So proud of this team! Wow! Happy New Year!
Stacey Sent from Gator Goddess' iPad On Jan 1, 2013, at 8:40 AM, Shane Ford <[email protected]> wrote: > FLORIDA FOOTBALL > Business as usual for Gators > > Florida coach Will Muschamp watches practice Monday at the Superdome in New > Orleans. > > Matt Stamey/ Staff photographer > By Robbie Andreu > Gainesville SUN Staff writer > Published: Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 6:01 a.m. > Last Modified: Monday, December 31, 2012 at 10:00 p.m. > NEW ORLEANS — Bourbon Street, and all that goes with it, is a relatively > short walk from Florida's team hotel. But as far as the Gators are concerned, > the famous/infamous street might as well be University Avenue. > > Facts > Wednesday > Florida vs. Louisville, 8:30 p.m. on ESPN > Despite potential distractions all around them, the Gators say this game week > for the Sugar Bowl has been no different than any game week back in > Gainesville. > > The focus is on football and football only. > > This may be a party town, but the Gators apparently aren't doing much of > that. Not even on New Year's Eve. > > “Normal Thursday practice for us today,” UF coach Will Muschamp said Monday. > “It's not New Year's Eve, it's Thursday practice. It's normal game week. > We're ready to go. > > “No, we will not (celebrate the New Year). We'll be asleep.” > > Several players have made the short trek to Bourbon Street over the past few > days, but they haven't stayed long. The favorite gathering place of the > players apparently has been the team hotel. > > “It's like we're back in Gainesville,” sophomore cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy > said. “We haven't been going out a lot, really. We've just been laid back, > getting a lot of rest. We've had to get up at 7:15 every morning, so I don't > think anybody has wanted to go out, really. > > “It's just been another week of practice. Today was Thursday. We're really > focused on this game.” > > The players have been given the go-ahead to grab a taste of the nightlife if > they wish. But senior place-kicker Caleb Sturgis said staying in has been a > more popular choice on most nights, and that the curfew Muschamp put on the > players at the start of the stay has not been much of a factor. > > “I think more players are hanging around the hotel,” he said. “They have a > great suite they provide for us. I think the guys here just really enjoy > being around each other. We've stayed in the hotel a little bit more (than in > past bowl games).” > > Muschamp said none of the players have missed curfew since the team arrived > in New Orleans. > > Muschamp was asked Monday how his players have dealt with all the potential > distractions. > > “Very well,” he said. “Been on time for everything. Everyone's been at > everything they're supposed to be at. > > “I've been very pleased with them. They've acted like a mature football team, > which is what they are.” > > It's a mature team that's focused on getting ready for a game, just like the > Gators have done throughout this 11-1 season. > > “This feels exactly like a normal game week,” Sturgis said. “This is our > normal Thursday before a game. > > “I don't think anyone's mind is on anything else. I think we're an > accountable football team. We've got a good group of seniors and great > underclassmen who take things very seriously. When you're accountable and > doing the right things, you're going to have a good game.” > > There were no plans for an exciting — and late — New Year's Eve. > > “I'm just going to be in my room hanging out with my roommate,” fullback > Hunter Joyer said. “I'll probably be playing some video games.” > > Purifoy had a similar night planned. > > “I might be to bed early,” he said. “That's what we need to be, asleep.” > > It's kind of the same way things would be if the Gators were back in > Gainesville on a Thursday night before a game. > > “Coach Muschamp is making sure that we're focusing only on the game and not > the other distractions,” punter Kyle Christy said. “We're treating this like > a normal game week. We'll take it easy, relax and hang out at the hotel. > > “We're extremely focused.” > > Contact Robbie Andreu at 352-374-5022 [email protected]. Also check out > Andreu's blog at Gatorsports.com. > > > > > > > > > > > Sent From Shane's iPhone > Go Gators! & Skol Vikes! > > -- > GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! > 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions > 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions > 2008 National Football Champions | > Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), > Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us
