McELWAIN FINISHED AS FLORIDA’S COACH
FLA.» Florida and coach GAINESVILLE,
Jim McElwain agreed to part ways just a day after a third consecutive loss and nearly a week after he said his players, his staff and their families had received death threats.
Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin made the announcement Sunday and named defensive coordinator Randy Shannon the Gators’ interim coach for the last four games. Florida and McElwain’s agent are negotiating McElwain’s $12.5 million buyout. Florida is still paying former coach Will Muschamp. It would like to reduce McElwain’s buyout and could use his actions over the last week as leverage.
Regardless of that outcome, McElwain’s tenure will be remembered for failing to fix a floundering offense. Three years ago, McElwain proclaimed he could win with his dog at quarterback. The Gators rank 113th this year in total offense, in triple digits nationally for the third time in McElwain’s three seasons.
“We want to thank Coach McElwain for his efforts in leading the Gator football program,” Stricklin said in a news release.
McElwain, a former Colorado State coach, was 22-12 with the Gators, including 4-9 against ranked teams. He became the first coach to take a team to the SEC championship game in his first two years in the league.
Wake Forest loses star WR.
Wake Forest wide receiver Greg Dortch will miss the remainder of the season with an abdominal injury.
Dortch had surgery Saturday night. The redshirt freshman was coming off a career game in which he torched Louisville for 10 catches, 167 yards and a school-record four touchdowns.
Late Saturday.
Khalil Tate rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown and passed for 275 yards and two TDs, leading Arizona to its fourth consecutive Pac-12 victory, 58-37 over No. 15 Washington State. … Ronald Jones II rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns, Sam Darnold revved No. 21 Southern California’s offense with three touchdown passes and the Trojans rolled to a 48-17 victory over Arizona State. … Baker Mayfield completed 22-of-34 passes for 281 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another TD to lead No. 10 Oklahoma to a 49-27 win over Texas Tech. Footnote. Georgia moved up to No. 2 in The Associated Press top 25 and took two first-place votes from No. 1 Alabama (59 first-place votes).