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Equipment manager gets revenge

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 30, 2001

GAINESVILLE -- Revenge may not have been a priority for Florida, but equipment manager Clay Carter had it on his mind.

During Mississippi State's postgame celebration last season, Carter was hit in the head by Bulldog fans and received a grade-three concussion.

"He wanted this one probably more than the team," coach Steve Spurrier said.

To give Carter redemption, Spurrier said the Gators would score a touchdown for him.

Carter approached Spurrier near the end of the fourth to remind him of his promise, and he got it.

Brock Berlin hit Carlos Perez for a 23-yard score, and Carter got a game ball.

"I definitely thought it was revenge," Carter said. "He told me to remind him during the game."

TIGHT DEFENSE: After giving up more than 500 yards in offense and 351 rushing yards last season, the Gators held Mississippi State to zero yards of offense and two rushing yards in the first quarter.

Defensive end Alex Brown said MSU's yardage last season was an embarrassment to the defense.

"It kills you. We can't do anything about last year," he said. "That is going to stick until the day I die. In 2000 they rushed for so many yards. That's going to be there."

LAST TIME: The last time Mississippi State beat the Gators in Gainesville was in 1965, winning 18-13.

Spurrier was in his junior year as quarterback at Florida, and MSU's Jackie Sherrill was a senior at Alabama.

The loss cost the Gators the SEC title that went to the Crimson Tide, which had a 4-1-1 conference record.

Florida was 4-2 in the SEC.

REMEMBRANCE: Before Saturday's kickoff, Florida held a moment of silence to honor Sue Young, wife of Florida President Charles Young, who died Friday morning in California.

The 69-year-old lost a lengthy battle with cancer and is survived by her husband, two children and seven grandchildren.

UNRANKED LOSS: Florida's loss to MSU last season was the first to an unranked opponent for Spurrier. It snapped a nation's-best 72-game winning streak against unranked teams.

PLAYING IN PAIN: Cornerback Lito Sheppard, who was limited in practice most of the week after pulling his groin against Kentucky, started against the Bulldogs. He had one tackle and 36 yards on four punt returns.

FIRST START: With Bulldog tailback Dicenzo Miller out, Dontae Walker made his first start. He rushed 10 times for 27 yards.

Backup tailback Fred Reid, a former King High standout, rushed for 14 yards on four carries.

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