TALLAHASSEE - Quarterback Chris Rix and linebacker Buster Davis were among the highlights of the Seminoles' first scrimmage inside Doak Campbell Stadium on Monday.
Rix went 19-of-27 for 230 yards and two touchdowns and was not shy about dumping passes to his tailbacks and tight ends, including a 77-yard touchdown that started as a screen to elusive tailback Lorenzo Booker.
"(Rix) distributed it very well, which means he must be making good decisions," coach Bobby Bowden said. "He was pretty timely and accurate with his passes."
Davis, a sophomore, impressed Bowden by being able to switch between middle and unfamiliar outside linebacker.
"Buster Davis might have been the best player on the field," Bowden said. "He was a force today, no doubt about it."
WEATHERFORD GETS IN: Drew Weatherford, the touted freshman quarterback from Land O'Lakes, made his debut for the last series of practice. Though he completed 1 of 6 passes, two 40-plus-yarders to the end zone were almost completed.
"I felt pretty comfortable; I wasn't too overwhelmed with the speed or anything," Weatherford said. "I thought I did a pretty good job, but I think I have a lot of room to improve."
INJURY UPDATE: Former St. Petersburg Catholic star receiver Chris Davis came up woozy after a scary helmet-to-helmet hit from safety Roger Williams as both were diving for a pass late in the scrimmage. Davis was carted off but was alert and could return to practice today. ... Free safety B.J. Ward was helped off early in the scrimmage and did not return. ... Linebackers A.J. Nicholson and Ernie Sims were held out of the scrimmage as a precaution. Lakewood's Marcello Church was still out with a sprained right ankle.
HE SAID IT: "Knowing him, he probably could. I imagine somebody could use him." - Bowden on the possibility of his former All-America cornerback, Deion Sanders , returning to the NFL. -ZACHARY SPAIN, Correspondent, BRIAN LANDMAN, Times staff writer
UF: offensive stars shine
GAINESVILLE - Chris Leak was 17-of-24 for 137 yards and four touchdowns, and running backs DeShawn Wynn and Ciatrick Fason combined for 120 yards on 14 carries in Florida's first scrimmage of the preseason.
Although Gavin Dickey threw three interceptions, he finished 9-of-16 for 88 yards and two touchdowns and strengthened himself in the No. 2 position behind Leak after missing the spring to play baseball. Coach Ron Zook said Dickey is also one of the top two punt returners, along with Vernell Brown.
"Where we are, for this time of year, I think we're in pretty good shape," offensive coordinator Larry Fedora said, adding that the scrimmage was "situational" and not designed to highlight individual players.
DOCTOR OUT: Florida team physician Peter Indelicato had triple bypass surgery Monday morning and was recovering at a local hospital. Considered one of the country's leading orthopedic surgeons, he has been UF's head doctor since 1977.
INJURY UPDATE: After injuring his right knee Sunday, running back Skyler Thornton was on crutches Monday morning and did not participate Monday night. A radiologist was scheduled to review his X-rays in Indelicato's absence. Dane Guthrie and Todd McCullough have sprained right ankles and were placed in boots as a precaution. Also among the injured were Kyle Jackson (strained hamstring) and Dallas Baker (strained groin). Baker sat out Monday night's scrimmage. Tight end Darrell Carpenter is on crutches with a left ankle injury. -ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times staff writer
USF: picture clearing up
TAMPA - After one week of workouts, what goes on at USF's practice fields looks more and more like everyday football.
Running drills have given way to full contact plays, and coach Jim Leavitt is beginning to hint at a depth chart with just three weeks until USF's opening game against Pittsburgh on Sept. 6.
At running back, Clenton Crossley is ahead of junior college transfer Andre Hall, with freshman Ricky Ponton "making a furious push," Leavitt said in a release after Monday's morning practice.
The top receivers are Bruce Gipson, S.J. Green, Allynson Sheffield and J.B. Garris, Leavitt said.
ROSTER MOVES: Junior receiver Cedric King from St. Petersburg, brother of former Buccaneer Shaun King, was added to the 105-man roster after Randy Jackson left the team. King needs to complete some schoolwork to be eligible to play in the fall.
Jackie Chambers of Miami Edison practiced for the first time after he was admitted to USF on Monday. The receiver is awaiting approval from NCAA clearinghouse officials on his eligibility. - THOMAS SIMONETTI, Correspondent
UM: Gore, 'Canes impress
CORAL GABLES - Miami concluded its first day of two-a-day practices with a two-hour, full-pads session.
"I thought the guys pushed through it pretty well," coach Larry Coker said.
Running back Frank Gore, trying his second comeback from major knee surgery, practiced twice, and his progress continued to encourage the coaching staff.
