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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 17, 2002
GAINESVILLE -- Saturday's game between Florida and Auburn features two defenses decimated by the run Saturday.
Florida (4-2, 2-2 SEC) allowed LSU (4-2, 2-1) to rush for 249, and Arkansas had 426 against Auburn.
"That probably had to be a national record of giving up rushes," Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. "I think probably four or five plays were worth over 200 yards. ... We got to the right spots, we just didn't make tackles."
Florida coach Ron Zook said outside of a few plays, the defense was solid against LSU.
"There were about three plays that counted for over 100 yards," Zook said. "If you go back and take the fake field goal out of there and the three plays that were over 100 yards on offense, then I really think that the defense played really well."
Both teams are in must-win situations, and Tuberville said facing back-to-back desperate teams won't be easy.
"We just played a team like that, that was very hungry, their back was against the wall, they had to play hard and they had to win a game to still have a chance to compete in the Western Division," he said. "And they made more plays than we did. Obviously Florida has had two losses the last couple of weeks to SEC teams, and you lose three in this league it's tough to get to Atlanta. So we're trying to keep away from that two games ourselves. It's two teams that are fighting hard trying to keep their hopes alive to get back to Atlanta."
WORLD'S LARGEST NIGHT PARTY: ESPN announced Wednesday that it will televise the annual Florida-Georgia game Nov. 2 at 7:45 p.m.
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: Okay, for everyone who saw quarterback Rex Grossman smiling and giving high-fives to a few teammates after LSU scored a 25-yard touchdown to take a 26-7 lead with 4:10 remaining in the third quarter, he has a message. He wasn't cheering for LSU.
"I think I was just trying to get our offensive linemen and say, 'We got to score right now. We got to get going,' " Grossman said. "One of those deals. I was trying to get our offense pumped up. I wasn't at all happy LSU scored. That's ridiculous."
Fans have blasted Grossman on radio talk shows in Gainesville, saying the junior needs to be more serious.
But offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher said Grossman is as serious as he needs to be and that his recent troubles (eight interceptions in two games) aren't a reflection of a lack of focus or dedication.
"You're allowed to laugh and have fun," Zaunbrecher said. "Because a guy laughs on the sidelines doesn't mean he's not serious about what he's doing."
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Defensive end Ian Scott isn't known for being a vocal leader, but he has suddenly stepped into that role.
After the loss he admonished some of his teammates who attempted to leave the field after the game without standing at attention during the Alma Mater, a tradition advocated by former coach Steve Spurrier.
"You've got to continue to have respect for the school," he said. "Even though you lose, it's not an opportunity to feel sorry for yourself."
CODE LEADS GATORS: Florida senior Jordan Code of Tampa led Florida to its third straight team title at the Cleveland Golf/Gary Koch Invitational on Tuesday at Old Memorial Golf Course in Tampa. Code shot a career-best 6-under 66 in the final round to finish third and earned a career-best finish with 138. It was his first top 10 finish.
FALL BASEBALL: Florida's baseball team hosts its second annual Home Run Derby at 5:30 p.m. Friday. The event benefits the Children's Miracle Network and marks the end of fall drills.
-- Antonya English covers Florida athletics. She can be reached at (813) 226-3389 or english@sptimes.com