By Times staff writers, Associated Press
Published August 15, 2004
TAMPA - Three South Florida seniors whose families' homes were severely damaged by Hurricane Charley on Friday were present a day later as the Bulls returned to practice with two workouts Saturday.
USF has about 20 players who live in the path the hurricane followed, but three - receiver Bruce Gipson and safety Javan Camon, both from Port Charlotte, and Justin Daniel of Punta Gorda - live in the area where Charley struck first and hardest. All of their families are accounted for, and walk-on receiver Anwar McNeil of Sebring was given the day off after he wasn't able to contact his family.
"I thought the guys did a great job with all the distractions," coach Jim Leavitt said. "You had some people who totally lost their homes. It hits all of us, but I thought the guys did a good job of focusing this morning in our first day in full pads."
INJURY UPDATE: Freshman running back Ricky Ponton, a Hillsborough graduate, injured his left shoulder diving for a pass. He left practice early with his shoulder wrapped, but the extent of his injury was unknown. Freshman tackle Shadie Jones was carted off with an injury to his right foot ... Bryan Williams, a senior walk-on receiver from Gainesville, separated his shoulder and will be sidelined at least six weeks.
WAITING GAME: Freshman receiver Jackie Chambers attended workouts as a spectator and ran with the team after practice. Chambers and Chad Simpson are awaiting word from the NCAA clearinghouse before they begin practice. Leavitt said both could be on board by Monday.
- GREG AUMAN, Times staff writer
FSU: Cromartie improves
TALLAHASSEE - The ever-changing status of sophomore cornerback Antonio Cromartie's left knee improved again.
Cromartie practiced after sitting out the morning full-contact session, and said he might wait until after the season to have scar tissue removed from the knee. The procedure was planned for Tuesday.
"I'll probably go through these two-a-days and then see how I feel and make my decision by then," said Cromartie, who plans to be in full pads Monday.
On Friday, Cromartie thought he would be out at least three weeks and gave himself a 30 percent chance of returning for the Sept. 6 game at Miami.
"I was surprised he had been out there, too," coach Bobby Bowden said. "That just shows you the kind of competitor he is. A lot of guys wouldn't come out there like that, but he's a tough kid."
INJURY UPDATE: Linebacker Marcello Church, a Lakewood graduate, has a sprained right ankle, Bowden said. A timetable for his return was unknown.
- ZACHARY SPAIN, Times correspondent
UF: Relatives a top priority
GAINESVILLE - As Hurricane Charley threatened the state, the Gators conducted a quick early practice Friday morning, canceled their annual media day and laid low until Saturday morning. While the hurricane had little effect on Gainesville, some Gators were worried about family members who were in more direct danger.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Justin Midgett is from Punta Gorda and stayed in close contact with his family throughout the night.
"They were calling him because their power was out," coach Ron Zook said. "They had an addition to their house that wasn't quite done, and some siding was blown off and the roof was blown off. They got messed up pretty good."
The Midgett family did not evacuate, but Zook said no one was injured. Other players also spent the night worried about loved ones in Charley's path: safety Zephrin Augustine of Lake Placid and wide receiver Jemalle Cornelius of Fort Meade. All three practiced Friday and Saturday.
- BRIAN SHAFFER, Times correspondent
Around the nation
COLORADO: Receiver Jeremy Bloom will join the U.S. ski team in Chile for training while he waits to hear if the NCAA will allow him to play football while accepting ski endorsements. Bloom said he would return to Boulder if the NCAA rules in his favor.
NEBRASKA: Quarterback Jordan Adams, who was a contender to start, will have surgery to remove his spleen, sidelining the junior college transfer at least a month. Coach Bill Callahan said sophomore Joe Dailey has the edge for the starting role when the Cornhuskers open the season on Sept. 4 against Western Illinois.
