Florida senior quarterback John Brantley is off crutches and is hoping to return to practice Monday, coach Will Muschamp said during his news conference today at UF.
Brantley suffered a high right ankle sprain late in the first half against Alabama and has missed the past two games, losses to LSU and Auburn. He won't practice this week.
“Mentally, John is doing everything he can do to get back,” Muschamp said. “He really wants to play. He's been living in the trainer's room for the last three weeks.”
True freshman QBs Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel will split the reps at practice this week. The Gators are on a bye week and play No. 24 Georgia on Oct. 29 in Jacksonville.
The Gators will continue to use Trey Burton in the Wildcat formation, Muschamp said.
This week's focus at practice will be to improve as a team, Muschamp said.
“We're not that far away,” he said. “The biggest problem we have is depth. Things that have really hurt our team is turnover margin. We're minus-seven ... last in the SEC.
“We're looking for answers right now offensively. We've got to find ways to move the ball and score.''
Muschamp also apologized for his language aimed at officials in Saturday's game at Auburn.
“It's hard when you have a 6-year-old and a 10-year-old at home and have to explain to them what you said,” said Muschamp, who added it won't be tolerated at UF.
The first-year head coach also said he's not changing his sideline demeanor.
“I don't think it hurts anything, I can tell you that. I'm going to be who I am.”
In other notes:
Expected back for the Georgia game are defensive end Ronald Powell (reported as a neck injury), running back Jeff Demps (ankle) and kicker Caleb Sturgis (strained leg). ... Muschamp said the Gators need more play-making ability outside among the wide receivers. ... Freshman Kyle Christy is now the starting punter.
