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Caldwell Makes Good On His Promise

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 25, 2007

GAINESVILLE - University of Florida WR Andre Caldwell lived out the dream ending to his home collegiate career Saturday night.

With 8:20 to go in Florida's 45-12 victory against Florida State, QB Tim Tebow hit the former Jefferson High star with a 31-yard pass into the end zone.

Caldwell said earlier in the week that if he scored, he would throw the ball into the stands, and he made good on his promise.

"I got a strong arm," Caldwell said. "I was a quarterback, so I was trying to get it out of the stadium."

He chucked the ball into the second level, which prompted the referees to cite him for unsportsmanlike conduct. The more than 90,000 in attendance booed the call.

Gators coach Urban Meyer approached Caldwell to ask him why he threw the ball. Caldwell, who became the school's all-time receptions leader last week, coolly replied that former Gator Carlos Alvarez had done the same on his last catch at home.

"I said it was my last game in The Swamp. I had to do it," Caldwell said. "I told him Carlos Alvarez did it. I broke his record, so I felt I could do it a little bit, too."

Caldwell said if he scores in Florida's upcoming bowl game, he is not sure if he will throw the ball into the stands again.

"I got something up my sleeve, but I can't put it out there yet," he said.

RICKERSON STEPS UP: With freshman CB Joe Haden (high ankle sprain) out of the lineup this week, Jacques Rickerson knew he had a second chance to impress UF's coaching staff.

Rickerson started earlier this year against Kentucky but was often burned by the Wildcats' receivers. The redshirt freshman wasn't about to let the same happen again Saturday night.

"After what happened at the Kentucky game, I thought they lost confidence," Rickerson said. "I guess they have a lot of confidence in me now after what I did today."

Rickerson nearly intercepted a pass to Greg Carr toward the end of the first quarter, but FSU's wide receiver was able to get a hand on the ball.

Then, in the beginning of the third quarter, Rickerson broke up another pass intended for FSU's De'Cody Fagg near the goal line.

"Jacques played really well," co-defensive coordinator Charlie Strong said. "We always have a joke, don't go to sleep on a certain player. Don't go to sleep on Jacques because we knew he would come at some point. He came tonight."

CAPTAIN AGAIN: As part of senior day, S Tony Joiner's captaincy was reinstated, but Meyer wasn't sure if he will allow Joiner to act as captain for Florida's bowl game.

"My problem with Tony Joiner is that I love Tony Joiner and I've been guilty of that many times," Meyer said. "Tony's done some things that maybe I shouldn't care about him so much, but I also know that family very well. He's still not out of the woodwork."

Meyer took away Joiner's captaincy before the Louisiana State game after his now infamous towing incident.

Joiner removed his girlfriend's car from a tow company lot and was arrested in early October. No charges were filed.

Jenna Marina

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