Colleges

Meyer expects more from run game

By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published September 4, 2006

GAINESVILLE - Senior running back DeShawn Wynn is expected to be fine after suffering a shoulder injury Saturday night, but coach Urban Meyer isn't sure he can say the same about the Gators' running game.

Florida rushed for just 143 yards on 29 attempts against Southern Mississippi, giving Meyer reservations about how much the unit that finished 56th in the nation last season has improved.

"I'm very concerned about our running game," Meyer said Sunday morning. "We had some blocking adjustments that we just didn't make. . . . Without taking any credit away from our opponent, I was very disappointed in our run game and there will be an emphasis on that.

"We're going to try to get (freshman running back) Mon Williams ready to go."

Wynn had an MRI exam and the results were negative, Meyer said, but he'll be held out of contact in practice this week. Running back Markus Manson is also nursing a bruised thigh. Still, Meyer and the coaching staff are searching for that elusive-type back that can create big plays.

"Everybody else seems to have one, a guy that can make someone miss in the open field," Meyer said. (Freshman receiver Percy) Harvin is one.

"It's going to be a tryout camp this week. I want to see who can make a guy miss. If they can, they might be playing tailback for us this week."

Meyer said he isn't giving up on Wynn, whom he said ran hard before he got injured, or Kestahn Moore, who finished the game with 51 yards on 12 carries. Meyer said he believes both players are working hard in practice.

Meanwhile, Meyer hopes to use speedy Harvin in a Reggie Bush-style capacity - in the backfield, as a receiver and on kickoff returns.

THOMAS' STATUS: Senior defensive tackle Marcus Thomas might return to the lineup this week after missing Saturday's game for unspecified disciplinary reasons. Meyer said Thomas and defensive tackle Steven Harris, the subject of disciplinary measures since the spring, will play if they "have a good week."

While he's "very disappointed" in Thomas, Meyer refuses to devote too much time on players who don't follow the rules.

"This team is moving forward," he said. "We don't have time to talk about the players that didn't play. And I think the greatest thing we've done here at Florida is, either do it this way or you don't play. . . . People make decisions, and we made a decision this train's moving real fast. Either jump on it or you're going to get pushed off it.

"I really believe most guys are hanging on to this train as hard as they can."

IF ONLY: Cornerback Reggie Lewis' interception and subsequent 35-yard return in the third quarter was the second of his career, but he wasn't quite satisfied with the result.

"I wish I could do it all over again," Lewis said. "I got tackled at the 5-yard line. I tried to make a move, but somebody came from the opposite side and got me. But next time, I'll get in the end zone."

DID YOU KNOW? The last time a Florida opponent scored the first touchdown in a season opener was Sept. 2, 1995.

[Last modified September 4, 2006, 02:17:53]