College football

Gator Bowl: DE who had seizure returns

By wire services
Published December 30, 2004

JACKSONVILLE - Florida State defensive end D.J. Norris returned to practice Wednesday, albeit as a spectator in street clothes, after suffering a seizure three days earlier.

"They ran every test they could possibly run on me and they all came back negative," Norris said. "I feel fine. It was good to get back out here to see everyone. I won't be able to play in the game, but I'll be ready to go when we start back. I feel like I could play right now, but I understand why they are holding me out. They told me I could go home after I left the hospital, but I wanted to stay here with my teammates."

Norris, a redshirt freshman, appeared in nine games and had 7 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

"It was good to see D.J. back out here," coach Bobby Bowden said.

OFFENSIVE LINE CHANGE?: Senior tight tackle Ray Willis, hobbled by an ankle injury, was limited in practice and his status for Saturday's Gator Bowl remains uncertain.

"All you can say right now is that it is day-to-day," Bowden said after the 18-period workout.

If Willis is unable to start, red shirt freshman David Overmyer will make his first career start as the bookend to consensus all-America Alex Barron. Besides far less experience, the 6-foot-5, 284-pound Overmyer is nearly 40 pounds lighter than Willis.

"I've worked hard for this opportunity," he said. "I have been getting almost all of the reps with both the first and second offense during bowl practices. I feel like I'm well prepared. It would be exciting to start and it would be a good experience to build on for next year."

ANCILLARY EVENTS: The Seminoles attended a luncheon, "Celebrate Youth," organized by former Jacksonville Jaguar star Tony Boselli after Wednesday's practice.

Thirteen players, including defensive tackle Travis Johnson, defensive end Chauncey Davis, safety Claudius Osei, linebacker Ray Piquion, cornerback Bryant McFadden, quarterback Chris Rix, receivers Dominic Robinson, Chauncey Stovall and Craphonso Thorpe, tight end Paul Irons, and offensive linemen Bobby Meeks, David Castillo and Willis were scheduled to visit Wolfson Children's Hospital.

[Last modified December 30, 2004, 00:38:21]