Pass...... 11.4 vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) TD Passes........... 4 vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Total Plays......... 74 vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Total Offense....... 637 vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Yards Per Play...... 8.6 vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Points.............. 42 vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Sacks By............ 6 vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) First Downs......... 27 vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Penalties........... 14 vs LSU (Oct 07, 2006) Penalty Yards....... 102 vs LSU (Oct 07, 2006) Turnovers........... 4 vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Interceptions By.... 3 vs Southern Miss (Sep 02, 2006) vs Alabama (Sep 30, 2006) vs LSU (Oct 07, 2006)
The Automated ScoreBook Florida Game Superlatives (as of Oct 28, 2006) All games
OPPONENT INDIVIDUAL GAME HIGHS
Rushes.............. 18 FLETCHER, Dam., vs Southern Miss (Sep 02, 2006) Yards Rushing....... 94 Brad Lester, at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) TD Rushes........... 1 M. Hardesty, at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Kregg Lumpkin, vs Georgia (Oct 28, 2006) M. Stafford, vs Georgia (Oct 28, 2006) Long Rush........... 33 Brad Lester, at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) Pass attempts....... 41 J. Russell, vs LSU (Oct 07, 2006) Pass completions.... 26 Andre' Woodson, vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) Yards Passing....... 240 Wilson, vs Alabama (Sep 30, 2006) TD Passes........... 1 YOUNG, Jeremy, vs Southern Miss (Sep 02, 2006) Lucas Taylor, at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Andre' Woodson, vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) J. Russell, vs LSU (Oct 07, 2006) Long Pass........... 48 Lucas Taylor, at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Receptions.......... 8 Craig Davis, vs LSU (Oct 07, 2006) Yards Receiving..... 117 DJ Hall, vs Alabama (Sep 30, 2006) TD Receptions....... 1 CARTER, Damion, vs Southern Miss (Sep 02, 2006) LaMarcus Coker, at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Maurice Grinter, vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) Jacob Hester, vs LSU (Oct 07, 2006) Long Reception...... 48 LaMarcus Coker, at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Field Goals......... 4 John Vaughn, at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) Long Field Goal..... 51 James Wilhoit, at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Punts............... 9 HORNE, Aaron, vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Punting Avg......... 48.2 B. Colquitt, at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Long Punt........... 60 Tim Masthay, vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) Long Punt Return.... 15 Tre Smith, at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) Long Kickoff Return. 58 Tristan Davis, at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) Tackles............. 15 Marvin Mitchell, at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Sacks............... 3.0 Quentin Groves, at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) Tackles For Loss.... 3.0 Quentin Groves, at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) Interceptions....... 1 SUMRALL,Brandon, vs Southern Miss (Sep 02, 2006) RASHAD, S., vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) TIMMONS, Travis, vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006) Jonathan Wade, at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) Roger Williams, vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) Chevis Jackson, vs LSU (Oct 07, 2006) Eric Brock, at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) Tony Taylor, vs Georgia (Oct 28, 2006)
The Automated ScoreBook Florida Game Superlatives (as of Oct 28, 2006) All games
OPPONENT TEAM GAME HIGHS
Rushes.............. 40 at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) Yards Rushing....... 133 at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) Yards Per Rush...... 4.8 vs Southern Miss (Sep 02, 2006) TD Rushes........... 2 vs Georgia (Oct 28, 2006) Pass attempts....... 41 vs LSU (Oct 07, 2006) Pass completions.... 26 vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) Yards Passing....... 240 vs Alabama (Sep 30, 2006) Yards Per Pass...... 7.0 at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) TD Passes........... 1 vs Southern Miss (Sep 02, 2006) at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) vs LSU (Oct 07, 2006) Total Plays......... 70 vs Alabama (Sep 30, 2006) Total Offense....... 323 vs Alabama (Sep 30, 2006) Yards Per Play...... 4.8 vs LSU (Oct 07, 2006) Points.............. 27 at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) Sacks By............ 3 at Tennessee (Sep 16, 2006) vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) at Auburn (Oct 14, 2006) First Downs......... 22 vs LSU (Oct 07, 2006) Penalties........... 10 vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) Penalty Yards....... 66 vs Kentucky (Sep 23, 2006) Turnovers........... 5 vs LSU (Oct 07, 2006) vs Georgia (Oct 28, 2006) Interceptions By.... 2 vs UCF (Sep 09, 2006)
The Automated ScoreBook Florida Red-Zone Results (as of Oct 28, 2006) All games
Florida Inside Opponent Red-Zone
Times Times Total Rush Pass FGs ---- Failed to score inside RZ ----
Date Opponent Score In RZ Scored Pts TDs TDs TDs Made FGA Downs Int Fumb Half Game
FIELD GOALS Att Good Long Blkd Att Good Long Blkd Pct.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hetland, C. 7 1 22 0 ....................................... 23 14 47 0 60.9Total.......... 7 1 22 0Opponents...... 13 9 51 0
Note: Some starts were at positions other than the ones listed.* Moore started the opening game in 2005 as a wide receiver
SEASON/CAREER STARTS
WHAT HAPPENS ON FIRST DOWNTeam Plays Yards Avg. Rush Yards Avg. Pct. Pass Yards Avg. Pct.FLORIDA 234 1,582 6.76 137 757 5.53 59% 97 825 8.51 41%Opponent 214 938 4.38 90 303 3.37 42% 124 635 5.12 58%
100-YARD GAMES
NON-OFFENSIVE SCORESFLORIDA - 4- Tony Joiner Safety vs. UCF- Reggie Nelson 70-yard Int. Ret. vs. Alabama- Jermaine McCollum Safety vs. LSU- Ray McDonald Fumble Ret. vs. UGATOTALS: 2 Safety, 1 INT, 1 FUM
Opponents - 4 - Alabama - Prince Hall 50-yard Fumble Ret.- Auburn - Tre Smith 15-yard Punt Block Ret. - Auburn - Safety (Jim Tartt holding in end zone)- Auburn - Patrick Lee 20-yard Fumble Ret.TOTALS: 1 Punt Block, 2 FUM, 1 Safety
100-Yard Receiving GamesPlayer 2006 CareerJ. Cornelius 0 1D. Baker 2 5 TOTAL 2 6
OFFENSEGame WR WR/TE WR LT LG C RG RT WR/TE/FB QB RB/FBSouthern Miss Baker Caldwell Cornelius Trautwein Tartt Rissler Miller Medder Harvin Leak WynnUCF Baker Caldwell Cornelius Trautwein Tartt Rissler Miller Medder Ingram Leak WynnTennessee Baker Harvin Cornelius Trautwein Tartt Rissler Miller Medder Casey Leak WynnKentucky Baker Caldwell Cornelius Trautwein Tartt Rissler Miller Medder Latsko Leak WynnAlabama Baker Casey Cornelius Trautwein Tartt Rissler Miller Medder Latsko Leak WynnLSU Baker Casey Cornelius Trautwein Tartt Rissler Miller Medder Latsko Leak MooreAuburn Baker Watkins Cornelius Trautwein Tartt Rissler Miller Medder Latsko Leak WynnGeorgia Baker Caldwell Cornelius Trautwein Tartt Rissler Miller Medder Latsko Leak WynnVanderbiltSouth CarolinaWestern CarolinaFSU DEFENSEGame DE DT DT DE SLB/CB MLB WLB CB SS FS CBSouthern Miss McDonald McMillian Cohen Moss McCollum, J. Siler Everett Lewis Joiner Nelson, R. Smith, R. UCF McDonald Thomas Cohen Moss Crum Siler Everett Lewis Joiner Nelson, R. Smith, R.Tennessee McDonald Thomas Cohen Moss Crum Siler Everett Lewis Joiner Nelson, R. Smith, R. Kentucky Harvey McDonald Harris Moss Crum Siler Everett Lewis Joiner Nelson, R. Smith, R. Alabama McDonald Estopinan Cohen Moss Crum Siler Everett Lewis Joiner Nelson, R. Smith, R. LSU McDonald Estopinan Cohen Moss Crum Siler Everett Lewis Joiner Nelson, R. Smith, R.Auburn McDonald Thomas Cohen Moss Crum Siler Everett Lewis Joiner Nelson, R. Smith, R. Georgia McDonald Thomas Cohen Moss Crum Siler Everett Lewis Joiner Nelson, R. Smith, R. VanderbiltSouth CarolinaWestern CarolinaFSU
UF BIG OFFENSIVE PLAYS (20+ YARDS)Run (14):Wynn ........................ 24 yards vs. Southern MissHarvin ....................... 23 yards vs. Southern MissMoore ....................... 27 yards vs. Southern MissTebow ........................................29 yards vs. UCFMoore ................................28 yards (TD) vs. UCFWynn ...............................26 yards vs. TennesseeMoore ................................21 yards vs. KentuckyTebow ................................25 yards vs. KentuckyTebow ................................25 yards vs. KentuckyLeak ....................................45 yards vs. AlabamaHarvin ...................................20 yards vs. AuburnHarvin ...................................35 yards vs. AuburnCaldwell ................................27 yards vs. AuburnTebow .................................. 20 yards vs. Georgia
Receiving (30):Baker .......................... 29 yards vs. Southern Miss Baker ................. 21 yards (TD) vs. Southern MissCornelius ........... 29 yards (TD) vs. Southern Miss Baker ......................... 28 yards vs. Southern MissHarvin ................................58 yards (TD) vs. UCFHarvin ........................................21 yards vs. UCFBaker ..........................................28 yards vs. UCFCornelius ....................................34 yards vs. UCFCaldwell .............................25 yards (TD) vs. UCFBaker ..........................................33 yards vs. UCFCasey .........................................22 yards vs. UCFCornelius ................. 21 yards (TD) vs. TennesseeCaldwell ...........................25 yards vs. TennesseeIngram .............................38 yards vs. TennesseeBaker ....................... 21 yards (TD) vs. Tennessee
+ Average yard ball kicked to and returned to on a kickoff(i.e. 2.9 is the average yard line Florida kicked the ball to on kickoffs).
