By Times Staff Writers Times Wires
Published September 23, 2004
GAINESVILLE - During the final defensive series for Florida in the loss to Tennessee, coaches switched things around in the secondary and left one starter on the sideline.
Cornerback Reynaldo Hill was replaced by the 5-foot-8 Vernell Brown, who allowed Volunteers quarterback Erik Ainge to complete his final pass of the night. That pass, to the Florida 33-yard line, set up James Wilhoit's winning field goal.
Hill insists the coaches have not said anything to him about the switch carrying over into this weekend's game against Kentucky. Defensive coordinator Charlie Strong concurred.
As for Brown, he understands it's not about how much he plays vs. how much Hill does, but rather an overall improvement by the defense.
"I really wouldn't grade myself," Brown said about his play on Saturday. "Together as a defense, we came out and we've got some corrections to make. That's what we did (in practice) and that's why we're looking forward to Kentucky this weekend."
HOME STRETCH: After the season's first road game, the Gators will be treated to their first-ever stretch of four consecutive home games.
Players want to make the Swamp a tough place to play again.
"You want everybody to fear coming to your house," linebacker Channing Crowder said. "There's nothing you can say or do about it, you just have to win. If you're beating everybody at your house, they don't want to play here."
HURRICANE AID: A 25-cent surcharge will be added to the price of every item purchased at concession stands during the Kentucky game for the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund. The University Athletic Association will match the funds raised. The money will be sent to the nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation, which is managing the fund.
STATUS UNCERTAIN: Linebacker Todd McCullough, who played sparingly against Tennessee, is recovered from an ankle injury and ready to play.
"Todd is going to play more (this week)," coach Ron Zook said. "I think he is just about 100 percent right now, but I don't know if there are going to be a lot of big changes in the depth chart."
Florida played most of last weekend's game with two linebackers, Crowder and Earl Everett. Despite allowing more than 100 yards in the first quarter, Zook stayed with his multiple defensive backs scheme, choosing to play safety Terrance Holmes rather than a third linebacker.
Coaches have not decided what to do with highly decorated freshman defensive end Derrick Harvey. While it appeared during preseason camp that Harvey would be redshirted, Zook hinted he might be able to help the team immediately. Now, Zook might have returned to his original plan.
"We haven't made a decision on Derrick Harvey," Zook said. "But he's in the meeting and we're keeping him abreast that way. And, obviously, as we get into this thing, if it looks like we're going to need him, we'll get him ready to go."
- BRIAN SHAFFER, Times correspondent
- TIMES WIRES
USF: Hopeful outlook
TAMPA - Starting strong safety Johnnie Jones and nickel defensive back Sidney Simpson missed the start of Wednesday's practice while being evaluated by team trainers, but both could be healthy and ready to play by Saturday's game at Texas Christian.
Jones is recovering from a neck stinger in Saturday's 34-3 loss to South Carolina. Simpson wore a cast on his right wrist and forearm, but co-defensive coordinator Rick Kravitz expects him to play Saturday.
"I think they're both fine," Kravitz said. "(Simpson) is excited because they told him there's nothing there. He's going to get it taken off later. He's ready to roll. You can't hold him down. If he broke both his arms, he'd still want to go. That's the type of guy Sidney is."
THIS AND THAT: New starters are expected for both return teams, and Andre Hall and Trae Williams lined up deep when the Bulls worked on kickoff returns. Travis Lipp is expected to replace Bruce Gipson as primary punt returner. Allynson Sheffield also was lined up to handle punt returns at Wednesday's practice. . . . C.J. Hunnicutt, one of three freshmen suspended for their roles in an alleged campus theft, is working with the junior varsity at his alma mater, Bradenton Manatee, not rival Southeast as was reported here Wednesday. Manatee coach Howie DeCristofaro said Wednesday he expects Hunnicutt to re-enroll at USF in January.
- GREG AUMAN, Times staff writer
FSU: Johnson shines
TALLAHASSEE - Healthy and off to a bruising start to his senior season, defensive tackle Travis Johnson is being compared with former Seminole Darnell Dockett, a rookie with the NFL's Cardinals.
"He's probably a little faster than Darnell," coach Bobby Bowden said. "He's nasty like Darnell was."
Johnson has a team-best six tackles for loss through two games and is second on the team with 12 tackles. Should he remain healthy, Johnson is on pace to shatter his season bests of 50 tackles and 13 for a loss, both as a sophomore in 2002.
"He got hurt as a freshman (and received a medical redshirt), got hurt the next year and has been bothered by minor injuries throughout his career here," Bowden said. "I hope his last year he can stay healthy because he's a very good tackle."
INJURIES DOWN: The Seminoles have enjoyed a week without a contingent of injured players along the sideline. They practiced in shoulder pads and shorts and will hold a typically light practice today. Free safety B.J. Ward participated in a blue noncontact jersey. Tailback Lorenzo Booker also wore a blue jersey, but said his sore right shoulder has not posed a problem.
- ZACHARY SPAIN, Times staff writer
UCF: QB Moffett to start
ORLANDO - Coach George O'Leary announced sophomore Steven Moffett will be the starter for the Golden Knights on Oct. 2 at Buffalo in the MAC opener. Moffett started the season as the No. 1 quarterback and made his fourth career start at No. 20 Wisconsin.
The Winter Park native did not play vs. No. 6 West Virginia and earned time in the fourth quarter at Penn State last weekend.
Nation
FRY HONORED: Hayden Fry, the former coach at SMU, North Texas and Iowa, will receive the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award from the American Football Coaches Association. The award honors those "outstanding in the advancement of the best interests of football" and will be presented Jan. 11 in Louisville, Ky.
SO. MISS: Junior linebacker Naton Stewart is scheduled to be in Hattiesburg City Court today on a misdemeanor DUI charge.
According to Hattiesburg police and public jail records, Stewart, 22, was arrested Sept. 12 on a first-offense DUI. Police records show Stewart with a blood-alcohol level of 0.181 percent. The limit at which Mississippi assumes impairment is 0.08 percent.
Stewart refused to answer questions when asked about the arrest after practice this week.
