Bait & Bits: Andre Debose Returns, NFL Gators Sign Deals, No. 1 Teams Prepare for Championships, and Lacrosee

October 20, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Quinton Dunbar (1) is congratulated by wide receiver Andre Debose (4) after he scored a touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to Bait & Bits, a series on Hail Florida Hail that will feature one “bait” about an opposing school and some bits about the Gators. Have any links that you want on Bait & Bits? Tweet it at us @HailFloridaHail or @BrettKaplan13 or email it to us at BrettKaplanHFH@gmail.com.

Bait

Missouri Tigers Gymnastics. Florida finishes out the regular season with a trip to Missouri. In the last meet, the Gators posted the highest team total in any meet this year at 198.325. And this was without the Gators at full strength. Head coach Rhonda Faehn rested Bridget Sloan, the country’s top-ranked gymnast and 2013 national champion. Not only did they put up the top score in the nation, but they had another perfect 10.0 score by Kytra Hunter, her fifth of the season. The Tigers better bring their A++++ game if they want to have a chance against a team firing on all cylinders, who deserves to be number one.

Bits

Andre Debose Granted Sixth Year of Eligibility. Wide receiver/kick returner Andre Debose will be back on the field for the Gators after the NCAA officially approved his extension waiver:

His wide receiver coach, Joker Phillips also chimed in:

Out of high school, Debose was supposed to help ease the transition from a Percy Harvin-less offense. Debose hasn’t lived up to those lofty expectations yet, but he is Florida’s best kick return threat since Brandon James. Hopefully with the extra year of maturity, Debose can come in and lead an underachieving receiving corps.

Former Gators Sign Deals in the NFL. Wide receiver Andre “Bubba” Caldwell didn’t have a chance to hit free agency after he re-upped with the Denver Broncos. He signed a two-year deal worth up to $3.45 million. He took to Twitter to announce the news:

Caldwell’s role should expand with former Bronco Eric Decker signing with the New York Jets. Jeremy Mincey got to test the free agent waters, and ended up signing with the Dallas Cowboys.

"It’s official Mr.Mince is a Cowboy!!!! Childhood team!!! yezzzir"

Mincey signed a contract for two-years and $4.5 million ($2 million) guaranteed. As Only Gators points out, Mincey shares a tie with a Gator Great:

Good luck to Bubba and Jeremy as they continue their careers!

Lacrosse Sets Three School-Records in Route of Winthrop. Shannon Gilroy continues her superb season as she led Florida (8-1) to a 21-5 win over Winthrop (2-4). Gilroy scored four free-position goals as Florida scored seven FPG’s overall. Both of those tied a UF-record. The Gators only turned the ball over five times, which tied another school-record. Fourth-ranked Florida faces a tough test Saturday when they travel to the No. 2/3 Syracuse Orange.

Nora Barry Named ALC Offensive Player of the Week. Nora Barry’s efforts in the come from behind win against N0. 12 Loyola did not go unnoticed. Barry scored the game-tying and winning goals for Florida in the match. She scored five goals in the game. Barry also played well in Florida’s conference win over Michigan. She scored two goals and an assist.

No. 1 Indoor Track & Field Teams In Albuquerque. The Florida men can add to their dynasty Friday and Saturday as the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships start tomorrow in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The men’s team won three straight from 2010-12 and are looking to add more after a year of missing out on a title. And with both the men’s and women’s teams going into the meet at number one, they could be the first program to sweep in Indoor Championships since 2008 when Arizona State achieved that goal. The only other squad to sweep the championships would be the 2004 LSU teams. For more on event times and schedule, click here.

Top-Ranked Men’s Swimming & Diving to Send 14 to NCAA Championships. In another sport which Florida is number one, men’s swimming and diving, the Gators will have an opportunity to win a team national championship. Arthur Frayler, Sebastien Rousseau, Mitch D’Arrigo, Eduardo Solaeche-Gomez, Marcin Cieslak, Connor Signorin, Corey Main, Matt Elliott, Carlos Omana, Pawel Werner, Dan Wallace, Matt Curby, Brad deBorde and Jack Blyzinskyj qualified for UF for the NCAA Championships in Austin, TX March 27-29.

For more on the Gators make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@HailFloridaHail and @BrettKaplan13).