Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Gators’ Thompson sets record
TD catch highlights win
TAMPA — Mark Thompson cut to the left.
He saw Iowa defenders, several Florida blockers and, 85 yards down the field, the end zone.
But after the UF running back juked two would-be tacklers and sidestepped to the sideline, there was nothing but open field.
“He’s had his ups and downs,” UF quarterback
said of Thompson. “But I think he’s learned what it’s all about.”
Entering UF’s 30-3 win over Iowa in the Outback Bowl on Monday, Thompson was having an uneven year. He had a set a preseason goal of 1,000 yards by the eighth week of the season and came up more than 700 yards short. He was suspended by the team after he was cited for marijuana possession in October, missing UF’s annual game against Georgia.
And he had compiled just 53 yards during his last five games.
Austin Appleby
He surpassed that in one catch and run against the Hawkeyes.
Thompson’s 85-yard reception in the second quarter was the longest touchdown catch in Outback Bowl history and it broke a 3-3 tie and a touchdown drought for both sides, giving UF a 10-3 lead entering halftime.
“I mean, that’s all any team really needs. A jolt,” safety said. “It was great seeing him
Marcell Harris
break open.”
LINEBACKERS SHINE: Akrum Wadley
As Iowa running back skipped to the left, running past the edge of Florida's defense for a 27-yard gain,
fell to the
Kylan Johnson
ground.
Eventually, the UF redshirt freshman linebacker was helped off the field.
The Gators’ linebacker core was already decimated headed into Monday’s game.
Johnson was just the latest blow.
“[It was] well documented, obviously, how beat up we were,” UF coach said. “And yet, we never once all year used that as an excuse.”
With Johnson out, UF was left with only one linebacker who had significant playing experience — senior The other two starters were true freshman Vosean Joseph and walk-on
Jim McElwain Daniel McMillian. Garcia. Christian
But UF’s defense held the Hawkeyes at bay.
Three plays after Johnson’s injury, Joseph knocked back Akrum for a big hit and a 2-yard loss.
McMillian even intercepted a tipped ball in the fourth quarter, returning it 23 yards to Iowa’s 36-yard line.
UF’s linebacker core finished with 19 tackles, including seven from McMillian and six from Joseph.
“They played very well. A lot of them ran to the ball, wrapped up tackles, made some key tackles on third downs,” Harris said. “Just to see those guys getting their feet wet, just getting acclimated to the system, it was great to see.”