GAINESVILLE - Florida running back Ran Carthon might not play his last homecoming game.
The senior from Key West had his foot stepped on during Thursday's practice and has what coach Ron Zook called a foot bruise. But when Zook asked Carthon about missing Saturday's game against Vanderbilt, Carthon said he should be ready to play.
"I hope Ran can go for a lot of reasons," Zook said. "It's the last homecoming game, he's only got two more games in the Swamp and I know he really wants to go. He has done a lot for this football team, so I'm pretty sure he'll be okay."
If Carthon is unable to play, Zook said he has not decided who will replace him. Sophomore Ciatrick Fason has been practicing with a sore shoulder, but will play and could start.
HARRIS TO START: After talking with defensive coordinator Charlie Strong, Zook said senior Travis Harris will start at defensive end.
"Travis Harris did a great job and had a great game (against Georgia)," Zook said. "If that's the guy Charlie feels like should be the (starter), then that's who we'll go with."
Harris started in place of a suspended Bobby McCray last week and had 11/2 sacks against the Bulldogs.
But while Harris might get the start, Zook said that McCray came back from suspension and had his best week of practice since Zook has been at Florida.
- BRIAN SHAFFER
Clemson game special for three Seminoles
TALLAHASSEE - For Florida State's three South Carolina natives, seniors Michael Boulware (Columbia) and Greg Jones (Beaufort), and redshirt junior Alex Barron (Orangeburg), Saturday's game at Clemson will be the final time they play in their home state as Seminoles.
All three are starters - Boulware at linebacker, Jones at tailback and Barron at tackle - and all three came to Tallahassee in 2000 when FSU was coming off a national championship. Coach Bobby Bowden thinks that's part of the reason why the program was able to lure all three from South Carolina schools.
"I think a lot of it was when we were having that great winning streak and we were very attractive to players," Bowden said.
BEITIA ON TARGET: After starting the season a respectable 5-for-7 on field goals, junior kicker and Jesuit High product Xavier Beitia has been on a tear in Florida State's past three games, connecting on 9-of-10. That includes 5-for-5 on field goals beyond 40 yards and kicking his regular-season career long of 48 yards against Wake Forest.
"I've been saying all along my confidence never went anywhere," said Beitia, who was named one of 20 semifinalists, along with Miami's Jon Peattie, for the Lou Groza Award as the nation's top kicker.
"I just needed some attempts to prove it."
INJURIES: Linebacker Kendyll Pope, who has missed FSU's past two games with a knee injury, and guard Jeff Womble (triceps) are probable for Saturday.
- ZACHARY SPAIN
Thunderstorm interrupts Bulls practice again
TAMPA - For the second straight day, South Florida saw its practice disrupted by rain. A fierce thunderstorm blew in at 4, chasing coach Jim Leavitt into a nearby equipment shed.
Practice was delayed by 45 minutes, but the Bulls still had a full workout in preparation for Saturday's game at East Carolina.
GETTING DEFENSIVE: East Carolina is giving up an average of 233.9 yards on the ground, 440.6 yards of offense and 36 points.
HOMECOMING HORROR: Saturday is homecoming for East Carolina. The Pirates have won 40 of 48 homecoming games, including 13 in a row from 1989-2001. Who broke their streak? USF with a 46-30 win last season.
