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Shannon press conference blog: OL out for rest of year, Zaire status update

Florida head coach Randy Shannon communicates with players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina defeated Florida 28-20.
Florida head coach Randy Shannon communicates with players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina defeated Florida 28-20. ((AP Photo/Sean Rayford))

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Interim head coach Randy Shannon addressed the media on Monday to recap Florida's 28-20 loss to South Carolina and preview the Gators' match-up with UAB. Shannon also provided updates on important injuries.

* Shannon said that the result was disappointing, but the team did a lot of "great things" against South Carolina. He noted that the team played hard and "flew around" on both sides of the ball.

* Senior wide receiver Brandon Powell didn't dwell on his muffed punt and was able to shake it off.

* Redshirt sophomore center T.J. McCoy is likely out for the season. Graduate quarterback Malik Zaire is day-to-day with a knee injury. Freshman defensive tackle Elijah Conliffe is also day-to-day.

* Redshirt freshman quarterback Feleipe Franks will be the starter with Zaire's status unknown. Redshirt junior wide receiver Dre Massey has been working as the emergency quarterback.

*Injuries on the offensive line will lead to some shuffling, according to Shannon. Junior Tyler Jordan, who has been a multi-position backup, will focus on center.

* The absences due to injury take a toll on the players as many of the players out were seen as leaders and important voices in the locker room.

* The punt returner spot will be decided by who does best in practice this week. Massey and sophomore wide receiver Freddie Swain will work at the position.

* Shannon's impressed by the number of fifth-year seniors UAB has on defense. The players stuck around during the program's two-year absence.

* Junior defensive tackle Taven Bryan has played at a high level, but Shannon sees room for improvement.

* Junior defensive end Cece Jefferson stepped up against South Carolina in Shannon's observation.

* Shannon could tell sophomore linebacker David Reese had leadership qualities when he recruited him.

* When asked for details on the injury, Shannon said he could not share "all the things that are wrong with" Zaire.

* Shannon said the current assistants are professionals and will prepare for games and not be distracted by uncertainty with their job status at Florida.

* Massey is the No. 3 quarterback over freshman athlete Kadarius Toney because he has taken more reps at the position recently due to Toney's injury. Toney worked at quarterback during the spring.

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