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Gator defender suspended

GAINESVILLE -- Florida coach Ron Zook suspended defensive end Bobby McCray indefinitely for violating unspecified team rules.

McCray was at Monday's practice but did not work out.

"He'll be out here, he'll be running," Zook said, "but he won't be dealing with any football."

Zook said terms of the suspension partly will be up to McCray, a junior from Miami. The suspension might be lifted in time for him to play in the Aug. 31 opener against Alabama-Birmingham.

"It will depend on him when he comes back," Zook said. "It has a lot to do with what he does."

WILLIAMS HELD OUT: Tackle Bobby Williams was at practice, but did not participate in the morning session.

"Bobby is well," Zook said. "They decided to hold him once again, just more precautionary, but he's fine."

Zook said Williams, a redshirt sophomore, was dehydrated and overheated during Saturday's afternoon scrimmage at Florida Field. He was taken to Shands at the University of Florida, Gainesville, as a precautionary measure. He was released Sunday.

"I kind of coached the doctors into (admitting him)," Zook said. "I wanted that just for my own peace of mind, but he's fine."

Williams did not practice in the evening session. Zook said Williams again said he was warm and nauseous.

"There's a chance he may not even go (today)," Zook said.

WALKON QUITS: Sophomore wide receiver Brian Stone left the team to pursue more playing time at a smaller school.

-- JILL MARTIN

FSU's preparation slowed

TALLAHASSEE -- With its first game on Saturday against Iowa State, FSU had to abandoned practice Monday because of lightning.

"I didn't see the rain coming, but when I saw the lightning I was like let's go," senior defensive end Alonzo Jackson said.

The Seminoles moved indoors where the defense had a light, noncontact practice followed by film study. The offense went into the film room first and finished outside with light drills when the storm broke.

"I don't think this threw us off," coach Bobby Bowden said. "On the Monday before a ballgame we usually go out in shorts at night and have a very light practice anyway. We can make up what we missed."

INJURED PLAYERS RETURN: The team's outlook brightened with the return of receivers Anquan Boldin and Craphonso Thorpe, along with the improved health of defensive tackle Darnell Dockett and offensive tackle Brett Williams. All have missed time with injuries but all are expected to be ready Saturday.

"Unless something drastic happens I'm playing," Boldin said.

McPHERSON OUT: Backup quarterback Adrian McPherson will not be ready by Saturday. McPherson suffered a high ankle sprain in a scrimmage last week on a sack by Jackson.

Until McPherson returns, sophomore Fabian Walker will be Chris Rix's backup.

"I'm just going to rehab and hopefully things will get better," McPherson said.

-- JASON SCHNEIDER

UM center rests knee

CORAL GABLES -- Miami center Brett Romberg sat out practice with a slightly sprained knee.

Romberg, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound senior, was injured in the top-ranked Hurricanes' scrimmage Saturday. Coach Larry Coker said the move was for precautionary reasons.

"He could've gone today if we played, but we gave (backup center) Joel Rodriguez a lot of work, so that was a positive," Coker said.

Romberg, a candidate for the Rimington Award given to the nation's best center, said he should be back this morning.

USF injury outlook improves

TAMPA -- South Florida receiver Huey Whittaker had a brace on his right knee Monday, but the injury is not as bad as feared.

Whittaker, the team's leading receiver last season, was hurt in Saturday's scrimmage. Coach Jim Leavitt speculated afterward that Whittaker could be out awhile, but he has only a strain of the MCL.

"Could he play next week against Florida Atlantic? He's doubtful," Leavitt said. "We're looking more toward (Sept. 7 vs.) Northern Illinois."

MOVING UP: Quarterback David Mullins' work in the scrimmage has moved him ahead of Ronnie Banks on the depth chart, behind starter Marquel Blackwell.

LOOKING GOOD: Leavitt continues to rave about tight end Tim Jones, who is pulling double duty at defensive end.

"(He) had an absolute superb day," Leavitt said.

The offense was sharp in a two-minute drill to end practice, but Jones had a sack of Blackwell.

IN AND OUT: J.R. Reed, who missed the scrimmage after having a toenail removed, returned. DeAndrew Rubin (hamstring) hasn't practiced in a week and was on the sideline with several players nursing minor injuries from the scrimmage.

-- PETE YOUNG

Knights washed out

ORLANDO -- After players returned to classes, rain washed out practice and forced the team inside for film sessions and chalk talk. "We tried to get a jump on things by getting out a little early," coach Mike Kruczek said. "Obviously it didn't work, we got hit pretty bad."

Around the nation

COLORADO: Freshman wide receiver Jeremy Bloom gave up endorsement contracts he received as one of the world's top freestyle skiers so he can play college football.

GEORGIA: Jury selection began in the trial of cornerback Brandon Williams, who is charged with rape, aggravated assault and aggravated sexual battery. Williams remains suspended pending the outcome of the case. The trial is expected to last about a week.

OKLAHOMA: Junior Jason White, whose tenure as starting quarterback was cut short by injury last season, won the job again. White, a junior, was named starter by coach Bob Stoops after competing with senior Nate Hybl.

PENN STATE: Junior safety Ben Lago will miss the season after tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament.

PITTSBURGH: Coach Walt Harris named Rod Rutherford starting QB.

SMU: Wide receiver Chris Cunningham will miss 2002 after X-rays revealed he broke two bones in his left foot during a scrimmage on Saturday.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Backup quarterback Dondrial Pinkins' recovery time for a bone chip in his left ankle was reduced to 3-4 weeks. But quarterback Bennett Swygert learned he reinjured his left knee.

SOUTHERN MISS: Sophomore receiver Rocky Harrison is out indefinitely after surgery to repair a lacerated kidney and bruised pancreas.

TENNESSEE: The school revised its 2003 schedule and will open against Fresno State in place of Tulsa, which asked to be let out of the game.

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