After a thrilling come-from-behind win at Kentucky, No. 21 Florida (2-1, 2-0 SEC), returns to The Swamp to host Vanderbilt (3-1, 0-1 SEC) in a division showdown. As UF tries to get to 3-0 in conference play, these five Gators are On the Spot this week.
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* Coach Speak: Noah Brindise Q&A
* McElwain addresses suspended players
* Florida line is a work in progress
* McElwain Teleconference Blog
* Film Room: Breaking down the quarterbacks
* Notebook: Players on the sideline saw Swain open
* Notebook: McElwain updates Franks, Toney and Webb
* Former Player Feedback: 10 Rutledge Observations
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Redshirt junior quarterback Luke Del Rio
After playing three games with redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks as the starting quarterback, the Gators are switching things up and going with Del Rio. It will be Del Rio’s first start since Nov. 5, 2016, when the Gators fell 31-10 at Arkansas and Del Rio played through a severe shoulder injury.
Coaches and teammates credit Del Rio with giving the offense a jump start Saturday against Kentucky. Del Rio replaced Franks when the Gators were down 24-14 late in the third quarter. Though he threw an interception on his first possession, Del Rio remained in the game and led the rally to come away with a 28-27 victory. With Del Rio starting the game, the offense will be expected to have that same jump-started look in the first quarter.
Last season, Del Rio’s record was a solid 5-1, but his statline was a mixed bag (114-of-201, 1,358 yards, 8 TD, 8 INT). Many point to the knee and shoulder injuries as reasons for Del Rio’s issues with incompletions and interceptions. Saturday will be his first fully healthy game in over a year.
