Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Winning Zook's objective

GAINESVILLE -- Coach Ron Zook knows that Florida fans weren't too happy with the Gators' four-point win over Vanderbilt last week -- or that so many games have been nailbiters.

The Gator faithful are used to more definitive wins, particularly over teams like the Commodores. Florida defeated Vandy 71-13 last season.

But Zook said winning is the ultimate objective and is pleased Florida has won three straight entering its final home game of the season Saturday against South Carolina.

Reaction after the Vanderbilt game reminded Zook of a conversation he had with New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick before the Super Bowl.

"They were not ranked offensively and defensively where you would think that the Super Bowl champs would be, and he looked at me and he said, 'Ron, it's all about winning,' " Zook said. "Obviously it would make my stomach and my heart a lot easier if we had won by 60 or 70, or 30, or 10 or whatever. But I know this, we are coaching as hard as we can coach and we are squeezing everything we can out of the players, and there is more to go.

"I think at the end of this year, when we look back, we are going to feel good about what we accomplished."

NELSON'S HURTING: One highlight of senior basketball guard Brett Nelson's season was supposed to be his return to West Virginia, but that homecoming is in jeopardy.

Nelson, who never has missed a game or practice in his career, may have a stress fracture in his right foot and could miss up to four weeks.

"I've been pretty lucky, but this kind of stuff happens and you've got to fight through it," he said. "It was hurting Saturday and I haven't put any pressure on it since. I don't even know if I can walk on it. I can walk on my heel, I just can't walk down on my toes where it hurts. I'll find out this weekend when we start running."

Florida plays at West Virginia on Dec. 3. Nelson, from St. Albans, W.Va., said he will work hard to get healthy for that game.

"The civic center is only five minutes away from where my house is," he said. "But even if I don't get to play, it's going to be nice to go back home. I'm pretty sure I'll play, I'll make sure of that. I hope I'll be back by Tuesday. We'll just see how it goes."

HOMECOMING ACTIVITIES: Several activities are being held this week to highlight homecoming.

Gator Gallop, the annual 2-mile fun run on University Avenue, begins at 11 a.m. Friday at Percy Beard Track. Preregistration is $10, and it is $15 race day. Call (352) 337-0022.

The volleyball team will play host to Gator Grub. The first 1,000 fans at the 5 p.m. match against South Carolina will get free tickets to a barbecue dinner served during it. Fans with Gator Growl tickets will be admitted free. Fans can get a free admission coupon at www.gatorzone.com. Regular admission is $3 for adults; 17 and younger are admitted free.

And Friday night, comedian and TV star Bill Cosby will perform at Gator Growl at 7 p.m. on Florida Field. General public tickets are $15, and UF student tickets $10. They are available through www.ticketmaster.com or at the University Box office.

NOT ME: Senior wide receiver Taylor Jacobs said he expects to play, two weeks after spraining his right knee. But his close friend, quarterback Rex Grossman, said if the situation were reversed, he wouldn't play.

"He did the same thing to his knee that I did (against LSU)," Grossman said. "If it was me playing receiver, I probably wouldn't be back until the bowl game because it's hard to cut. ... He's got (an NFL) future ahead of him and he doesn't need to mess around with it. He's doing good. He might be back for the Florida State game, but I don't see him back for this game at all."

-- Antonya English covers Florida athletics. She can be reached at (813) 226-3389 or english@sptimes.com.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright