| | GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Classes were canceled at Florida due to
Hurricane Floyd on Wednesday, although the teaching effort was
intensified in the football complex.
NCAA rules say that on days when classes aren't in session,
coaches don't have to adhere to the four-hour time limit with
players. So, for one very important day, the No. 4 Gators got extra
preparation time for Saturday's game against No. 2 Tennessee.
The team met twice, once more than usual. Later, the practice
that had been scheduled for indoors was moved back outside because
severe weather never materialized in Gainesville, which sits about
75 miles inland from the Atlantic.
"We got a lot of meeting time in," coach Steve Spurrier said.
"I don't know if it paid off any. We practiced just so-so today,
at least from the offense's side. Maybe the defense had a better
day."
Defensive coordinator Jon Hoke said every minute counts for a
young defense that has endured its share of trouble this season.
Florida has allowed 784 yards passing in its first two games and
ranks last in the Southeastern Conference.
"You find out every day how little they really know and what
they do know," Hoke said. "From an experience standpoint, they
all don't have a lot of it. Every minute you spend with them extra,
they learn more."
There was hardly any rain on campus and all thoughts of the game
being postponed were forgotten. Saturday's forecast calls for sunny
skies and temperatures in the mid-80s. At game time, it should be
clear and in the mid-70s.
Even before the bad weather became a factor and the extra
practice time was added, Florida players were hinting that the
football game would get most of their emphasis this week.
"The teachers know this is a different week," safety Marquand
Manuel said. "We all know that. We all know what job has got to
get accomplished."
The Gators will return to a normal schedule Thursday. Spurrier
says they need every minute they can get.
"If we play Saturday night like we know what we're doing, then
the extra meeting time was certainly helpful," he said. "Coach
Hoke felt it was beneficial to the defense. I thought it was
beneficial to our guys. We know what to do. Whether we can do it,
that remains to be seen."
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