Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel believes he made substantial strides during the bowl practices and gets his chance to prove it next week against Louisville.
Florida will face the Cardinals in the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday (8:30 p.m., ESPN) in its first game since beating Florida State five weeks ago. Driskel, a sophomore in his first year as a starter, has gotten healthier and sharper during the break.
“I think I’m a ton better,” he said. “It’s learning how to prepare and learning how to watch yourself on tape. As you get older and learn how to do it, you obviously improve.”
He is completing 64.8 percent of his passes this season with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also has four rushing touchdowns.
Easley leaving? Florida defensive end Dominique Easley declined to talk about his impending decision between returning for his senior year and entering the NFL Draft.
“I think we should address that another time,” he said after Friday’s practice at the Superdome. “It’s difficult. It’s my future, so it’s a difficult process.”
Easley, a junior, seems unlikely to be selected in the first two rounds of the draft. In three seasons at UF, the past two as a starter, he has 62 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He has four sacks this year.
Several other juniors, including safety Matt Elam from Dwyer High School, are facing the same choice
Gators issue-free thus far: There were no notable or surprising absences from Florida's practice Friday morning. Other than two players — punter Kyle Christy and offensive lineman Kyle Koehne — having weather-related travel issues, the Gators' Sugar Bowl preparation has been problem-free.
Defensive tackle Leon Orr practiced Friday and is expected to play in the Sugar Bowl after missing the last four games of the regular season due to the flu and a kidney infection.
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