As the Gators' offense continues to search for more production amid several crucial injuries, Kelvin Taylor, the son of former Florida Gators and Jacksonville Jaguars star running back Fred Taylor, is set to make his first career start in the offensive backfield Saturday, coach Will Muschamp said.
Week 9: Things we learned
From Johnny Manziel keeping his jersey clean vs. Vanderbilt to Duke's big upset of Virginia Tech, here are the 28 lessons learned from the college football weekend. **More ...**
"He deserves the opportunity," Muschamp said Monday, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
As a backup in the Gators' last two games, Taylor, a freshman, has combined for 22 carries for 126 yards in losses to LSU and Missouri. Florida's starting running back, Matt Jones, was lost for the season because of an injury earlier this year, and the Gators have struggled for consistent rushing yards all year. Florida fans will begin to learn if Taylor is the answer Saturday, when the Gators face archrival Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla.
"He's shown he has the ability [to make plays,]" quarterback Tyler Murphy said of Taylor.
The college playing careers of Muschamp and the elder Taylor overlapped for one season, when Muschamp was a senior defensive back at Georgia in 1994 and Taylor ran for nearly 900 yards as a freshman the same season.
Fred Taylor finished his college career with 3,075 yards and 31 touchdowns, then went on to a decorated pro career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Including two seasons at the end of his career with the New England Patriots, Taylor ran for 11,695 yards in 13 NFL seasons, with 66 touchdowns.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.
