The day before the season opener always has a bit of buzz, but today there was a cause for alarm in Gainesville with rumors os suspensions flying around. As it turns out, a total of three Florida Gators could be suspended for the season opener against Toledo in The Swamp, including cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy.
UPDATE (6:57 P.M.): Gator Country is reporting more suspensions , for six total.
Gator Country first reported the suspension news and Gator Bait later shared some confirmed information regarding the suspension talk. According to Luke Stampini of Gator Bait, Purifoy, defensive tackle Darious Cummings and wide receiver Latroy Pittman will all sit out against Toledo on Saturday, although the cause for the suspensions has not been reported.
Purifoy was listed as a co-starter at cornerback for the Gators, along with Jaylen Watkins. Cummings and Pittman are each listed on the second team at their respective positions. Cummings may have seen more playing time on a defensive lien rotation throughout the game, so the Florida defensive linemen will have to be ready for another few snaps.
Toledo has just the kind of offense that can take advantage of a defense that needs to work a little more too. With a strong running game led by David Fluellen, the Rockets will look to spread the field and wear down the Florida defense as much as they possibly can. This is not to suggest that the suspensions will make Toledo a favorite this weekend, but Toledo is not the kind of team a tiring defense will want to allow to hang around deep in to the game.