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Moody Set To Return To UF Backfield

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 21, 2008

GAINESVILLE - The Gators' suddenly lethal rushing attack looks to be getting a key weapon back this week.

Emmanuel Moody, who suffered an ankle sprain in UF's loss to Mississippi, is expected to return to the lineup after missing the better part of the last three games.

Moody participated in practice on Monday and is expected to practice more today. Since Moody's injury, speedsters Chris Rainey of Lakeland and Jeff Demps have stolen the show with their exciting open field running.

Running backs coach Kenny Carter hopes Moody, who is averaging 5.2 yards per carry, will gain a bit of toughness following his injury.

"He has no problems when it comes to running the ball," Carter said. "He has an injury that is very aggravating and painful and he has to develop a pain tolerance for it and that's the only way he's going to overcome the injury."

Carter also confirmed that Rainey, who injured his shoulder against LSU, would play this weekend.

BIG PLAY OFFENSE: Though Coach Urban Meyer harps about defense and special teams any chance he can get, the fourth-year coach loves the big play as much as anyone.

LSU saw just how explosive the Gators can be when they're running on all cylinders after UF's 51-21 thrashing of the Tigers.

According to Meyer, the common denominator is the big play.

"I did a little study on the bye week on our scoring drives and almost every time we have a big play over 15 yards, we've scored, except for twice, and that's for the year," Meyer said. "Having the ability to hit a big play in the middle of the drive is just phenomenal."

Rainey and Demps have been the key characters in the Gators high-octane offense.

"When you think about the explosive plays, the yards per carry and the rushing yards overall over the last two games, they're about as good as you can get," Meyer said.

Karl Hyppolite

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