Mustangs QB right on the mark

Tate Humphrey sparkles in a preseason win over Land O'Lakes.

By IZZY GOULD
Published August 24, 2007

LAND O'LAKES - One team obsessed about the present while the other gazed into its future.

Mighty Mitchell fought off a pesky Land O'Lakes team in a 27-16 preseason win Thursday before a decent crowd at Gator Stadium. The Mustangs were solid under the direction of senior quarterback Tate Humphrey, who finished 13-for-20 passing for 238 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He had seven carries for 65 yards.

The Mustangs took their second possession 64 yards in three plays and topped it off with a 14-yard Humphrey touchdown to Tyrone Hendrix (four catches, 141 yards) for a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. The Gators cut it to 7-3 on 22-yard field goal by junior Alex Spock. Humphrey's lone blemish came on a third and goal at the 5 where he threw an interception in the end zone.

On the other end was Gators senior Jerome Harrison, who finished with three catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.

Land O'Lakes has three promising quarterbacks in senior Ely Payne (4-for-10, 52 yards), freshman Stephen Weatherford (3-for-3, 62 yards, one touchdown) and junior Ben Hipps (2-for-4, 65 yards, one touchdown). Payne has been tabbed the starter, but Gators coach John Benedetto said Weatherford will play.

Weatherford played two series in the third quarter. After being sacked twice, Weatherford looked more in command in the second series, hitting Harrison in stride for a 40-yard touchdown to make it 21-9.

[Last modified August 23, 2007, 23:44:26]