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Around the state

By Times wires and staff reports
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 27, 2002

Three Gators are cited for alcohol violations

GAINESVILLE -- Florida starting right tackle Maurice "Mo" Mitchell, backup wide receiver Kelvin Kight and defensive end Sylvester McGrew were cited for underage drinking and violation of the open container law, but they likely won't be suspended for Saturday's home opener against Alabama-Birmingham.

Mitchell, a 21-year-old sophomore, was cited by University Police for the open container violation. Kight, 20, and McGrew, 19, were cited for underage drinking and open container violations. UPD officers said they discovered the players drinking beverages that smelled of alcohol during a foot check Saturday night on Fraternity Row. A half-empty bottle of vodka was found in Mitchell's carpolice said.

They are scheduled to appear in court Sept. 12.

"We're going to deal with it internally right now," coach Ron Zook said. "I don't have all the information right now, but as soon as I get all the information, I'll deal with it. They are staying away from me right now, but they know that I know. From the information I have right now, they will all three play."

JOHNSON PRACTICES: Safety Todd Johnson was at Monday's practice and did 40 50-yard sprints. He was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion after colliding with cornerback Johnny Lamar in Wednesday's scrimmage at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, staying overnight in the hospital.

"I'm wearing a new helmet to get used to it," Johnson said. "They want to see how I feel running and get my heart rate up. ... I felt great."

Zook was unsure if Johnson will play Saturday.

-- ANTONYA ENGLISH, JILL MARTIN

USF 'lethargic' in practice

TAMPA -- Apparently, the draining effects of the first day of class outweigh the excitement of being three days from the opening game.

South Florida coach Jim Leavitt said the team was lethargic Monday, which was the first day of school and the second-to-last practice before Thursday's home game against Florida Atlantic.

"You've got to get in that routine," he said. "We weren't focused today. They didn't come ready to go."

INJURIES: Receiver Huey Whittaker (knee) will not play but could be ready for Sept. 7 against Northern Illinois. DeAndrew Rubin (hamstring), Bruce Gipson (ankle) and Quinton Callum (groin) are probable.

THE END?: Offensive lineman Ken Dawson, a partial qualifier four years ago, had until the start of classes to complete his degree requirements and earn a final year of eligibility. "If we haven't heard now, it doesn't look good," Leavitt said.

MAYBE NEXT YEAR: Running back Charlie Ross, who did not report for fall drills, attended class and could rejoin the team later. Ross, from Riverview High, said he isn't playing for personal reasons. "If I were to return, it would be at USF," he said.

Ross (6 feet 2, 240), who redshirted last fall as a freshman, has earned praise from Leavitt for his scout-team work. He said the coaching staff told him he would be welcome next season.

-- PETE YOUNG

Bowden: Cut out mistakes

TALLAHASSEE -- As the Seminoles returned to the field after a near loss to Iowa State on Saturday, coach Bobby Bowden took a long look at the film, seeing a few bright spots.

"We started off playing like it was the eighth game of the year and that's not supposed to happen in the first game," Bowden said.

But costly errors allowed the Cyclones to close in, and that is what FSU will focus on before hosting Virginia on Saturday.

"It was an error here and an error there, blow a coverage here and blow a coverage there," Bowden said. "We saw a lot of things that we really need to get corrected."

MORE OF FOUR: Bowden wants to use more of the four-wide receiver set that FSU used successfully in the past against Virginia.

INJURY REPORT: Tackle Ray Willis sprained an ankle against ISU but is not expected to miss a game.

-- JASON SCHNEIDER

Eligibility questions at UM

CORAL GABLES -- Freshman Antonio Reynolds did not attend Miami's practice after questions were raised about his academic eligibility. Reynolds, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound linebacker, has missed several training camps. Coker is awaiting word on Terrell Walden and top recruit Devin Hester.

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