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Uncensored Play-by-Play Of The 2011 Outback Bowl

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Jan 3rd, 2011
By William Wallace
Author’s Twitter @WillWallaceSEC

This will be the first game to bet in 2011.  I like the Gators -7, but I’m all in on one of these coaches dying during the game.  It’s an exotic.

Even before the game starts, Tirico and Gruden twice say Paterno is “Sharp as ever.”  This is the ageist version of “He’s very well spoken”.

14:58 1st

Florida comes out in their all-white road uniforms.  Penn State comes out with their all-white football team.

The media is still confused as to why Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis is leaving the NFL to take the same position at the college level.  I’m being told the hiring went something like this:

Will Muschamp:  “I know this is a long shot, I mean you are getting ready for the NFL playoffs and we’re getting ready for the Outback Bowl, so….

Charlie Weis:  “Let me stop you right there.  Did you say Outback Bowl?  That’s the place with the Bloomin’ Onion right?  I’m your man.  Outback Bowl! That sounds delicious.”

Muschamp:  “Boom!”

14:01 1st

John Brantley continues his quest to be the worst player in the history of college football with a terrible interception on his first pass attempts of the game.  In his defense, all his wide receivers apparently are also the QBs he’s competing with.  If they loaf a route, it just means more snaps behind center for them.

11:24 1st

Perfect weather in Tampa today.  72 and cloudless.  Sunburn likely will be factor for fair skinned Penn State late in the game.

Penn State capitalizes on the Brantley interception with a 6 yard TD Pass, Matthew McGloin to Derek Moye.

9:08 1st Penn State 7 Florida 0

Random ABC Shots of Joe Pa aimlessly roaming the sidelines: 4

7:45 1st

Florida goes 3 and out, which is a vast improvement from the last drive.

Joe Pa says the pirate ship in Tampa’s stadium reminds him of the boat he took to “The New World.”

6:25 1st

Florida Safety Ahmad Black picks off McGloin and returns it all the way to the Penn State 15.  If there is anyone who can turn such a great opportunity into zero points it’s Steve Addazio and this Florida offense.

Random ABC Shots of Joe Pa aimlessly roaming the sidelines: 7

5:12 1st

Never failing to disappoint, Florida’s 3rd string QB Trey Burton fumbles into the endzone.  Urban pulls into the lead in the death pool.  Easy money.

2:20 1st

Florida’s offensive coordinator Steve Addazio was recently named the new head coach at Temple.  After the season he had I’m shocked he’s getting that opportunity.  When I heard Addazio was being considered for the Temple job I assumed it meant he was going to be a janitor at a synagogue.

Random ABC Shots of Joe Pa aimlessly roaming the sidelines: 10

1:12 1st

Florida does what it does best, the old Mike Pouncey shotgun snap misfire for an 18 yard loss.   With erratic throws like that Pouncey might work himself into Florida’s QB rotation.

Penn State 7 Florida 0 End of the 1st

How in the hell does ABC not have a microphone on Joe Pa?  I would love to hear what he’s yelling at Assistant coach Mike McQueary.  That poor redheaded bastard is taking a verbal beating from the old man.

13:25 2nd

Matt McGloin throws his 2nd interception of the game.  It says he only threw 4 picks all season?  He might reach that mark before the half.

Florida starts the drive at Penn State’s 15.  Don’t be shocked if Florida punts from inside the redzone.

Omarius Hines takes a reverse 16 yards for a Touchdown.  Hey, Addazio, give this guy the ball more.  He’s built like a Navy Seal.

12:48 Penn State 7 Florida 7

ABC shows an interview of Paterno saying he hopes to come back next season.  Tirico comes back and says, “Paterno is sharp as ever.  He’s telling stories like he did 5-8 years ago.”  Is that even a compliment?

10:12 2nd

Freshman DT Sharrif Floyd blows through the line and destroys Penn State RB Silas Rudd for a 2 yard loss.  Gruden goes on to call him Sharrif Brown 3 times.  Gruden often mistakenly calls players by their first name and their skin color.  He also called Penn State QB Matt McGloin, Matt Insanely-Pale.

