The Florida Gators started spring practice Wednesday in Gainesville. Head coach Will Muschamp looked perturbed at having his players practice in shorts with no pads, but positively cited his team's work ethic. "It's good to see guys coaching fundamentals and technique as opposed to scheme," Muschamp told reporters. "It's not about winning the drill on March 13. It's about preparing your team for the season." He cited linebacker depth as an area of concern multiple times.
Spring college football 2013: Springtime for Muschamp
Florida opens practice, Indiana squats 600, and USC gets fast.
Rob Foldy-US PRESSWIRE
Further down the peninsula, Central Florida started workouts Wednesday afternoon. Also starting spring practice Wednesday were the defending Independence Bowl champion Ohio Bobcats, who also announced the hiring of former Nevada assistant James Ward as their cornerbacks coach.
LSU and Toledo open practice Thursday.
USC finished its fourth spring practice Wednesday, and Lane Kiffin is already praising new defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast:
”I think Clancy on defense is doing a great job. It’s why we hired him. He has a really good plan that we went through in the interview process of how to get players to play very fast very quick. That’s what he was able to do in one year, the first year, at Cal. He turned the defense completely around. Us offensive coaches in the conference definitely took notice of it.
”They led the conference in defense. I think they led the conference in sacks. They do a lot of stuff, but at the same time, they’ve got really sound roles and don’t have a lot of adjustments, allowing players to play fast. I watch the film every night with him and go over everything. You can see he does not try to make guys do too much.
“When you say ‘What about doing this with (a player) or looking at him over here?’ He says, ‘No, we need him to play fast.’ For a guy who has an NFL background, he really understands the little amount of time you have with college guys.”
Wide receiver Marqise Lee and quarterback Max Wittek, who both suffered injuries during Saturday's practice, did not play. Kiffin told reporters that neither injury is serious, and that both players are expected to return next week.
Elsewhere in the Pac-12, Washington suspended tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins indefinitely after a weekend arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence. Jenkins was a third team All-American last year, and set the school’s single-season record for most receptions (69) and receiving yards (850) by a tight end.
Iowa unveiled its new practice facility, recruiting hub, and banquet area:
Conspicuously absent is a case for rivalry trophies or model Oldsmobiles.
And finally, via Football Scoop, the Indiana Hoosiers prove that squats aren't just for the SEC anymore:
Indiana’s embrace of Kanye -- two tracks in one two-minute video clip -- is especially fantastic. You know what Indiana football is? Young and restless.
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