By Times Staff Writers Times Wires
Published December 19, 2004
GAINESVILLE - Florida freshman safety Kyle Jackson, who started the last three games, will remain a starter in the Peach Bowl. But the return of linebackers Channing Crowder and Travis Harris has created new possibilities for the Gators.
"Rotation wise, with Channing being out the last game, we're just trying to roll him back in and keep him fresh," interim coach Charlie Strong said. "But with him back, it gives us more depth at that position. Now we're going to be healthy at the linebacker position, which we haven't been in the last four weeks."
The Gators will have Channing, Brandon Siler, Earl Everett), Travis Harris and Todd McCullough available.
"We'll work Channing some at outside, some at inside. So it's not so much where they are listed on the depth chart, because they can play all three positions."
Strong said he talks daily with incoming coach Urban Meyer, keeping him updated on practice and the status of the team.
VISITORS PASS: Two high-profile recruits attended practice: former UF signee Reggie Nelson and California quarterback Josh Portis. Nelson signed with Florida in February 2003, but didn't qualify academically. He has been attending Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, but redshirted. He is scheduled to graduate, which would make him eligible to return to the Gators or another Division I-A school. Portis, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound player from Woodland Hills (Calif.) Taft, committed to Utah under Meyer, but is now considering the Gators.
TICKETS ON SALE: Tickets are still available for the Peach Bowl against Miami on Dec. 31 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Tickets are $60 and $70 and can be purchased online at www.hurricanesports.com or by calling 1-800-GO-CANES.
- ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times staff writer
FSU: Tight end commits
Tight end prospect Charlie Graham of Madison County High School made an oral commitment, choosing FSU over Ohio State and South Florida.
Graham, 6-3 and 228 pounds, played tight end, wingback and defensive end in high school. His coach, Frankie Carroll, told Scout.com, "Charlie is a special kid, he is definitely a throwback-style player that Florida State was built on many years ago."
Saturday's practice was the last on the Seminoles' practice fields for 19 seniors.
"They were very quiet, they were very subdued," coach Bobby Bowden said. "I think they realize that their career here is coming to an end. It has been a good group of seniors, no doubt."
The Seminoles practice Monday, but that will be in Doak Campbell Stadium. They are scheduled to reconvene on Dec. 26 in Jacksonville and play Jan. 1 in the Gator Bowl.
Recent injuries to the secondary could mean All-ACC first-teamer Antonio Cromartie, a sophomore, and second-team pick Bryant McFadden, a senior, will be used almost exclusively at cornerback.
Both were on the field for more than 85 plays Nov. 20. "They kind of know how they have to prepare for this," defensive backs coach James Colzie said. "We can't worry about who isn't there, you can only go with who is there. They know if they have to go 80 snaps, they're ready."
Senior cornerback Leroy Smith is still slowed by a broken bone in his left forearm and recent arthroscopic knee surgery. Freshman cornerback J.R. Bryant strained his hamstring last week. Their availability for the Gator Bowl is unclear.
FSU has only one healthy scholarship backup, junior Gerard Ross, but may use walk-on Jarrel Simpson. If Bryant cannot play, the Seminoles can go with linebacker Marcello Church, a Lakewood grad, in the nickel defense, Colzie said.
- ZACHARY SPAIN, Times correspondent
Around the nation
DIVISION III: The Linfield Wildcats from McMinnville, Ore., showed they're more than just a star quarterback. Riley Jenkins turned a swing pass from Brett Elliott into a go-ahead touchdown with 5:51 to play as the Wildcats capped a perfect season (13-0) with their first national championship, beating Mary Hardin-Baylor 28-21 in Salem, Va. The scoring pass was the second of the game for Elliott and his NCAA record 61st of the season. Elliott finished 20-for-34 for 282 yards with two interceptions. He threw a swing pass that Brandon Hazenberg turned into a 39-yard touchdown on the third play of the game.
NAIA: Carroll's best pass all season was incomplete. Holder Zach Bumgarner spiked the ball after a bad field goal snap on first down, and Marcus Miller kicked a 32-yard field goal on the next play with 10 seconds left to give Carroll a 15-13 victory over St. Francis (Indiana) and its third straight championship in Savannah, Tenn. "Everything happened so fast, I just threw it down," Bumgarner said. Chris Bramell gave St. Francis a 13-12 lead on a 1-yard touchdown plunge with 1:13 left, but it was enough time for Tyler Emmert to drive Carroll (12-2) into field goal range without a timeout.
DUKE: Offensive coordinator Marty Galbraith was fired after one season, during which the Blue Devils ranked last in the ACC in points and total offense. "We've decided to go another direction offensively," coach Ted Roof said in a statement. Duke (2-9, 1-7) averaged 16.6 points and 265.5 yards.
PITT: Athletic director Jeff Long is stepping up his search for a new coach, interviewing Oklahoma assistant coach Bo Pelini Saturday and planning to meet with Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh today. Pitt defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads, who is being pushed by some Panthers players to succeed Walt Harris, was interviewed before Long left town for the two weekend meetings.
