Despite speculation that injured TE Cornelius Ingram might play in Thursday night's game, UF coach Urban Meyer said that’s not going to happen.

"I’d play C.I. if it was the right thing to do,’’ Meyer said. “He’s not going to play because he’s three months out from ACL surgery and that wouldn’t be the right thing to do.’’

Ingram, who graduated in December, said he feels good enough to play, but knows it’s not worth the risk.

“Honestly, I feel about 90-95 percent,’’ he said. “If it was up to me, I think I could play, but I wouldn’t because I haven’t really had any contact and that’s the biggest thing. The contact means everything.’’

Ingram has come a long way since the beginning of the season. During the Gators’ season-opener against Hawaii, he had to watch the second half from the locker room because he was so overcome with emotion about not playing. Through the course of the season he became like a player/coach.

“I had to learn there were other ways I could help my team,’’ he said. “And the good thing was without playing or being on the field, the guys on the team and the coaches still treated me like regular CI, like I’m out there in the huddle or caught a touchdown pass and I hadn’t even been out there on the field. That’s just the kind of team and the coaches we have.’’