Even with an offensive line that coach Will Muschamp described as a MASH unit, Florida racked up 326 yards on the ground in a 31-17 win Saturday against Vanderbilt.
Although Florida was able to win with left tackle Xavier Nixon, left guard James Wilson and center Jonotthan Harrison all limited to various extents by injuries, the week of recovery in the training room for them and the rest of UF’s players will be vitally important with a matchup against No. 3 South Carolina looming.
Vanderbilt entered Saturday 11th in the Southeastern Conference with 179 yards allowed per game on the ground. South Carolina ranked second, allowing just 83.8.
Wilson was scratched before the game after suffering an eye injury during practice Wednesday. The redshirt senior did not travel with the team. Wilson is expected to miss practice Monday and potentially return Tuesday.
Ian Silberman, a sophomore who had been used primarily as an extra offensive lineman in Florida’s heavy sets, made his first career start in Wilson’s place.
Nixon started but went to the locker room with an upper body injury in the first half. Freshman D.J. Humphries took his place.
Harrison also started before going to the locker room with a right arm injury. Harrison returned to the sideline with his arm heavily wrapped, while redshirt senior Sam Robey took his place.
“We did lose a couple of guys on the line,” quarterback Jeff Driskel said. “But we had guys step up, and I was confident in those guys. We had guys step up and I felt like not much was missed.”
Muschamp said he was pleased with the play of Robey, Silberman and Humphries.
“Those guys did a fantastic job of getting a hat on a hat,” Muschamp said. “I was really proud of those guys.”
Tight end Jordan Reed also left the game with an eye injury, but he returned in the second half.
Trey Burton went to the locker room late in the game, and Latroy Pittman left with an ankle injury.
Florida’s defense also dealt with a rash of injuries.
Junior Jelani Jenkins dressed for the game but did not play. Jenkins suffered a left hamstring injury against LSU, a game he played with a cast after fracturing his right thumb against Texas A&M on Sept. 8.
“Jelani Jenkins ran pregame and just didn’t feel good on his hamstring,” Muschamp said. “We felt like we should get him back for next week.”
Freshman Antonio Morrison started in Jenkins’ place and racked up a team-high eight tackles.
Defensive tackle Damien Jacobs, linebacker Neiron Ball, safety Josh Evans and defensive tackle Leon Orr also suffered injuries during the game.
Jacobs and Orr both appeared to suffer leg injuries.
“A lot of people went down, but I feel like we have a one man down, one man up (mentality),” defensive end Earl Okine said. “As soon as one person goes down, we have another person right back up.”
Defensive end Dominique Easley did not dress for Florida. Easley has dealt with pain and swelling in his left knee throughout the season after suffering a torn ACL in the same knee against Florida State on Nov. 26.
“We feel like he’ll be fine for next week but felt like we would be pushing it for next week and needed it to calm down a little bit,” Muschamp said.
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