Monday Sports Update (9/1)

Our Labor Day Sports Update features Gator football, NFL news, college football, racing, baseball and a whole lot more…

** No decision has been made yet as to whether or not the Florida football opener with Idaho will be made up after bad weather and field conditions suspended the game on Saturday.   Discussions are ongoing as the Gators get set for Eastern Michigan Saturday.

** In college football yesterday, Tennessee hammers Utah State 38-7 and Baylor crushes SMU 45-0.  Tonight, Louisville plays Miami in the debut of Bobby Petrino (for the second time) as coach of the Cardinals.

** In the NFL, several Gator players cut by their teams are now on practice squads including running back Jeff Demps and wide receiver Solomon Patton for Tampa Bay and defensive lineman Justin Trattou in Minnesota.   Quarterback Rex Grossman had his contract terminated by Cleveland.

** Not good news for former Gator and current San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald, who was arrested on domestic violence charges.   The NFL just toughened its penalties for players in this area and McDonald could be suspended for six games on a first offense.

** On a better note, tight end Harold “Gator” Hoskins, who played at Marshall and graduated from Eastside High School in Gainesville, has made the Miami Dolphins roster.

** Kasey Kahne gets his first NASCAR win of the year in Atlanta yesterday, qualifying him for the Chase For The Cup at the end of the season.   He beat Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin.

** In baseball, Boston blanks Tampa Bay 3-0 and those teams will conclude a series today.   Atlanta beat Miami 1-0 behind the dominant pitching of Alex Wood.   The Braves begin a series with Philadelphia tonight while Miami takes on the New York Mets.