Random ABC Shots of Joe Pa aimlessly roaming the sidelines: 13

10:03 2nd  

Citrus Bowl Score update:  Alabama is up on Michigan State 21-0 halfway through the 2nd Qtr.  In a related story, Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio is the new leader in the Death Pool.  Sadly, I wouldn’t win money in that scenario.

6:48 2nd

Florida’s Ahmad Black is a stud.  He blasted Justin Brown, breaking up a sure thing 1st down.   He came up with a blood pouring out of his mouth.  Florida is already without starting CB’s Janoris Jenkins and Jeremy Brown.  If Black is out Florida is getting thin in the secondary.  I recommend moving Deonte Thompson over to defense in a pinch.  They say DB are receivers who can’t catch.  Thompson will be a natural.

Florida finally executes their best offensive play, the punt block for a TD.  The Gators have their first lead of the day.

5:48 Florida 14 Penn State 7

Penn State is picking on the depleted Florida secondary.  McGloin completes a 44 yard bomb to Derek Moye, and punch it in for a TD a play later.

Despite a pair of subpar offensive performances, we have a shootout brewing.

4:09 2nd Penn State 14 Florida 14

Random ABC Shots of Joe Pa aimlessly roaming the sidelines: 13

2:48 2nd

Tim Tebow’s signature play was a QB run on 3rd and short.  Brantley’s signature is a 3 and out, capped off with a 2 yard completion on 3rd and 10.

Meyer moves back in the Death Pool lead after Chas Henry’s 14 yard punt.  Meyer’s look to Henry reads, “Honestly, Chas, do you want my heart explode?”

After watching Joe Pa verbally abuse that Red Headed assistant coach, Penn State kicks a FG and takes back the lead.

:45 Penn State 17 Florida 14

Brantley rolls into a ball and takes a sack before half.

Half Penn State 17 Florida 14

My biggest regret of 2011 is missing Paterno’s interview with Suzy Kolber at the half.

Random ABC Shots of Joe Pa aimlessly roaming the sidelines: 24.  He’s having a huge 3rd Qtr.

10:48 3rd

Jordan Reed is getting all plays on this drive and the Gators are marching down the field.  Yet, after a penalty, the Gators face 3rd & 9, so Addazio brings in Brantley.  It’s a tough spot for Brantley, who throws a quick incompletion.  Even it if had been completed Hines would have been 7 yards short of the 1st down.  This is hard to watch.

Punter Chas Henry nails a 30 yard FG.  Florida ties it up.

9:09 Penn State 17 Florida 17

Florida Frankie Hammonds bobbles Alex Butterworth’s punt, causing Tirico to quip, “Hammonds gets butterfingers on Butterworth’s punt.”  Gruden simply responds, “Fag.”

6:47 3rd

Florida Punter Chas Henry goes rogue and apparently calls his own fake punt.  Urban’s  children corner Henry, saying, “So, you just want us to grow up without our father?  Is that your plan, Chas?”

4:50 3rd

Penn State runs a reverse to speedy Devon Smith for 19 yards.  This guy is SEC fast.  Hey, Joe Pa, give that guy the ball!

Matt McGloin runs it in for a TD.  He’s already showing signs of 3rd degree sunburn on his face and neck.

4:39 3rd Penn State 24 Florida 17

Florida’s going with Jordan Reed on 1st and 2nd down and Brantley on 3rd and long.  They are Lindsey Lohan screwed up.

Chas Henry tries to smooth things over with the Meyer family by drilling a 47 yard FG.

2:42 3rd Penn State 24 Florida 20

I haven’t seen Paterno roaming the sideline in a while.  He must be napping.

:59 3rd

McGloin is picked off for the 3rd time today.  His next will equal his regular season total.

Joe Pa sighting.  He’s laying into that giant red headed coach, the poor bastard.  They’re people, just like you and me, Joe!

End of the 3rd Penn State 24 Florida 20

Florida is quickly faced with a 4th and 2 from their own 17.   2nd string QB Jordan Reed converts on a 3 yard pass to 3rd string QB Trey Burton.

