Spring Football Roundup: Florida Gators Need More from Jeff Driskel

Jan 02, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Louisville Cardinals safety Jermaine Reve (27) tries to stop Florida Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) during the second quarter of the Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. defeated Florida 33-23. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Florida Gators

In January’s Sugar Bowl, a glaring difference between the Florida Gators and Louisville Cardinals was quarterback play. Louisville rode the outstanding performance of Teddy Bridgewater, while Florida’s Jeff Driskel struggled through a typically trying effort.

Quarterback play has been an issue for the Gators each of the last three seasons, an aberration for a program that produced recent Heisman winners Tim Tebow and Danny Wuerffel, as well as finalist Rex Grossman. Driskel was thrown into the fire prematurely as a freshman in 2011, and his progress was marginal into 2012. The reins are his though, with Jacoby Brissett’s transfer to NC State this winter.

“We’ve got to be a better throwing team and that starts with him,” offensive coordinator Brent Pease told The Orlando Sentinel‘s Edgar Thompson.

Florida ranked No. 114 in passing offense last season, registering 146.3 yards per game. Just before the Gators were former UF offensive coordinator Charlie Weis’ Kansas Jayhawks at 148.7 passing yards per game.

Arkansas Razorbacks & Arkansas State RedWolves
Jan 06, 2013; Mobile, AL USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves defensive back Andrew Tryon (24) and teammates celebrate their 17-13 victory against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in the Go Daddy.com Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Arkansas legislators drafted a proposal that would bring together the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Arkansas State RedWolves for a non-conference showdown, reports the Associated Press.

The two universities are located on opposite sides of the state: Arkansas in Fayetteville to the west, Arkansas State’s Jonesboro campus to the east. The teams would meet in the middle at Little Rock, with the intriguing twist that $250,000 in ticket sales go to state charities.

Republican Andy Mayberry and Democrat Harold Copenhaver are behind the proposed legislation, proving that football is the great uniting force in a contentious political landscape.

Colorado Buffaloes

NFL draft prospect Nick Kasa told The Denver Post he will not run the 40-yard dash at the Colorado Buffaloes’ pro day, scheduled for Wednesday. Kasa impressed with a 4.7-second run at February’s scouting combine.

“I really want to get a 4.6 but it’s just too risky,” he told The Post‘s John Henderson.

Kasa caught 25 passes for 391 yards with three touchdowns in 2012, standing out as a rare bright spot in the Buffs’ dismal 1-11 campaign. He’s a big target in the passing game, but also a capable blocker. Scouts are taking notice of his talents; he could be one of the first tight ends taken in next month’s draft.

Colorado’s pro day will occur in its practice bubble, where new head coach Mike MacIntyre is also leading spring football practices. Upon MacIntyre’s hire, the CU athletic department pressed donors for upgrades to facilities that lag behind the other programs around the Pac-12 Conference.