By MATT VAUTOUR
AMHERST — UMass coach Mark Whipple has often found his team’s performance in Wednesday practices to be a good indicator of how it would play the following Saturday.
If this week follows that model, he was encouraged at the Minutemen’s potential at Florida.
“At the beginning of (Tuesday’s) practice, it wasn’t the same team we had in camp. So we sent them back in the locker room to put pads on,” he said. “We were more physical. For the last week and a half they’ve been really good. They’ve played hard. They’ve competed. We have to put our best foot forward on Saturday.”
Whipple said the 2015 team, which finished 3-9, never really came together.
“It was probably the only time in my career I can remember, and I’ve had some crappy teams, that we didn’t have one game where we were good in all phases,” he said. “It never happened. Why? I don’t know. This group has been really good. The guys we brought in have been really good.”
Senior Khary Bailey-Smith agreed.
“I think we’re ready. Everyone’s spirits are really high,” Bailey-Smith said. “We’re ready to get down there and ball out.”
ON THE PLANE — Whipple said that senior receiver Jalen Williams, who is working his way back from an ankle injury, participated Wednesday but was limited.
Defensive end Sha-Ki Holines missed the end of practice with an undisclosed injury, but it wasn’t considered serious.
Whipple said that true freshman receivers Sadiq Palmer and Elijiah Robinson, who aren’t on UMass’ official two-deep, will both make the trip to Florida, as will junior college linebacker Rod Jones Jr., who also isn’t on the depth chart.
WORTON OUT — Florida receiver C.J. Worton, who has missed most of the preseason with an ankle sprain, was officially ruled out for Saturday’s game. He’s one of four receivers who won’t be available due to suspension or injury.
JACK DEL RIO IN TOWN — Oakland Raiders players who are cut before Saturday’s final roster trimming won’t likely get the news in person from their head coach.
Jack Del Rio will be across the continent in Florida to see his son, senior quarterback Luke Del Rio, make his first collegiate start for the Gators.
HERMINE IN — Tropical Storm Hermine is expected to hit Florida Thursday into Friday, but will likely be past Gainesville by the 7:30 p.m. game time. There are still scattered thunderstorms in the forecast.
SPURRIER FIELD DEDICATION — UMass will be the first team to play on a newly named field in Gainesville. It will officially be called Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Most people will still just call it “The Swamp,” the nickname Spurrier gave it during his 12-season tenure that began in 1990.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage