Colleges

Leavitt: Same offensive plan

By TIMES STAFF WRITERS and TIMES WIRES
Published October 6, 2006

TAMPA - Even though Connecticut's defense is ranked No. 6 nationally against the pass and not ranked at all against the run, coach Jim Leavitt said he wasn't planning on running the ball more or passing any less during Saturday's game.

The Huskies are allowing 134 passing yards per game, but also 190 rushing yards. The Bulls aren't ranked in rushing, but quarterback Matt Grothe is ranked 34th with 216 passing yards per game and leads the team with 340 rushing yards.

"I'm not necessarily going to run the ball," Leavitt said Thursday. "We didn't have much balance (between running and passing the ball) last game. Would I like to have balance and be able to pass the ball as much as we throw it? Yes. But I don't think you have to have it to win."

Lineman impresses: Leavitt said he has been very proud of the way freshman defensive lineman Aaron Harris has stepped up, especially since nose tackle Richard Clebert is out the rest of the season with a groin injury. Leavitt said Harris replaced Clebert on the depth chart.

Bulls bits: Today is the team's first Bull Bowl of the season. The scrimmage allows scout team players and players who haven't played this season to get in game-type situations. Leavitt said receiver David Cozzo will play quarterback, which he did in high school.

- MIKE CAMUNAS, Times correspondent

UF: Trying to heal

GAINESVILLE - After getting back one of his best players in Marcus Thomas, coach Urban Meyer isn't sure about the status of two other Gators for Saturday's game against No. 9 LSU.

Starting running back DeShawn Wynn (sprained right knee) didn't practice again, and freshman Percy Harvin practiced at about 90 percent with a left high-ankle sprain.

"I don't think (Wynn) can go," Meyer said. "They found out something else that was not right with it. They keep holding out that we can do something (today)."

Meyer said there is a chance Harvin will play, which would be a boost for the Gators because of his speed and his big-play ability.

"This will be two very fast teams playing on Saturday," Meyer said. "That's one of the faster teams in the country on the other sideline. How do you beat speed? You match it with speed, and he helps us do that."

Having Harvin and a fully healthy receiving corps will be huge for the Gators, considering almost all of UF's vital receivers were banged up for last season's 21-17 loss against the Tigers.

"They did look faster than us in the secondary, and they looked faster than us at wide receiver," Meyer said. "What was really glaring was our offense was beat up a little bit and guys weren't making plays. Dallas (Baker) was beat up, Jemalle Cornelius was beat up, Chad Jackson and of course Bubba (Andre Caldwell) was out, so we're going to be at much better strength this year."

- IAN FISHER, Times correspondent

UM: Redshirt pondered

CORAL GABLES - Miami may seek a medical redshirt for receiver Darnell Jenkins, who suffered a knee injury in a loss to Louisville last month.

"If he can't play, that is a possibility," coach Larry Coker said.

Jenkins missed last week's win over Houston and will not play Saturday against North Carolina. He originally thought he suffered a right hamstring strain against Louisville, but tests later revealed he tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

He led Miami in receiving yards in each of the first three games, and has 13 catches for 183 yards.

GOOD MONTH: Coker has coached the team to a 16-1 record in October since taking over in 2001. The only loss was against North Carolina in 2004.

- TIMES WIRES

[Last modified October 6, 2006, 01:43:02]