Colleges

Miami faces harsh reality

By TIMES STAFF WRITERS and TIMES WIRES
Published September 20, 2006

CORAL GABLES - Out of the rankings for the first time in seven years and out of the national title picture already, the Miami players are upset with themselves, mostly.

"We're playing like we're a Division II school," safety Brandon Meriweather said. "We've got to go out and take responsibility for our actions and make up for it."

Miami (1-2) is off this week, then faces Houston on Sept. 30.

Miami was beaten by Louisville 31-7, renewing talk about coach Larry Coker's job security, but players and coaches said Tuesday's practice was one of the best this season and one change was made.

Linebacker James Bryant asked to be moved to offense, and Coker said he'll likely remain in the mix at fullback and H-back, a cross between a fullback and a tight end.

- TIMES WIRES

FSU: Lee awaits shot

TALLAHASSEE - The FSU offense is ranked 84th in Division I-A at 19 points per game, and its 261 yards of offense ranks 105th.

Hoping to bring a change of pace if nothing else behind Drew Weatherford, backup quarterback Xavier Lee has been disappointed with having taken just one snap, but he's slightly optimistic now.

As the schedule softens over the next month, Lee may get his shot at significant playing time. FSU hosts Rice on Saturday and is a 30-point favorite. Then come struggling N.C. State and Duke.

Injuries: Safety Anthony Houllis (knee) will not play against Rice and may be out longer. True freshman Myron Rolle is next on the depth chart. ... Linebacker Jae Thaxton suffered his second concussion in as many seasons and is out indefinitely.

- D.C. REEVES, Times correspondent

UF: Altered practice

GAINESVILLE - Although coach Urban Meyer moved practice up by 95 minutes, lightning forced the team to split up. The defense practiced at the baseball field, the offense moved under the stadium and the special teams went to a parking garage. The day concluded with meetings and a walk-through at the gym.

- ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times staff writer

USF: Low-key on QB

TAMPA - Redshirt freshman Matt Grothe was named Big East Player of the Week after he threw three touchdowns and went 21-for-31 for 302 yards in a 24-17 win against UCF. Though coach Jim Leavitt said Grothe "deserved" the award, he also wants to make sure his quarterback's head doesn't grow too large.

"I don't make a big of thing out of (the honor) as I should," Leavitt said. "Usually it's because I want him to stay grounded, because there will be enough attention; he's been getting enough attention. And I didn't even announce it, and I didn't even know about it until" Monday night.

BullS bits: Leavitt said left guard Jake Griffen, out "a while" with a broken left foot, could return later this season.

- MIKE CAMUNAS, Times correspondent

[Last modified September 20, 2006, 01:43:05]