• Florida junior CB Janoris Jenkins returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter and broke up three passes against Miami (Ohio), while also filling aggressively in run support, delivering a big hit in the Gators' 34-12 victory. The three-year starter did not receive the publicity that Joe Haden did a year ago, but he is establishing himself as a shutdown cornerback in the SEC. Senior safety Ahmad Black also snagged an overthrown ball and returned it inside Miami's 5-yard line in the second half. The 5-9 3/4, 185-pound Black has a small, wiry frame that may lend itself best to the CB position in the pros, not possessing enough size to hold up at safety in the NFL.
• In the season opener against Miami (Ohio), Florida senior C Mike Pouncey had a rough transition from the OG spot he occupied last season, really struggling with the shotgun snap, with far too many knuckle balls sailing wildly to QB John Brantley. The young quarterback had to deal with a number of ground balls as well, as Pouncey rolled at least three snaps, losing several that kept the Redhawks in the game. Pouncey decided to return to school for his senior season after his brother, Maurkice, declared for the draft so that he could slide into the center position and improve his draft stock, but if Mike cannot master the center-quarterback exchange, he could find himself back at guard. Senior OLG Carl Johnson sat out the opener for unspecified reasons.
• Despite being without 13 players against LSU, North Carolina still managed to compete with the Tigers until the very end, when an improved senior QB T.J. Yates had two chances to hit TE Zack Pianalto for a game-winning score. Pianalto, who was clearly interfered with on the game's last play, could not secure either ball, as Yates locked in on his most trusted receiver with Greg Little being one of the ineligible players sitting out. Others included DT Marvin Austin, junior DE Robert Quinn, FS Deunta Williams, CBs Kendric Burney and Charles Brown and junior DE Michael McAdoo. Six others, including senior RBs Shaun Draughn and Ryan Houston, where not ruled ineligible yet but were withheld from the game as the improper benefits investigation continued. Austin did not travel with the team, but did show up at the game in the stands.