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State Practice Reports

Benched lineman won't quit

GAINESVILLE -- Florida guard David Jorgensen, who pondered quitting the team after he was suddenly pulled from the Kentucky game, said Tuesday he'll stick it out with the Gators -- for now.

"I decided nothing's gained if I leave at this point," the right guard said. "I'm going to stick it out, hang around and see how things go the next few weeks. Hopefully, things will improve."

Florida coaches pulled the senior, who was making his 21st career start, after the opening series because he couldn't stop Kentucky's Dewayne Robertson.

Jorgensen practiced at center Tuesday in place of starter Mike Degory, who has been limited with a sore back.

Florida coach Ron Zook said he expected sophomore Mo Mitchell and Jorgensen to both see time at right guard against the Rebels.

LEE TO RETURN: Defensive end Darrell Lee most likely will not redshirt this season, and instead could return as early as this week.

"We were going to play him this past weekend, but the position never presented itself to put him in there," Zook said. "I talked to Darrell a little on Sunday night and he's getting better. It has been four weeks now and there's no reason he shouldn't be ready this week."

ANY VOLUNTEERS?: With punters Sean Morton and Jason Hunter struggling, backup quarterback Ingle Martin isn't the only potential solution.

Tailback Earnest Graham was the full-time punter at his high school and averaged 40 yards. But he has no desire to work with special teams.

"That's never an easy thing to go out there and play with so many eyes on you and thinking about so much," he said. "(Morton and Hunter) have to get comfortable and be confident. Once they get that they'll be fine."

-- ANTONYA ENGLISH, JILL MARTIN, TIMES WIRES

'Noles expect more rain

TALLAHASSEE -- After Tropical Storm Isidore soaked the Seminoles during their loss at Louisville, FSU can expect another storm, this one Lili, to bring thunderstorms to Tallahassee on Thursday when the Seminoles play Clemson.

"There's nothing we can do about it," coach Bobby Bowden said. "At least last week we got 60 minutes of work in (the rain). (Rain) ruins the game. I hate to play in it and I know (Clemson) does too. Both of us have wide-open offenses that need good footing and a dry ball."

Bowden said he might make some changes to the game plan depending on the severity of the weather.

"If it's sprinkling and you can keep the ball dry then we can do what we want, but if it really rains then that would limit some things," Bowden said.

JOHNSON STARTS: Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews announced that sophomore Travis Johnson would replace junior Jeff Womble at nose guard. Last year, Johnson played in 11 games and recorded two sacks in the season opener. INJURY UPDATE: Sophomore Ray Willis will start at tight tackle after missing three games with ankle and shoulder injuries, allowing Brett Williams to move back to split tackle. Torrance Washington will start at fullback.

-- JASON SCHNEIDER, TIMES WIRES

Bulls' road trip continues

TAMPA -- South Florida practiced for more than two hours Tuesday in preparation for Saturday's game at North Texas.

Last season, the Bulls defeated the Mean Green 28-10 at Raymond James Stadium. It was 14-10 in the third quarter before USF pulled away.

"It was a very physical game between two evenly matched teams," USF coach Jim Leavitt said.

USF will be playing its third straight road game, while North Texas (1-4) returns home after three straight on the road, including narrow defeats in its past two games, 16-10 at TCU and 14-9 at Arizona.

-- PETE YOUNG

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