|
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Steve Spurrier expects perfection from
his quarterback. When he doesn't get it, he doesn't hesitate to
make a change.
|  | | Todd Johnson's 76-yard fumble return capped the scoring for the Gators. |
Jesse Palmer became the latest Florida starter to get the quick
hook Saturday night, lasting less than one half in the
Gators' 55-0 rout of Middle Tennessee.
If or when he will get another chance is unclear.
Although backup Rex Grossman, who threw three touchdown passes,
is not sure he did enough to take the No. 1 job, Spurrier wouldn't
say what he's thinking with Florida (No. 5 ESPN/USA Today, No. 8 AP) opening its Southeastern
Conference schedule next week at No. 12 Tennessee.
"Jesse was not all that bad. I just thought Rex deserved a
chance," Spurrier said, adding that next week's starter will be
"Whoever gives us the best chance to win. This week, it was
Jesse."
Grossman replaced Palmer in the middle of a series with his team
leading 24-0, but Spurrier unhappy with the way the senior was
throwing and moving the offense. Palmer overthrew two receivers on
potential big plays and failed to spot an open receiver just before
being yanked.
"I'm used to it," Palmer said of the brewing controversy.
"It's totally up to the coach."
Grossman threw TD passes of 19 and 14 yards to Aaron Walker, as
well as a 16-yarder to Alex Willis that finished a seven-play,
50-yard drive that Palmer began with a 13-yard completion to Reche
Caldwell.
Florida (2-0) also scored on Earnest Graham's 4-yard run, which
capped a 96-yard drive Palmer directed in the first quarter. Lito
Sheppard returned a punt 54 yards for a touchdown, and Todd Johnson
scooped up a fumble and ran 76 yards for a fourth-quarter score.
Middle Tennessee (0-2) never threatened, finishing with 229
yards and five turnovers.
Despite amassing 495 yards total offense in its season opener,
Spurrier was not happy with Florida's sloppy play in a 21-point
victory over Ball State. Palmer led touchdown drives on the Gators'
first two possessions this time, but didn't build on that success.
Grossman threw his TD pass to Willis, after replacing Palmer
with four minutes left in the second quarter. He threw the first of
his two scoring passes to Walker after a Middle Tennessee fumble,
giving Florida a 38-0 lead at the break.
When the teams returned to the field for the second half, Palmer
sat on a bench behind most of his teammates while Grossman and true
freshman Brock Berlin warmed up to play the remainder of the game.
Palmer completed 15 of 23 passes for 193 yards and one
touchdown, a 17-yard throw to Taylor Jacobs on the sixth play of
the game. Grossman finished 9-of-14 for 95 yards and one
interception, while Berlin was 2-of-4 for 11 yards.
"I'd like to think I was kind of tough under the pressure,"
said Grossman, who nevertheless wouldn't lay claim to the job.
"That's up to coach Spurrier. ... I don't know if I'm in a
position to start this game (Tennessee). I don't think Jesse played
that bad."
Middle Tennessee is working through a quarterback dilemma of its
own, with Wes Counts and Jason Johnson once again splitting playing
time. Neither had much success against the Florida defense, which
recovered four fumbles and didn't allow the Blue Raiders to get
anywhere near scoring range.
Counts completed 7 of 16 passes for 58 yards, while Johnson was
10-for-16 for 81 yards and one interception.
The Blue Raiders trailed No. 21 Illinois 7-6 at the half before
losing 35-6 last week. Florida never gave them a chance to build
confidence Saturday night.
"They came out and corrected their mistakes from their first
game ... We tried to hang in, but we couldn't," coach Andy
McCollum said.
"You can do some different things against strength, but when
you face speed there is not too much you can do against it,"
Counts said. "Hopefully we can learn from certain things that will
make us better for later down the road for teams that aren't as
good as Florida."
|
|
ALSO SEE
COLLEGE FOOTBALL Scoreboard
Middle Tennessee State Clubhouse
Florida Clubhouse
|
