By GREG LUCA Palm Beach Post
Although Florida's starters in the secondary and on the offensive line weren't settled until Saturday night's kickoff, coach Will Muschamp believes he has finally found groups with which he can work.
He said he feels "pretty settled in" about the seven-man offensive-line rotation that played in the 41-3 victory over Florida Atlantic.
With junior Xavier Nixon at left tackle, sophomore Jonotthan Harrison at center and sophomore Jon Halapio at right guard, Muschamp believes he has three solid starters. Add in junior Matt Patchan and freshman Chaz Green at right tackle, plus senior Dan Wenger and sophomore Kyle Koehne at left guard, and UF has what Muschamp called "the mixture of guys that we feel we have a great comfort level with."
In the secondary, Muschamp praised sophomore Cody Riggs, sophomore Jaylen Watkins and freshman Marcus Roberson for their work at cornerback.
Muschamp also said he was very pleased with sophomore safety Matt Elam, a former Dwyer High star who put together a solid game despite not being tested very often by the run or pass.
Muschamp noted that the secondary could look different Saturday against Alabama-Birmingham, as the Blazers' spread attack should force the Gators into more nickel defenses. And, as always, the starters on the offensive line and the secondary will need to practice well to keep their jobs.
"There aren't guys that have created enough separation ... that have really distanced themselves to certainly be that guy and deserve that opportunity week in and week out," Muschamp said.
-- Sophomore fullback Trey Burton and senior wide receiver Deonte Thompson left Saturday's game with injuries, but Muschamp said he expects both to be fine.
Burton has some bruising to his hip and rib area on his left side. Although Thompson stayed down after taking a hard hit to the back of the head, Muschamp said the wide receiver didn't suffer a concussion.
-- Muschamp said he expects junior wide receiver Omarius Hines to return this week after being sidelined by a hamstring injury. He added that two other players who missed Saturday's game, sophomore wide receiver Robert Clark and junior cornerback Jeremy Brown, are "probable to questionable" for the next game.
-- Muschamp offered no further comment on the status of sophomore defensive end Sharrif Floyd, who was declared ineligible moments before Saturday's game. According to UF's official statement, the issue was "not related to sports agents, University of Florida boosters or his recruitment to Florida."
Ron Cohen, Floyd's former coach at George Washington High in Philadelphia, said Floyd is scheduled to have a hearing with the NCAA on Tuesday to potentially resolve the matter.
-- Muschamp reiterated the importance of getting freshman quarterback Jeff Driskel meaningful snaps, saying he would like to do so again this weekend against UAB if the opportunity presents itself. Driskel went 4-for-6 for 42 yards with an interception against FAU while also running twice for 8 yards.
-- Muschamp announced his weekly awards. Senior running backs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey split Offensive Player of the Week, while Demps also won the Big Play Award.
The Scrap Iron Award for best offensive lineman went to Wenger, and Nixon garnered the Extra Effort Award.
Jelani Jenkins took home the Hard Hat Award, Dominique Easley was the most productive player on defense and Jaye Howard was named SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week.
