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VOLUME 114 ISSUE 11
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2019 Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida
Not officially associated with the University of Florida
FOOTBALL
UF VS. UK
UF’s win over UK raises questions By Sam Campisano Sports Writer
Florida’s 29-21 comeback win over Kentucky on Saturday came at a cost. Starting quarterback Feleipe Franks, who led the Gators to a Peach Bowl victory last season, was lost for the season late in the third quarter when he dislocated his right ankle underneath UK lineman Calvin Taylor Jr. while attempting to run for a first down. It’s the type of injury that can derail a team’s season, but redshirt junior backup Kyle Trask stepped up in Franks’ absence, leading No. 9 UF to a 19-0 run and the win. It was only one quarter of action, however, and there are still plenty of questions around this Florida team. Here are three of the most pressing following Saturday’s win: Chris King / Alligator Staff
Redshirt junior quarterback Kyle Trask came in when starter Feleipe Franks was injured during the third quarter Saturday night against Kentucky, leading the team to a 19-0 run for the win.
Can Trask be the guy? It hurt just to watch Franks’ injury. Legs should not bend the way his did.
The Gators recognized the severity of what happened, and virtually the entire UF team surrounded its quarterback as he laid stricken on the field. It was a touching moment, but also one that could’ve buried the team psychologically. Instead, Trask played the quarter of his life. It’s a small sample size, but early signs were encouraging: Trask was 9 for 13 with 126 yards and a rushing touchdown. His decision-making was adequate while his throws were accurate and crisp. Trask is nearly identical to Franks in size, and coach Dan Mullen utilized his backup in a similar way to what he does with his starter. That should make the quarterback transition easier for the entire offense going forward. Another factor in Trask’s favor is the fact that Florida was never a team that was going to rely on stellar quarterback play. Like Franks, he simply needs to be serviceable, and his performance on Saturday shows that he’s more than capable.
Can the running game (and O-line) improve? Florida’s offensive line – which returned just one starter from last year – has had plenty of issues to start the season. The run game in particular is a major cause for concern. The Gators rank just 12th in the SEC with 140 yards on the ground per game, and it would be even worse if not for a 200-yard plus performance against FCS opponent UTMartin in Week 2. No. 1 running back Lamical Perine was stuffed near the line of scrimmage on play after play against Kentucky. He ended up with just 27 yards on 14 carries. Mullen tried to alleviate the problem mid-game on Saturday by shifting Stone Forsythe from left tackle to right tackle, bringing Richard Gouraige into the game and benching Jean Delance in the process. It’s hard to draw any conclusions from that move because UF
SEE FOOTBALL, PAGE 11
GPD investigates shooting outside of Butler Plaza Walmart WITNESSES SAY A SHOOTING TOOK PLACE BEFORE 9 P.M. By Dana Cassidy Alligator Staff Writer
Witnesses and plaza officials said there was an attempted robbery that resulted in a shooting at Butler North’s Walmart Sunday night. Butler Plaza released a statement on Facebook that said all those involved involved in
a robbery attempt were taken to the hospital or are in custody with non-life-threatening injuries. Neither Butler Plaza nor Gainesville Police publicaly said how many people were involved, but GPD confirmed an investigation is underway. Police did not release a statement mentioning a robbery as of Sunday night. Just before 9 p.m., a man ran into the Jersey Mike’s Subs across the street from the Walmart, bleeding profusely, said Nico Diaz, a 22-year-old Jersey Mike’s Subs employee.
A gray-colored Hyundai was shot with what looked like at least 10 bullet holes outside the Jersey Mike’s Subs. Rags and towels soaked in what looked like blood littered the floor of the sandwich shop while Gainesville Police was on the scene. Hours later, GPD published a tweet that confirmed the reported shooting. “All persons involved are accounted for and detectives are investigating,” GPD wrote in the tweet. The store was about to close and Diaz said
he stepped away from the front for a moment. “I come out because I hear all the commotion,” he said outside of the restaurant. “I just didn’t know what to do so I called 911.” Law enforcement at the scene declined to speak to The Alligator. This is a breaking news story. It will be updated on alligator.org as more information becomes available. @danacassidy_ dcassidy@alligator.org
Everything to know about the blue lights debate STUDENTS WILL PROTEST TUESDAY AFTERNOON By Ana Escalante Alligator Staff Writer
One strip of land on UF’s campus has no controversial blue light poles. The lights are meant to be blue beacons of safety that call law enforcement at the push of a button. But without action from UF Student Government or UF administra-
Feleipe Franks is out for season with ankle injury
Franks dislocated his right ankle on a fourth-and-one play at UK, pg. 11
tion, more than 100 protestors are expected to stand down the road from Fraternity Drive demanding for administration to install blue lights. Students Emily Hyden, Alfredo Ortiz, William Zelin, Samantha Gildea and Mark Merwitzer announced the Protest for Blue Lights on Frat Row on Sept. 6. Here’s a breakdown of the roles administration, University Police, SG, Greek organizations and students play in the blue light debate.
UF administration places blue lights, and UPD responds to calls Student safety is administration’s top concern, said UF spokesperson Steve Orlando. UF installs blue lights on campus with the help of outside contractors, he said. Mackintosh Joachim, the Inspire Party senator for District D, was at the forefront of a blue light installation at Graham Hall, which started in 2017 after black students in the area felt unsafe after white nationalist
Former RA faces new charge
He was released but now faces sexual battery charges, pg. 4
Richard Spencer spoke at UF. “That’s when the long process to install a light began,” he said. The light, installed in January, used funds from the SG reserve account. According to public records obtained by The Alligator, the SG reserves account has $4.3 million as of Aug. 1. A blue light costs between $15,000 and $20,000, Joachim said. The total cost of installation depends on
SEE BLUE LIGHTS, PAGE 4
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Cheesecake Factory to open Tuesday
The restaurant will employ more than 300 people, pg. 5 @FloridaAlligator @TheAlligator_ @TheAlligator @alligator_newspaper