Gators’ Thompson suspended for season opener
GAINESVILLE — Florida previously announced five suspensions for Saturday’s game against Massachusetts: freshmen receivers Tyrie Cleveland and Rick Wells, junior corner Jalen Tabor, tight end C’yontai Lewis and an unnamed senior.
On Saturday, it was clear UF receiver Chris Thompson was the unnamed senior.
The senior played in a career-high 13 games last season, catching five passes for 48 yards. He was expected to have an even bigger role in 2016.
It isn’t the first time Thompson has been suspended.
The Gainesville native was arrested and charged with simple battery in April 2015. UF coach Jim McElwain temporarily excused Thompson from the team soon after, but the charges eventually were dropped.
SCARLETT STARTS:
One of the biggest questions facing Florida was which running back would get the bulk of the carries in the backfield.
While the answer to that question is still unknown, it was cleared up slightly on Saturday.
Sophomore Jordan
Scarlett was listed as the starter for the Gators.
Scarlett finished third on the team with 181 rushing yards on 34 attempts last season, starting just once, and has impressed coaches and players throughout preseason camp.
“He’s had a great camp,” running backs coach Tim Skipper said before the game. “You can see the hard work has paid off.”
WILSON, DAWSON FILL IN: Quincy Wilson started in place of standout corner Tabor after he was suspended for fighting during a preseason practice.
Wilson, a 6-foot-1, 213-pound junior, started nine games last season and had two interceptions, tied for second most on the team.
Even with Tabor out, McElwain didn’t think there would be much of a dropoff in UF’s secondary.
“I think we’ve created some pretty good versatility back there,” McElwain said.
In place of Wilson, junior Duke Dawson got the start, and broke up a third-down pass on UMass’ opening drive. Dawson then forced a fumble on the Minutemen’s second series, but UMass recovered.
Dawson appeared in 14 games last season and registered 10 total tackles, and has impressed coaches with his improvement over the fall.
“The flexibility ... is something he’s shown,” McElwain said.
NOTEWORTHY: Junior wide receiver C.J. Worton did not dress for Saturday’s game because of an injury. Worton had been rehabbing from a high-ankle sprain throughout preseason camp. . . . Florida’s captains for Saturday’s game were redshirt junior linebacker Alex Anzalone, senior linebacker Jarrad Davis, redshirt junior center Cameron Dillard and redshirt senior running back Mark Herndon.