FIELD POSITION Florida OpponentsDrives Started 93 89Cum. Starting Yardline 2662 2550Avg. Starting Field Position 29 29Times Started Inside Own 20 38 34Drives Started in Opp. Territory 15 10
Tookes ...............................20 yards vs. KentuckyCornelius ....................33 yards (TD) vs. KentuckyBaker ..................................29 yards vs. KentuckyBaker ..................................21 yards vs. KentuckyBaker ..................................30 yards vs. KentuckyBaker ..................................32 yards vs. KentuckyCornelius .............................23 yards vs. AlabamaCornelius .............................22 yards vs. AlabamaCornelius .............................26 yards vs. AlabamaBaker ...........................21 yards (TD) vs. AlabamaCornelius ....................................26 yards vs. LSUMurphy ............................. 35 yards (TD) vs. LSUBaker .....................................32 yards vs. AuburnCaldwell .......................40 yards (TD) vs. GeorgiaBaker .................................... 27 yards vs. Georgia
Returns (13):Nelson, R. ........21 yards (PR) vs. Southern MissLewis ............... 35 yards (Int.) vs. Southern MissJames ............................... 30 yards (KO) vs. UCFJames ..................... 35 yards (PR) vs. TennesseeJames ..................... 22 yards (PR) vs. TennesseeMoore ....................... 26 yards (KO) vs. KentuckyJames ....................... 22 yards (KO) vs. KentuckySmith, R. ...................29 yards (Int.) vs. AlabamaJames ........................ 30 yards (KO) vs. AlabamaNelson, R. .......... 70 yards (Int.- TD) vs. AlabamaJames .........................................21 (KO) vs. LSUJames ................................... 38 (KO) vs. GeorigaJames ................................... 26 (PR) vs. Georgia
2006 FLORIDA FOOTBALL WWW.GATORZONE.COM
MISCELLANEOUS STATS...
By Florida:40 Rushing Attempts: 41, Errict Rhett vs. Georgia, Oct. 30, 1993 (164 games)200 Yards Rushing: 210, Ciatrick Fason vs. Kentucky, Sept. 25, 2004 (29 games)300 Yards Rushing: 316, Emmitt Smith vs. New Mexico, Oct. 21, 1989 (212 games)Three Touchdowns Rushing: DeShawn Wynn vs. Kentucky, Sept. 24, 2005 (16 games)Four Touchdowns Rushing: Jesse Palmer vs. Kentucky, Sept. 23, 2000 (79 games)Five or more Touchdowns Passing: 6, Chris Leak vs. South Carolina, Nov. 13, 2004 (23 games)20 or More Passes Completed: 21, Chris Leak vs. Southern Miss, Sept. 2, 2006 (7 games)30 or More Passes Completed: 32, Chris Leak vs. Vanderbilt, Nov. 5, 2005 (12 games)40 or More Passes Attempted: 40, Chris Leak vs. Iowa, Jan. 2, 2006 (8 games)300 or More Yards Passing: 352, Chris Leak vs. UCF, Sept. 9, 2006 (6 games)Back-to-Back 300 Yards Passing: Chris Leak, Vanderbilt, 2004 and South Carolina, 2004 (22 games)Nine Consecutive Games with 300 Yards Passing: Rex Grossman, Marshall-South Carolina, 2001 (61 games)10 or More Receptions: 10, Dallas Baker vs. Iowa, Jan. 2, 2006 (8 games)150 or More Receiving Yards: 183, Taylor Jacobs vs. Kentucky, Sept. 28, 2002 (53 games)10 or More Plays of 20+ Yards in a Game: 11 vs. Kentucky, Sept. 23, 2006 - nine offensive, two returns (4 games)Kickoff Return for a Touchdown: 100, Bo Carroll vs. LSU, Oct. 9, 1999 (90 games)Punt Return for a Touchdown: 57, Lito Sheppard vs. South Carolina, Nov. 11, 2000 (73 games)Interception Return for a Touchdown: 70, Reggie Nelson vs. Alabama, Sept. 20, 2006 (3 games)Blocked FG returned for a Touchdown: Marcus Thomas blocked the FG, Reggie Lewis returned it for a TD, 52 yards vs. Florida State, Nov. 26, 2005 (9 games)Intercepted PAT Returned for a Defensive Extra Point: Keiwan Ratliff vs. Kentucky, Sept. 28, 2002 (52 games)Blocked PAT Returned for a Defensive Extra Point: Marcus Thomas blocked the PAT, Dee Webb returned it for a defensive extra point vs. South Carolina, Nov. 12, 2005 (10 games)Multiple Defensive Touchdowns: 4, vs. SW Louisiana, Aug. 31, 1996, Lawrence Wright 12-yard fumble return; Fred Weary 64-yard fumble return; Teako Brown 26-yard interception return; Fred Weary 65-yard interception return (132 games)Two or More Interceptions: 2, Ryan Smith vs. LSU, Oct. 7, 2006 (2 games)Two or More Interceptions in back-to-back games: Ryan Smith - 2 vs. Alabama, Sept. 30, 2006 & 2 vs. LSU Oct. 7, 2006 (2 games)Three or More Players with an Interception: 3 vs. Southern Miss, Sept. 2, 2006 - Tony Joiner, Reggie Lewis, Reggie Nelson (7 games)Fumble Return for a Touchdown: 9, Ray McDonald vs. Georgia, Oct. 28, 2006 (0 games)Florida Recorded a Safety: Oct. 7, 2006 vs. LSU; Riley Cooper forced a fumble on a kick ret., Jermaine McCollum tackled T. Holliday in the end zone (2 games)Blocked a Punt: Reggie Nelson vs. LSU, Oct. 7, 2006 (2 games)Blocked a Punt for a Touchdown: Jan. 2, 2006 vs. Iowa; Jemalle Cornelius blocked the punt and Tremaine McCollum returned the block six yards for the touchdown (8 games)Blocked a Field Goal: Marcus Thomas vs. Florida State, Nov. 26, 2005 (9 games)Blocked a PAT: Marcus Thomas vs. South Carolina, Nov. 12, 2005 (10 games)A 50+ Yard Field Goal: 52, Matt Leach vs. Florida State, Nov. 20, 2004 (20 games)Missed a PAT: Chris Hetland vs. Kentucky (blocked), Sept. 23, 2006 (4 games)Missed a Field Goal: 42, Chris Hetland vs. Georgia, Oct. 28, 2006 (0 games)Player Played Both Ways: Billy Latsko vs. Kentucky, Sept. 24, 2005; Latsko played linebacker and fullback (16 games)Player Started Both Ways: Keiwan Ratliff vs. Florida State, Nov. 30, 2002; Ratliff played cornerback and wide receiver (45 games)WR or RB Threw a Touchdown Pass: Earnest Graham vs. Alabama (SEC Championship), Dec. 4, 1999 (84 games)Touchdown by an Offensive Lineman: Thomas Moody vs. South Carolina, Nov. 11, 2000; Moody scored on a six-yard reception (73 games)Player scored a TD Rushing and Receiving in a Game: Andre Caldwell vs. Georgia, Oct. 28, 2006; 12-yard run & 40-yard reception (0 games)Player forced a fumble and recovered a fumble in a Game: Derrick Harvey vs. Georgia, Oct 28, 2006 (0 games)
By an Opponent:30 Rushing Attempts: 32, Joseph Addai, LSU, Oct. 15, 2005 (13 games)200 Yards Rushing: 204, Willis McGahee, Miami, Sept. 7, 2002 (56 games)Three Rushing Touchdowns: 3, Arliss Beach, Kentucky, Sept. 27, 2003 (40 games)20 or More Passes Completed: 24, JaMarcus Russell, Oct. 7, 2006 (2 games)30 or More Passes Completed: 32, Drew Tate, Iowa, Jan. 2, 2006 (8 games)40 or More Passes Attempted: 55, Drew Tate, Iowa, Jan. 2, 2006 (8 games)300 or More Yards Passing: 346, Drew Tate, Iowa, Jan. 2, 2006 (8 games)300 or More Yards Total Offense: 370, Drew Tate, Iowa, Jan. 2, 2006; Tate passed for 346 and rushed for 24 yards (8 games)100 or More Yards Receiving: 117, DJ Hall, Alabama, Sept. 30, 2006 (3 games)150 or More Yards Receiving: 181, C. Stovall, Florida State, Nov. 20, 2004 (22 games)Blocked Kick Returned for a Touchdown: 78, Devin Hester, Miami (Peach Bowl), Dec. 31, 2004 (20 games)50+ Yard Field Goal: 51, James Wilhoit, Tennessee, Sept. 16 2006 (5 games)Punt Return for a Touchdown: 72, Roscoe Parrish, Miami (Peach Bowl), Dec. 31, 2004 (20 games)Fake Punt for a Touchdown: 57, Tim Sesley, SW Louisiana, Nov. 6, 1993 (164 games)Interception Return for a Touchdown: 13, Kendyll Pope, Florida State, Nov. 30, 2002 (46 games)Three or More Interceptions: 3, Corey Webster, LSU, Oct. 12, 2002 (51 games)Fumble Return for a Touchdown: 50, Prince Hall, Alabama, Sept. 30, 2006 (3 games) Blocked Punt: Team Block, Auburn, Oct. 14, 2006 (1 games)Blocked Punt Return for a Touchdown: Tre Smith, Auburn, Oct. 14, 2006 (1 games)Blocked Field Goal for a Touchdown: Thomas Carroll, Miami, Dec. 31, 2004; Carroll blocked the Matt Leach kick and Devin Hester returned it 78 yards for the touchdown (20 games)Blocked PAT Returned for a Defensive Extra Point: Wayne Williams, LSU, Oct. 6, 1990 (203 games)Florida Player Tackled for a Safety: Chris Leak vs. South Carolina, Nov. 15, 2003 (34 games)Florida Player Intentionally Takes a Safety: Rex Grossman vs. Mississippi State, Sept 30, 2000 (78 games)Florida Player Allows a Safety by Penalty: Jim Tartt holding in the end zone vs. Auburn, Oct. 14, 2006 (1 games)Missed a PAT: James Wilhoit, Tennessee, Sept. 18, 2004 (30 games)
THE LAST TIME
www.GatorZone.com 2006 Florida Football
player updatesGator Football
# 12 - CHRIS LEAKSenior • 6-0 • 207
Charlotte, N.C. (Independence)
Career:Games (starts): 45 (41)
True senior who is in his fourth year as the starter under center for the Gators. Tossed one touchdown pass versus Geor-
gia and now has 81 in his career, second place on the school’s all-time list. Is second in the category of most touch-
downs responsible for in his Gator tenure, as Leak has been involved in 91 touchdowns, 81 passing and 10 rushing. He passed Rex Grossman’s total of 83 TD (77 passing and six rushing) against Tennessee and has his sights set upon Danny Wuerffel’s school-re-cord total of 122 (114 pass, eight run).
Leak’s 787 completions and 1,294 at-tempts are now fi rst and his 9,937 passing yards rank second on UF’s career list. Has thrown for over 200 yards 29 times
during his career to rate third all-time on the Gators and has eclipsed the 300-yard plateau seven times. Is 29-12 as a starter, including a 20-9
mark in SEC games, and is 8-8 versus top-15 opponents.
His six rushing TDs in 2005 tied for the second-best single-season total by a UF quarterback with Jesse Palmer (2000). Jimmy Fisher’s total of eight in 1976 remains the record.
