If the Florida Gators’ 2003 media guide is an omen to their season, coach Ron Zook’s second campaign in Gainesville could be as tumultuous as his first.
The guide’s cover features a crocodile, not the school’s alligator mascot, to the dismay of school officials and fans, who have put the heat on Zook since his first day on the job.
Coming off an 8-5 season that ended with a 38-30 loss to Michigan in the Outback Bowl, the Gators look to duplicate the success they had against Southeastern Conference opponents and improve their non-conference record. The team went 6-2 in the SEC, including wins over Tennessee and Georgia, and finished second in the Eastern Division.
Though UF returns 11 starters, the media and coaches picked Florida to finish no better than third in the East in 2003, and to drop tough games against Top 10 teams Miami and Florida State.
The Gators fared well in their first test, jumping up 33-10 on Miami before the Hurricanes (led by former Gator quarterback Brock Berlin) stormed back for a 38-33 win.
The low expectations don’t bother senior Keiwan Ratliff, a returning starter who will play wide receiver and cornerback, where he made 53 tackles and an interception last year.
“I like to see us picked third in our division – that adds to the fire,” Ratliff said on ESPN.com. “Not being ranked in the top 5 or top 10 or even the Top 25 drives us harder.”
Ratliff said the team is more focused on Zook’s goals as a coach as opposed to his predecessor Steve Spurrier, who won six SEC titles during his 12 years as the Gators’ coach.
“I think everyone on our team is now in the coach Zook mindset and is ready and willing to work with him,” Ratliff said. “Last year, I don’t think we had that. I think some of the older guys were still in the coach Spurrier mindset.”
On offense, replacing star quarterback Rex Grossman, wideout Taylor Jacobs and running back Earnest Graham are the top priorities if the team is to compete in the conference. The trio combined for more than 5,000 yards of offense and 41 touchdowns in 2002.
Three players will fight to succeed Grossman, who threw for 3,402 yards and 22 touchdowns last season and was drafted by the Chicago Bears. Junior Ingle Martin should have the edge over highly-touted freshmen Justin Midgett and Chris Leak.
Martin, who was the punter last year and completed 7 of 10 passes for 96 yards in limited action as Grossman’s backup, fared well in his first two starts. He’s thrown for 310 yards on on 21-of-33 passing before suffering a mild concussion against Miami
Leak, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound blue chip player from Charlotte, N.C., was named Parade 2003 Player of the Year and was considered the No. 1 player by The Sporting News, USA Today and Tom Lemming of ESPN. He led Independence High school in Charlotte to three straight state titles and won 46 games in a row.
Leak has been thrown in the mix early, rotating series with Martin in both games. Leak has completed 19-of-29 passes for 204 yards, and could see more action if Martin’s injury is serious.
At his weekly press luncheon, Zook reiterated he and offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher likely will use multiple quarterbacks during a game.
“Somebody’s going to be taking a snap,” Zook said. “There may be two, there may be three, there may be four guys.”
In place of Jacobs, the Gators’ top target last year who caught 71 passes for 1,088 yards, seniors Carlos Perez (58 catches for 581 yards and four TDs in 2002), Kelvin Kight and O.J. Small should see most of the action.
Kight has nine catches for 92 yards in 2003, while Perez has four grabs for 108 yards. Small (eight catches for 74 yards) and Ben Troupe (seven receptions, 76 yards) have garnered time as well.
Junior Vernell Brown and freshman Andre Caldwell should contribute as well. Caldwell, the brother of former UF receiver Reche Caldwell, was a Parade All-American selection and was rated Rivals.com No. 1 receiver coming out of high school.
Junior Ran Carthon was the top ball carrier last season, gaining 563 yards and five touchdowns on 105 attempts. He carried 14 times for 83 yards in the 21-17 win over Vanderbilt last year.
Senior safety Gus Scott and Ratliff are the top returners on defense. Scott had 102 tackles and two interceptions in 2002 and Ratliff also returned 32 punts on special teams. Much of the front seven is gone, including linebacker Bam Hardmon and Mike Nattiel, but defensive tackle Mo Mitchell returns after being voted back on the team earlier in the summer.