Florida capitalizes on a questionable pass interference call and Mike Gillislee punches it in from the 1 yard line.  Florida takes the lead back.

The sunburn factor is catching up with Penn State.

13:02 4th Florida 27 Penn State 24

Florida has the lead, but Meyer still is in the lead of the Death Pool.  Blood starts trickling out of his ear after an obvious Penn State fumble isn’t reviewed.  I’m browsing real estate on the North Shore of Oahu online.

Random ABC Shots of Joe Pa aimlessly roaming the sidelines: 32.

Jordan Reed has moments where he looks like Cam Newton.  He has more moments where he looks like John Brantley.

Reed and Omarius Hines lead Florida all the way down to the 2 yard line, but they only come away with a FG.  The drive burned a lot of clock, but Penn State is still a TD away from the lead.  Big stop for the Nittnay Lions.

7:32 4th Florida 30 Penn State 24

It’s a race to the grave for these coaches.  Meyer is looking terrible.  He is coaching hard, but this Florida team is very average and it’s killing him.  (Nobody saw that coming, right?)  On the other sideline it’s getting warmer and Joe Pa is getting cranky.  He’s ready to get back to the Happy Valley.  ABC is frequently showing the two in split-screen, hoping to catch the kill shot.  That’s ABC’s phrase, not mine.  I find it repulsive.

Give Joe Pa credit, he looks money in his cashmere polo sweater.  No chance I look that cool when I’m 96.

3:14 4th

Florida burns more clock, but Penn State is getting the ball back with a chance to win the game.

Chas Henry totally redeems himself with a 59 yard punt.  McGloin will have to go 79 yards with no timeouts if he wants to win this game.

1:48 4th

Evan Royster is fresh.  He busts off a run of 23 yards and then goes for 7 more, down to Florida’s 25.  Momentum is with the Nittnay Lions.

Momentum can be a funny thing.  Ahmad Black intercepts Matt McGloin and returns it 80 yards for a TD.  This game is over.  Ahmad Black was a monster today.

McGloin threw 4 interceptions in the regular season and 4 today.   I could make an SEC speed joke here, but Penn State has dominated the SEC in the past.  They don’t deserve that.

:55 Florida 37 Penn State 24

Random ABC Shots of Joe Pa aimlessly roaming the sidelines: 43.

:14 4th

Moses Jenkins steps in front of a Matt McGloin pass giving the Gators 5 interceptions on the day.  A fitting end.  Speed Kills.

Final Score Florida 37 Penn State 24

If you had a bet on Florida winning you’re already up in 2011.  If you are like me then you went all in on the exotic bet of a coach dying during the Outback Bowl.  The future doesn’t look bright for us.

See y’all at the BCS Championship Game.

Florida makes Charlie Weis hiring official

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida officially announced Monday that Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Charlie Weis has taken the same position with the Gators under new head coach Will Muschamp.

Florida also announced that Frank Verducci will be the offensive line coach and running game coordinator. George Wynn, a college teammate of Muschamp’s from Georgia who is currently at Texas, was also named the new assistant athletic director for football operations.

“Charlie was a perfect fit for what I was looking for in an offensive coordinator,” Muschamp said. “He has both college and pro experience
and has been a play caller in the NFL. He has four Super Bowl rings and his accomplishments and his ability to develop quarterbacks speak for
themselves.

“Charlie will remain with the Kansas City Chiefs through the playoffs. We hope the Chiefs make a run to the Super Bowl. Iit would be great for the Chiefs and great for the Gators. Everyone involved with the Kansas City organization has been first class about the transition.”

Weis will also serve as quarterbacks coach.

Verducci has almost 30 years of NFL and college experience.

“Frank will bring a sense of toughness and a physical style of play from our offensive line,” Muschamp said. “It is important that the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator work closely together and always be on the same page. Charlie and Frank had that together at Notre Dame in 2009 and they will have a cohesive plan for the Gators.”

Wynn comes to Florida after serving as assistant athletic director for football operations at Texas.

