- Aug 1, 2014
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UF defense incredibly depleted heading into Outback Bowl
TAMPA -- Florida will be without three linebackers who have made a collective 21 starts this season when it takes on Iowa in the Outback Bowl.
Starting linebackers Jarrad Davis (ankle) and Alex Anzalone (broken arm) have been ruled out for the game, along with David Reese (wrist), who filled in admirably for them late in the season.
"Injury-wise, we'll probably be without all the linebackers," coach Jim McElwain said. "That's all right, we'll get some other guys in there and they'll play well."
The news is equally iffy in the secondary, where Florida could be down two starting safeties. Senior Marcus Maye has been ruled out with a broken arm, while redshirt junior Nick Washington is looking doubtful with a high-ankle sprain.
"Nick would be highly questionable right now," McElwain said. "He's tried to work through it, kind of as we talked about, the high-ankle sprains, those are career-ending. But he's tried, but it's not..."
The defensive line could also be without a pair of starters, though one may try to give it a go. Defensive end Jordan Sherit will miss the game with a knee injury.
His counterpart on the strong side, Bryan Cox Jr., is trying to battle through a high-ankle sprain but is teetering toward doubtful as Monday's game approaches.
"Cox has tried. There again, kind of the same ankle thing," McElwain said. "I'd say he's probably in the same boat as Nick, and yet he knows that this is an opportunity to put some good stuff on film. So that's what he's been working to do."
http://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/UF-defense-incredibly-depleted-heading-into-Outback-Bowl-50127676