Colleges

Injury sidelines USF starter

By TIMES STAFF WRITERS and ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published September 19, 2006

TAMPA - Sophomore Jake Griffin, USF's starting left guard in its 3-0 start, is out "a while" with an injury to his left foot, coach Jim Leavitt said.

Griffin, an Armwood graduate, was on crutches at Monday's practice, a boot on his left foot. Leavitt would not say how many games he's likely to miss, but he won't play Saturday at Kansas.

Sophomore Ryan Schmidt took over at guard Saturday against Central Florida after Griffin was injured. Left tackle Thed Watson, who has missed two games with an ankle injury, is expected to make a healthy return this week, so USF could slide Matt Huners, who started at tackle Saturday, back to the opening at guard.

Starting linebacker Patrick St. Louis, who injured his elbow in Saturday's win, will play Saturday.

"You're not going to keep St. Louis off the field," Leavitt said.

GROTHE HONORED: Redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Grothe was honored as the Big East Offensive Player of the Week after passing for 302 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-17 win against Central Florida.

Grothe, who also rushed for a team-best 73 yards, piled up 375 yards of total offense, the third-highest total in USF history and the most since the Bulls went to Division I-A in 2001.

FULL SLATE: USF completed its 2007 schedule, announcing that the opener will be at home against Elon, a Division I-AA team from North Carolina. Elon will receive $300,000 from USF for the one-game contract.

- GREG AUMAN, Times staff writer

FSU: A QB debate

TALLAHASSEE - After a subpar performance Saturday, Florida State sophomore quarterback Drew Weatherford is the excuse du jour for the team's offensive woes.

The fans, via the message boards, are saying that Xavier Lee should finally get a chance to start.

But coach Bobby Bowden, who has been reluctant to pull his starting quarterback in the past, especially after just one tough outing (and that's not only Chris Rix), has given no indication he's ready to make such a change. He said Monday that he believes Weatherford is trying so hard to avoid throwing interceptions that he's been too conservative and that's easily correctible.

"Danny Kanell did the same thing back when he was a (junior in 1994)," Bowden said. "We said, 'Hey. Forget about it. Let her rip. Don't worry about those interceptions.' "

Weatherford said he hasn't sensed a pattern of hesitancy.

As for Lee, Bowden had hoped to use him against Troy, but the Seminoles struggled and needed two fourth-quarter touchdowns - engineered by Weatherford - to escape.

"We need to get Xavier some experience in a game so we have confidence in what he can do," Bowden said.

NEW ARRIVAL: Defensive end Kevin McNeil, a highly-touted freshman from Georgia who hadn't been able to practice with the team or enroll in class while the NCAA questioned his eligibility, has been cleared and practiced Monday. Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said he expects McNeil to play this weekend.

SPECIAL TEAMS CHANGE: Andrews said that receiver Chris Davis (St. Petersburg Catholic) probably won't be back on punt returns after botching one against Troy and then not fielding one against Clemson that resulted in a turnover. Look for cornerback Tony Carter or Goodman to get the next shot at the job.

AWARD WINNER: Speaking of Carter, he was named the ACC's specialist of the week after returning a blocked extra point and a blocked field goal for scores.

- BRIAN LANDMAN, Times staff writer

UF: Everett is honored

GAINESVILE - Linebacker Earl Everett was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday. Everett led the Gators with 11 tackles.

Receiver Jemalle Cornelius was named the SEC Community Service Team Player of the Week.

TEAM HONORS: Everett and defensive end Jarvis Moss, who had four quarterback pressures, were defensive players of the game, and left tackle Phil Trautwein and Rissler were the offensive players of the game.

'BAMA TIME ANNOUNCED: UF's home game against Alabama on Sept. 30 will start at 3:30 and will be televised by CBS, the SEC announced.

- IAN FISHER, Times correspondent

UCF: Cornerback arrested

ORLANDO - Central Florida cornerback Travonti Johnson was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting an officer without violence after an incident early Sunday in a Denny's. Johnson, 22, was suspended for four games over the incident, the school said Monday. Johnson was released after posting a $500 bond.

- ASSOCIATED PRESS

[Last modified September 19, 2006, 01:46:32]