Verducci coached at Notre Dame in 2009 following a eight seasons coaching in the NFL. Weis is a 32-year veteran of coaching, including 16 in the NFL and five as the head coach at Notre Dame. In addition to his current position with the Chiefs, he had offensive coordinator stints with New England (2000-04) and the N.Y. Jets (1998-99). He has coached in five Super Bowls, owns four Super Bowl rings and has been a part of teams that have appeared in six AFC Championship Games. He’s been given a lot of the credit for developing Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

— David Jones, Florida Today

A Thank-You to Urban Meyer

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While it was surprising to hear Coach Meyer had decided to resign as Head Coach at Florida, the announcement didn’t come with the shock and dismay as last year.

It’s been obvious to many that Urban was not the aggressive, engaged, and fiery leader he was when he came to Gainesville in 2005.  Whether the reason is his health or simply being burned out, he made the tough, and necessary, decision to step down and allow Jeremy Foley time to move the program forward as best as possible.  It seems that some reports are starting to come out that, indeed, his health is partly to blame, so good for him to take care of himself.

As time goes by, upon reflection Gator fans will realize once again what a fundamental change Meyer made to the entire football program from where it was at the end of the Zook Error.  The Gator Walk, the new “Front Door” to Gator Football at the Swamp, the Gator Brick walkway, having the team come over to the band after each game for the alma mater and fight song……great stuff.  Coach Meyer worked his ass off in all phases — recruiting, coaching, mentoring — everything.  What a tremendous ambassador for Florida athletics AND the entire university in general. 

And thinks to Shelley Meyer as well.  She has been a great supporter of not just Gator Football, but her own family as well.  It can’t be stressed enough how challenging the life of a coach’s wife can be, and Urban has said many times what a wonderful person she is and how much of a help she has been throughout his coaching career.

It will be a wild ride the next few weeks as a new Head Coach is announced, and most of the old staff gets replaced.  It’s always a strange time, as it’s hard not to get attached to at least some coaches, but that’s the nature of college football.

This isn’t the first rodeo for Foley, Bernie Machen, and the inner circle.  The new hire may be an established coach, or perhaps a boom-or-bust type of younger guy, but there’s really no reason to start any hand-wringing or angst once the announcement is made.  Just throw your support behind the new Head Gator, and hope for the best. 

The Florida job is one of the elite positions in America……it’s more than likely that a selection will be made from an impressive list of candidates.  The first real task for the new guy will be to keep the 2011 recruiting class together, as well as keeping the current roster intact as much as possible.  There probably will be some attrition, but we’ll have to be patient and let things shake out.

Finally, it is being reported that Coach Meyer will remain associated with the Athletic Dept. in some capacity for at least the next year or so, and I say ‘great!’.  I do not feel he will be seen as any sort of threat to the new Head Coach, but instead an invaluable resource and confidant.

I’ll be back later to discuss the hire of the new Head Gator and staff.

Go Gators!

When there’s a “Will” there’s a way.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Will Muschamp spent 10 years in Gainesville as a kid, graduated from Georgia and coached at Auburn and LSU.

He knows Florida.  He knows the Southeastern Conference.

For the Gators, that outweighed his lack of head-coaching experience.

Florida hired the former Texas defensive coordinator on Saturday night, handing him one of the premier jobs in college football and giving him the tough tasks of following Urban Meyer and rebuilding the Gators after a disappointing 7-5 season. more

Urban Meyer stepping down at Florida

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ESPN – Urban Meyer is stepping down as football coach at Florida, the school’s athletic director announced Wednesday.

“I fully grasp the sacrifices my 24/7 profession has demanded of me, and I know it is time to put my focus on my family and life away from the field,” Meyer said.

A news conference was scheduled for 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Meyer will coach his last game for Florida in the Outback Bowl against Penn State on January 1st in Tampa. more

Florida $t. Review

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A nightmare season is mercifully over, after Florida implodes against a mediocre F$U team in Taliban City.

Not much analysis is needed after viewing this debacle.  The ‘Plan to Win” has been lost, as the Gators turned the ball over, had terrible field position the entire game, and once again could not get off the field on defense on 3rd down.

