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Quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. to start for Gators against Oklahoma
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- Quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. to start for Gators against Oklahoma
GAINESVILLE — Tramell Jones Jr. will start at quarterback for the No. 24 Gators against Oklahoma, a source confirmed, after the sophomore took over after the third series and finished Florida's loss to Georgia last weekend in Atlanta.
Jones replaced Aaron Philo, who got the start after he returned from a one-game absence with a shoulder injury suffered during an Oct. 10 home loss to South Carolina.
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Jones stepped in for the injured Philo and led the Gators to a 27-24 upset at then-No. 7 Texas before Florida's bye week. The former Jacksonville Mandrain standout rallied Florida (5-3, 3-3 SEC) from a 17-3 deficit while making pivotal plays with his arm and legs.
He finished a modest 22-of-35 passing for 155 yards, but threw two touchdowns to Lacota Dippre. Jones also gained 52 yards on the ground, excluding an 11-yard sack. His 9-yard run on third-and-7 with less the two minutes remaining sealed the victory.
Despite Jones' performance , coaches opted for Philo, who led Florida to a 4-0 start and No. 8 ranking as the SEC's third-rated passer. But the junior who transferred from Georgia Tech struggled during subsequent loss at Missouri and against South Carolina.
He completed 42 of 62 passes (68%) for 424 yards, averaging 6.8 yards per attempt, with two touchdowns and one interception while taking six sacks in the losses. He then threw two interceptions on the first three series against Georgia before coach Jon Sumrall switched to Jones.
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Jones is 40-of-70 (57%) passing for 332 yards, two touchdowns and an interception the past two games and has 59 rushing yards and a touchdown. He threw an interception in the end zone with the Gators' trailing Georgia 24-0 with a little less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Jones also took four sacks against the Bulldogs, one leading to a scoop-and-score after a Florida blocker missed a pass rusher who hit the Gators' quarterback.
Despite Jones' mistakes, he provided a spark to Florida's struggling offense and completed while under consistent pressure.
"I attribute that to a lot of poise, right, and preparation. He knows where everybody is," offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner said this week. "There's probably a couple we'd like back, but other than that I thought he did a good job. Got to continue to work, continue to get better."
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Jones is new to the offense run by Faulkner. However, Faulkner and Philo spent the past two seasons together at Georgia Tech.
Philo's experience in the scheme proved an advantage during the Gators' quarterback competition before the season.
Faulkner expects Jones will continue to get comfortable in the system.
"He's played — what, less than 200 career snaps," Faulkner said. "It takes time to get those guys to where they're eventually going to be."
Jones will face a veteran defense for Oklahoma (4-4, 2-3) ranked fifth in the SEC and with 16 sacks in the Sooners' wins.
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Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
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What:Oklahoma (4-4, 2-3 SEC) at No. 24 Florida (5-3, 3-3)
When:7:45 p.m., Saturday
Where:Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville
TV:SEC Network
Favorite:Florida by 6.5 points
