By Times Staff Reports
Published November 20, 2003
TAMPA - South Florida coach Jim Leavitt ended the speculation Wednesday and said he expects Ronnie Banks to start at quarterback Saturday vs. UAB.
"I'll talk to the (assistant) coaches," Leavitt said. "I'm leaning towards (Banks). That's probably the direction we'll go."
Minutes earlier, Banks guided the first-team offense to a touchdown in the weekly "two-minute" drill. The offense went 70 yards in 1:05 with one timeout. Banks hit Chris Iskra for the score.
"Ronnie Banks drove the team down and hit Keyshawn Johnson for the touchdown," Leavitt joked.
Pat Julmiste and receiver/option specialist Brian Fisher guided the second string into scoring position but the defense kept them out of the end zone.
Banks will make his eighth start of the season. Fisher (Oct.18 vs. Charleston Southern) and Julmiste (Nov.8 at ECU) also have started.
"All three will be ready to go," Leavitt said.
BACK ON TRACK: Running back Clenton Crossley, who sat out against ECU and during the bye week with a shoulder injury, returned to practice.
"Everybody was focused. We had a good practice," Leavitt said. "We have a great challenge."
- PETE YOUNG
Gators ready to relax
GAINESVILLE - Florida, which has a bye Saturday, wrapped up a shortened week of practice. Coach Ron Zook dismissed the team after two days of early preparation for the Nov.29 showdown with Florida State.
The players said they welcomed the time off.
"You've got to get away from it sometimes," center Mike Degory said. "About four or five of the offensive linemen are coming out for an early Thanksgiving dinner, so we're looking forward to that."
Depending on class and rehab schedules, players are free to leave for the next few days.
Many said they will spend the weekend with family or teammates' families. Offensive tackle Jonathan Colon is heading to Miami for a somewhat untraditional early Thanksgiving.
"It's kind of a mixture of a Latin Thanksgiving," Colon said. "It's more of a rice and beans and bananas type meal. But we still have our turkey and we have pork on the side, too."
The Gators will resume their normal practice routine Monday.
CARTHON STILL OUT: Senior running back Ran Carthon (flu) missed practice for the second straight day. Zook said Carthon has symptoms similar to those of running back Ciatrick Fason last week. Fason went on to rush for 190 yards against South Carolina.
"Maybe (Carthon) will run for big yards too," Zook joked.
- ANTONYA ENGLISH
Down time, recovery time
TALLAHASSEE - For the first time since 1992, Florida State has an off week before the season finale with Florida.
With the Seminoles coming off of a double-overtime win over N.C. State, the bye came at the right time.
"It gives us more time to get healthy and get over the emotion of that game and more time to prepare for Florida," quarterback Chris Rix said.
And with the health of many FSU regulars in doubt, the week off is a welcome respite.
Against the Wolfpack, center David Castillo left late with a knee sprain, top kick returner Antonio Cromartie strained his MCL and cornerback Bryant McFadden went down with a hip injury during pregame warmups.
FSU will wrap up an abbreviated three-day practice week today before taking the weekend off.
INJURY UPDATE: Cromartie, a freshman who leads the Seminoles with 500 yards on 21 kickoff returns, was at practice on crutches, but said he is confident he can play against the Gators. Sophomore fullback B.J. Dean, who missed the N.C. State game with a knee injury, ran and is scheduled to have more X-rays today. If cleared, Dean said he may practice Monday.
