Colleges

Julmiste, USF's starter, is back on the field

By TIMES STAFF WRITERS and TIMES WIRES
Published August 22, 2006

TAMPA - Two days after back spasms kept him out of most of USF's first scrimmage, senior quarterback Pat Julmiste was back at full strength Monday. Coach Jim Leavitt made it clear the starting position still belongs to Julmiste and not his top challenger, redshirt freshman Matt Grothe.

"I never said Matt Grothe was in the lead over Pat Julmiste," Leavitt said. "What I did say was Matt Grothe had an outstanding day. I said (third-stringer) Grant (Gregory) had a really good day. They're all three battling."

Gregory will likely be held out of this week's practices after separating his left (nonthrowing) shoulder Saturday. Gregory, who also injured a thumb Saturday and needed stitches for a cut above his nose, should be available for next week's season opener against McNeese State.

He's out "as long as he says he'll be out. He's a battler," Leavitt said. "If he says he can't practice, he can't practice. I don't even worry about him. Knowing Grant, he doesn't want to be out long. ... He's a tough kid."

RUNNING HARD: Monday's afternoon practice saw several players stay late for extra conditioning runs, a direct result of piling up a bad statistic in Saturday's scrimmage. USF's coaching staff keeps track of "loafs," which signify lazy play during live action.

IN OTHER NEWS: Women's basketball standout Jessica Dickson was named to the 25-player watch list for the Wade Trophy, presented to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's NCAA Division I player of the year. . . . Junior midfielder Rodrigo Hidalgo was named a preseason All-American by Soccer America.

- GREG AUMAN, Times staff writer

FSU: A looming kickoff

TALLAHASSEE - With two weeks left until the season opener, the players and coaches were not exactly in the highest of spirits. For the first time of the season, practice was closed to the public, and from the sound of the coaches, it did not get off to the best start.

"Today was not a really good practice. There wasn't a lot of fire and spirit," coach Bobby Bowden said. "This was the first time we've come out where I think everyone was feeling sorry for themselves and all that stuff. So, we'll see if they pick it up after I talked to them today. We got in what we wanted to get in, but there wasn't a lot of fire and spirit."

There were some highlights. Halfback Jamaal Edwards had a 40-yard touchdown runand the first-team offense scored on all three opportunities in goal-line drills.

- JOSEF RILL, Times correspondent

UF: Words were heard

GAINESVILLE - Coach Urban Meyer praised the way his team practiced Monday morning after having former players speak to it the night before, part of what he calls "The Gator Experience."

"We had Errict Rhett (1990-93) come in and speak to the team; he did a phenomenal job," Meyer said. "We had James Bates (1993-96) come in, and they both talked about the Georgia rivalry and the Tennessee rivalry; it was a great night."

After that, the Gators awoke early. Classes start Wednesday, and the coaches will have less time with the athletes.

Coaches kept the players "all day long," Meyer said. "We'll get out of here at about 10 o'clock (Monday), and we got 'em up at 5:30 this morning. Obviously we can't do that during school, so we got one more day with them (today), then it's game-week preparation."

TIME FOR WYNN TO STEP UP: Meyer made it clear he doesn't need senior running back DeShawn Wynn to be a team leader. He just wants him to play better football.

"As of a year ago, we're inadequate at that position," Meyer said. "There has just not been a lot to that position. I'm not worried about him taking a team on his shoulders, I just want him to take that position and go play football. ... We need that position to become a real person, and he's doing a pretty good job."

- IAN FISHER, Times correspondent

UM: Some time to heal

CORAL GABLES - Despite inclement morning weather costing Miami a practice for the first time this preseason, the team was able to conduct steamy afternoon workout at the Greentree practice fields.

"We had a day off (Sunday) and a lot of guys back healthy, which is good," coach Larry Coker said. "It won't be long until the players will be in classes and we won't have many options or flexibility when we have class."

UNDER THE Lights: Miami will hold its first practice open to the public at the Orange Bowl at 7 tonight.

UCF: Following the rules

ORLANDO - Aimee Carpenter was named director of compliance for Central Florida, the UCF Athletics Association Inc. announced.

UT: Volleyball ranked No. 2

TAMPA - Tampa's volleyball team has been selected second in the nation in the American Volleyball Coaches Association's preseason poll.

[Last modified August 22, 2006, 01:40:28]