College football

UF holds out banged-up linebackers

By Times Staff Writers Times Wires
Published August 24, 2005

GAINESVILLE - The Gators held another scrimmage on Tuesday, and another large group of players didn't play.

All three of UF's top linebackers didn't practice in full due to various injuries.

When asked what the biggest concern was about the linebackers, coach Urban Meyer replied, "There are none," referring to the lack of depth.

Sophomore Brandon Siler sat out with a concussion that he sustained Monday, but will be fine soon, Meyer said.

Earl Everett sat out with a sore neck that he has had for a few days, and senior Todd McCullough didn't practice fully with a sore knee.

That left Billy Latsko, Eric Rutledge and freshmen playing linebacker. Latsko and Rutledge converted after playing fullback last year.

McCullough will be fine despite missing a lot of the preseason, Meyer said.

"He's a fifth year guy and he's been around a lot, so we haven't changed our defense that much," Meyer said. "Game speed is the only thing we're worried about. We do have to get him back to practice so he gets used to the tempo of the game."

Cornerback Reggie Nelson missed another practice with a staph infection, and it is starting to become a bigger concern for Meyer.

"It's critical," Meyer said. "I don't know how he's going to play if he's not in (today) or the next day. He can't play in that first game. So, we're panicking a little bit."

- IAN FISHER, Times correspondent

TAMPA - With only 10 days left to the Sept. 3 opener at Penn State, it seems coach Jim Leavitt wants to be discreet about who will be his starting quarterback. But Leavitt indicates that incumbent starter junior Pat Julmiste and sophomore Auburn transfer Courtney Denson are even in the race.

"(They) both are still doing real well," Leavitt said after Tuesday morning's practice.

The Pasco High standout, who led the Bulls in receiving as a freshman in 2004 with 469 yards, has had stiff competition from Hillsborough Community College transfer and fellow sophomore Amarri Jackson, who has been getting a lot of work - including special teams.

"(Johnny) has to get some things squared away off the field for me," said Leavitt, who expects Peyton back today. "Johnny's got a lot of talent and skill and can compete with anyone."

THIS AND THAT: The Sept. 17 home game with Central Florida has been picked up for broadcast on FSN Florida at 7 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium. The home opener Sept. 10 against Florida A&M also is set to kick off at 7, but will not be televised. ... Redshirt freshman running back Ricky Ponton, limited for a week by a sore left shoulder, practiced without pads.

- MIKE CAMUNAS, Times correspondent

Gary Cismesia's kicking woes in fall practice threw the incumbent starter into a position battle with Chase Goggans and Graham Gano.

But after Tuesday's scrimmage, however, Cismesia took the lead again with a perfect performance.

"Cismesia, I think he made all his kicks today and he kicked with authority," coach Bobby Bowden said. "He kicked it down the middle, he didn't fool with those goalposts too much, so he got the best of (the kicking)."

Cismesia made attempts from 36 and 37 yards, Gano went 1-for-2 and Goggans 0-for-2.

SCRIMMAGE NOTES: Chris Davis had three catches for 91 yards, and freshman Richard Goodman had two for 90. Lorenzo Booker had the only offensive touchdown, a 19-yard run that bounced from the middle to the sideline.

- D.C. REEVES, Times correspondent

Injured receivers Sinorice Moss and Darnell Jenkins were held out of practice. "(Their injuries) are minor and we don't want to make them major," coach Larry Coker told hurricanesports.com. "We feel like we'll certainly get them back at the end of the week and have them back for (the opener against) Florida State."

- TIMES WIRES

The Golden Knights completed a 96-play closed scrimmage covering all phases including kickoffs and punts. "The second half the scrimmage we played with more urgency," UCF coach George O'Leary said. Junior quarterback Steven Moffett was 19-of-23 for 195 yards with one touchdown and no pickoffs.

- TIMES WIRES

The family of a Missouri player who collapsed following a workout last month filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the school on the same day medical examiners said Aaron O'Neal died of viral meningitis.

Swelling in the 19-year-old's brain affected his heart and caused him to lose his ability to properly breathe, Boone County medical examiner Valerie Rao said. Toxicology tests ruled out steroids, performance supplements, alcohol and other drugs as contributing factors.

The lawsuit, filed in Boone County Circuit Court, names 14 athletic officials, including athletic director Mike Alden and coach Gary Pinkel, plus the trainer and strength and conditioning coach.

EAST CAROLINA: Senior safety Jamar Flournoy was suspended indefinitely for violating team rules, coach Skip Holtz said.

VIRGINIA TECH: The school offered coach Frank Beamer a new contract that would boost his average annual compensation from $1.3-million to more than $2-million for the next seven years.

- TIMES WIRES

[Last modified August 24, 2005, 19:34:59]