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UF linemen hope Vols run at them

GAINESVILLE - A season ago, Florida was preparing to face Tennessee's no-nonsense running attack with an inexperienced front seven that many perceived as the Gators' main weakness.

This time around, linebackers Channing Crowder and Earl Everett along with defensive tackles Marcus Thomas and Ray McDonald are the anchors of the defense. The group is confident in its ability to stop the run and is relishing the test.

"We feel like we're putting it on our shoulders because we have a lot of returning starters," Crowder said. "Last year, the secondary was older and more experienced and they felt like they had to shut (receivers) down to give us time to get there. But you've got to play as a defense. If you can't stop the run, then they are going to score. But if you can't stop the pass, then they'll score anyway. So everybody has to believe in everybody else."

BROTHERLY LOVE: Like many residents of the state, safety Cory Bailey's TV has been tuned to the Weather Channel the past month or so. And while he has worried about how an approaching storm is going to affect him and his team, the Hurricane Ivan watch has been different.

"My brother is in the Air Force and he is stationed in Pensacola," Bailey said. "Actually, they are going to have to evacuate soon, so I haven't been able to talk to him. (His name is) Ronald Bailey. He'll be out of there either today or tomorrow."

- BRIAN SHAFFER, Times correspondent

TALLAHASSEE - Bobby Meeks is confident he'll play Saturday against Alabama-Birmingham, which is good news for the injury-plagued offensive line.

Meeks, a senior who sprained his right ankle in the preseason, said he practiced with the first team after being on the field for only four plays against Miami on Friday.

"The ankle didn't bother me at all (Friday)," Meeks said. "It's a lot stronger now. It feels pretty good."

The Seminoles had been cautious with Meeks leading up to the Miami game, in which Ron Lunford started. But the loss of Matt Meinrod at the other guard spot further depleted the line.

MORE GOOD NEWS: Center David Castillo practiced in pads and may be ready to play Saturday. He was hampered with a chest injury for much of the preseason and was not used against Miami.

"To me, if he gets through practice and finishes, it's a good sign," coach Bobby Bowden said.

PROMOTION: After a seven-tackle performance that included two for losses Friday night, sophomore middle linebacker Buster Davis will be rewarded with his first start in the UAB game.

"Buster has got the unique ability to be a big-play player," Bowden said. "He's got instinct or something there. I think we'll see a lot more of him in that area."

Davis will move ahead of junior Sam McGrew, who had three tackles - one for a loss - in his first career start Friday.

- ZACHARY SPAIN, Times correspondent

TAMPA - Sophomore quarterback Pat Julmiste did not practice for the second day in a row, still recovering from a strained knee sustained in the second quarter of the season-opening 21-7 win against Tennessee Tech.

"We held him out. He threw some balls, but we're resting him right now," said coach Jim Leavitt, who added that senior Ronnie Banks took all the repetitions with the first-team offense.

Returning to practice was cornerback Mike Jenkins, who left Saturday's game in the second quarter and was announced as sustaining a mild concussion on a play that sent Tennessee Tech receiver Drew Hixon to St. Joseph's Hospital.

Hixon remained in the intensive care unit in critical condition Tuesday, still in a medically induced coma that doctors put him in Saturday night. He has been unconscious since trainers began to treat him at midfield.

Jenkins, talking to reporters Tuesday afternoon, said he did not suffer a concussion but reiterated that he hoped Hixon would be able to recover from the unfortunate collision.

"Everybody wants a big hit, but when it comes to something like that, you really don't wish that on anybody," Jenkins said.

LINE UPDATE: Mike Lube, a sophomore walk-on from Palm Harbor, has been elevated to the top backup spot behind senior Levi Newton at right tackle. He takes the spot of true freshman Marc Dile, making it more likely that USF will be able to redshirt all its first-year offensive linemen. Jake Griffin of Armwood is still the top backup at left guard but did not play Saturday, while redshirt freshman Chris Capogna of Clearwater made his Bulls debut.

- GREG AUMAN, Times staff writer

CORAL GABLES - Wide receiver Sinorice Moss has moved to the top of the depth chart following his four-catch, 112-yard outing against Florida State that included the game-tying touchdown.

"Sinorice played better on Friday and he deserves a chance," coach Larry Coker said. "If you don't do that (reward the player that plays better), why play better?"

The Hurricanes had their usual practice in pads in preparation for Saturday's home game against Louisiana Tech. But they may be without starting middle linebacker Leon Williams, who broke a bone in his right hand on the first play against Florida State.

The school said it is designating a special area for fans to purchase a $20 discounted ticket for Saturday's game. Kickoff is 1 p.m.

- TIMES WIRES

IVAN POSTPONEMENTS: Tulane has postponed Saturday's game against Louisville because of the hurricane threat. Officials said it is tentatively rescheduled for the weekend of Dec. 4 at the Superdome. ... Southern Mississippi coach Jeff Bower said 10th-ranked California jumped the gun by declaring Thursday's game at Hattiesburg postponed without first talking to Golden Eagles officials. The decision came nearly 24 hours before Southern Miss officials planned to decide the status of the home opener. Southern Miss AD Richard Giannini later said the schools will set a makeup date. ... Auburn and Alabama plan to play Saturday, but are working on contingency plans in case Hurricane Ivan forces postponements. No. 14 Auburn is scheduled to play No. 5 LSU at 2:30 p.m. on CBS. Alabama is set to host Western Carolina at 6 p.m. Both schools are waiting to see the effects of Ivan.

GEORGIA: Coach Mark Richt said backup quarterback D.J. Shockley, who did not play in Saturday's 20-16 victory over South Carolina, would play Saturday against Marshall and his time would be determined by a scripted rotation with starting quarterback David Greene.

Richt went into the season with plans to substitute Shockley based on the game situation. He changed gears, however, after allowing Greene to battle through early-game struggles against South Carolina and rally Georgia to 20 unanswered points at the expense of Shockley not playing.

Richt said the motivation for revisiting the scripted playing time he occasionally used the two previous seasons was not to placate Shockley but because he "needs to get better and he deserves to play."

NEBRASKA: Junior center Richie Incognito has withdrawn from school after being suspended for the first two games of the season for what coach Bill Callahan called repeated violations of team rules.

NORTH CAROLINA: Offensive lineman Skip Seagraves likely will miss the rest of the season after breaking a bone in his left foot.

- TIMES WIRES