Became the fi rst quarterback since Ker-win Bell (1985-86) to defeat Florida State in consecutive seasons.
Tied Danny Wuerffel’s Florida record with six touchdown passes against South Carolina last year. Leak’s rushing total of 67 yards against
Vanderbilt in ‘05 was the highest for a Florida QB since Terry LeCount gained 108 yards against Georgia on Nov. 5, 1977. Established a school record with 17 con-
secutive completions in last year’s season opener versus Wyoming, surpassing Steve Spurrier’s mark that was set during the 1966 campaign. Earned honorable mention All-America
recognition and was second-team All-SEC in 2004. His 45 touchdowns over his fi rst two sea-
sons were the second-highest total in school history behind Rex Grossman (55). Ranked fi rst in the SEC in total offense
(273.5), passing yards per game (266.4) and touchdowns (29) as a sophomore. Had four of the top seven passing perfor-
mances in the conference in ’04. Earned honorable mention All-America
recognition and was second-team All-SEC in 2004. Was the SEC Freshman of the Year in
2003 and was picked as The Sporting News’ SEC Offensive Freshman of the Year.
Also collected the Touchdown Club of Columbus Freshman Player of the Year honor. Went 6-3 as a freshman starter, the high-
est winning percentage of a rookie QB in the country, and was 6-1 against SEC teams. Ranked second in SEC history for a true
freshman in yards (2,167), completions (168) and touchdowns (14). Became the second Gator freshman QB
to defeat three top-15 teams during his rookie season, lifting the Orange and Blue to wins over No. 4 Georgia, No. 6 LSU and No. 9 Florida State. Kerwin Bell had accomplished the feat in 1984 (No. 8 Georgia, No. 11 Au-burn and No. 12 Florida State).
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (8) Was announced as one of 15 semifi nalists
for the 70th annual Maxwell Award for the Collegiate Player of the Year on Oct. 25. Selected as one of 17 members of the
2006 National Scholar-Athlete Class as well as a fi nalist for the 2006 Draddy Trophy, the National Football Foundation (NFF) and Col-lege Hall of Fame announced on Oct. 26. One of college football’s most sought-
after and competitive awards, the Draddy Trophy recognizes an individual as the top performer in the country for combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership. Two Florida players have won the Draddy
Trophy since its inception in 1990, making Florida one of only four schools with multiple recipients. Brad Culpepper was UF’s initial Draddy honoree in 1991, and former Gator great Danny Wuerffel garnered the honor in 1996. Former UF center Mike Degory was a semifi nalist for the award in 2005. Is 124-of-201 on the season for 1,666
yards and has thrown 16 touchdown passes with seven interceptions.
Is tied for second in the SEC with 16 touchdown passes and ranks fourth in completion percentage (61.7), fourth in pass effi ciency (150.6) and passing average per game (208.3 yds.) and fi fth in passing yards (1,666) and total offense (206.6 yds.). Leak is tied for 18th in the nation in TD
passes and is 17th in the country in pass effi ciency.
Leak’s 16 touchdown passes are al-ready approaching the 20 he threw for last season.
Quarterbacks In records dating back to 1955, he has
thrown for more or matched the UF leader in passing touchdowns from 29 of 50 years. Leak improved to 3-1 in his career against
Georgia by throwing for 163 yards and one touchdown on 14-of-28 passing.
Threw a 40-yard TD pass to Andre Caldwell in the second quarter, his second-longest scoring throw of the season.
Finished his career 64-of-105 (.610) for 753 yards, five TD and one pick versus Georgia. Limited to a season-low 108 yards on
a 9-of-17 effort against Auburn. Threw one interception and his fumble on the fi nal play of the game was returned for a TD by the Tigers. Provided the Gators with a 10-3 lead at
the start of the second quarter with a 15-yard scoring toss to Dallas Baker. Went 17-for-26 with 155 yards passing
and one interception in the 23-10 win over LSU. Was an effective 14-of-20 for 174 yards
and two touchdown passes in the 28-13 win over Alabama. Did not throw any picks as the Gators
overcame a 10-0 defi cit. It marked the 17th game of Leak’s career that he did not have any interceptions. At the time, nine of these efforts had come in the 19 games Coach Meyer has been at Florida.
Connected on a 16-yard TD to Andre Caldwell in the third quarter and fired a 21-yard toss to Dallas Baker in the fourth stanza. Gained 31 yards on six carries, featur-
ing a career-high 45-yard run down to the Alabama three-yard line that set up UF’s opening TD. The 45-yard run was the longest by a
Gator quarterback since Terry LeCount reeled off a 74-yarder versus Georgia on Nov. 5, 1977. Was 15-of-26 for 267 yards and threw
two TD passes in the 26-7 victory over Kentucky. Connected with Jemalle Cornelius on a
33-yard fl ea fl icker 2:44 into the game and found Cornelius Ingram from six yards out in the fourth quarter. Passed Shane Matthews’ previous school
records for passing attempts and comple-tions against the ‘Cats. With the win at Tennessee, Leak became
the only starting quarterback in school history to win in Knoxville, against Georgia twice, in Tallahassee, in Baton Rouge and win a bowl game.
Leak won his fourth-straight game as a starting quarterback over a Top-25 team with the 21-20 win at Tennessee. The streak is the longest of his career. He also joined
2006 Florida Football www.GatorZone.com
Gator Football player updatesDanny Wuerffel as the only two quarterbacks in school history to defeat UT, UGA and FSU fi ve-straight times. Finished 15-of-25 for 199 yards and threw
three touchdown passes in the 21-20 win at Tennessee, 21 yards to Jemalle Cornelius, four yards to Dallas Baker and 21 yards to Baker. Engineered an eight-play, 65-yard drive
that was completed with a 21-yard scoring toss to Baker with 6:30 left to put the Gators ahead to stay. Leak’s three TD passes marked the 11th
time in his 40 career games he has thrown for three or more touchdowns in a game. Established a career high with 352 yards
on 19-of-29 passing in the 42-0 win over UCF. Fired four touchdowns to three different
receivers and was 13-for-19 in the fi rst half for 265 yards and three scores. Gained 16 yards rushing on four carries
against the Golden Knights, including a season-best carry of nine yards. Leak and Tim Tebow combined to com-
plete passes to 11 different receivers. Opened the season by going 21-for-30
for 248 yards and tossed three touchdown passes in the 34-7 win over Southern Miss. Eleven of his 21 completions went for fi rst
downs and he connected with seven different Gator receivers. Completed his fi rst two passing attempts
of the season to DeShawn Wynn (eight yards) and Percy Harvin (three yards) before throwing an interception. Did not throw a pick until the fi fth game of last year at Alabama. Engineered scoring drives of 87, 36, 71
and 82 yards that resulted in touchdowns. Named to the Watch Lists for the Walter
Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year Award and the Maxwell Award.
First-team quarterback on the SEC Coaches’ and Media Preseason squads. Prior To This Season: See pages 86-89 of the 2006 Florida
LEAK’S CAREER HIGHSPassing Attempts: 43 (Kentucky, 2004)Completions: 32 (Vanderbilt, 2005)Longest Pass: 81 (Tennessee, 2004)Passing Yards: 352 (UCF, 2006)Passing TDs: 6 (South Carolina, 2004)Interceptions: 3 (twice, last vs. Kentucky, 2004)Rushing Attempts: 14 (twice, last vs. Miami (Fla.), 2004)Rushing Yards: 67 (Vanderbilt, 2005)Rushing TDs: 2 (twice, most recently vs. Van-derbilt, 2005)Longest Rush: 45 (Alabama, 2006)Receptions: 1 (Florida State, 2003)Receiving Yards: 30 (Florida State, 2003)Receiving TDs: NoneLongest Reception: 30 (Florida State, 2003)
# 15 - TIM TEBOWFreshman • 6-3 • 229
Jacksonville, Fla. (Nease)
Career:Games (starts): 8 (0)
Enrolled at UF in January of 2006. Threw for 9,940 yards and 95 touchdowns
as a three-year starter at Nease and rushed for 3,169 yards and 63 scores. Back-to-back fi rst-team 3A (2004) and 4A
(2005) all-state selection at quarterback. Owns the Florida state prep football
records for total offense (12,960), career passing yards (9,940), touchdowns (159) and completed passes (631). Also owns single-season state records
in total offense (5,522), passing yards (4,286), touchdown passes (46) and total touchdowns (70).
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (0) Ranks second on Florida with 282 yards
rushing on 50 attempts (5.6 avg.) and leads the team with four rushing touchdowns. Is 10-for-14 passing for 152 yards with
two touchdowns and one interception in eight games. His 5.6 average yards per carry is third
nationally among quarterbacks. Set up the Gators’ fi rst touchdown against
Georgia with a 20-yard run down to the Bull-dogs’ 14-yard line. The rush was the longest surrendered by UGA in the contest. Carried six times for 36 yards but also
lost his third fumble of the year in the fourth quarter. Raced into the end zone from 16 yards
out on his fi rst carry at Auburn, giving the Gators a 17-8 lead.
Carried three times for 18 yards on the Plains. Scored on a one-yard run against LSU
and was 2-for-2 passing with the fi rst two TD throws of his career.
Threw a one-yard jump pass to Tate Casey with 22 seconds remaining until the half to put UF ahead to stay. Connected with Louis Murphy on a 35-
yard score with 12:05 left in the third quarter to give the Gators a 23-7 lead.
Gained 35 yards on nine rushes (3.9 avg.), including a long of 15 yards.
Carried nine times for 28 yards and scored on a two-yard touchdown run in the 28-13 win over Alabama.
Completed his only passing attempt against the Crimson Tide with a 23-yard completion to Jemalle Cornelius.
Electrifi ed The Swamp with a career-high 73 yards rushing on six carries (12.2 avg.) against Kentucky, featuring a pair of 25-yard runs. Totaled 62 yards on his fi rst three carries
versus the Wildcats and also completed a 12-yard pass to Dallas Baker. Gained 29 yards on seven rushes (4.1
avg.), with a long of 10 at Tennessee. Converted a key 4th down and 1 con-
version with a two-yard run on the Gators’ game-winning drive.
Led the Gators with 62 yards rushing on nine attempts (6.9 avg.) versus UCF, highlighted by a 29-yard rush that was UF’s longest carry of the season. Was 6-for-9 for 81 yards and had one
interception. His fi rst career passing attempt was an 11-yard completion to Kenneth Tookes in the second quarter. Made collegiate debut in the fourth quar-
ter against Southern Miss and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run. Joined Chris Leak and Cris Collinsworth
as the only true UF freshman quarterbacks to be responsible for scores in the season openers. Leak threw a 16-yard pass to Kelvin Kight
in the 2003 debut against San Jose State and Collinsworth had a 99-yard scoring toss in the 1977 opener with Rice. Member of the 2006 Leadership Com-
mittee.
