Not surprisingly, Florida’s going to go with the more proven entity at the most important position on the field -- but they’re keeping all of their options open at the same time.
Wednesday, Jim McElwain confirmed what most had assumed: Austin Appleby will start at quarterback for the Week 11 game against South Carolina Saturday. Appleby will again replace Luke del Rio, who went down with a shoulder injury in last weekend’s loss to Arkansas.
The Gators head coach, though, did allow that Appleby’s production will determine which direction the position heads in a strangely pivotal SEC East matchup with the Gamecocks.
“Austin will jump out there and take the start,” McElwain, by way of the Gainesville Sun, said on the SEC coaches teleconference. “[True freshman] Feleipe [Franks] has been getting a bunch of reps, and Kyle [Trask] has been getting less. So, we’ll go with Austin and Feleipe, with Kyle kind of in the bullpen.
“I know we’re not afraid at any point of playing [Franks]. Austin is going to take those first snaps. We’ll see where that piece goes as we move forward. We need a spark. Feleipe could be that guy. Who knows?”
Appleby, a graduate transfer from Purdue, has started tw0 games this season already in place of an injured Del Rio. The senior has completed 44-of-72 passes for 470 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The Gators are 1-1 in games in which Appleby has started.
Franks, meanwhile, has yet to throw a pass at the collegiate level.