Sports

College football

Bulls chide stormy weather

By Times Staff Writers Times Wires
Published August 27, 2005

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TAMPA - USF had last year's season opener postponed by a hurricane and was stranded in Texas an extra day by another, but Bulls coach Jim Leavitt is optimistic the big storms will leave his team alone this season.

"This thing just might move out into the Gulf," Leavitt said Friday morning of Hurricane Katrina. "I said already earlier this year that we're not going to get hit this year. I said that and made it very clear."

So weather permitting, the Bulls will hold their annual Fan Appreciation Day at the practice fields on campus this morning. Starting at 11 a.m., fans are allowed to watch the final half-hour of practice, then can meet with players and coaches for autographs and pictures.

NOT COMING: The Bulls lost a scholarship transfer when former North Carolina running back Vince Wilson didn't have the grades necessary to be accepted academically into USF. Wilson, who starred at Daytona Beach Mainland, left UNC after one season. Two other transfers, defensive end Maurice Charles and receiver Amp Hill, are waiting to be accepted.

RECEIVER OUT: Senior receiver Travis Lipp, who caught 10 passes for 151 yards and returned 11 punts for 89 yards last season, is academically ineligible for his final college season. With his departure, USF has only two receivers ( S.J. Green and Darren Haliburton) with more than one season of experience. Sophomore Amarri Jackson has replaced Lipp as USF's primary punt returner.

STILL WAITING: With fall classes starting Monday, receiver Ishmeal Grant is the only member of USF's recruiting class awaiting word from the NCAA Clearinghouse.

The hang up has been a summer class Grant took at a private school, an acceptable use of his school's "grade forgiveness" program, according to Gwen Barwick, a guidance counselor at Blountstown High School.

"As best as I know, he has done what he needs to be cleared," said Barwick, hopeful Grant will be able to join the Bulls shortly.

THIS AND THAT: Running back Andre Hall returned to practice after a one-day absence. Cornerback Mike Jenkins missed drills to attend to a family illness in Bradenton. ... Quarterback Courtney Denson was limited by a hamstring injury for the third day in a row.

- GREG AUMAN, Times staff writer

UF: Gimme shelter

GAINESVILLE - Coach Urban Meyer cut practice short because of lightning, then the Gators went to the Swamp to complete their walk-through.

Meyer said it was frustrating losing a practice day, but the Gators are close to where they need to be. Lightning is something new to him, since there wasn't much of it in Utah.

"Never," Meyer said. "It was a desert. Arid climate. I never knew what arid was, but that's what they said, so now I know what arid is."

Meyer is thankful it hasn't been worse.

"They say we've been pretty fortunate," Meyer said. "I think today was the first day we've had to go take shelter."

WHO'S NO. 2?: Meyer hasn't named a backup quarterback, but whoever it is will likely play Sept. 3 against Wyoming.

"If you look at our history, we've always played the No. 2 quarterback in the first game, because you have to," Meyer said. "You just have to force yourself to do it."

Freshman Josh Portis is close to earning the job over sophomore Gavin Dickey, Meyer said.

"I still haven't named him the backup, just because he hasn't taken it yet, but he's close," Meyer said.

Meyer said Portis has the talent but there are concerns about how he will respond to pressure.

ET CETERA: Meyer had planned to fly to Texas today to attend the memorial for San Francisco 49er Thomas Herrion, who played for him in 2003 at Utah and who died Aug. 20 after a preseason game in Denver. "I understand the hurricane is now in the path," Meyer said. "Someone just told me my flight might get canceled. I don't know. It's a horrible thing."

- IAN FISHER, Times correspondent

UCF: Rainy Knights

ORLANDO - The Golden Knights practiced for two hours in full pads, spending the first half of practice outside in a rain storm before moving indoors.

"We got to get used to practicing in the rain," head coach George O'Leary said. "I don't have a problem with rain. Once there is lightning, then we need to be careful and move indoors."

Senior defensive end Paul Carrington returned from a neck injury sustained Aug. 17, though he wore a yellow "no-contact" jersey.

- TIMES WIRES

FSU: Canes on the mind

TALLAHASSEE - Florida State held its final scrimmage in preparation for Miami's visit on Labor Day.

"We've gotten what we need taken care of on the practice field," freshman quarterback Drew Weatherford said. "Now we need to polish some things up, but everyone's really excited and we can't wait for Miami."

Weatherford took all the snaps with the first and second teams, completing four of his first five passes for 59 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including a 33-yarder to junior running back Lorenzo Booker.

Freshman quarterback Xavier Lee did not dress because of his shoulder, but neither coach Bobby Bowden or quarterbacks coach Daryl Dickey named Weatherford the starter.

"(The quarterbacks) handle situations very well, they're very mature for their age, and I think they'll handle it fine," Dickey said. "Will it be perfect? Shoot no. But they know that. They already know it's not going to be a perfect performance. They're going to have to learn on the run during the ballgame."

"(Miami's) quarterbacks have the same problem we've got," Bowden said. "They're both inexperienced. So that will be a very interesting matchup."

The starters and second team played at full speed, but not full contact, with the offensive lineman forbidden to block below the waist.

"I'm just gonna try to be as prepared as possible and go out there like I always do," said Weatherford, a former Land O'Lakes star. "Just play football."

TEAM CAPTIANS: The coaching staff named center David Castillo, wide receiver/return specialist Willie Reid, defensive end Kamerion Wimbley, safety Kyler Hall and linebacker Sam McGrew (special teams), all seniors.

- D.C. REEVES, Times correspondent

UM: Chased by Katrina

CORAL GABLES - The team practiced just hours before Hurricane Katrina's landfall. Steady rain fell and winds increased throughout the session before lightning and a heavy downpour in the final 15 minutes chased the Hurricanes from practice field.

"We really needed something like (the weather) to get out in," coach Larry Coker said. "The guys really had a lot of spunk and energy. I think it's good to get them outdoors, especially with the weather being rough tonight.

- TIMES WIRES

[Last modified August 27, 2005, 01:15:14]

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