The season kicked off for the Florida Gators on Saturday afternoon against UMass. As it did, the 2016 season quickly came to an end for wide receiver Dre Massey, who tore his ACL on the opening kickoff. Massey remained in the game despite being hurt for the remainder of the first half, but he did not return for the second half.
Massey, a junior college transfer, worked his way up to being a starter for the Gators, so his loss in the first half of the season is obviously a tough blow for a team that has struggled to get much offense going.
“A big loss. We’re going to need some guys step up,’' Gators coach Jim McElwain said. “He’ll get that operated on here when the swelling goes down. He’ll be out for the year.”
Everything happens for a reason, we won't always understand..
— Drè Massey (@D1Masseyy) September 4, 2016
I appreciate that!! I'll be back stronger and faster! ✊🏾
— Drè Massey (@D1Masseyy) September 5, 2016
https://t.co/9RFH3JLrcD
While going down with a season-ending injury is never good, the good news is Massey can still have two more years with the Gators. He should be able to redshirt the 2016 season in order to preserve two more years of eligibility.