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Zook explains frat house visit

GAINESVILLE - Florida coach Ron Zook addressed a swirl of speculation that has escalated recently regarding an incident between himself, his players and members of an on-campus fraternity.

The incident occurred a day after an altercation between Florida offensive lineman Steve Rissler, long snapper Casey Griffith and several members of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. On Sept. 15, sworn complaints were issued against three members of the fraternity after they allegedly assaulted the Gators players.

The following evening, athletic director Jeremy Foley receieved word that members of the team had returned to the fraternity house. Foley asked Zook if he would make a visit to thwart a possible reoccurrence.

"I called the (university police department) and they said that the fraternity house had called them and said there were some football players outside their house," Zook said. "So I got in the car, and went in just to make sure there wasn't any problems."

While Zook maintains that the encounter was peaceful, several members of the fraternity claim that Zook was aggressive and confrontational.

The state attorney's office did not offer an update on a possible ongoing investigation into the conflicting reports.

POSSIBLE RETURN: Quarterback Justin Midgett may have earned his way back from a suspension, dating to the season opener, through hard work and a good attitude, Zook said.

While his status for this week's game against Middle Tennessee State is still uncertain, Zook said that Midgett should dress for the first time this season.

"I think Midgett is going to be back in good graces," Zook said. "He's still got to go to class, he's still got to do all those things. If he does that, we'll probably give him a chance to get back in it."

- BRIAN SHAFFER, Times correspondent

TALLAHASSEE - Matt Henshaw's right ankle injury has left Paul Irons and Matt Root as the only healthy options at tight end for the time being, so the Seminoles have been forced to improvise.

Mario Henderson, All-American Alex Barron's barely-used backup at tackle, worked as a situational third tight end in practice.

"We are using Mario as a third in running situations so he can block in case one of those others go down," coach Bobby Bowden said.

FSU's tight ends have not been immune to injuries this season. The Seminoles lost Donnie Carter for the year with an ACL tear during preseason practice. Irons was hampered by knee soreness earlier in the season, and Root played with a heavily taped hand to protect a broken finger.

The good news for the Seminoles is Henshaw may not be out for long. When he left in the first half against Syracuse on Saturday, the injury appeared to be a severe high ankle sprain. On Tuesday, Henshaw walked with a boot and said the epicenter of the injury is lower on his foot. He said he plans to practice today and is optimistic about playing Saturday against No. 6 Virginia.

INJURY UPDATE: Receiver Willie Reid practiced in shoulder pads after missing the Syracuse game with a sore hamstring.

"This week I'm not pushing it as much as I want to, but I will closely monitor it and try to push it more and more each day from now on and see where I am at on Saturday."

Defensive end Eric Moore, who sprained his left ankle against North Carolina, said he would try to return to practice today. Nose guard Brodrick Bunkley of Chamberlain High ran with his sprained right ankle taped and expects to play Saturday.

"It's still bugging me a little bit, but hopefully as the week goes on it'll improve and my adrenaline for the game will take me the rest of the way," said Bunkley, who was held out against Syracuse.

THE BOSS VISITS: FSU president T.K. Wetherell watched part of practice.

- ZACHARY SPAIN, Times correspondent

CORAL GABLES - As practice ends, fast friends Frank Gore and Tyrone Moss move slowly. The two running backs are among the last players off the field, and they wearily collapse on a bench outside the locker room. But Hurricanes don't stay tired or quiet for long. Soon enough Gore and Moss are engaged in animated conversation, swapping compliments about football and insults about music.

"Do you know who Tyrone likes?" Gore says, rolling his eyes. " Keith Sweat!"

"Frank likes Alicia Keys," Moss replies with the giggle of a fifth-grader. "And let me tell you what he listens to before games: Michael Jackson's "Beat It."'

This is how the Hurricanes talk trash in 2004.

Four games into the season, the friendly competition between Gore and Moss is in a virtual dead heat, which is why both should see plenty of action Thursday against No. 18 Louisville (4-0).

Gore owns an edge over Moss in rushing yards, 282-268. But Moss enjoys a slight advantage in yards per carry, 5.8-5.5, and has scored four touchdowns to three for Gore. In other words, not much separates No. 3 from No. 30.

"We've got something great going at running back," quarterback Brock Berlin says. "Those guys feed off each other. When one of them gets tired, the other one comes in and makes a big play. They love each other."

10,on0

"They're very physical," coach Jim Leavitt said. "They run the ball extremely well."

Conference USA's offensive player of the week Tielor Robinsonhad a career-high 193 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns (three on the ground) in Army's win over Cincinnati. Junior running back Carlton Jones added 180 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown in the game that snapped the Army's 19-game losing streak.

THIS AND THAT: Leavitt said strong safety Johnnie Jones will not play against Army. Leavitt said he is being very cautious with the junior, who reinjured a shoulder against South Carolina. Offensive lineman Chris Carothers and defensive back Mike Jenkins practiced on a limited basis, Leavitt said.

ALABAMA: Tailback Ray Hudson will miss the rest of the season with a fractured right knee after having surgery. The SEC's second-leading rusher was injured on a running play in last week's victory at Kentucky. The Crimson Tide is already without quarterback Brodie Croyle, out for the season with a knee injury.

NEBRASKA: Coach Bill Callahan tried to reassure restless Cornhuskers fans after the worst loss in school history, 70-10 to Texas Tech. "I'm totally committed to our veteran players who have put so much into this program, and they deserve a great season," Callahan said. "We're going to do everything we can to provide, hopefully, a championship season for them."

NOTRE DAME: Quarterback Brady Quinn is expected to start against Navy after sustaining a concussion last week. Quinn didn't return against Stanford after scoring on a 2-yard sneak with 4:10 left. He has thrown for 1,529 yards with nine touchdown passes and five interceptions.

- TIMES WIRES