By Times Staff Writers Times Wires
Published August 27, 2004
FSU's Chris Rix and Miami's Brock Berlin are among the 22 senior quarterbacks selected as candidates for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. The winner will be announced Dec. 1. Also, ESPN the Magazine's Bruce Feldman released his "Hot 100," which includes FSU offensive tackle Alex Barron (No. 11), receiver Craphonso Thorpe (No. 39), defensive end Eric Moore (No. 44), running back Leon Washington (No. 64) and Rix (No. 74).
PUNT RETURNER SELECTED: Washington, the Seminoles' projected starter at tailback, will be the team's punt returner for the season opener Sept. 6. He broke FSU's single-game punt-return yardage record last season against Wake Forest with 159 yards and his only career touchdown. Wide receivers Dominic Robinson, Chris Davis of St. Petersburg Catholic and Willie Reid are competing to back up Washington.
SCRIMMAGE WITH CAUTION: When the Seminoles hold their final scrimmage of the preseason today, it will be at game speed, but not full contact.
The first teams on offense and defense will play the first half, but it won't include tackling.
"(Coach Bobby Bowden) feels like we got too many people hurt, so it's not going to be a tackle scrimmage, it's going to be a full-speed thud," defensive coordinator Mickey Andrewssaid. Andrews said the second half, played with nonstarters, will be full contact.
- BRIAN LANDMAN, Times staff writer, - ZACHARY SPAIN, Times correspondent
UF: Crowd vying for cornerback
GAINESVILLE - Recent practices have seen the competition at cornerback intensify. Vernell Brown, Reynaldo Hill and Dee Webb are the top three players on the depth chart and each is vying not to be left as the odd man out.
After the Gators' last scrimmage and the practices that followed it, coach Ron Zook praised the play of Brown and hinted that he might have made a move toward the top of the depth chart.
- BRIAN SHAFFER, Times correspondent
USF: Rattlers on future schedules?
TAMPA - Florida A&M athletic director Joseph P. Ramsey confirmed Thursday that he has talked with South Florida about scheduling future football games, though the two schools have yet to discuss specifics of such an agreement.
USF has nine of its 11 games for 2005 accounted for, including seven games against Big East opponents, with four on the road. The Bulls will also play host to Central Florida and travel to face Penn State, leaving two open dates, likely for home games to give them six at Raymond James Stadium.
USF athletic director Doug Woolard is not commenting on specific negotiations with future football opponents.
IN THE RUNNING: Freshman Andre Copeland of Lake City has been elevated to the top of the depth chart at running back, but Leavitt said that's more a factor of senior Clenton Crossley and junior Andre Hall being "too sore to go." Copeland has moved ahead of fellow freshman Ricky Ponton, coach Jim Leavitt said, but come the season opener against Pittsburgh in 11 days, he'll be counting on his veterans.
FOR THE FANS: Several parking lots around Raymond James Stadium will open early on Labor Day for USF's season opener against Pittsburgh. The Sept. 6 game will kick off at 4:30 p.m., and reserved lots 5, 6, 6D and 7 will open at noon, along with general parking in Lot 8. Remaining lots will open at 1:30 p.m., the normal three hours before kickoff. ... USF's Fan Appreciation Day is at 11 a.m. Saturday at the campus practice facility. Fans can watch the final 30 minutes of practice, and players and coaches will be available for photos and autographs.
- GREG AUMAN, Times staff writer
UCF: Making progress for opener
ORLANDO - After having a day to reflect on Wednesday's scrimmage and review it on film, coach George O'Leary was still pleased with what he saw on the field.
"I still think we're making inches instead of yards in some areas as far as improvement, but I do see improvement and we just need to continue working on it," O'Leary said.
O'Leary said he will release a team depth chart today for the Wisconsin game Sept. 4.
