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Caldwell And Cooper Live Up To Meyer's Hopes

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 2, 2007

GAINESVILLE - Florida coach Urban Meyer predicted several times during the past few weeks that senior WR Andre Caldwell was ready to have a big season and that sophomore WR Riley Cooper would see more balls thrown his way. Meyer was correct on both counts; Caldwell and Cooper each finished with more than 100 receiving yards in Saturday's 49-3 win against Western Kentucky.

Caldwell, a Jefferson High graduate, hauled in the Gators' first completion of the season for a 48-yard gain on Florida's third play from scrimmage. For the day, Caldwell caught three passes for 103 yards.

Cooper, a Clearwater Central Catholic graduate, caught a pair of touchdown passes - including a 59-yarder late in the first quarter. Cooper finished with four catches for 122 yards.

TRAUTWEIN UPDATE: Meyer said Saturday that the Gators might have to plan to play the season without senior OL Phil Trautwein. Trautwein, who started all 14 games at left tackle last season, was diagnosed last week with a stress fracture in his right foot.

'There's a chance Traut is done for the season,' Meyer said. 'As soon as I hear the 'for sure,' I'll let you know.'

SUSPENDED? DT Lawrence Marsh and CB Jacques Rickerson didn't dress Saturday, joining RB Brandon James as the only able-bodied Gators out of uniform. Meyer would not confirm that Marsh and Rickerson were suspended - James was suspended because of a June arrest for buying a quarter-ounce of marijuana from a police informant - but he said all three would be ready to play against Troy this week.

WELCOME FRESHMEN: While OL Maurkice Pouncey and CB Joe Haden made school history as the first pair of true freshmen to start a season opener, 11 other newcomers debuted Saturday.

They were: QB Cameron Newton, RB Chris Rainey, OL Mike Pouncey, DT Torrey Davis (Armwood High), DE Carlos Dunlap, DE Duke Lemmens, DE Justin Trattou, LB Jerimy Finch, S Major Wright, LB Brandon Hicks and P Chas Henry.

Davis punctuated his debut in the fourth quarter by sacking K.J. Black and forcing a fumble. On the next play, Rainey returned a punt 22 yards to the Western Kentucky 23-yard line. The return set up a 1-yard Newton touchdown run.

SHORT DEBUT: Hilltoppers QB David Wolke made his WKU debut Saturday after sitting out a season following his transfer from Notre Dame. Wolke didn't last long.

He sustained a concussion during the game's first series. Though Wolke asked to return to the game, WKU's medical staff kept him on the sideline.

Wolke completed three of four passes for 43 yards on his lone possession.

Andy Staples

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