Rainey returns, gives Gators much-needed boost

By MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Chris Rainey stood in the middle of Florida's locker room and thanked everyone for a second chance.

His teammates and coaches responded with a loud cheer and a few tears.

Rainey returned from a five-game suspension, gave the Gators a much-needed boost against rival Georgia and then offered a heartfelt speech after the 34-31 victory Saturday.

"I actually cried after the game because I felt every bit of his pain," said center Mike Pouncey, who grew up with Rainey in Lakeland. "I know Rainey. He's a great person. He's never been in any kind of trouble and for him to miss eight weeks and miss all those games, I know it hurt him to his heart and it hurt me, too."

Rainey ran for 84 yards and a touchdown against the Bulldogs, and finished with 241 all-purpose yards. He was arguably the most significant change for Florida (5-3, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) following a three-game losing streak and a bye week.

The Gators, who have struggled most of the season to move the ball consistently and score points, used some hurry-up offense and gave Georgia different looks with quarterbacks John Brantley and Trey Burton swapping positions just before the snap.

But Rainey was an equally important wrinkle, especially with running backs Jeff Demps (foot), Emmanuel Moody (thigh) and Mike Gillislee (hamstring) slowed by injuries.

Rainey started the game, touched the ball nine times in the first quarter and picked up three first downs. He did even more damage early in the second, weaving his way through Georgia's defense for a 20-yard scoring run that put Florida ahead 7-0.

Teammates mobbed Rainey in the end zone and on the sideline, knowing how much it meant for him to be playing football again.

"He's a playmaker, and it was great to have him back today," offensive coordinator Steve Addazio said. "He did a lot of things for us. He brought a lot of explosiveness back into our game."

Although wasn't quite as productive running the ball in the second half, he chipped in two better-than-average kickoff returns in the fourth quarter. His 45-yarder early in the fourth led to a field goal, which put Florida up 24-16, and his 36-yarder late gave the Gators a chance to win at the end of regulation.

Instead of trying a long field goal with punter Chas Henry filling in for injured place-kicker Caleb Sturgis, coach Urban Meyer settled for overtime.

Rainey nearly ended the game in the extra frame. After Georgia's Aaron Murray threw his third interception, Brantley tried to hook up with Rainey in the end zone. Shawn Williams knocked the ball away at the last second. Henry drilled a 37-yarder two plays later to win it.

Henry, who felt like he let the team down by missing two field goals in a three-point loss to
Mississippi State two weeks ago, got carried off the field on teammates' shoulders.

The emotional scene continued in the locker room, where Rainey asked Meyer for an opportunity to address teammates and coaches. He thanked school president Bernie Machen, athletic director Jeremy Foley and Meyer.

"He thanked everybody for giving him a second chance," Pouncey said.

Rainey was arrested Sept. 14 and charged with aggravated stalking, a third-degree felony, for allegedly sending a former girlfriend a threatening text message that read, in part, "Time to die ...." Meyer dismissed Rainey from the team the next day, saying he violated the program's core value regarding violence against women.

Rainey agreed to a plea deal two weeks later, and Meyer partially reinstated him. Rainey was allowed to practice, but wasn't cleared to play until Thursday. If he stays out of trouble for six months, the misdemeanor stalking charge will be dismissed.

In the meantime, the Gators can only hope he continues playing like he did against Georgia.

"Earlier in the season, when we had Rainey, he was very explosive," Demps said. "He was making plays left and right. I knew bringing him back, we were going to be able to make more plays. ... It just opens it up for other playmakers."

Received 10/31/10 02:04 pm ET