Gilbert Seeing No Difference in Meyer

Since the Florida Gators’ loss to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game, they have had to deal with more bumps on the road to the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day to add to their already tumultuous season. The largest one of course being the resignation of head coach Urban Meyer and his quick change of heart.

Urban Meyer’s most recent decision has his team motivated to redeeming their loss to Alabama.

Offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert said the days following Meyer’s initial decision to step down were difficult, but the mood changed after he announced he would only be taking a leave of absence.

“It was pretty tough, but once we found out the other news about coach Meyer possibly returning, we pulled ourselves up and had great practices back-to-back days,” Gilbert said.

Despite saying he needed time off to take care of health issues, Gilbert has not seen much of a difference in Meyer’s on-field demeanor.

“He’s still intense, still 100 percent, still the same guy. I don’t see any difference, but he got an issue he needs to deal with and hopefully he will bounce back from it,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert isn’t surprise Meyer is still the same coach on the field despite his health issues.

“That’s just him. Football is what he does, and he’s going to help us get to that 13th win,” Gilbert said.

The return of their coach and the loss to the Crimson Tide have the Gators working hard to put themselves back on the right track.

“It’s been crazy. We haven’t had practice like that all year. I have never seen so many willing to go out there and do everything possible to go 13-1 and get ourselves back on track,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert said the loss to Alabama has taken away a lot of the pressure put on the team from outside forces and dealing with the adversity of overcoming a loss will show a lot about Florida.

“You have so many people attacking you, so many people putting pressure on you,” Gilbert said. “But it’s part of the game and you have to deal with adversity.”