What a fall from the heights of the past 5 seasons when your team makes Dumbo Fisher and a sore-armed Christian Ponder look like world-beaters.  Even worse, the weak Criminole defense looked competent.  It was obvious the Gators had a huge advantage by playing a power running style, and ripped off chunks of yardage almost at will.  But fumbles and a putrid passing game undermined any hope of scoring enough points to win.

The worst thing to see is how the defense became dispirited the last few games, knowing the offense had no clue as to play winning football.  Not that Teryl Austin  did a great job to start with.  It’s just another indictment against the Dazzler and a terrible offensive staff.

Here’s the funny thing……F$U is celebrating as if they defeated a good team (finally)……the joke’s on them.  They are still a far cry from a very good team.  Maybe this false hope will backfire on them next season.

Florida football is broken right now, and Coach Meyer needs to go back to basics and fundamentals this off-season, and build from the ground up again.  It’s sobering to see how poor coaching can derail even the best program in just one season, and changes have to be made.  The Dazzler, DJ Durkin, Stan Drayton, Scott Loeffler, and maybe Zach Azzanni all may be gone.

Now it’s time to await the bowl matchup, and to get after recruiting in earnest.  At least the staff (or who remains) can sell playing time at many positions right now……but can they overcome the rumored return of the Dazzler?  This subject is already sending negative vibes to recruits, and don’t think that every other program isn’t pounding this home to kids.

I’ll be back with a bowl game preview after Christmas.  Happy Holidays to Gator Nation.

Appalachian St. Review / Florida $t. Preview

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A workmanlike effort on Senior Day, as the Gators’ superior physicality and depth were too much for the Mountaineers to deal with.

The odd cycle of personnel and play-calling continues, as Florida played more of Reed at QB and actually threw more downfield against an outmanned opponent, while force-feeding Brantley and predictable play-calling against SEC teams.  The defense was not great, but played hard and tackled well.

Despite the lopsided score, there are still the same troubling faults that seemingly can’t be corrected by this staff — poor pass blocking against the blitz, and simply no pass rush of significance.  ASU did move the ball decently and could have scored more points with better execution in the passing game. 

Now it’s on to the regular season finale against the School Out West. 

On defense, the Gators simply have to clamp down and play tight coverage on F$U’s WRs.  None of those guys are breakaway threats.  Jenkins has had an A-A season, and should be able to take away Haulstead, who seems to be Ponder’s go-to guy for big plays.  Brown, Riggs, and Moses Jenkins can handle Reed and the rest.  The Criminole running game is inconsistent at best.  They seem to break a long run with Thompson occasionally, but are not physical or dominating behind the Turnstiles.  The matchup between the Seminole OL and Gator DL is one of mediocrity this year, and one that the Gators have dominated recently — this gives F$U a decent chance to win Saturday.  The key may be the Florida LB corps — a unit that has simply not performed well the entire season.  They have to get proper drops in the passing lanes and tackle well.  The bottom line is aggressiveness from all units all game.

Of course, if the late rumors are true that Jenkins may not play due to a concussion suffered against ASU……all bets are off. 

It’s a crapshoot as to what kind of offensive game plan Florida will have ready.  I have little confidence right now in the ability of the staff to scheme for mismatches in personnel.  I do believe that the Gator OL can physically overpower the F$U DL in a power-running game, especially if Burton and Reed are allowed to mix in some counter-plays and sweeps on their own.  But what happens when Brantley is in to throw?  Will the staff actually give him some extra protection to allow a little time to exploit a poor F$U secondary?  The Gators have the advantage in talent in the matchup between their WR vs. the F$U DBs, but will they get the chance to exploit it?  

With no SECCG to prepare for, there is no reason to hold anything back in this game.  This is a huge game for recruiting ramifications and the perception that UF still is the dominant team.  A lot of what Urban Meyer has established since 2005 can be torn down with a poor showing this week.  I’m hopeful that the defense can get some turnovers to help the offense generate some points and lessen the pressure on them to sustain drives all afternoon.  It’s just a shame that the Gators have actually fallen back to the level of F$U and that they can actually lose this one.

Florida 24        Florida $t. 23