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Florida Gators' linebacker Ryan Stamper a versatile reserve

The way Ryan Stamper remembers it, he had 10 minutes to get to the airport. That was just the first time the Florida Gators defender had to fill in for All-American Brandon Spikes this year. It was not the last.

In late July, Spikes was scheduled to appear in Hoover, Ala., alongside quarterback Tim Tebow and coach Urban Meyer for the annual Southeastern Conference Media Days. According to Stamper, Spikes came down with a bad case of stage fright and balked at the last possible moment.

Florida needed a replacement and needed one fast. The Southeastern Conference could have fined Florida if the team showed up to its hotel short one player. Stamper got the call. He was in bed. It was 9:20 a.m. and the voice on the other side of the phone said the plane was leaving at 9:30.

University of Florida's Joe Haden blossoms during junior season

When cornerback Joe Haden first arrived at the University of Florida, he had visions of playing quarterback.

Haden stepped on the practice field in 2007, took one look at Tim Tebow and said, ``Next.''

UF's Ryan Stamper excels as a 'fill-in'

There's a secret door in the back of a ballroom here at the Wynfrey Hotel. That's where the Southeastern Conference hid Florida Gators linebacker Ryan Stamper on Thursday.

While UF quarterback Tim Tebow stood at the podium and spoke to hundreds of reporters in the spacious ballroom, Stamper sat in the corner of his secret room behind a table used to store conference media guides. That's the way the SEC wanted it.

Make no mistake: Tebow, the quarterback with the godly image, is the face of the SEC this season. When it's time for Tebow to speak, everything else is tucked away in the dark corner. When Tebow is talking, everything else, even a UF defense that could be one of the best in the history of the SEC, is unimportant.

Charlie Strong to coach at Florida until end of season

Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong was introduced as Louisville's new coach Wednesday, but he said he would remain with the Gators through the bowl season.

No. 5 Florida (12-1) plays No. 4 Cincinnati on Jan. 1 in the Sugar Bowl. Strong, who has been the Gators' defensive coordinator since 2003, agreed to a five-year contract reportedly worth $1.6 million annually in base salary to coach Louisville, which has been in a steady decline since former coach Bobby Petrino left for the Atlanta Falcons.

Arkansas offense poses test for UF defense

GAINESVILLE -- Florida coach Urban Meyer thinks his secondary is the best in the country. On Saturday, he will have a chance to prove it.

The Gators' passing defense is ranked No. 1 in the country through five games, but the secondary faces its toughest test of the season at 3:30 p.m. when the Arkansas Razorbacks (3-2, 1-2 SEC) and 6-7 quarterback Ryan Mallett visit Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. It's homecoming for UF, and the top-ranked Gators (5-0, 3-0 SEC) are a 25-point favorite.

Through five games, Florida's defense has allowed an average of 115.2 yards per game through the air, and its defensive backs have given up just one passing touchdown while making seven interceptions. UF defensive backs Janoris Jenkins, Major Wright and Joe Haden each have two interceptions, and strong safety Ahmad Black has one. Safety Will Hill, who also plays nickelback, has 11 tackles and two quarterback hurries.