Florida coach Will Muschamp was disappointed by the defense’s second-half perfor- mance Saturday. Not officially associated with the University of Florida Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida We Inform. You Decide. See story, Page 15. VOLUME 106 ISSUE 55 WWW.ALLIGATOR.ORG MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2011 FLORIDA 26 VANDERBILT 21 CLOSE TO COLLAPSE, UF FINDS A WAY Gators fend off Win brings joy, late comeback, but UF still a fi nd win column letdown in ‘11 GREG LUCA on’t expect to see a plaque with Mike Gil- Alligator Staff Writer lislee’s inspirational words pasted on the side of Ben Hill Griffi n Stadium any time There were ample moments Saturday when it Dsoon. Tim Tebow, he is not. appeared the Gators might allow the unthinkable. But Gillislee summed up Florida’s 26-21 win Florida hadn’t lost to Vanderbilt at home since against Vanderbilt as well as anyone. 1945. But these aren’t the same old Commodores “It was … it was … relief,” he said. or the same old Gators. Then, Gillislee tilted his fi tted cap down, cover- UF lost each of its four October contests, killing ing his eyes, shaking his head and fl ashing a grin. any hope of a Southeastern Conference title. Nothing more. Just a quick smile. On the opening possession against Vanderbilt, Many writers have talked about this win curing Omarius Hines turned a 39-yard catch-and-run ills, about this team showing some life in a season into disaster. He fumbled the ball into the end that was once considered lifeless. zone as he spun toward the turf, resulting in a No. It’s still dead. turnover. So much of this game is measured by expec- When the Commodores and quarterback Jor- tations, and Florida has already fallen well short dan Rodgers attempted a furious comeback late in of its own. The Gators the game, pulling within 6 with 10:54 remaining, always, always expect to the Gators persevered. compete on the biggest They may not be able to avoid a disappoint- stage. But now, for the ing season, but on Saturday they at least dodged last month of the season, downright embarrassment. Florida is not Florida. Florida (5-4, 3-4 SEC) survived multiple late- Tyler Jett Players don’t choose game scares to down Vanderbilt, 26-21, in The twitter: @tyler__jett Gainesville so they can Swamp, displaying their persistence and virtually fi nish third in the South- securing a postseason bowl appearance. eastern Conference East. “That’s the way they’ve been all year long,” They don’t envision celebrating a six-win season, coach Will Muschamp said. “They’ve continued partying because they stamped their tickets to the to fi ght. These guys have pulled together.” BBVA Compass Bowl or some other irrelevant des- Chris Rainey, Florida’s leader in rushing and tination. receiving, tested his sprained right ankle before The Gators can’t challenge the big boys. Instead, the game but was ultimately unable to play. November is about saving face, about maintaining Jeff Demps shouldered the load, carrying UF’s whatever pride is left, about feeling relieved. And previously inept offense to a relieving win. more importantly, November is about next year. “Finally get to go home and go to sleep,” junior It’s about building momentum going into the off- running back Mike Gillislee said. “I haven’t been season and spring practices and training camp. Brett Le Blanc / Alligator Staff It’s about convincing someone you can one day sleeping so good knowing we lost. But today, we Deonte Thompson (6) and Jordan Reed (center), members of UF’s hands team, fi nished.” be a champion, even if that someone is only your- SEE TYLER, PAGE 9 SEE FOOTBALL, PAGE 9 celebrate after corraling Vanderbilt’s onside kick late in Saturday’s 26-21 win. Community gathers for traditional Homecoming parade UF and Gainesville organizations Businesses, bands participated in two-hour event and fi re trucks with sirens blaring. Valenzuela couldn’t wait for MINA RADMAN coming parade. tion on University Avenue under er and lined University Avenue Vanessa to see the fi re trucks. Alligator Writer At 11:30 a.m., half an hour be- the watchful eyes of their moth- on Friday morning to watch the “Hopefully, they’ll keep her en- fore the parade began, Vanessa ers, Camille Valenzuela, 26, and Homecoming parade, which began tertained,” she said. Dressed in an orange-and-blue and 15-month-old Arabelle Kolb Danielle Kolb, 24, both Gainesville at noon and lasted about two hours. Small dogs ran with their tutu and orange Gators bloomers, crawled and walked together residents. There were high school marching owners in the Gator Gallop 2-year-old Vanessa Pearce found near the Gator Wesley Founda- Families braved the cold weath- bands, local businesses, fl oats from herself a new friend at the Home- SEE HOMECOMING, PAGE 5 Today 80/59 Seating changes cause confusion at Gator Growl Bright Futures poses challenge for student FORECAST 2 CROSSWORD 13 Adjustments were made because the stage was moved, pg 3. A high school student struggles to meet the OPINIONS 6 SPORTS 15 Denial to legalize marijuana creates stir among students revised Bright Futures requirements before the CLASSIFIEDS 10 Students are working on another petition, pg 8. application deadline, pg. 4. 