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Extra points

By Compiled by JOANNE KORTH

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 5, 2000

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: TODD JOHNSON

GAINESVILLE -- Safety Todd Johnson has been singled out after nearly every game this season. In a season marked by dismal defense, Johnson has been worthy of praise.

"Todd's a great competitor," freshman receiver Jabar Gaffney said. "He never gets overconfident, so he's always trying to get better. He always comes to play. No matter who the running back or receiver is, he's going to make the tackle."

Being known as the player who will make the tackle makes Johnson notable for the Gators, who are having trouble tackling. Johnson has a team-high 44 tackles, 17 more than the No. 2 player. He also has a knack for turnovers; he has two interceptions and three fumble recoveries.

His 76-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Middle Tennessee State was Florida's longest since the NCAA ruled in 1990 that fumbles could be returned.

"I try to be humble," said Johnson, a redshirt sophomore from Sarasota Riverview. "You have to understand that sometimes God puts you in situations where you are going to succeed, and you have to deal with it the best way you can. I've just got to keep trying hard and trying to improve game in and game out."

Johnson, 6 feet 1, 191 pounds, is one of the Gators' hardest workers. He learned to be diligent when he was an undersized high school freshman. By the time he had a growth spurt in 10th grade, his work ethic was ingrained.

"He takes coaching well and is always in there trying," defensive coordinator Jon Hoke said. "He gives great effort. He's an instinctive football player, and Todd plays with a great deal of pride."

After playing the first four games at strong safety, Johnson replaced struggling sophomore Daryl Dixon at free safety Saturday against Mississippi State. He responded with 17 tackles (14 solo) and an interception.

"He's obviously a good tackler and has got a feel for the ball back there," coach Steve Spurrier said. "He's playing very well. He's probably our most consistent defensive player right now."

QUOTABLE

"The relationship I have with Brock and Jesse is, like, "Don't talk about that." We kind of bring up another subject, something unrelated to who gets to play and who doesn't. We know it's there, but we don't really talk about it."

REX GROSSMAN, freshman quarterback on the battle for playing time among he, senior Jesse Palmer and freshman Brock Berlin.

HEADS OR TAILS?

Senior co-captain Alex Willis, a receiver sidelined the past two weeks by a sprained ankle, is questionable for Saturday's game but will be in uniform for one important reason. Willis will represent the Gators at the coin flip. Last week defensive players Marquand Manuel and Daryl Owens got confused, and UF kicked off both halves against Mississippi State. Willis, a member of his high school National Honor Society and a business major at UF, will sort through the options of deferring, receiving, kicking and choosing an end zone to defend.

MAKING A POINT

Placekicker Jeff Chandler was dismayed when he missed an extra point from 35 yards Saturday, leaving UF with a 24-23 deficit at Mississippi State. He also was annoyed that a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Robert Gillespie, who celebrated a touchdown by directing UF's pep band, turned a chip-shot kick into something trickier.

"I've told the guys they shouldn't put me in situations like that, even though I should make it," Chandler said. "I was told to act like you've scored a touchdown before and act like you're going to be there again. But I'm used to it. That's like the fifth one I've kicked since I've been here, and I'm sure it will happen again."

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