College football
UF misses no beat with shuffling line
By Times staff writers
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 12, 2003
GAINESVILLE - The names on the backs of the UF offensive linemen might as well not even be there. The unit, which has changed several times, has proved to be a deep and talented group through two games - no matter who lines up where.
The changes have included switching Outland Trophy candidate Max Starks from tackle to guard and back to tackle. Also, Lance Butler made the first start of his career Saturday at Miami and Mike Degory, one of the premier players in the country at center, has seen time at guard.
"I think the shuffling is a good idea, it keeps us all fresh," Degory said. "We have, when (Jon) Colon and (Anthony) Guerrero get back, probably eight or nine guys that can all play. All it's going to do is make us fresher in the fourth quarter with the shuffling and the rotating."
Colon and Guerreroare scheduled to return from knee injuries within the next two weeks.
IN REMEMBERANCE: Florida will commemorate the second anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks before Saturday's game against FAMU. About 15 minutes before the game and just before the national anthem fans will be asked to observe a moment of silence.
GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS: Linebacker Todd McCullough has been ruled out of Saturday's game with a shoulder he injured against Miami, coach Ron Zook said. Freshman cornerback Dee Webb will make his Florida debut after missing the first two games with an ankle injury.
- BRIAN SHAFFER, ANTONYA ENGLISH
Tech's Ball opens FSU's eyes
TALLAHASSEE - While his numbers last weekend weren't staggering (9-of-21 for 149 yards, one touchdown) freshman quarterback Reggie Ball led Georgia Tech to a 17-3 upset over Auburn. FSU, which hosts the Yellow Jackets on Saturday, has taken notice.
"He is a guy that can escape rushes, can run, has got a great arm on him and he's very quick," coach Bobby Bowden said "They really got a good young one there."
Linebacker Kendyll Pope compared Ball, who has rushed for 65 yards in two games, with mobile Darian Durant, the UNC quarterback FSU played Saturday.
"The thing that is most dangerous about (Ball) is that he can run with the ball," Pope said. "Any guy that can impersonate Michael Vick is going to be a threat. Like Durant, we have to respect his run as well as his pass."
The Seminoles were able to shut down Durant, the ACC total-offense leader last season, by making contact early. Pope said the same will be necessary to stop Ball, who often runs quarterback draws and bootlegs.
"We just got to hit Ball and make him not want to run the ball," Pope said. "We are going to try to lay some helmets on him early to try to stop him from doing the bootlegs and the sneaks and get him saying, "Coach, don't call that play no more.' "
AREA PLAYERS: Georgia Tech has four players - all freshmen - from the Tampa Bay area on the roster: QB Patrick Carter (Lakewood), WR Eddie Ivery (Chamberlain), DE Adamm Oliver (Ridgewood) and FB Kyle Pupello (Plant).
Young Bulls players get to play
TAMPA - Practice gave South Florida's younger players a chance to shine.
With USF's next game against Army more than two weeks away, the Bulls starters ran and threw in helmets only, and then were spectators to Bull Bowl, a full-contact scrimmage between players further down the depth chart.
Coach Jim Leavitt said it was the defense that came out on top in the 50-snap scrimmage. The offense scored twice, he said, but gave up two touchdowns, one on an interception and another on a fumble.
"Some guys are going to move up on the depth chart," Leavitt said, though he wouldn't say who until he watched scrimmage tape. "There was some good hitting."
A ROUGH RECEPTION: The practice field was covered in brittle golf ball-sized gray stones. The rocks, the result of fertilizer gone bad, forced the Bulls to one side of the facility.
"It almost cost us a practice," Leavitt said.
- ROB BRANNON
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