Tampabay.com
OCTOBER 30, 2008

Georgia QB: Players love the game in Jacksonville

It never fails that every year this time, talk turns to the future of the  Florida-Georgia rivalry in Jacksonville, with fans from both sides arguing that the game should be moved to a home-and-home situation in Athens and Gainesville.

The two schools have played in Jacksonville 75 times, but the subject of moving the game never seems to go away.

Interestingly enough, the people with the most at stake don't seem to care. Many players say they like the series just the way it is, including Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Stafford said this week that despite what the fans think, the players don't want the game moved.

"I don't think it's a big deal for us as players,'' Stafford said. ""I think the fans make more of a big deal about it than anything, that the game is played in Jacksonville. We love that venue. The fans are split half-and-half. I don't think we'd have it any other way. We really enjoy it there.''

Florida coach Urban Meyer said this week that he also  likes the game in Jacksonville, with the 50-50 split of fans.

"It's all good,'' Meyer said. "The players will experience one of the greatest things they can experience in college football. To walk into that stadium and see a 50-50 crowd split right down the middle of the uprights. Bot the red and black and the orange and blue are loud the entire game. (Motioning for the crowd) to quiet down doesn't work at this game. I'm honored to coach in these types of games and I know our players will feel the same way about their experience.''

For more on where contract negotiations between the City of Jacksonville and the two schools, click here.

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Florida Gators fans, welcome to the Gator Report for all your news about Gators football, basketball and all UF sports. It's written by University of Florida beat writer Antonya English and the staff of the Tampa Bay Times. We invite your comments and participation.

E-mail Antonya English:
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