When Luke Del Rio couldn’t lift his duffle bag after Saturday’s game, Jim McElwain knew something was wrong.
“He’s a tough guy. Never said anything,” McElwain said. “Had I known the severity, (I) probably wouldn’t have (kept him in the game).”
On Monday, Del Rio and at least three other UF starters were ruled out for Saturday’s game against South Carolina, including starting linebackers Alex Anzalone and Jarrad Davis. Two other players are listed as highly questionable with another listed as a game-time decision.
But the news of Del Rio, who has played in six games this season and has been the team’s clear-cut starter under center when he has been healthy, could be the biggest blow to a Florida team still leading the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division with just two conference games remaining.