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UF helped LSU recruit starting QB

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 4, 2001

GAINESVILLE -- Ricky Hunley and Jon Hoke can thank the Gators for helping them lose quarterback Rohan Davey to LSU.

Hunley, Florida's defensive line coach, and Hoke, Florida's defensive coordinator, are former Missouri coaches who tried to recruit Davey when he was a high school player at Miami Lakes.

But Davey said Wednesday his decision to attend LSU was sealed at a 1996 game against Florida.

"What made me decide on LSU was I was watching LSU play Florida, in Gainesville in 1996, and Florida smashed LSU like 50-something to 12 or 14," Davey said. "But what impressed me about it was that (LSU) never really quit.

"And my coach in high school always preached that to us. The sign of a good team or a good program is when they get on the ropes but they never quit. I was impressed because I thought that had to be a reflection of the coaching staff. And I wanted to be a part of it right there."

The final score, by the way, was 56-13.

NOT SO DEATHLY VALLEY: There has been a lot of talk this week about how tough it is to play in "Death Valley," LSU's nickname for Tiger Stadium.

The talk has intensified because Florida enters undefeated, as it was in 1997, when the then-No. 1 Gators were upset at LSU on national television.

But in reality, Tiger Stadium hasn't been all that "deathly" on the Gators. Florida is 5-1 in its past six trips to Baton Rouge and 8-2 in the past 10.

But that doesn't mean things have been perfect. Florida's only two losses to LSU in the past 14 years have been at Tiger Stadium.

THE COST OF SAFETY: Although the actual bills haven't been received, the cost for extra security at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium last week is expected to be approximately $10,000, according to Greg McGarity, associate athletic director for internal affairs.

An additional 25 police officers were on duty along with normal police staff from the Gainesville Police Department and Alachua County Sheriff's Office. They were hired to inspect fans entering the gates and patrol the area. The increased security will become part of the norm.

NEW NEIGHBORS: Hoke and basketball coach Billy Donovan have new neighbors in their Haile Plantation neighborhood.

Florida coach Steve Spurrier recently moved near Hoke, but asked if they were next-door neighbors, Hoke said not exactly.

"He's like behind me and to the side," he said. "There are some woods separating us, so it's not that big of a deal. His lot is much bigger than mine, though."

Meanwhile, Kwame Brown, the high school star who passed up playing for Florida and became the top pick in the NBA draft, is a new part-time Haile resident.

Brown told the Gainesville Sun he considered Gainesville and Orlando and looked at eight homes before deciding on the one he purchased. He signed an $11.9-million contract with the Wizards.

SOCCER HONORS: Junior keeper Jordan Kellgren was named SEC player of the week Monday, her second honor and first for the Gators this season. A 2000 All-SEC selection, she leads the SEC with a 0.45 goals-against average. She has four shutouts and 26 saves.

The Gators host Vanderbilt at 7 p.m. Friday. The first 1,000 fans will receive a T-shirt.

VOLLEYBALL RISE: The October issue of Volleyball magazine ranks Florida No. 6 in the NCAA. The magazine also lists Aury Cruz as one of its 12 candidates to watch for player of the year.

- Antonya English covers Florida athletics. She can be reached at (813) 226-3389 or

english@sptimes.com.

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