Notebook: Ingram honored

Barring a serious change of heart (as well as medical approval), Cornelius Ingram will never suit up for the Florida football team again.

But Saturday afternoon, when he was introduced for Senior Day, the Hawthorne native showed Gator fans he is well on his way to recovery from a torn ACL.

A few seconds after he was the final UF player announced (Mr. Two Bits came out last), Ingram bent down on the goal line in a sprinter's stance and jogged three-quarters speed for about 35 yards before hugging coach Urban Meyer.

The loudest Senior Day player ovations came for Ingram, long-snapper James Smith (a Buchholz product), running back Kestahn Moore and receiver Louis Murphy.

Of Ingram possibly returning to the lineup for UF's bowl game, Meyer said the tight end is trying.

"CI is having some strategic people ask me," Meyer said.

NEWTON UPDATE: Gator backup quarterback Cam Newton was suspended prior to the game after being arrested and charged Friday with felony counts of burglary, larceny and obstruction of justice. He allegedly stole a laptop from a UF student worth $1,700 and threw it out of his dormitory window, according to a University of Florida police report.

Meyer said he was stunned when he heard.

"I absolutely fell out of my chair," Meyer said. "Crushed, surprised."

Meyer said there was no update on Newton's status because he wanted Saturday to be about the Gator seniors. Newton's situation will be evaluated further in the next few days.

SOLDIERS RECOGNIZED: Several members of the military were introduced to the crowd prior to Saturday's game against The Citadel. Among that group was a member of the Wounded Warrior Project, Marine Staff SGT Charles Crews, who served in Somalia and Iraq.

Four other local soldiers participated in the pregame coin toss and were recognized during a first-quarter timeout. Those soldiers were Captain Oscar Rodriguez (3rd Infantry Division; served May 2007-Sept. 08 in Baghdad), SGT David West (3rd Infantry Division; Jan. 07-May 08 in Ramadi, Iraq), SGT Michael Rolley (2nd BSTB, 10th Mountain Division; Aug. 06-Oct. 07 at Camp Stryker in Baghdad) and SSG Jason Riney (1/5 Field Artillery, 1st Infantry Division; Sept. 04-Sept. 05 in Ramadi).

To learn more about the Wounded Warrior Project, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

INJURIES: Gator defensive lineman Lawrence Marsh went down with an left MCL sprain on the first play from scrimmage. He is scheduled to have an MRI on Sunday. Fellow lineman Matt Patchan also has an MCL injury and was on crutches late in the game.

Linebacker A.J. Jones was kept out of the game with a knee injury, and defensive end Duke Lemmens (stinger) missed the contest as well.

Meyer said Jones and Lemmens will play next week at Florida State but wasn't definitive about Patchan and Marsh.

MOODY TALKS USC: Gator running back Emmanuel Moody, who transferred from Southern California prior to the 2007 season, said he speaks on occasion with his former Trojans teammates.

He said there have been times, but not often, the talk has been about the two teams playing one another for the BCS Championship.

If that game were to happen, Moody said, "That would be great. It would be fun."

Moody had his first 100-yard game and touchdown for UF on Saturday, rushing for 116 yards on 13 carries.

EXTRA POINTS: Lafayette High School wide receiver/cornerback Jamal Reid was among the prospects in attendance Saturday. He said he remains a Miami commitment, but like all recruits, gets complementary tickets to the Gator games and had a couple of friends that wanted to go with him. ... Moore opened the game at tailback for the Gators. ... Gainesville mayor Pegeen Hanrahan gave Mr. Two Bits the keys to the city in a ceremony during a game break early in the first quarter. Numerous Florida students also wore ties in honor of Mr. Two Bits. ... Meyer said the Gator seniors will have a 100-percent graduation rate this year. ... Meyer said the thought of running up the score never came up, but when asked if he ever would do that, he joked maybe when his career was winding down against the right opponent. ... Meyer said the Gators went out of their way to make sure Riley Cooper got balls thrown his way Saturday. Cooper finished with one reception for a 43-yard touchdown. ... Meyer's teams have scored at least 50 points the most times of any Gator coach in his first four seasons (10). Steve Spurrier is second with six. Also, UF has scored at least 42 points in six straight games, the longest streak in the nation. That run also is the first of its sort for an SEC team. ... The two teams combined for 1,022 yards, 705 by Florida. ... Junior defensive back Wondy Pierre-Louis recorded his first interception of the season with 7:21 remaining in the fourth quarter. The pick was the third of his career. The Gator defense has recorded an interception in 10 of 11 games this season.