Healthy 'Noles please Bowden despite revamped spring game
By ZACHARY SPAIN
Published April 4, 2004
TALLAHASSEE - It would be understandable if there wasn't the typical fanfare associated with the Florida State Garnet and Gold spring game.
Many of the top players were hurt Saturday, including All-America tackle Alex Barron (shoulder), center David Castillo (foot), receivers Craphonso Thorpe (broken leg), Willie Reid (ankle) and Chris Davis (ankle) and tailback Leon Washington (ankle).
The lack of depth compelled the coaching staff to scrap the game format, instead pitting the offense and defense from various spots for a predetermined number of plays. The Seminoles didn't keep score.
The game was even moved from Doak Campbell Stadium to Gene Cox Stadium, a quaint venue several miles from campus used primarily for Tallahassee's biggest high school games.
Still, a standing-room only crowd filled the bleachers and lined the fence.
What fans saw was enough to please coach Bobby Bowden, all things considered.
In the first series incumbent quarterback Chris Rix orchestrated a touchdown drive, converting third-down passes to tailback Lorenzo Booker (15 yards) and tight end Paul Irons (21 yards) before connecting with Lorne Sam at the goal line on a 23-yard play-action pass.
"(Rix) took them in on the first drive - that (doesn't) usually happen during the spring," Bowden said.
Rix went 5-for-14 for 77 yards. Young receivers had several drops and Rix's only blemish was an interception by Bryant McFadden. Rix was named the offensive MVP.
Booker, a sophomore next season, gained 53 yards on six carries and 22 on two catches.
Sophomore linebacker Ernie Sims was tabbed as the spring's defensive MVP and A.J. Nicholson, also a linebacker, was awarded the Hinesman as the spring's most dominant player.
USF's top units meet
TAMPA - USF completed its final tuneup in preparation for next weekend's spring game with a 100-play scrimmage.
The two-hour scrimmage differed slightly from last weekend. Instead of the No. 1 offense and No. 2 defense facing off - and vice versa - both No. 1s primarily played against each other.
Unlike last weekend's scrimmage, which was dominated by the defense, the offense looked sharp and drew praise from coach Jim Leavitt.
"The offense had an outstanding day," Leavitt said. "The biggest change was our quarterback play. All three quarterbacks looked good."
Starter Pat Julmiste went 7-of-13 for 113 yards and a rushing touchdown. The score was set up by a long pass to Joe Bain. Julmiste capped the drive with a 1-yard run.
Ronnie Banks, who sat out last weekend's scrimmage recovering from offseason knee surgery, worked with the No. 1 offense and went 5-of-7 for 56 yards.
"(Banks) had the most productive day, definitely," quarterbacks coach Rod Smith said.
Banks engineered consecutive scoring drives capped by a 40-yard pass to Allynson Sheffield and his 5-yard run.
Evan Kraky went 12-of-24 for 86 yards but threw two interceptions. Despite them, Leavitt said Kraky "had an outstanding day" and the backup quarterback position appears wide open.
Santiago Gramatica made 4 of 5 field goals, including 50- and 51-yarders. Linebacker Ronnie McCullough had a sack and a fumble recovery. Utility player Brian Fisher, held out last week after being arrested on suspicion of failing to pay child support, participated. Leavitt said Fisher won't practice this week and his status for the spring game is unclear.
- BRANDON WRIGHT
UF offense rules defense
GAINESVILLE - The Florida offense gave fans plenty of reason to cheer during a full-squad scrimmage, but the absence of key defensive players was cause for concern.
Injuries to linebackers Channing Crowder (groin) and Earl Everett (headache), defensive backs Cory Bailey (ankle), Terrence Holems (ankle) and Nick Brooks (knee) and defensive tackles Marcus Thomas (hernia), Ray McDonald (ankle) and Julian Riley (ankle) left the defense undermanned, and it was evident at times.
Led by quarterback Chris Leak, the offense demonstrated a quicker tempo throughout. The Gators responded well to the new strategy, which Leak said could become a mainstay.
"That is one of the things we are trying to do this spring, pick up the tempo," he said. "We want to keep attacking the defense and keep the defense on their toes."
While Leak acknowledged it was difficult to judge the offense's success, coach Ron Zook said he was pleased.
"You want to maintain the intensity. As coaches, it's hard because you've got to make them stay at the level that you want them to be at," Zook said. "But I think overall we've had an excellent spring to this point."
Running back DeShawn Wynn left after twisting an ankle. Zook will give his players today and Monday off before their next scheduled practice.
- BRIAN SHAFFER
UAB: Offensive coordinator Pat Sullivan said he is cancer-free. He was diagnosed in September after doctors found the disease at the base of his tongue and in lymph nodes in his neck. Sullivan missed one game last year for treatment.
