Colleges

Gators take time to mourn Guilford

Several members of the team and staff travel to Blountstown for the funeral of their 19-year-old teammate.

By TIMES STAFF
Published October 17, 2007

GAINESVILLE - In the midst of preparations for Saturday's game at No.8 Kentucky, coach Urban Meyer and some 10 Gators traveled to Blountstown on Tuesday morning for the funeral of Michael Guilford, a teammate killed Friday along with another UF student in a motorcycle accident.

In Guilford's honor, players will wear stickers with his nickname "Sunshine" on their helmets for the rest of the season.

Though Meyer called the early part of Tuesday "obviously a horrible day," he said the team's night was "exceptional."

ROLE EXPANSION:Six games into the season, receiver/running back Jarred Fayson has just five rushes and one reception. Meyer said he hopes to use Fayson in the offense more this week.

"We are going to try to give him that opportunity," Meyer said.

Receiver Percy Harvin said he sympathizes with Fayson's plight.

"We've got a lot of weapons on this team and when you do get the ball, you've got to make something happen with it because you don't know when the next one is coming to you," Harvin said.

Antonya English, Times staff writer

USF defense vs. Rice

USF, ranked 11th in total defense, will be put to the test Thursday against Rutgers running back Ray Rice. The junior has totaled 361 yards and two touchdowns against USF the past two seasons.

"Obviously Ray Rice is a great back, and he's going to challenge us but our defense loves challenges," Bulls defensive end Aaron Harris said.

Last season at Raymond James Stadium, Rice ran for 202 yards and two scores. The Bulls haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher since.

Through six games this season, Rice has 818 rushing yards and the Bulls have allowed just 638.

"We're just going to swarm and punish, that's the way we come out," Harris said. "We're going to have 11 hats to the ball all night long. That's how we're approaching the situation."

Brendan Galella, Times correspondent

FSU still excited

TALLAHASSEE - Florida State coach Bobby Bowden understands how, with neither team ranked, Saturday's game against Miami might not capture the nation's imagination as it once did

That doesn't mean the interest has waned universally.

"I would think your fans and your boosters are just as excited as they ever were," he said Tuesday night. "And to the players, it's Miami. To Miami, it's Florida State. That doesn't change."

POINTS COULD BE RARE: In the past three regular-season meetings, FSU and UM each has just 33 total points. The Seminoles won the past two 10-7 and 13-10.

"The tradition of both ballclubs is defense," Bowden said. " ... If both of us are playing as good as we can, it'll probably be a low-scoring game."

FLUELLEN UPDATE: Senior defensive tackle Andre Fluellen continues to be hampered by an injured left elbow that cost him one game (Colorado) and limited his time in the last three.

"He's just been playing one-armed for three weeks," defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said. "It's not at a point where it's going to hurt him any more. He's going to have pain with it and it takes a tough guy to do that and he's a tough guy."

Brian Landman, Times staff writer

[Last modified October 17, 2007, 00:51:16]