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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 10, 2002
A pair of 'Noles still hurting
Having played last Thursday, Florida State had two extra days to get healthy for Saturday's game against Miami, but for Jerel Hudson and B.J. Ward it might not be enough.
Hudson, the starting middle linebacker, practiced Wednesday for the first time this week, but coach Bobby Bowden said Hudson may be a liability.
"Jerel worked out today but he can't run very effectively," Bowden said. "I think he'll get better this week, it's just a matter if he can run good enough. You've got be able to run against Miami."
Hudson has had a left ankle sprain for most of the season, and he sprained his right ankle against Clemson and missed practice until Wednesday. He wore ankle braces and had a thick layer of tape around his ankles at practice.
Ward, a senior safety, has blocked three field goals, a season and career high at FSU, but a neck strain sustained against Clemson puts him in doubt.
"I think (Ward) might be able to get in on a few special plays," Bowden said. "Blocking punts and kicks mostly. He hasn't gotten the reps this week."
HOMECOMING SNUB: FSU is the Hurricanes' homecoming opponent, a game usually reserved for easy victories.
"When I was in high school we always picked the chumps to play our homecoming," defensive end Alonzo Jackson said. "We'd walk all over them and then go to the homecoming dance."
-- JASON SCHNEIDER
TAMPA -- South Florida has played against several top running backs this season, including the nation's second-leading rusher, Northern Illinois' Michael Turner.
Southern Miss' 6-foot-2, 230-pound Derrick Nix (94 carries, 618 yards, 6.6 average, 8 TDs) might be the best of the lot, and it makes for a compelling showdown Saturday at Raymond James Stadium. USF's rush defense is ranked 12th nationally, allowing 94.6 yards.
"He's an outstanding running back," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "He's a big fellow. We're not going to be able to arm tackle him."
THE BEST? USF leads the nation in penalties with 63, and its 500 penalty yards is third behind Oregon State (619) and Louisville (535).
WALLS WILL: Defensive tackle Greg Walls, hobbled by a left ankle sprain sustained Saturday at North Texas, practiced Wednesday for the first time this week.
"It feels good," Walls said. "I'll be ready to go."
-- PETE YOUNG
GAINESVILLE -- Freshman wide receiver Jemalle Cornelius is practicing with the varsity this week and will dress for Saturday's game against LSU, coach Ron Zook said.
Cornelius, who is from Fort Meade, still has his redshirt year intact.
Zook has not decided if Cornelius will play against the Tigers.
Zook has dressed two other true freshman receivers, Reggie Lewis and Kenneth Tookes, for every game this season. Neither has played.
TUTORING SESSION: Zook has worked individually with kicker Matt Leach, who has yet to have a game in which he was perfect on field goals or extra points. There is no backup kicker, although backup quarterback Ingle Martin worked on field goals by himself.
"I've been working with Matt since I got here," Zook said. "I feel like he's getting better and better. Every week he's getting in a groove."
Zook likened Leach's situation to one of a struggling golfer.
"Sometimes they can't get it to go straight," he said.
INJURIES: Guard Shannon Snell, a Tampa native, remains day-to-day after a sprained shoulder against Ole Miss.
If Snell can't play, redshirt freshman Mike Degory has been working at guard. He has started at center in all six games.
Marcus Oquendo-Johnson (sprained ankle) also is day-to-day.
-- JILL MARTIN