THE SCOOP
Florida will play without defensive tackle Dominique Easley, one of the team’s better players, for the remainder of the season.
Coach Will Muschamp says Easley “tweaked” his right knee during a non-contact drill in practice Tuesday.
Easley, however, indicated on his Twitter page Wednesday that he’s done for the season. He tweeted: “Gatornation thank you for all of 4 yrs of sticking with me but god has something else planned for and have no worries #believe.”
The school later announced that Easley will have season-ending surgery.
Easley has four quarterback hurries and two tackles for loss this season. He sustained a torn ACL in his left knee in 2011.
INJURY UPDATE
Ole Miss linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche (Grayson High) is optimistic he can play against Alabama as he recovers from torn meniscus in a knee that he sustained Aug. 29.
“He’s close,” Rebels coach Hugh Freeze told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. “You can tell he has a slight little hitch when he tries to burst, but he’s better than I really thought he would be.” Freeze said if the knee responds positively to practice time this week that Nkemdiche would make the trip. Defensive coordinator Dave Wommack, when asked how much the defense missed Nkemdiche, said: “A lot.”
ON AGENTS
SEC Commissioner Mike Slive remains critical of the NCAA’s rules governing agents, an issue that continues to plague his league. “I feel like the current NCAA rules and regulations are part of the problem, they’re not part of the solution,” Slive said late last week with The Associated Press.
“What we had hoped for was for a total rethink of the rules and regulations as they relate to agents,” Slive said. “A task force was formed and began to do some work and then for reasons I’m not clear on, the conversations ended.”
He’s pushing for changes in the NCAA that include affording prospect-heavy leagues like the SEC to take action. “We need to create rules that allow our student-athletes to deal with agents in sunshine, not deal with runners that are going down back alleys,” he said.
PLAYING EARLY
Mississippi State has played 13 freshmen on defense and have relied heavily upon young players in the secondary because of injuries. Jay Hughes, Nickoe Whitley, Taveze Calhoun, Jamerson Love and Dee Arrington have all missed time after being hurt, with Hughes lost for the season after Week 1. Underclassmen Kendrick Market, Cedric Jiles, Tolando Cleveland, Quadry Antione, Deontay Evans and Kivon Coman have been among the reserves.
“When you turn on the film you’re going to see a lot of young guys,” coach Dan Mullen told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. “But you’ve got to be 30 deep on defense if you want to be really good in this league or at least 22 deep. If you get two and half (players) at every position you’re in good shape. We’ve got to play guys to survive in the SEC.”
QUOTABLE
“We’re not afraid to punt the ball.” — Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease about the state of the Gators, who have statistically the best defense in the SEC, but have struggled to put together cohesive offensive performances.
About the Author
