TAMPA - Sophomore Ricky Ponton, the only one of USF's nine running backs with significant experience entering the season, has been slowed by a hamstring injury he aggravated Tuesday morning, coach Jim Leavitt said.
Leavitt, who has said redshirt freshman Moise Plancher is "clearly" his No.1 running back, said Ponton has been limited by the injury since voluntary workouts in summer.
"He popped his hamstring," Leavitt said. "He looked all right this afternoon, but it was real tight. He's had hamstring problems this summer. That's really why he's been done, hasn't been able to rep. He went after it hard this morning because it's getting close."
INJURY UPDATE: Receiver Amp Hill, who sprained his ankle Saturday and was on crutches Monday, was walking on his own. Leavitt said he'll likely be held out for about a week. ... The Bulls hold their final scrimmage tonight, with a shorter exhibition set for Saturday's Fan Appreciation Day at 11 a.m.
THIS AND THAT: Leavitt said redshirt freshman linebacker Chris Robinson has been working at defensive end and has a shot at being second string. Another redshirt freshman, George Selvie, has established himself as the Bulls' top defensive end. ... Defensive line coach Bernard Clark said his "biggest surprise" has been walkon Nick Schuyler, who's making a case for the playing rotation at tackle.
UF: James out four weeks
GAINESVILLE - Florida running back and kick returner Brandon James had arthroscopic surgery to repair a meniscus in his left knee he injured Monday. He will be out about about four weeks, coach Urban Meyer said.
James, listed at 5-foot-7, has drawn praise in fall camp for making defenders miss. Meyer has said he likely will play this season.
"That's the part of the job that's awful," Meyer said. "You hate to say it like this, but especially the guys that love the game. Brandon James loves football. ... The hardest thing is he's never been hurt before."
Meyer said freshman offensive lineman Maurice Hurt (right knee) should be ready for the opener Sept.2 against Southern Mississippi.
SMITH WORKING WITH FIRST TEAM: Transfer cornerback Ryan Smith, hampered by a sore hamstring, has moved up to first string.
The move allows Reggie Nelson to work at free safety with Smith and Reggie Lewis at cornerback. Nelson probably will work at cornerback, safety and nickelback, Meyer said.
The bump didn't surprise Smith, and cornerbacks coach Chuck Heater, who coached Smith at Utah, also expected him to get there.
"I knew if I went out there and did what I could do that I had the capability, and there was the possibility of me moving up with the 'ones,' " Smith said.
ETC: Meyer has not named captains and is considering using different captains every game, as former coach Ron Zook did. "I've talked to some people, other colleagues," Meyer said. "I have a few ideas that I'm running by people. We have 20 seniors on this team; that's unique." . . . Brandon Spikes, Jim Barrie and Jacques Rickerson had their freshman stripes removed.
FSU: Weatherford gains confidence
TALLAHASSEE - Drew Weatherford was his normal self, going 8-for-11 with 166 yards and a touchdown during FSU's second full scrimmage, as well as going 2-for-3 with a 30-yard touchdown pass in one-minute drills.
"He's got a lot of poise now," quarterbacks coach Daryl Dickey said. "He's got a lot of confidence in what he's doing and how he's doing it. I think it's certainly helping his demeanor and approach and how he's playing right now."
Tailbacks Matt Dunham, Lorenzo Booker and Antone Smith combined for nine carries and 64 yards. Senior Chris Davis caught five balls for 162 yards and a touchdown. Freshman tight end Caz Piurowski also added his first touchdown catch in a scrimmage.
