No. 11 Florida picks dental student as backup kicker

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) A dental student has filled Florida's open kicker spot.

The 11th-ranked Gators announced Friday that Neil MacInnes will serve as the team's backup Saturday against Southeastern Conference rival Georgia in Jacksonville. Austin Hardin, who has been dealing with a leg injury, is expected to be available to handle kicking duties.

MacInnes, a senior studying to be a dental ceramist, was one of 216 students who responded to an open call after Florida lost Jorge Powell to a season-ending knee injury at LSU. With Hardin the only kicker left on the roster, coach Jim McElwain held a midseason tryout.

MacInnes beat out former equipment staffer Donovan White and former Virginia Tech kicker Brooks Abbott.

He last kicked in a game in 2011 as a senior at Chamberlain High in Tampa.

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AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org