Florida defensive tackle Brandon Antwine is in familiar territory: facing more adversity.
Antwine, a 300-pound junior from Garland, Texas, re-injured his shoulder against Mississippi State last month and might need season-ending surgery.
“Your heart bleeds for him because he’s all Gator, he’s 100 percent in and he’s a really good player,” coach Urban Meyer said. “He’s fighting like a maniac.”
That might be an understatement considering all Antwine has gone through to stay on the field.
Antwine battled back from a near career-ending back injury in 2007 and a torn knee ligament last November. He tried to play though his shoulder injury, but the setback has team doctors considering surgery that would end his season early for the third consecutive year.
No one should count Antwine out, though. Not given his history.
In October 2007, Antwine was hospitalized with severe back pain following a practice.
n Meyer believes SEC officials missed a late hit on Tim Tebow in Saturday’s game against Georgia.
Meyer said Wednesday the crew calling the game should have flagged Bulldogs linebacker Nick Williams for knocking his quarterback to the ground well after he had gotten rid of the football.
Meyer sent video of the play to Rogers Redding, the league’s coordinator of officials. Meyer declined to reveal what the SEC told him, saying he didn’t “want to step out of line.”
n With all the negative attention “weighing heavy on his heart,” Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes asked to serve a full-game suspension for apparently trying to gouge the eyes of a Georgia running back.
Meyer obliged, saying that it was in the top-ranked Gators’ best interest that Spikes sit out Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt.
FLORIDA ST. — Bobby Bowden is hoping that his starting quarterback can get back to practice soon as the Seminoles prepares Saturday’s game at Clemson.
Bowden said Wednesday that Christian Ponder did not take part in Monday or Tuesday practices and was limited to a few gentle lobs on the sidelines as he recovers from bruised ribs suffered in last weekend’s win over N.C. State.
CONNECTICUT — A Hartford man has been charged with lying to police investigating the stabbing death of UConn football player Jasper Howard.
UConn Police Lt. Andrew Fournier says 18-year-old De’Quan Muhammad was arrested on Monday and charged with making a false statement, hindering prosecution and interfering with an officer.
DALLAS FOOTBALL CLASSIC — The replacement for the Cotton Bowl game has been lined up.
Dallas city leaders say the Dallas Football Classic is planned for New Year’s Day 2011. The plan calls for using teams from the Big Ten to play teams from Conference USA and the Big 12 on a rotating basis.
NORTHERN ST. — Coach Chris Boden and assistant Richard Sweeney will be let go after the season Saturday.
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