Gators QB Trask suffers season-ending foot injury

GAINESVILLE — UF backup quarterback Kyle Trask was hoping to make his first career start on Saturday when South Carolina visits the Swamp.

Trask’s season now over.

According a message posted by his father, Michael, on his Facebook page, Trask broke his foot while running a trick play during Wednesday’s practice and will require minor surgery. Michael Trask wrote: “Gator Nation, I am sad to say that Kyle was injured today in practice while doing a trick play where he hands off to the RB and then goes out for a pass. The throw to Kyle was low and when he planted his foot to catch is the pass he felt a pop.

“Unfortunately, he fractured his foot and will be out for the season. Just a freak injury. The good news is that it will be minor surgery and he will be 100% for spring ball in 2019. Thank you for all the well wishes and support for Kyle, we appreciate you very much! Continue to pray for Kyle’s recovery.”

Trask, a redshirt sophomore, also had foot surgery before last season, forcing him to redshirt.

Without Trask available for the No. 15 Gators (6-3, 4-3 SEC), coach Dan Mullen is sure to start Feleipe Franks for the 10th time this season.

Mullen re-opened the competition this week after he benched Franks and replaced him with Trask during last Saturday’s 38-17 loss to Missouri.

Trask was carted off the practice field after sustaining the injury, according to 247Sports.com. Thomas Goldkamp of 247Sports first reported Trask’s injury.

Earlier Wednesday, Mullen did not offer an update on his plan for the quarterbacks.

“I’m not going to share what our strategy is,” Mullen said. “I haven’t done that all year, so I don’t plan on sharing that strategy just yet.”

The fact Trask was running a trick play at the time of his injury implies he was going to have a key role against South Carolina (5-3, 4-3). Trask’s injury made Mullen’s QB decision for him.

Franks has started every game this season for UF. Mullen has stated he had planned to stick Franks all season.

But Franks’ past two performances led to a shift in thinking and opened the door for Trask.

After he replaced Franks against Missouri, Trask immediately led the Gators to a touchdown, culminating with a 7-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to Josh Hammond.

Trask finished the day 10-of-18 passing for 126 yards. Franks, on the other hand, was 9-of-22 passing for 84 and has just 189 yards during consecutive losses to Missouri and Georgia. with