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State practice reports

Seminoles ready for the Irish

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State wrapped up preparations for Saturday's game against undefeated Notre Dame on Thursday night and coach Bobby Bowden is confident heading into the weekend.

"We've prepared about as well as we can prepare for the game," he said. "It's going to be a great football game. Notre Dame is bringing an outstanding team in here."

FSU is expecting a record crowd to see just the fifth matchup between the teams.

Bowden is confident Florida State can combat the famous Fighting Irish spirit with some of its own.

"This is our place, this is our crowd, this is our spirit," Bowden said. "We're going to show them some Seminoles spirit.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: Running back Greg Jones is the ACC's leading rusher with 822 yards. He comes into Saturday's game a marked man, but Jones just smiles with the thought of Notre Dame concentrating on him.

"If you look at our offense you see that we've got players all across the board that can get it done," Jones said. "I'm not the focal point of the offense. (Notre Dame) can think that, but if they come into the game thinking they're going to stop me, then other people are just going to make the plays."

"We need to make sure we limit him as much as we can," said Notre Dame defensive coordinator Kent Baer, describing Jones as "a big old back who can really run."

INJURY UPDATE: Receiver P.K. Sam (hamstring), linebacker Marcello Church (hand) and defensive end Eric Moore (appendectomy) are out.

FAMILY CONNECTION: FSU sophomore offensive tackle Alex Barron contemplated following his uncle, Luther Bradley, at Notre Dame.

"Florida State and Notre Dame were my last two choices; there might have a little (family lobbying)," he said with a broad smile.

Bradley was an All-America cornerback (1973-77) and a first-round draft pick of Detroit. He works for a medical insurance company in the Detroit area.

"He was going to try to come down here," Barron said. "I have some tickets for him."

TOUGH TICKET: Notre Dame senior tight end Gary Godsey, a former Jesuit High standout, said he was having a little trouble scrounging up enough tickets for his family and friends who want to see him play.

"It's hard; we have a bunch of guys from Florida," he said.

The Irish have 10 Floridians on their roster, including several from the bay area: junior cornerback Preston Jackson (Hillsborough) and sophomore cornerback Dwight Ellick (Wharton). Godsey is hoping he can come up with another eight tickets from teammates. He receives four.

-- JASON SCHNEIDER, BRIAN LANDMAN, TIMES WIRES

Bull Bowl III

TAMPA -- The third Bull Bowl ended with a stunning stand by the defense. Trailing by five late in the fourth quarter, the offense drove deep into the red zone, but the defense held with a sack on fourth and goal to end the scrimmage.

The Bull Bowls are an intrasquad scrimmage designed to allow USF's second- and third-teamers more time on the field.

"It's very important for the coaches to evaluate the progress of these players," coach Jim Leavitt said. "A lot of guys did very well, but we'll know more when we break down the film. A lot of those guys play for us, but don't get a lot of time."

HOME RECRUITING: With an off week, the coaching staff will take advantage of the time to head out on the recruiting trail. Leavitt will be staying home, however, as USF keeps its focus on the Tampa Bay area.

"I'm not going out," Leavitt said. "But we'll have coaches throughout Florida and Georgia. The Tampa Bay area is still most important for us. We'll be throughout Tampa and St. Petersburg, that's our home target."

-- ANTHONY GAGLIANO

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