Sophomore QB To Start For Gators

Sophomore Jesse Palmer will be the starting quarterback for third-ranked Florida while junior quarterback Doug Johnson recuperates from shoulder surgery.

Palmer will start when Florida opens its season against The Citadel on Sept. 5.

"It doesn't look like Doug's going to be ready for the first game or so right now -- unless he makes a miraculous recovery from what he's being doing," coach Steve Spurrier said late Tuesday.

Johnson has thrown little in the past four days, resting sore muscles in his shoulder. Johnson said he's about 65 percent healthy but wasn't going to rush his return.

Johnson had shoulder surgery on May 8 on his right arm to correct minor fraying of his rotator cuff.

© 1998 SportsLine USA, Inc. All rights reserved