GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida avoided some dubious history on Tuesday when running back Chris Rainey and kicker Caleb Sturgis were named to the coaches' All-Southeastern Conference team.
Rainey was a first-team all-purpose selection along with Arkansas' Joe Adams. Each of the league's 12 coaches were prohibited from voting for their own players and ties were not broken. Rainey led Florida in rushing with 790 yards and also was tied for the team lead with 28 catches (350 yards). He also averaged 6.8 yards on 11 punt returns. He scored touchdowns rushing, receiving, and on a punt return.
Sturgis leads the SEC with 21 field goals. Three of his four misses were from 49 yards or longer.
Sturgis was the only UF player named to the AP's All-SEC team, which was released Monday. It's the fewest players the Gators have had named to All-SEC teams since 1979, when receiver Cris Collinsworth was a first-team selection by AP and UPI and linebacker David Little was a second-team selection by AP.
The league will release the coaches' choice for individual awards on Wednesday and the All-Freshman team on Thursday.
