So, why did Valdez Showers return the kickoff instead of Andre Debose?
Oliver Barry, CRS, GRI Bob Parks Realty, LLC Real Estate Broker 145 Maple Row Blvd Hendersonville TN 37075 Phone: 615-826-4040 Mobile: 615-972-4239 <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Shane Ford Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2014 8:47 AM To: GatorNews Subject: [gatornews] [SUN]: Gator debut turns to washout Gator debut turns to washout <http://www.gatorsports.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=GS&Date=20140830&Category=COLUMNISTS&ArtNo=140839967&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Main&MaxW=445&border=0> Florida Gators kick returner Valdez Showers (10) runs a 64-yard opening return during the first half of the Gators' game against Idaho Saturday, August 30, 2014 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Rob C. Witzel / Staff photographer By <http://www.gatorsports.com/personalia/patdooley> Pat Dooley Gainesville SUN Columnist Published: Saturday, August 30, 2014 at 11:54 p.m. Last Modified: Saturday, August 30, 2014 at 11:54 p.m. It was 9:25 Saturday night when Will Muschamp walked out on the field to loud cheers. By this time in the night we figured he would know a lot more about his team. Instead, it was then that we learned a lot about a lot of Florida fans. Muschamp signaled the ones who stayed with a thumb in the air and they screamed back at him. They had already dealt with lightning flashes, thunder rumbling and almost three hours of delay. But they stayed because they wanted to see this team. They had waited 329 days since their last win. What was another day? On a surreal night (I've never heard the national anthem sung with such gusto), it was only appropriate that Valdez Showers started the game with a 64-yard kickoff return. And then, as Jeff Driskel approached the line for his first snap since breaking his leg last year, there was another stoppage of play. Lightning had been spotted in the area and the teams headed to the locker room. They never came back. The fans who stayed, who gutted it out and cheered louder the harder it rained, deserved better, but rules are rules. It was a night I don't think I'll forget for a long time because of those fans. They were crazy loud for their numbers. And it was amazing how many hung in there. “The Gator Nation showed why they're the best fans in the country, starting with one of the most enthusiastic Gator Walks that we've had since I've been here,” Muschamp said in a statement. We didn't get a chance to learn a lot on Saturday night, but we did learn that any rumors about the disinterest of the students were greatly exaggerated. The drenched crowd made the most of the night, cheering against Florida State when the Seminoles were on the big video screen and belting out songs playing on the public address system. Muschamp talked often throughout camp about adversity, how he knew it was coming and wanted to see how his team handled it. He didn't have to wait long. The talking season was behind these Gators and they were ready to show us all what they had accomplished in camp. This first game was the carrot waiting for a team that has worked with opening day in mind since November. The Gators barely got to nibble it. Even after the lengthy first delay, we saw a team that hit the field with great enthusiasm and energy. You got the feeling they would have played in a hurricane just to get back on the field. But it wasn't their call. Now we have to wait to see the new offense, the revamped defense, the kickers, the receivers. All we know for sure is that Showers is still fast. The question that is obvious is how it will affect this team in the long haul. We remember all too well what happened in 2004. Ron Zook's opening game was canceled by the threat of a hurricane. It was rescheduled for Florida's open date, and Zook confided to friends he was worried that his team might be mentally drained at some point because it didn't have that open date to look forward to. Of course, that day came in Starkville, Miss., when the Gators lost to a team that had lost to Maine that season. It's different this year because Florida has two open dates. The one before Georgia is also an open date for Idaho, but there are so many issues that Jeremy Foley and his staff have to consider. Do you bring the Vandals back? Do they get expenses again? How many people will save their tickets? I'm getting a headache just thinking about it. We had a hundred discussions about different scenarios. Personally, I'd just forget about it and make it an 11-game season. I don't see any benefit in playing this game in October. But I sure wish we could have seen it Saturday night. Contact Pat Dooley at <tel:352-374-5053> 352-374-5053 or at <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]. And follow at Twitter.com/Pat_Dooley. Sent From Shane's iPhone Go Gators! & Skål Vikes! ALPCA #8756 Europlate #1045 -- -- 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 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "GatorNews" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- -- 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 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "GatorTalk" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