2, ALLIGATOR . MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2011 News Today VOLUME 106 ISSUE 55 ISSN 0889-2423 WHAT’S HAPPENING Not offi cially associated with the University of Florida FORECAST Published by Campus Communications Inc., of Gainesville, Florida Chomp The Vote TODAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY NEWSROOM Monday through Thursday, 352-376-4458 (Voice), 352-376-4467 (Fax) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Editor Elizabeth Behrman, Turlington Plaza [email protected] PARTLY PARTLY PARTLY THUNDER SUNNY Managing Editor / Print Joey Flechas, Come to Turlington Plaza this CLOUDY CLOUDY CLOUDY STORMS 66/44 jfl [email protected] week to get registered to vote. 80/59 79/59 79/54 78/46 The goal is to get 100 people Managing Editor / Online Josh Isom, [email protected] Assistant Online Editor Matt Riva, [email protected] registered. Chomp the Vote, Hamara Asia Film Series First Amendment Free Food University Editor Melinda Carstensen, Lambda Theta Alpha, Sigma Part 2 Festival [email protected] Lambda Beta and Sigma Beta Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, noon to 2 p.m. Metro Editor Alex Orlando, [email protected] Rho are hosting the event. Reitz Union Auditorium Plaza of the Americas Opinions Editor Justin Hayes, [email protected] Asian Kaleidoscope Month Students can trade their First Freelance Editor Briana Seymour, Asian Food Festival: My Story, presents a screening of Amendment rights for free [email protected] Sports Editor Tom Green, [email protected] My Dish “The Namesake,” an ac- food to educate people about Today, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Assistant Sports Editor Matt Watts, [email protected] claimed film that follows the importance of free speech. alligatorSports.org Editor John Boothe, [email protected] Gator Wesley Church the life of an American-born Editorial Board Elizabeth Behrman, Joey Flechas Asian Kaleidoscope Month South Asian who struggles LGBT Stories: Queer in Asian Justin Hayes, Josh Isom presents the Asian Food with his identity and the America Photo Editors Dana Burke, [email protected], Festival, highlighting various clash of the two cultures. Wednesday, 6 p.m. to 8:30 Brett Le Blanc, [email protected] UF organizations that will Visit www.ufakmonth. p.m. the Avenue Editor Allison Banko, [email protected] offer a variety of culturally com for more information. Ustler Hall, 2nd Floor Copy Desk Chiefs Tyler Jett, Greg Luca, Corey McCall, Caitlin O’Conner inspired dishes to the com- Asian Kaleidoscope Month munity. The event will feature Copy Editors Greg Fink, Jillian Kremer, Audra McDonald and co-sponsor Pride Student Kathryn Milstein, Adrianna Paidas, Asian cuisine and food chal- Performance Union invite students to at- Harold Rocha, Rachel Rowan, lenges. Visit www.ufakmonth. Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. tend LGBT Stories: Queer in Keri Smith, Nika Zecevic com for more information. Phillips Center for the Asian America. This forum Performing Arts seeks to inform the commu- DISPLAY ADVERTISING UF School of Forest Resources Multiple Grammy and nity and UF students about 352-376-4482, 800-257-4341, 352-376-4556 (Fax) and Conservation John Gray Tony Award winner Audra the intersection of gay, lesbi- Advertising Director Shaun O’Connor, [email protected] Distinguished Lecturer McDonald will perform pop- an, bisexual, transgender and Franklin Boteler Retail Advertising Manager Gary Miller, [email protected] ular show tunes, cinema clas- queer members of the Asian- Advertising Offi ce Manager Victoria Livingston, Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. sics and original pieces at the American community. This [email protected] Grand Ballroom, Paramount Phillips Center. McDonald forum-based discussion will Advertising Assistant Melissa Bell Plaza Hotel starred in ABC’s hit TV se- include a panel of four guest Display Advertising Clerks Brighid Hourihan, Stephanie Parker, 2900 SW 13th St. ries “Private Practice,” and speakers, including special Barbara Valle Franklin E. Boteler, assis- will play the lead role in this guest and gender rights activ- Intern Coordinator Brandon Davis tant director of the Institute winter’s Broadway run of ist Pauline Park. See www. Sales Representatives Serina Braddock, Allison Klempert, Kyle Mueller, Linzy Monahan of Bioenergy, Climate and The Gershwins’ “Porgy and ufakmonth.com for more in- Environment, will speak on Sarah Platt, Ally Russo, Bess.” Student tickets are formation. Justin Scott, Brandon Stern “Forest Resources: Constant $15. Visit performingarts.ufl.