Prior To This Season: See page 109 of the 2006 Florida Media
Guide
CAREER PASSING STATISTICSYear Att Cmp Yds Pct. Int TDs LG P.Eff.2006 14 10 152 71.4 1 2 35 195.49Tot.: 14 10 152 71.4 1 2 35 195.49
CAREER RUSHING STATISTICSYear No. Yds Avg. TDs Long
www.GatorZone.com 2006 Florida Football
player updatesGator Football
2006 50 282 5.6 4 29Totals: 50 282 5.6 4 29
TEBOW’S CAREER HIGHSPassing Attempts: 9 (UCF, 2006)Completions: 6 (UCF, 2006)Longest Pass: 35 (LSU, 2006)Passing Yards: 81 (UCF, 2006)Passing TDs: 2 (LSU, 2006)Interceptions: 1 (UCF, 2006)Rushing Attempts: 9 (three times, last vs. LSU, 2006)Rushing Yards: 73 (Kentucky, 2006)Rushing TDs: 1 (four times, last vs. Auburn, 2006)Longest Rush: 29 (UCF, 2006)
www.GatorZone.com 2006 Florida Football
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# 25 - BRANDON JAMESFreshman • 5-7 • 180
St. Augustine, Fla. (St. Augustine)
Career:Games (starts): 7 (0) Ran for 900 yards and eight touchdowns
last season in leading St. Augustine to its fi rst Class 3A state title in ‘05.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 7 (0) Has made 14 punt returns this season for
122 yards (8.7 avg.) and has 10 kickoff returns for 194 yards (19.4 avg.).
Is ranked fourth in the SEC with an 8.7-yard punt return average and is 11th in kickoff return average.
Has carried twice for four yards. Returned four punts for 38 yards and
three kickoffs for 61 yards against Geor-gia.
Had a 66-yard punt return for a touch-down called back due to penalty but set up UF’s second touchdown with a 26-yard return in the second quarter.
Opened the game with a career-long 38-yard kickoff return.
Had one punt return for eight yards at Auburn.
Had a pair of kickoff returns in the win over LSU, good for 36 yards, on runs of 21 and 15-yards.
Rushed once against the Tigers but was stoppped for no gain.
Totaled 37 yards on two kickoff returns against Alabama, and his 30-yard return was the longest by a Florida player this season at that time.
Had his fi rst collegiate carry and gained four yards in the matchup with the Tide.
Returned three punts for 10 yards and had one kickoff return for 22 yards versus Kentucky.
Recorded four punt returns at Tennes-see for a total of 65 yards and a long of 35, the longest return by a Gator this season.
The 35-yard return was the longest by a UF player since Keiwan Ratliff’s 38-yard return against Ohio in 2002 and the second-longest by a Gator since 1996 against a top-25 team (Lito Sheppard, 57 yards, 11/11/2000).
Also served on the kickoff return unit with one return for eight yards.
Had a spectacular 89-yard punt return for a TD that was nullifi ed by a penalty
against the Vols. Made collegiate debut on special teams
against UCF and returned the second-half kickoff 30 yards.
It was the longest return by a Gator this season.
Suffered a knee injury on Aug. 21 and underwent surgery on Aug. 22.
Prior To This Season: See page 107 of the 2006 Florida Media
CAREER PUNT RETURN STATSYear No. Yds Avg. TDs Long2006 14 122 8.7 0 35Totals: 14 122 8.7 0 35
JAMES’ CAREER HIGHSRushing Attempts: 1 (twice, last vs. LSU, 2006)Rushing Yards: 4 (Alabama, 2006)Rushing TDs: NoneLongest Rush: 4 (Alabama, 2006)Receptions: NoneReceiving Yards: NoneReceiving TDs: NoneLongest Reception: None
# 42 - BILLY LATSKOSenior (RS) • 5-10 • 232
Gainesville, Fla. (Buchholz)
Career:Games (starts): 45 (11)
Started the fi nal three games of last year against South Carolina, Florida State and Iowa, when he saw time as a tight end and wide receiver. Moved to H-Back during the 2005 sea-
son after working out at linebacks during the spring. His 11 receptions (for 76 yards) in 2004
were the most by a UF fullback since Kevin Randolph in 1992.
Scored fi rst career touchdown with a four-yard reception versus Eastern Michigan in the 2004 season opener.
Three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (5) Has started the past fi ve games for the
Gators and has two catches for 21 yards this year. Had a three-yard reception from Chris
Leak in the 21-14 over Georgia. Started for the second-straight game
in the win over Alabama and had his fi rst reception of the season, an 18-yard pass from Chris Leak. Made his fi rst start of the season against
Kentucky and recovered a fumble by De-Shawn Wynn during the third quarter. Saw action on offense in Florida's win at
Tennessee. Made season debut at fullback in the
win over Southern Miss. Also served on the kickoff and kick return units against USM and UCF. Member of the 2006 Leadership Com-
mittee.
Prior To This Season: See pages 85-86 of the 2006 Florida
LATSKO’S CAREER HIGHSRushing Attempts: 2 (Georgia, 2003)Rushing Yards: 13 (Georgia, 2003)Rushing TDs: NoneLongest Rush: 11 (Georgia, 2003)Receptions: 3 (Vanderbilt, 2005)Receiving Yards: 31 (South Carolina, 2005)Receiving TDs: 1 (three times, last vs. Georgia, 2004)Longest Reception: 20 (South Carolina, 2005)Tackles: 5 (Wyoming, 2005)QB Sacks: NoneForced Fumbles: NoneInterceptions: None
Running Backs
2006 Florida Football www.GatorZone.com
Gator Football player updates
# 2 - MARKUS MANSONSophomore (RS) • 6-0 • 205Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Hillcrest)
Career:Games (starts): 19 (2) Ranked second on the squad with 365
yards on 81 carries last year, good for a 4.5 average. Led the Gators with 16 kickoff returns,
totaling 313 yards, for a 19.6 yard average. Made his fi rst career start at South Caro-
lina and responded with 57 yards on 13 car-ries, including a long run of 11 yards.
Honored as the SEC Freshman of the Week on Nov. 7 after an outstanding performance in the shootout victory over Vanderbilt. 2006 Season:Games (starts): 7 (0) Has carried twice for a net of three yards
this season. Saw action on offense in Florida's win at
Tennessee. Had two carries for three yards in the
win over UCF. Appeared on UF’s kickoff contingent
against Southern Miss.
Prior To This Season: See pages 90-91 of the 2006 Florida
Carried the ball 48 times for 277 yards (5.8 avg.) and caught 13 passes for 56 yards (4.3 avg.) in 2005.
Set career bests in rushing attempts (13) and yards (88) against Iowa in the Outback Bowl. Reeled off a run of 29 yards, UF’s longest of the afternoon against the Hawkeyes. Against Louisiana Tech on Sept. 10, 2005,
Moore became just the eighth freshman to start at running back since 1972. He was the fi rst rookie RB in the starting
lineup since Robert Gillespie received the nod against Auburn on Oct. 17, 1998. In the opener versus Wyoming, he be-
came the fi rst true freshman to start at WR since Matt Jackson in 2000.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (1)
Is third on the Gators with 218 yards rushing on 43 carries (5.1 avg.) and two TDs and has seven receptions for 56 yards (8.0 avg.) and one touchdown.
Carried once against Georgia for seven yards but also fumbled on the play.
Gained 15 yards on two carries and had one reception for 12 yards at Auburn.
Carried 10 times for a team-high 36 yards against LSU, with a long of 15 yards. Also fumbled on UF’s opening drive of the game. Caught one pass but did not gain any yards.
Gained 20 yards on fi ve carries and had one catch for 10 yards in the triumph over Alabama.
Totaled 54 yards rushing on eight carries (6.8 avg.) and scored on a four-yard run agains Kentucky.
Had one reception for seven yards and a kickoff return for a career-high 26 yards.
Recorded eight rushing yards on two carries in Florida’s 21-20 win over Ten-nessee.
Scored his fi rst rushing touchdown of the season with a 28-yard run in the second quarter against UCF.
Finished with 27 yards rushing on three attempts versus the Golden Knights and made his fi rst career kick return, a 19-yard gain.
Enjoyed a tremendous start to the campaign, both rushing and receiving,
against Southern Miss. Was also on the kickoff return unit.
Carried a team-high 12 times, one shy of his career-best total, and gained 51 yards.
Reeled off a 27-yard run on the Gators’ fi nal drive of the contest.
Matched his career high of three recep-tions, gaining 27 yards, and snared a 16-yard toss from Chris Leak with 5:30 left in the game to complete the scoring.
Prior To This Season: See page 94 of the 2006 Florida Media
Led the Gators with 621 rushing yards last year, averaging 4.8 yards per carry (tied for 16th in the SEC) and had seven rushing touchdowns (tied for sixth in the SEC). Went over 1,000 yards for his career by
gaining 24 yards against Mississippi State. He now has 1,578 in his time as a Gator. With four touchdowns against Kentucky
on Sept. 24, 2005, three rushing and one receiving, Wynn became the fi rst Gator in school history to have four scores twice in one game. He previously accomplished the feat against Florida A&M during the 2003 season.
Has 21 career rushing touchdowns to rate eighth on the career list. Larry Smith (1966-68) is next with 24. First career start came in the nationally-
televised showdown against Tennessee. Established a career-best in carries (22)
in the 21-20 triumph at Tennessee in 2006. Rushed for a season-high 81 yards and
15 carries for a career-high three touch-downs against Middle Tennessee in 2004. Led the Gators with eight touchdowns in
2003, gaining 540 yards on 115 carries for a 4.7 average.
