If No. 15 Florida ever needed leaders to emerge, it might be this week, after losing two straight games and having to deal with the death of teammate Michael Guilford, who was killed in a motorcycle accident early Friday morning. Coach Urban Meyer said after Tuesday's practice some of the veterans have taken that leadership role.
"Today was exceptional," Meyer said. "What I saw today, which I have to do a better job of, our premier players, our primos, and everybody only has a few of them, they kind of pulled the string. If they pull the string, the other ones follow. If they have a bad day and they act like a guy who doesn't work real hard, then they let go of the string."
The Gators will have to pull a lot of strings this weekend when they visit seventh-ranked Kentucky. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The game will be televised by CBS.
Senior quarterback Andre Woodson has thrown for 1,786 yards with 21 touchdowns and four interceptions this season. Senior Keenan Burton has 39 receptions for 511 yards and five scores. Three other Kentucky receivers have 22 receptions or more. The Wildcats average 42.7 points per game.
Getting sophomore cornerback Markihe Anderson (knee) back in the rotation will be vital. Meyer said it is crucial for Florida's offense to practice ball control and to make sure the defense keeps everything in front of them.
At this point in the season, he said, there was hope certain positions on defense would have been more advanced. The bye week helped in preparation for the Wildcats, who upset top-ranked LSU in three overtimes last week.
"Obviously, we're facing a very talented team and a team that it's not a fluke, it's a very talented team," Meyer said. "It gives you an extra week to prepare. We didn't take us much time off. We don't deserve that yet. We need to keep improving."
Freshman cornerback Moses Jenkins saw his first action in the 28-24 loss to LSU and Meyer was asked Tuesday whether any other freshmen who have not played might see the field. Meyer said leading up to the Auburn game, a 27-24 Florida loss, that freshman wide receiver Deonte Thompson might play. Thompson has not seen the field yet.
"Moses excites me but all these freshmen, that's almost like it's a four-letter word," Meyer said. "It gives you that feeling in your stomach that they just don't know. Last year we had a (Tim) Tebow and a (Percy) Harvin that were kind of exceptional. They were game ready. We've had other guys show up and it just takes them that time. That's typical across the country."
Florida players and coaches held a memorial service for Guilford on campus Monday night. Guilford's funeral was Tuesday in Blountstown, his hometown. Meyer said he and about 10 players attended. He declined to say which players made the trip. In honor of Guilford, the players plan to wear a sticker on their helmets starting this weekend.