Florida’s opponent in the Gator Bowl won’t be the only team missing a starting player on the offensive side of the ball.
Offensive tackle Matt Patchan, who’s battled various injuries throughout his Gators career, aggravated a back injury during practice Thursday afternoon and, as a result, has already been ruled out of the bowl game against Ohio State.
“He had a lat injury’’ head coach Will Muschamp said Saturday. “It’s on his back, a re-aggravation of something during the season. We had a physical bowl practice and preparation for what we’re trying to do to improve our football team and get ready for the game. It’s an unfortunate injury.”
Muschamp said some combination of Chaz Green, Xavier Nixon and Kyle Koehne will rotate at the position in place of Patchan.
The redshirt junior started the final seven games of the 2011 season after missing the entire 2010 season due to injury.