Seven rushing TDs ranked third in school history among freshmen, trailing Emmitt Smith (13, 1987) and Fred Taylor (8, 1994). His 24 points on four touchdowns (three
rushing and one receiving) versus Florida A&M on Sept. 13, 2003, set a UF freshman record and tied the school mark. Ran for 100 yards against Miami (Fla.) in
the second contest of his career to become the fourth RB in school history to reach the century mark by his second outing.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (7) Leads Florida with 436 yards rushing on
83 attempts for a 5.3 yard-average and has scored three rushing touchdowns (tied for 17th in the SEC). Has caught fi ve passes for 48 yards for
an 9.6 average. Enters the Vanderbilt game ranked 12th in
the SEC in rushing with 54.5 yards per game and is also 10th with 436 yards. Totaled 36 yards on eight carries in the
win over Georgia and helped the Gators run out the clock by converting a 3rd down and 4 late in the contest. Had 46 yards on a team-high 11 carries,
including a 16-yard run, at Auburn. Played on the fi nal snap of the LSU game
despite an injured knee. Paced the Gators for the third game in a
row in rushing with 50 yards on 12 carries. His longest run was 15 yards. Caught one pass for a season-high 15
yards during the third quarter in the matchup with the Tide. Matched his season-high of 104 yards
on 14 carries and scored on a 13-yard run in the 26-7 win over Kentucky. The effort marked the fi rst time in his Ga-
tor career Wynn has exceeded the century mark in consecutive games. Has gone over 100 yards fi ve times in
his career. Carried a career-high 22 times for a sea-
son-high 104 yards, with a season-long of 26 yards, in Florida’s win at Tennesee. Sealed the victory over the Vols by gain-
ing a fi rst down on 3rd and 6 that enabled UF to run out the clock. Carried nine times for 51 yards versus
UCF and scored on an eight-yard run for his 21st career rushing TD. Rushed for 45 yards on seven carries
against Southern Miss, highlighted by a 24-yard gain on his fi rst carry of the season. Scored the 20th rushing TD of his career
with a three-yard run in the second quarter that put the Gators ahead to stay.
Prior To This Season: See pages 105-106 of the 2005 Florida
WYNN’S CAREER HIGHSTotal Touchdowns: 4 (twice, vs. Kentucky, 2005 & Florida A&M, 2003)Rushing Attempts: 22 (Tennessee, 2006)Rushing Yards: 109 (Georgia, 2005)Rushing TDs: 3 (three times, last vs. Kentucky, 2005)Longest Rush: 65 (Miami (Fla.), 2003)Receptions: 3 (twice, last vs. Arkansas, 2003)Receiving Yards: 37 (Mississippi State, 2004)Receiving TDs: 1 (three times, last vs. Kentucky, 2005)Longest Reception: 37 (Miss. State, 2004)
www.GatorZone.com 2006 Florida Football
player updatesGator Football
# 81 - DALLAS BAKERSenior • 6-3 • 207
New Smyrna Beach, Fla. (New Smyrna Beach)
Career:Games (starts): 45 (22)
Ranked second on the Gators with 52 catches for 697 yards and averaged 13.4 yards per reception last season, which was 17th in the SEC. Baker’s fi ve TD receptions were second
on the Gators, behind Chad Jackson’s team-leading nine receiving scores. His 63.0 receiving yards per game against
top-25 opponents ranked as the third-highest total in the nation. Was named the Most Valuable Player at
the Outback Bowl after setting career highs in receptions (10) and yardage (147). Matched career-best performance with
two touchdown catches (of 24 and 38 yards) in the 31-24 triumph over the Hawkeyes.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (8) Leads the Gators with 596 yards receiv-
ing on 37 receptions (16.1 avg.) and has a team-best six touchdowns. The six receiving scores are already a
single-season career high for Baker. Ranks among the SEC leaders in the fol-
lowing categories: tied for third in touchdown catches (six), seventh in receiving yards per game (74.5), tied for seventh in catches (37) and is tied for eighth in receptions per game (4.6). Caught two passes for 40 yards in the win
over Georgia and had a 27-yard gain late in the second quarter.
Had a team-high four catches for 62 yards at Auburn, including an acrobatic 15-yard TD pass from Chris Leak in the second quarter. Snagged four receptions for 46 yards in
the win over LSU, with a long of 18 yards. Made three catches for 42 yards, all in
the second half against Alabama. Provided Florida with some breathing
room in the fourth quarter with a 21-yard TD reception from Chris Leak with 6:47 left that gave the home team a 21-13 lead. Had caught a touchdown pass in fi ve-
straight games dating back to the 34-7 vic-tory over Florida State last November before failing to score against Kentucky. Over that stretch of fi ve games, Baker
had caught 34 passes for 553 yards and six touchdowns. His 34 catches over the span
rank third nationally and his six touchdowns tie him for third. Set a career high with 148 yards receiving
on seven catches against Kentucky, with a long grab of 32 yards. Led Florida's receivers in yards (54) and
delivered a pair of touchdowns in the win at Tennessee. Pulled the Gators to within 17-14 with a
four-yard pass from Chris Leak with 1:16 left in the third quarter and scored the winning TD with a 21-yard reception with 6:30 show-ing on the clock. Had four receptions for 81 yards against
UCF, including a 10-yard TD reception from Leak in the second quarter.
Led the receiving corps in receptions (nine) and yards (123) in the season opener versus Southern Miss. Caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from
Leak on the fi nal play of the fi rst quarter and had a 29-yard reception. Five of his nine catches resulted in fi rst
downs. His fi nal reception, an 11-yarder in the fourth quarter, was the 100th of his col-legiate career. Two of his four 100-yard career outings
had come in the past two games (Outback Bowl against Iowa, USM). Named to the Watch List for the Bilet-
nikoff Award presented to the nation’s most outstanding receiver.
Second-team recipient on the SEC Coaches’ and Media Preseason lists. Member of the 2006 Leadership Com-
mittee.
Prior To This Season: See pages 72-73 of the 2006 Florida
Career:Games (starts): 36 (19) Had 10 receptions for 148 yards and fi ve
rushes for 64 yards (12.8 avg.) in ‘05 before suffering a broken leg on a kickoff return against Tennessee that caused him to miss the remainder of the year. An 18-yard reception in the second quar-
ter against the Vols enabled him to join the 1,000-yard receiving club for his career. His 99 yards receiving against Wyoming
were a career high, while the seven catches were one shy of his personal best. Set highs for longest reception (63 yards)
and longest kickoff return (47 yards) versus the Cowboys. Named to the Watch List for the 2005
Biletnikoff Award, presented to the nation’s most outstanding receiver. His total of 62 catches tied for the sixth-
Wide Receivers
2006 Florida Football www.GatorZone.com
Gator Football player updatesbest in UF history for a two-year freshman and sophomore starter.
Honorable mention All-American by Pro Football Weekly in 2004, when he was second on the Gators in yardage (689) and receptions (43). Chosen to The Sporting News SEC All-
Freshman team in 2003. Set school records for kickoff return yards
(454) and returns (22) by a freshman. His 19 receptions as a rookie were the
fourth-highest true freshman total.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (4) Is second on the Gators with 31 recep-
tions and has totaled 301 yards (9.7 avg.) and four receiving touchdowns. His four receiving TD exceeded his career
total entering the season. Has totaled 89 yards rushing on 11 carries
for an 8.1 avg. and one touchdown. Enjoyed a tremendous afternoon against
Georgia, scoring both of the Gators’ offensive touchdowns. Equaled his career high with eight recep-
tions and notched a season-high 88 yards receiving. Carried the ball a career-high fi ve times
and totaled 28 yards against the Bulldogs. Accounted for 33 of UF’s 62 yards on its
initial drive with two rushes for 16 yards and two receptions for 17 yards.
Provided the Orange and Blue with a quick lead with the fi rst rushing score of his career, a 12-yard run around the right end. Snagged a 40-yard TD pass from Chris
Leak with 9:37 left in the second quarter, setting a personal-best with his fourth TD reception of the year. Caught two passes for 25 yards at Au-
burn and carried three times for 47 yards (15.7 avg.). Had a season-high run of 27 yards versus
the Tigers. Was the team’s top receiver against LSU
with fi ve catches for 38 yards and carried twice for nine yards.
Led the Gators versus Alabama with fi ve receptions for 33 yards, including the go-ahead score with 2:39 left in the third quarter. Did not catch a pass in the win over Ken-
tucky but had one rush for fi ve yards. Had four catches for 50 yards, including
a season-long grab of 25 yards at Tennes-see. Set a career high with two TD receptions
in the win over UCF, catching passes of 25 yards (four seconds remaining in the second quarter) and eight yards (third quarter) from Chris Leak.
Finished with four grabs for 51 yards ver-
sus the Golden Knights.Returned to action for the fi rst time since
Sept. 2005 by making three catches for 16 yards against Southern Miss.
Joined teammate Dallas Baker on the Watch List for the Biletnikoff Award.
Second-team recipient on the SEC Coaches’ Preseason list.
Prior To This Season: See pages 74-75 of the 2006 Florida
CALDWELL’S CAREER HIGHSReceptions: 8 (twice, last vs. Georgia, 2006) Receiving Yards: 99 (Wyoming, 2005)Receiving TDs: 2 (UCF, 2006)Longest Reception: 63 (Wyoming, 2005)Rushing Attempts: 5 (Georgia, 2006)Rushing Yards: 61 (Arkansas, 2004)Rushing TDs: 1 (three times, last vs. Georgia, 2006)Longest Rush: 61 (Arkansas, 2004)
# 86 - RILEY COOPERFreshman • 6-3 • 206
Clearwater, Fla. (Central Catholic)
Career:Games (starts): 7 (0)
First-team all-state at wide receiver and free safety during his junior and senior sea-sons at Central Catholic. Caught 32 passes for 982 yards and 15
touchdowns in his fi nal prep season, when he averaged a state-record 30.6 yards per catch.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 7 (0)
Serves as the gunner on the special teams and has played in seven of the eight
games for the Gators this season. Set up a safety on the opening kickoff of
the second half against LSU with a jarring hit on the Tiger receiver that forced a fumble. The Gators tackled the player in the end zone for the two points.
Saw action in Florida’s triumphs over Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky, mostly on special teams. Made collegiate debut with one reception
for 10 yards against UCF Dressed but did not see action in the 34-7
win over Southern Miss.
Prior To This Season See page 106 of the 2006 Florida Media
CORNELIUS’ CAREER HIGHSReceptions: 8 (Kentucky, 2005)Receiving Yards: 138 (Kentucky, 2005)Receiving TDs: 1 (seven times, last vs. Kentucky, 2006)Longest Reception: 50 (Kentucky, 2005)Rushing Attempts: 1 (12 times, last vs. LSU, 2006)Rushing Yards: 21 (Georgia, 2004)Rushing TDs: 1 (Georgia, 2004)Longest Rush: 21 (Georgia, 2004)
# 11 - JARRED FAYSONFreshman • 6-0 • 200
Tampa, Fla. (Hillsborough)
Career:Games (starts): 7 (0)
Passed for 883 yards and ran for 936 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior at Hillsborough, when he was the No. 3 wide receiver prospect in the country according to Scout.com.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 7 (0) Has one reception for one yard and car-
ried the ball seven times for 49 yards (7.0 avg.) in six games this season. Matched his career high of three rushing
attempts and gained 11 yards against LSU. Dressed but did not see action in Flori-
da’s win at Tennessee. Carried three times for 28 yards and
caught one pass for nine yards against UCF.
Was one of 14 freshmen to make his collegiate debut in the season lid-lifter with Southern Miss.
