Florida names Luke Del Rio starting QB for season opener

 

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Florida has named journeyman Luke Del Rio its starting quarterback for the Sept. 3 season opener against UMass.
Coach Jim McElwain made the announcement Thursday, a day before the team’s second scrimmage. He gave Del Rio the nod over former Purdue starter Austin Appleby.
Del Rio will be the team’s ninth starting quarterback since Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow left school in 2010, following John Brantley, Jeff Driskel, Jacoby Brissett, Trey Burton, Tyler Murphy, Skyler Mornhinweg, Treon Harris and Will Grier. Now, the Gators are counting on Del Rio to revive an offense that had been mostly stagnant since Tebow’s tenure.
Florida hasn’t had a quarterback throw more than 12 touchdown passes in any of the last six seasons. Maybe Del Rio will reverse the trend.
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AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org