GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Much of the concern heading into the season was how Florida’s patchwork offensive line would perform without all of its starters healthy.

So far, the line has held up fine, albeit against two overmatched opponents. The Gators have allowed just two sacks in their first two games this season.

A big reason has been the play of junior right tackle Carlton Medder, who has pleasantly surprised Florida coach Urban Meyer with his ability to run block and protect the passer.

"If you told me a year ago he’d be our starting right tackle, I’d say, no, he would not be," Meyer said following Wednesday’s practice. "He’s done a really good job."

Meyer moved Drew Miller inside from right tackle to right guard after projected starting guard Ronnie Wilson went down with a broken ankle the first week of preseason practices.

That opened the starting job at right tackle. Medder, a fourth-year junior from Clermont who was mostly used on special teams, took advantage of the opportunity.

Meyer said Medder’s work ethic has stood out.

"He’s changed his whole body and his whole demeanor," Meyer said.

It’s unclear if Medder will hold onto the job when Wilson returns, but he will be starting in Saturday’s critical SEC opener at Tennessee. Wilson walked off Wednesday’s practice field without a protective boot.

"He’s getting close, boy," Meyer said. "Looks good to see him out there.

I’d say a week or two weeks. If I were a doctor, he’d be good to go."

Kicking Concerns: Meyer said he’s not concerned that senior kicker Chris Hetland has yet to attempt a field goal this season. Hetland, on the Groza Award watch list, made 13 of 16 attempts as a walk-on last season.

Meyer said he’s tried to simulate some field goal attempts in practice to keep Hetland sharp.

"We do situations and we try to put him in stuff, but it’s nothing like a game," Meyer said. "The good thing is Chris has made some big field goals in the past. I’m not as worried about that as everyone else is. He’s a good kicker. He’s been in the arena."

Meyer said he’s still evaluating the holder situation. Starting punter Eric Wilbur has held kicks the first two games, but some botched plays on snap and hold exchanges have resulted in two missed extra points this season.

Wilbur and long snapper/quarterback Butch Rowley have alternated holding kicks in practices this week.

"It’s probably going to be Butch Rowley but I’m really not quite sure,"

Meyer said. "It will be him or Wilbur."

Notebook: Starting receiver Jemalle Cornelius left practice 10 minutes early due to heat-related symptoms, "He got a little light-headed out there," Meyer said. "We wanted to get him in, get him out of the sun. He’s fine." ... Freshman Brandon James has returned from a knee injury to practice this week and has impressed on kickoff returns, "Brandon is doing good," Meyer said. "There’s a chance he might be our punt returner, too." ... Meyer has described practices this week as workmanlike: "We’ve added a few wrinkles offensively and defensively so they are so focused on doing their job right there’s not a lot of rah-rah," Meyer said. "Guys are focused and going hard." ... In an effort to simulate game conditions, Meyer has piped in crowd noise that includes the never-ending Tennessee fight song "Rocky Top."