Colleges

Clutch receiver steals spotlight

Yes, Tim Tebow plays well. But Louis Murphy sets a Gator spring record for catches with eight.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published April 15, 2007

GAINESVILLE - Nearly three years ago, Urban Meyer stood at a Pinellas County Gator Club gathering and told a sellout crowd that one day Louis Murphy was going to be a star for Florida.

On Saturday afternoon, Murphy finally showed signs of living up to Meyer's expectations - and his own.

The former Lakewood High standout had eight receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown, helping the Blue team to a 27-21 victory over the Orange in front of 47,500 at the annual Orange and Blue Game - the second largest crowd since 2005, when 58,500 attended in Meyer's first year.

Murphy, a junior, had eight receptions to break the record for a UF spring game.

"Louis Murphy's earned a spot as a starting wide receiver at Florida," Meyer said. "I think he had a heck of a day, a heck of a spring. He has come a long way since his first year here. Last year, he was okay, and this spring he went after it. He might be the best fundamental receiver we have right now."

Murphy credits his improvement to a decision to live with veteran receiver Andre Caldwell - the former Jefferson High standout - and a conscientious decision to work harder.

"It's been a long time coming," Murphy said. "I always felt I had it in me. It was just a matter of opportunity. ... I really wasn't into it early in his career, but I always wanted to play football, so I just took another approach."

Murphy may have been the surprise star of the day, but sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow didn't disappoint. He was 17-of-27 for 216 yards and three touchdowns. And he had eight carries for 41 yards.

"I think I've improved tremendously," said Tebow, who along with the rest of the Gators received their national championship rings after the game. "I think I'm a different player now than when I came to the University of Florida. And I think, the coaches, especially Coach (Dan) Mullen, have done a great job of teaching me and helping me with my fundamentals and just correcting a lot of that."

Backup quarterback Cameron Newton struggled early, but the freshman rallied his team to 21 points in the second half. He was 20-of-30 for 275 yards and a touchdown.

"I was kind of nervous," Newton said. "It (the nervous) went out in the second half, and I guess I played pretty well."

The kicking battle, a problem area during much of last season, will continue into the offseason as Jonathan Phillips and Joey Ijjas vie for the job. Ijjas, a Clearwater native, hit 5 of 10 field goals (five were 47 yards or more), including one for 60 yards.

"Honestly, when I first got here, I was happy to be here," Ijjas said. "But as you come in and work, you set goals, and it's definitely one of my goals for next season."

Along with Murphy, Meyer said former Hillsborough High standout Jarred Fayson will start. Fayson, who Meyer said will be "a receiver/utility guy," had five receptions for 75 yards.

UF closed out the spring with lingering questions in the secondary but feeling confident overall.

"Are we talented enough to compete for the SEC?" Meyer asked. "I have to say we are."

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com.

[Last modified April 14, 2007, 23:14:56]