Prior To This Season: See page 107 of the 2006 Florida Media
Career:Games (starts): 7 (2) Considered the nation’s top wide receiver
prospect by Scout.com following his prep career at Landstown High School.
Had 75 receptions for 1,313 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 504 yards and 13 TDs as a senior.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 7 (2)
Has accumulated 358 yards of total of-fense on 32 touches for an average of 11.2 yards per touch, the most among freshmen nationally and 33rd in the country. Rates fourth on Florida with 163 receiving
yards and 10 receptions (16.3 avg.) and has caught one touchdown pass. Is fourth on the squad with 195 rushing
yards on 22 carries, good for an 8.9 avg. Led Florida in rushing for the third time
this year with 37 yards on eight carries ver-sus Georgia, with a long of 12 yards.
Gained a team-high 66 yards rushing at Auburn on fi ve carries, highlighted by a career-high 35-yard run in which he started one way and cut across the entire fi eld to move deep into Tiger territory. Returned to action versus LSU and made
two catches for 18 yards and had one rush for nine yards. Missed the Alabama game while recover-
ing from a high ankle sprain. Had one rush for two yards but did not
have any catches against Kentucky. Had one catch for 13 yards and a carry
for 12 yards at Tennessee before an ankle injury in the second quarter forced him to leave the game. Paced the Orange and Blue with 99 yards
receiving on four catches against UCF, high-lighted by a 58-yard touchdown reception that opened the scoring. Carried the ball twice for 11 yards against
the Golden Knights. Became the second true freshman in
as many years to start at wide receiver for the Gators, although running back Kestahn Moore got the nod at wideout against Wyo-ming in the 2005 opener. Burst onto the scene with a team-high
58 yards on four carries (a 14.5 yard avg.), including a 23-yard reverse on third down that set up the Gators’ second TD. His 58 yards rushing were the most by
a wide receiver nationally, out-distancing Dante Love from Ball State (57 yards on three carries) and Brent Casteel from Utah (46 yards on seven carries). Caught three passes for 33 yards, with
a long of 17 yards. With 34 yards on the ground in the fi rst
half, Harvin out-rushed Southern Miss’ entire team (23 yards).
Prior To This Season: See page 107 of the 2006 Florida Media
Career:Games (starts): 7 (0) Redshirt freshman who worked with the
scout team last season.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 7 (0) Has participated in seven of UF's eight
contests this season. Saw action in Florida's wins over Tennes-
see and Alabama. Made collegiate debut on special teams in
the win over Southern Miss and also played in the shutout of UCF.
Prior To This Season: See page 84 of the 2006 Florida Media
Guide
# 82 - LOUIS MURPHYSophomore • 6-2 • 197
St. Petersburg, Fla. (Lakewood)
Career:Games (starts): 15 (0)
Played in the fi nal nine games of last season, mainly on special teams and in fi ve wideout sets.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 6 (0) Enjoyed his best game at Florida against
LSU, catching a 35-yard TD pass from Tim Tebow for his fi rst career reception and also caught a seven-yard toss from Tebow. Has played in the last three games for
the Gators.
Made his season debut in Florida’s win at Tennessee. Dressed for the UCF and Southern Miss
games but did not play.
Prior To This Season: See pages 95-96 of the 2006 Florida
Made 10 catches last season for 121 yards (12.1 avg.) and one touchdown. Caught two passes for 27 yards in the
Outback Bowl victory over Iowa, including a 21-yard grab in the third quarter. One of just two freshmen to see action in
all 12 games in 2004. Tied for fourth nationally among freshman
tight ends and was tied for second in the SEC with four touchdowns. Was the fi rst Gator freshman tight end to
catch a TD since 1979. Four of his eight catches as a rookie were
touchdowns.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (4)
Has fi ve receptions for 53 yards this year, a 10.6-yard average, and has drawn starts against Tennessee, Alabama, LSU and Auburn.
Made one catch for 13 yards against Georgia. Caught a season-high two passes for 17
yards at Auburn. Provided the Gators with the go-ahead
score against LSU with a sprawling one-yard touchdown catch with 22 seconds left in the fi rst half on a jump pass from Tim Tebow. Started his fi rst game of the season at
tight end in Florida's win at Tennessee. Had his fi rst grab of the season, a 22-yard
reception on 3rd and 10 in the fourth quarter from Tim Tebow. Saw action on offense against Southern
Miss but did not have any receptions.
Prior To This Season: See page 76 of the 2006 Florida Media
Saw action in nine games last season at defensive end.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (1)
Leads the SEC with seven sacks in eight games, for an average of 0.88 sacks per contest. Each of his seven sacks have come in the
Gators’s last fi ve games, giving him an aver-age of 1.17 sacks per game in SEC play Collected three tackles, a sack, a fumble
recovery and his fi rst career forced fumble as the Gators defeated Georgia, 21-14; the forced fumble led to a nine-yard touchdown return by fellow defensive end Ray McDon-ald, which proved to be the difference in the game.
Turned in an explosive performance against Auburn, tying his career high with two sacks and recovering his fi rst career fumble with the Gators backed up in their own terri-tory; fi nished the contest with a career-high four tackles. His lone tackle in the LSU game was a
sack of JaMarcus Russell for a loss of one yard. Recorded a sack, for a loss of 12 yards,
in the Gators’ home win over Alabama. Had a career-high two sacks for a net loss
of 14 yards as part of a three-tackle night against Kentucky in his fi rst collegiate start.
Chipped in with two tackles to help UF defeat Tennessee.
Assisted on a tackle and hurried the quarterback once in the UCF game. Notched two tackles and a quarterback
hurry in the win over Southern Miss.
Prior To This Season: See pages 82-83 of the 2006 Florida
Career:Games (starts): 39 (30) Participated in eight games, with three
starts, during an injury-plagued 2005 campaign. Chosen as the SEC Defensive Player of
the Week in 2004 after making a season-high seven tackles and a career-high two sacks in the win over Florida State. Named to the Scripps/FWAA Freshman
All-American team and was selected to The Sporting News and SEC All-Freshman teams in 2003.
Became the initial rookie defensive
www.GatorZone.com 2006 Florida Football
player updatesGator Football
lineman to start every game. Was only the fourth defensive lineman
in school history to start as a freshman in the season opener, joining Phillip Johnson (1989), Mark Campbell (1992) and Reggie McGrew (1996). 2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (8)
Scored his fi rst career touchdown in the win over Georgia, picking up a Kregg Lumpkin fumble and returning it nine yards for the score; also contributed a solo tackle in the win. Collected six tackles, broke up a pass
and pressured the quarterback once from his defensive end spot versus Auburn. Made one tackle against LSU in Florida’s
23-10 home win. Played defensive end against Alabama
and recorded four tackles. Shifted to the interior of the line against
Kentucky and responded with two sacks, tying his personal best, and five total tackles. Totaled three tackles, including his fi rst
tackle for loss of the campaign, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry in the Tennessee game. Made three solo tackles in the win over
UCF. Earned a starting nod in the season
opener against Southern Miss. Appears on the Preseason Watch Lists
for the Lombardi and the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year awards. Chosen to the second-team defense on
the Preseason All-SEC team by the SEC Coaches and third team by the media.
Prior To This Season: See pages 92-93 of the 2006 Florida
McDONALD’S CAREER HIGHSTackles: 12 (Kentucky, 2003)QB Sacks: 2 (twice, last vs. Kentucky, 2006)Forced Fumbles: 1 (twice, last vs. Florida State, 2003)Interceptions: None
# 98 - CLINT McMILLANDefensive Tackle
Junior (RS) • 6-1 • 285Oviedo, Fla. (Oviedo)
Career:Games (starts): 29 (1)
Finished last season with three total tackles, all assisted efforts, including one tackle for a loss of two yards.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (1)
Member of the Gators’ punt unit in all eight games.
Earned playing time on defense and special teams in the Auburn game.
Saw time on the defensive line in the Alabama and LSU games. Posted his fi rst collegiate sack, resulting
in a loss of eight yards, versus Kentucky. Saw time on the defensive line against
UCF and Tennessee. Made his fi rst career start versus Southern
Miss and contributed a tackle.
Prior To This Season: See page 93 of the 2006 Florida Media
Career:Games (starts): 21 (8) Led the team and fi nished fi fth in the SEC
with 7.5 sacks on the season for a net loss of 54 yards, also one of 15 Gator defenders with a pass break-up.
Became the first Gator since Bobby McCray on Oct. 11, 2003 to record three sacks in a game when he accomplished the feat at LSU; McCray also notched his three-sack effort against the Tigers.
2006 Season:
Games (starts): 8 (8) Tops among UF defensive linemen with
32 total tackles, including 4.5 for loss. Made one the impact plays in the Georgia
game, sacking Matthew Stafford and forcing a fumble that was recovered by teammate Derrick Harvey; also registered fi ve tackles, including three solo efforts. Was active against Auburn, making three
solo tackles, forcing a fumble and breaking up a pass.
Notched three tackles, including two solo, and hurried the quarterback once in the win over LSU.
Collected a pair of sacks among his career-high seven tackles in Florida’s win over Alabama; also recorded a quarterback hurry in the game. Tallied three stops against Kentucky, one
of which was his fi rst sack of the campaign; also defl ected a pass in the victory.
Led all UF defensive linemen with six tackles, including one for loss, against Tennesse; also pressured Erik Ainge twice.
Registered two solo tackles and a quarterback hurry versus UCF. Started his fi rst career game in the season
opener against Southern Miss, recording three solo tackles and a quarterback hurry.
Appears on the Preseason Watch Lists for the Lombardi and the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year awards. Chosen to the third-team defense on the
Preseason All-SEC team by the media and was a fi rst-team Preseason All-SEC pick by CollegeFootballNews.com.
Prior To This Season: See page 95 of the 2006 Florida Media
MOSS’ CAREER HIGHSTackles: 7 (Alabama, 2006)QB Sacks: 3 (LSU, 2005)Forced Fumbles: 1 (three times, last vs. Georgia, 2006)Interceptions: None
# 44 - MARCUS THOMASDefensive TackleSenior • 6-3 • 296
Jacksonville, Fla. (Mandarin)
Career:Games (starts): 41 (31)
2006 Florida Football www.GatorZone.com
Gator Football player updates
Finished with 45 tackles on the season, one of eight Gators to break the 40-tackle barrier, including 10.5 for a net loss of 34 yards, as well as four quarterback sacks for a net loss of 20 yards. One of two Gator defenders to block a
kick during the 2005 season, and the only defender in Florida history to block a fi eld goal which was returned for a touchdown. Tied for the team lead with 4.5 sacks and
tied for the top spot among defensive tackles with 39 tackles in 2004. In 2003, he became the fi rst true freshman
to start on the defensive line since 1992; was also the fi rst true freshman to see action on the DL since 2000. Named to the Knoxville News-Sentinel
All-Freshman squad in 2003.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 5 (5) Broke the 150-tackle barrier for his career
against Auburn. Assisted on a tackle in UF’s victory over
Georgia. Tallied a career-high 10 tackles, including
two for a loss of eight yards, in the Auburn game; one of his tackles for loss was a sack that dropped the Tigers back seven yards. Made eight tackles and broke up a pass
against LSU. Missed the Kentucky and Alabama
games. Had three solo tackles, including a sack,
in the win over Tennessee. Tied his career high with two sacks, while
tallying four total tackles, against UCF. Did not participate in the season
opener. Named to the Preseason All-America list
issued by CNNSI.com. Appears on the Watch Lists for the
Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy.
