After struggles on offense in a 13-6 win over Vanderbilt, Florida received some encouraging news on the injury front heading into Saturday’s showdown at The Swamp against LSU.
Starting quarterback Luke Del Rio was back at practice this week for the No. 18 Gators, and if his injured knee holds up, he could return to play against the Tigers.
“This is something that Luke has been targeting,” Florida coach Jim McElwain said. “So he wants to see if he can play, and that’s good. But I’m not going to put him out there unless he’s ready.”
Kickoff is at noon ET at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field in Gainesville.
Del Rio started Florida’s first three game, completing 62 of 101 passes for 762 yards with six touchdowns and touchdowns interceptions before suffering a knee injury while getting sacked against North Texas. If Del Rio can’t play, senior backup Austin Appleby will start his third straight game at quarterback.
The Gators (4-1, 2-1) are hopeful that Del Rio’s possible return will provide a spark to an offense that generated just 236 yards and one touchdown against the Commodores. After passing for 296 yards against Tennessee in his first start, Appleby threw for 236 against Vandy. He is 42-of-67 passing in his two starts.
“Our effort is 100 percent better,” McElwain said of the offense. “Consistency and performance are nowhere where they need to be.”
A problem has been getting the running game going. The Gators rushed for only 106 yards against Tennessee and a meager 92 against Vandy. Sophomore running back Jordan Scarlett is emerging as the primary ball carrier, but rushed for only 99 yards in the two games combined. For the season, Scarlett has a team-high 274 yards rushing.
“He plays with good pad level and he keeps his feet moving,” McElwain said. “Had some good yards after contact.”
LSU seems to have solved its offensive woes, at least temporarily. The Tigers (3-2, 2-1) played inspired football in its first game under interim coach Ed Orgeron, breaking out of their season-long offensive doldrums for a 42-7 beatdown of Missouri.
Heisman running back candidate Leonard Fournette also is expected to return for LSU against the Gators after sitting out last week with an ankle injury. Fournette’s backup, Derrius Guice, rushed for a career-high 163 yards on 17 carries.
“They’ve got a rested Fournette and he’s as good as there is,” McElwain said. “And their backup is not too shabby, either.”
It was a record-setting night on offense for LSU, which was playing its first game with former Tigers quarterback Steve Ensminger taking over as offensive coordinator from Cam Cameron.
LSU accumulated 634 yards — its most ever against an SEC team. The previous best showing against a conference foe was back in 1987 when the Tigers amassed 630 yards against Ole Miss.
“We spread them out a little bit and we started throwing the ball to loosen them up on the run,” Orgeron said.
Quarterback Danny Etling completed 19-of-30 passes, connecting with nine different receivers, for 216 yards. He didn’t throw for a touchdown but didn’t need to as Guice and Darrel Williams each ran for three scores.
“Spreading them out helps the run game,” Etling said. “It opened up some holes and forced them to extend their defense. It makes it easier for (us) to break tackles.”
The Tigers took advantage of the different formations to rush for 418 yards, their most against an SEC opponent since 1976 when they rushed for 426 against Ole Miss..
“It’s exponentially easier to run the ball” fullback John David Moore said of the benefits of the spread. “When they don’t know if it’s run or pass and they’ve been burnt a few times, they’ve got to respect both.
“When you don’t know if we’re going to run it, and we come downhill at you, it’s hard to stop. It forces them to respect the personnel we’re in, but then you run another play out of it. It’s pretty smart.”
In addition to Guice’s total, Williams had 130 yards on 21 carries.
“I’ve been seeing those guys run and I’m excited about them,” Orgeron said. “There’s some things they do fabulous. Obviously, Leonard’s a great player, but I told our guys, ‘Your time’s gonna come. When it does, let’s see what you got.’ “
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