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By Compiled by JOANNE KORTH
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 12, 2000
Player spotlight: Clint Mitchell
GAINESVILLE -- When freshman defensive end Clint Mitchell moved into the starting lineup three weeks ago, he brought new energy and an old attitude.
Mitchell is a Gators legacy.
His older brother, Jeff, was an All-Southeastern Conference center from 1993 to 1996, during which time Florida won four league titles and the national championship. Tagging along, Clint had an insider's view.
"It's pretty special," Clint said. "You've been here, you've seen it growing up and you know what should be expected out of the Gators. But that makes it hard, too, when stuff like that doesn't happen. You try to do your best for the team and want the team to be as good as you've seen in the past."
Clint, from Countryside High in Clearwater, was a redshirt last season. At 9-4, it was one of Florida's most frustrating in a decade, and there was nothing he could do about it.
"Mentally, you go from playing both ways in high school and being all-whatever and coming here you're Mister Little Man and redshirted," said Clint, 6 feet 7, 254 pounds. "But you have to make the most of it."
This season, despite depth at defensive end, Clint was determined to make a difference. In three starts, he has 11 tackles, including one sack, and four quarterback hurries.
"He's very active and that's what makes him good," junior offensive lineman Kenyatta Walker said. "Every time I think of him, I think, "Here comes ol' wild Clint; he's going to come full speed.' He's really learning his technique. Every game he's getting better."
Growing up, Clint and Jeff, now the starting center for the Baltimore Ravens, waged some classic battles.
"I've got some scars," said Clint, six years younger than Jeff. "He's a lot bigger than me. He got my dad's size and I got my mom's size. I'm tall and skinny; he's big and thick.
"We were playing football in my mom's room one time and he split my head open and I had to get seven staples. I was about 7. He says that's what made me tough now... . Yeah, that's what he says."
- Extra Points compiled by Joanne Korth
In six games, Florida has started 44 players, enough for two full teams. Which six players -- three on offense, three on defense -- have started every game?
Answer: Offensive linemen Mike Pearson, Thomas Moody and David Jorgensen; defensive tackle Gerard Warren; cornerback Lito Sheppard; and safety Todd Johnson.
The home team is 33-5 in Southeastern Conference games this season. The only teams with road victories are No. 19 Auburn (at Ole Miss, 35-27), No. 10 Florida (at Tennessee, 27-23), Ole Miss (at Vanderbilt, 12-7), No. 14 Georgia (at Arkansas, 38-7) and No. 24 South Carolina (at Kentucky, 20-17).
Freshman tailback Ran Carthon made his first career start against LSU with dubious results: He had as many stitches as rushing attempts. Nervous in front of family, friends and 85,000 fans, Carthon fumbled after rushing four times in UF's first five plays. He recovered the ball, but his face mask nicked the bridge of his nose, requiring four stitches.
"I felt like, and I'm sure the coaches felt I would be more composed," said Carthon, whose father, Maurice, won two Super Bowls as a fullback with the New York Giants. "I mean, hey, I'm a freshman. This is not the last you've heard from me."
Senior placekicker Jeff Chandler needs seven points to become the school's all-time scoring leader.
(Player, Points, TDs, FGs, PATs)
1. Bart Edmiston (1992-96) -226 -0 -22 -160
2. Judd Davis (1992-94) -225 -0 32 -129
3. Emmitt Smith (1987-89) -222 -37 -0 -0
4. Jeff Chandler (1997-) -220 -0 -40 -100
5. Errict Rhett (1990-93) -216 -36 -0 -0
Florida's average time of possession for its 31 offensive touchdowns is 1 minute, 57 seconds. Four took less than 30 seconds; none took longer than four minutes.
"The home run you hit yesterday isn't going to win the ball game today. Everybody said the defense came out and played well against LSU, but we want to build on that." -- Gerard Warren, junior defensive tackle
WHO: No. 19 Auburn (5-1, 3-1 SEC).
WHEN/WHERE: 3:30 p.m. Saturday; Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville.
TV: Ch. 10.