Chosen to the Preseason All-SEC f irst-team defense by Blue Ribbon, CollegeFootballNews.com and the media and was a second-team choice by the league’s coaches.
Member of the 2006 Leadership Committee.
Prior To This Season: See pages 101-102 of the 2006 Florida
THOMAS’ CAREER HIGHSTackles: 10 (Auburn, 2006)QB Sacks: 2 (three times, last vs. UCF, 2006)Forced Fumbles: 1 (twice, last vs. LSU, 2005)Interceptions: None
www.GatorZone.com 2006 Florida Football
player updatesGator Football
# 54 - RODERICK BLACKETTFreshman (RS) • 5-8 • 217
Pompano Beach, Fla. (Blanche Ely)
Career:Games (starts): 8 (0)
Redshirt freshman walk-on linebacker who joined the team in the fall of 2005.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (0)
Has seen action on special teams as a member of the kickoff squad in all eight contests. Came up with a solo stop in the team’s
26-7 win over Kentucky. Notched a tackle on the kickoff team
versus Tennessee. Made his fi rst two career tackles in the
win over UCF.
Prior To This Season: See page 73 of the 2006 Florida Media
Career:Games (starts): 44 (37) Finished last season with 72 tackles to
lead the team, the only Gator to break the 70-tackle barrier.
Made a season and career-high 14 tackles at LSU, which were the most tackles in a single game by a Gator player last season.
At Kentucky, Everett became the fi rst Gator to have two picks in a game since Kyle Jackson had two against South Carolina on Nov. 13, 2004.
Earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2004, when he tied for the squad lead in sacks (4.5) and was second in tackles (74). Named to the 2003 All-SEC Freshman
Team by the Coaches and Knoxville News-Sentinel.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (8) Named the SEC Defensive Player of the
Week after tallying 11 tackles and leading a defense that limited Tennessee’s offense to minus-11 rushing yards.
Leads the team and ties for 14th in the SEC with 51 tackles, including 31 solo efforts. Went over 200 career tackles in the win
over Tennessee, and hit the 150 solo-tackle mark in the victory over Georgia. Also a member of the Gators’ punt team
in the fi rst eight games. Paced the team with nine tackles, includ-
ing his fi rst sack of the season, in the Georgia game, while also hurrying the quarterback once.
Chipped in with six tackles, a pass defended and a quarterback hurry against
Linebackers
2006 Florida Football www.GatorZone.com
Gator Football player updatesAuburn. Made fi ve tackles, including three solo
efforts, against LSU. Continued his strong play against
Alabama, making seven tackles, including four solo. Made fi ve tackles, two of which were for
loss, and hurried the quarterback once in the home victory over Kentucky. Led the team with 11 tackles, including
seven solo efforts, in the Tennessee game; also posted a quarterback hurry against the Vols. Made three tackles, including two solo
efforts, in the UCF game. Recorded fi ve tackles and a pass break
up in the season-opening win over Southern Miss. Named to the Watch List for the Chuck
Bednarik Award for Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year and to the Watch List for the Butkus Award. Named to the Preseason All-SEC second-
team defense by CollegeFootballNews.com and the SEC Coaches and was a third-team recipient by the league’s media.
Member of the 2006 Leadership Committee.
Prior To This Season: See pages 80-81 of the 2006 Florida
EVERETT’S CAREER HIGHSTackles: 14 (LSU, 2005)QB Sacks: 1.5 (twice, last vs. Florida State, 2005)Forced Fumbles: 1 (twice, last vs. Alabama, 2005)Interceptions: 2 (Kentucky, 2005)
Finished the ‘05 season second on the team in tackles with 64, one of four Gators to break the 60-tackle barrier, including 33 solo and 31 assisted efforts.
Topped the SEC with seven fumble recoveries on the season, for a net return of 19 yards. First-team Academic All-District III from
ESPN the Magazine in 2005. Chosen as the 2004 SEC Freshman of
the Year. First-team Freshman All-American by The
Sporting News and Scripps/FWAA. Only the second true freshman in school
history to lead the team in tackles with 77, a total that was best among rookies in the SEC. Joined tight end Tate Casey as the lone
true freshmen to play in all 12 games in 2004.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (8)
Named a semifi nalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given annually to college football’s Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year. Second on the team with 49 tackles on
the season; that total ties him for 17th in the conference.
Turned in an all-around effort versus Georgia, making six tackles, recording a sack and breaking up a pass.
Made nine stops, including six of the solo variety, and broke up a pass versus Auburn.
Produced seven solo tackles and recovered a fumble on his own goal line to help the Gators defeat LSU.
Recorded four tackles, including one
for loss, in the Gators’ 28-13 win over Alabama. Was all over the fi eld against Kentucky,
registering a team-high eight tackles, forcing a fumble and hurrying the quarterback once; the forced fumble was the fi rst of his career.
Two of his seven tackles against Tennessee were for a net loss of 18 yards, including a key sack for 14 yards on the Vols’ fi nal drive. Made two tackles, including one for loss,
in the win over UCF. Led the team in tackles (six) and chipped
in a quarterback hurry versus Southern Miss. Named to the Watch List for the Chuck
Bednarik Award for Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year and to the Watch List for the Butkus Award. Chosen to the Watch Lists for the Lott
Trophy, awarded to the defensive impact player of the year, and to the Nagurski Trophy.
Collected first-team Preseason All-SEC recognit ion from Blue Ribbon, Col legeFootbal lNews.com, the SEC Coaches’ and the league’s media.
Prior To This Season: See pages 99-100 of the 2006 Florida
Listed as the No. 1 prospect in North Carolina in 2006 by Rivals.com and was considered the No. 6 overall prospect in the country according to Scout.com.
Four-year starter at linebacker and defensive end for Crest Senior High School.
www.GatorZone.com 2006 Florida Football
player updatesGator Football
2006 Season:Games (starts): 5 (0) Dressed but did not play in the win over
Georgia. Played on the defensive side of the ball
against Auburn. Dressed but did not play in the LSU
game. Assisted on a tackle in the win over
Alabama. Tied his career high with two tackles
against Kentucky, while also breaking up his fi rst career pass. Dressed but did not play in the Tennessee
game. Made a solo tackle versus UCF. Entered the Southern Miss game in the
second series and made a solo tackle on his fi rst collegiate play; fi nished with two tackles.
Prior To This Season: See pages 108-109 of the 2006 Florida
JACKSON’S CAREER HIGHSTackles: 6 (Iowa, 2005)QB Sacks: NoneForced Fumbles: NoneInterceptions: 2 (South Carolina, 2004)
# 19 - TONY JOINERSafety
Junior • 6-0 • 208Haines City, Fla. (Haines City)
Career:Games (starts): 28 (8)
One of nine defensive players to recover a fumble, and one of 11 with an interception, last season.
Defensive Backs
2006 Florida Football www.GatorZone.com
Gator Football player updates
Made his collegiate debut, along with eight other freshmen, in the 2004 opener versus Eastern Michigan.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (8) Ranks fi rst among UF defensive backs
with 47 tackles on the season. Started at strong safety and was a
member of Florida’s kickoff return and punt units in all eight games. Recorded a pair of tackles in the Gators’
win over Georgia. Made eight stops, including one for a loss
of three yards, and forced a fumble deep in his own territory against Auburn.
Was all over the field against LSU, recording fi ve tackles, two tackles for loss, an interception and a pass breakup. Made a career-high 10 stops and broke
up a pass in the Gators’ 28-13 home win over Alabama.
Registered seven tackles, good for second on the squad, in the win over Kentucky.
Made five tackles, all solo, against Tennessee. Led the team with fi ve tackles, including
two for loss, and registered a safety against UCF. Recorded fi ve tackles, defl ected a pass
and hauled in an interception in the season opener against Southern Miss.
Prior To This Season: See page 85 of the 2006 Florida Media
JOINER’S CAREER HIGHSTackles: 10 (Alabama, 2006)QB Sacks: NoneForced Fumbles: 1 (twice, last vs. Auburn, 2006)Interceptions: 1 (three times, last vs. LSU, 2006)
LEWIS’ CAREER HIGHSTackles: 4 (twice, last vs. Alabama, 2006)QB Sacks: NoneForced Fumbles: NoneInterceptions: 1 (three times, last vs. Georgia, 2006)Receptions: 2 (Georgia, 2004)Receiving Yards: 6 (LSU, 2004)Receiving TDs: NoneLongest Reception: 7 (Georgia, 2004)
# 26 - JERMAINE McCOLLUMCornerback
Senior (RS) • 5-9 • 185Miami, Fla. (Southridge)
Career:Games (starts): 44 (1) Has played in every Gator contest during
the past three seasons. Responsible for two blocked punts in
his career, both in 2003 (San Jose State, Florida A&M).
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (1) Member of the Gators’ punt return and
kickoff units through the fi rst eight games of the year. Notched a solo tackle on the kickoff team
against Auburn. Tackled LSU kick returner Trindon
Holliday in the end zone for a safety after UF wide receiver Riley Cooper knocked the ball loose on the opening kickoff of the second half in the win over LSU. Notched a solo tackle in the win over
Alabama. Came up with a solo stop to help the
Gators defeat Kentucky. Recorded a tackle in the victory over
Tennessee. Notched a career-high three tackles
against UCF. Earned his fi rst career start in the season
opener against Southern Miss.
Prior To This Season: See page 91 of the 2006 Florida Media
Career:Games (starts): 19 (12) One of eight Gators to break the 40-tackle
mark last season; 32 of his 46 total tackles on the season were solo efforts. Finished second on UF with four sacks,
for a net loss of 32 yards. Was chosen as a fi rst-team NJCAA All-
American at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College in 2004. Led the Red Ravens in tackles with 72,
37 solo and 35 assisted; also intercepted six passes for 175 return yards and one touchdown return. Named the NJCAA National Player of the
Week for the week of Oct. 26, 2004.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (8)
Has intercepted two passes against top-25 opponents this season, which ties for second nationally. Tied for second in the conference with
four interceptions on the season. Selected as the Atlanta Journal
Constitution’s Defensive Player of the
Half-Year, and also earned a spot on CBS Sportsline’s Halfway All-America Team. Named the SEC Defensive Player of the
Week after an Alabama game in which he made fi ve tackles, returned an interception 70 yards for a score, recovered a fumble at the end of a UF interception and broke up a pass; the nod marked the second Defensive Player of the Week honor for the Gators this season.
