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Meyer agrees with decision on refs

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By MIKE DIFERDINANDO

Tribune correspondent

Published: October 22, 2009

GAINESVILLE - Florida coach Urban Meyer said Thursday he approved of the Southeastern Conference's decision to suspend the officiating crew that worked the Gators' game against Arkansas last week.

The crew will not call their next scheduled game Oct. 31 and will not be assigned to call another game until Nov. 14.

"I think that's fair," Meyer said.

Officials called a personal foul on Arkansas DL Malcolm Sheppard in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game that the league said could not be supported by video evidence.

The same group of officials also called a late unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the LSU-Georgia game earlier this month that the league said shouldn't have been called.

REED WORKING AT TIGHT END: Meyer said freshman QB Jordan Reed has been spending time practicing at tight end recently.

"He's a very good athlete," Meyer said. "We've got to find a way to get him on the field someday."

Reed hasn't seen the field this season and when Tim Tebow was questionable against LSU because of a concussion it was P Chas Henry, not Reed, who was named the team's third option at quarterback.

Meyer said Reed is just experimenting at the position and that, at least for now, he will remain a quarterback.

THIN AT DEFENSIVE TACKLE: Lawrence Marsh (ankle) and Jaye Howard (knee) are doubtful for Saturday's game against Mississippi State and DE Justin Trattou, who plays inside in the Gators' Joker package, is out with a shoulder injury.

That means UF will again rely on a rotation of Omar Hunter, Troy Epps and Terron Sanders in the middle.

Duke Lemmens will play inside instead of Trattou in the Joker package.

INJURIES: Meyer said there is a 50-50 chance LB Brandon Spikes - a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy - will be ready to play Saturday after suffering a groin injury against Arkansas.

WR T.J. Lawrence had his knee scoped Thursday to repair an injured meniscus. Meyer said he should be back in a couple weeks.

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