Gators name Palmer as starting QB

Sophomore gets nod for opener as Johnson recuperates

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Posted: Wednesday August 19, 1998 12:31 PM

Jesse Palmer will lead the Gators against the Citadel Scott Halleran/Allsport

GAINESVILLE, Florida (AP) -- Sophomore Jesse Palmer has been named starting quarterback for the Florida Gators while junior quarterback Doug Johnson recuperates from shoulder surgery.

Palmer will start when UF opens its season against The Citadel on September 5.

"It doesn't look like Doug's going to be ready for the first game or so right now -- unless he makes a miraculous recovery from what he's being doing," coach Steve Spurrier said late Tuesday.

Johnson has thrown little in the past four days, resting sore muscles in his shoulder. Johnson said he's about 65 percent healthy but wasn't going to rush his return.

Johnson had shoulder surgery on May 8 on his right arm to correct minor fraying of his rotator cuff.

He had said earlier that he hopes to be 100 percent by the Tennessee game on September 19, the Gators' first Southeastern Conference opponent after non-conference games against The Citadel and Northeast Louisiana.

Palmer started last season against Auburn, but was pulled in the third quarter for Noah Brindise.

Johnson was suspended for the Auburn game for a team-rule violation but had seven starts and played in nine games last year, passing for 2,023 yards with 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.  

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