Has returned 10 punts for 63 yards, giving him an average of 6.3 yards per return that ranks ninth in the SEC. Made a career-high-tying seven tackles
for the second-consecutive game in the win over Georgia; also recovered a fumble for the Gators on a punt that struck a Bulldogs’ player on the leg. Tied his career-high with seven tackles,
including four solo efforts, at Auburn. Blocked a punt in the third quarter of
the LSU game, and also dislodged a pass from the hands of a Tigers receiver that led to an interception for teammate Ryan Smith; fi nished the night with three tackles and a pass defended. Sealed Florida’s win over Alabama with
his fourth interception of the season, which he returned 70 yards for a touchdown; also made fi ve stops, recovered a fumble and defl ected a pass in the victory. Assisted on two tackles and broke up
a pass as the Gators defeated Kentucky, 26-7. Intercepted Tennessee quarterback Erik
Ainge on the Vols’ fi rst and last plays from scrimmage in the Gators’ 21-20 victory; the two picks were a career high.
The last time a UF player picked off two passes in a game before Nelson’s performance against Tennessee was Sept. 24, 2005, when Earl Everett snatched a pair of picks against Kentucky. Made three stops, including one for loss,
in the win over UCF. Came up with four solo tackles and an
interception against Southern Miss. Member of the 2006 Leadership
Committee. Chosen to the first-team Preseason
A l l -SEC defense by B lue Ribbon, CollegeFootballNews.com and the SEC coaches, and was a second-team pick by the league's media. Named to the Watch List for the Chuck
Bednarik Award for Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year.
Prior To This Season: See pages 96-97 of the 2006 Florida
CAREER PUNT RETURN STATSYear No. Yds Avg. TDs Long2006 9 55 6.1 0 21Totals: 9 55 6.1 0 21
NELSON’S CAREER HIGHSTackles: 7 (fi ve times, last vs. Georgia, 2006)QB Sacks: 2 (Miss. St., 2005)Forced Fumbles: 1 (Alabama, 2005)Interceptions: 2 (Tennessee, 2006)*One was not a defensive fumble recovery
# 4 - WONDY PIERRE-LOUISCornerback
Freshman • 6-1 • 185Naples, Fla. (Lely)
Career:Games (starts): 6 (0)
Named to the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-District 16 team as a senior at Lely High School. Totaled 36 tackles, two fumbles and two
interceptions (both returned for touchdowns) as a junior.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 6 (0) Has earned a gunner position on Florida’s
kickoff and punt teams. Assisted on a tackle versus Auburn. Made a career-high two tackles in the
win over LSU, including a solo stop on a punt that pinned the Tigers inside their own 10-yard line. Earned time on Florida’s punt and kickoff
units against Alabama. Made one solo tackle in the defeat of the
Crimson Tide. Saw action in the defensive secondary
in the win over Kentucky. Dressed for the Tennessee game but
did not play. Saw his fi rst game action against UCF
and posted a tackle. Dressed but did not see action versus
Southern Miss.
Prior To This Season: See page 108 of the 2006 Florida Media
Transferred to Florida over the summer after playing two season at Utah. Was named a second-team Freshman
All-American by The Sporting News in 2004 as the Utes completed a perfect season with a Fiesta Bowl victory. Named as the Mountain West Conference
Player of the Week following a 10-tackle performance against Air Force.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (8) Has intercepted two passes against top-
25 opponents, which ties him for second nationally Tied for the SEC lead with fi ve interceptions,
and is tied for sixth in the league with eight passes defended. Went over the 100 career tackle mark
after making fi ve stops against Georgia. Has started all eight games at cornerback,
while also seeing time on the punt return and kickoff teams.
Notched five tackles and his team-leading fi fth interception in the Gators’ 21-14 win over Georgia.
Contributed with three tackles in the Auburn game. Had a career-high-tying two interceptions
for the second-consecutive game, while also posting two pass breakups and three tackles (including one for loss), in the Gators’ 23-10 win over LSU. Had a big game against Alabama, picking
off a career-high two passes, notching three tackles and defl ecting a pass in the 28-13 win. Recorded the Gators’ fi rst blocked kick of
the season when he partially defl ected a punt in the fi rst quarter of the Kentucky game. Notched four tackles, including three solo,
versus the Wildcats. Had four tackles, including three of the
solo variety, versus Tennessee. Made two solo tackles against UCF. Earned the start in his Gator debut and
responded with fi ve tackles, including one for a loss of three yards, against Southern
Miss.
Prior To This Season: See Gator Zone for his UF biography
SMITH’S CAREER HIGHSTackles: 10 (Air Force, 2004)QB Sacks: 1 (last vs. New Mexico, 2004)Forced Fumbles: 2 (Air Force, 2004)Interceptions: 2 (twice, last vs. LSU, 2006)
www.GatorZone.com 2006 Florida Football
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# 39 - CHRIS HETLANDKicker
Senior (RS) • 6-0 • 186Leesburg, Ga. (Lee County)
Career:Games (starts): 23 (19) Named to the 2005 second-team
All-SEC squads released by AP and the league’s coaches. One of four place-kickers nationally to
be honored with conference special teams player of the week multiple times last year.
Named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts against Tennessee, and Wyoming.
Was 37-of-39 on PATs, 13-for-16 on fi eld-goal attempts and led the team with 76 points in 2005. Redshirt junior walk-on who joined the
Gators prior to the 2002 season.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (8) Is 25-for-27 on extra-point attempts this
season and is 1-for-7 on fi eld goals. Was 3-for-3 on PATs against Georgia,
but missed two fi eld goals attempts from 39 and 42 yards out.
Passed Brian Clark in the UF record books with his 63rd-career PAT to become UF's ninth all-time leader in PATs made. Contributed fi ve points in Florida’s 27-17
loss at Auburn, with 2 PATs and his fi rst fi eld goal of the season from 22 yards out.
Posted a 3-for-3 record on PATs in Florida’s 23-10 win over LSU, but missed his fourth-straight fi eld goal attempt of the season from 36 yards out. Went 4-for-4 against Alabama on PATs
and missed his third fi eld goal of the season on a 36-yard attempt. Had two PATs blocked against Kentucky,
and fi nished the game 2-for-4. Went 3-for-3 on PATs and 0-for-2 on
his fi rst fi eld goal attempts of the season in Florida’s win at Tennessee, missing from 52 and 47 yards out.
His four PATs against both UCF and Southern Mississippi are tied for the third-most in the SEC for single-game PATs.
Contributed four points on PATs in Florida's 42-0 shutout over UCF. Was 4-for-4 on PATs against Southern
Mississippi. Named to the Watch List for the Lou
Groza Award. Chosen second-team on the Preseason
All-SEC Special Teams list issued by
CollegeFootballNews.com and the SEC coaches.
Prior To This Season: See page 83 of the 2006 Florida Media
Career:Games (starts): 20 (0) Serves as the long snapper on fi eld-goal
attempts and punts.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (0) Handled snapping duties on punt and PAT
attempts in Florida's wins over Georiga, LSU, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee and UCF, as well as the loss at Auburn. Recorded his second tackle of the year
on special teams against Georgia. First Florida player down the fi eld to
initiate the recovery effort of a muffed punt that the Gators eventually turned into a touchdown to even the score at 7-7 in the fi rst quarter of the win over LSU.
Recorded a tackle on special teams versus LSU. Made a pair of solo tackles on special
teams versus Alabama. Saw action against Southern Miss on the
punt and PAT attempts. Member of the 2006 Leadership Com-
mittee and the UF Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Prior To This Season: See page 100 of the 2006 Florida Media
Guide
# 10 - ERIC WILBURPunter
Senior • 6-2 • 200Winter Park, Fla. (Trinity Prep)
Career:Games (starts): 43 (43)
Entered the season ranked second in school history with an average of 43.0 yards per punt, just behind Ray Criswell’s mark of 44.4. Ranked sixth in the SEC with an average
of 41.4 yards per punt last season. Became the fi rst Gator to be a semifi nal-
ist for the Ray Guy Award in ‘05. Set a UF record by punting for 432 yards
at LSU in 2005. Ray Criswell set the previous record with 424 yards on nine punts versus Auburn in 1985. Tabbed an honorable mention All-Ameri-
can in 2004 by the Associated Press. Named to The Sporting News All-Fresh-
man Team and was chosen as a Freshman All-American by Rivals.com in 2003.
Led all true freshmen nationally and ranked second in the SEC with a 44.8 aver-age in 2003. Unleashed a career-long punt of 75 yards
against Tennessee in 2003, the fourth-lon-gest punt in school history and the longest by a true freshman.
2006 Season:Games (starts): 8 (8) Has had a league-leading 12 punts
downed inside of the 20-yard line. After his six-punt performance against
Georgia, he stands just four punts shy of ty-ing Buster Morrison's school record of 209. Has punted 27 times this season for 1,186
yards and an average of 43.9 per kick, a fi gure that is fourth in the SEC. Posted a season-long punt of 59 yards
against Georgia. Crossed the 1,000-yard mark for the
season against Georgia, where his six punts totalled 271 yards (45.2 average). Recorded two punts, including one inside
the 20-yard line, for an average of 46.0 yards (92.0 total yards) in Florida’s 27-17 loss at Auburn. Made four punts for an average of 51.0
yards (204 total yards) against LSU. Three of his four punts reached inside the
20-yard line in the win over LSU. Notched four punts for 150 yards, with a
long of 49 against Alabama. Recorded a theseason-long punt of 58
yards in the 26-7 win over Kentucky, marking his 36th career punt of over 50 yards.
Wilbur’s 52.0-yard average against Kentucky is the highest single-game punt
average of the Urban Meyer era. Had two punts against Kentucky for a total
of 104 yards. Made four punts at Tennessee for a
season-best total of 172 yards and a 43.0 average. Handled punting responsibilities in the
shutout over UCF, with two punts for 84 yards and a long of 47 yards. Had three punts for 109 yards and a 36.3
average versus Southern Mississippi. Named to the 2006 Ray Guy Award
Watch List by the Greater Augusta Sports Council. Earned fi rst-team recognition from Col-
legeFootballNews.com and was a third-team pick on the SEC Coaches’ Preseason Team.
Prior To This Season: See pages 103-104 of the 2006 Florida
