Colleges

Grothe back at practice for USF

By Times Staff
Published October 12, 2006

TAMPA - USF quarterback Matt Grothe returned to practice Wednesday after missing two days with a boot on his right foot. During a win against Connecticut on Saturday, the redshirt freshman injured his foot. Team doctors told Grothe he sprained foot ligaments.

"He looked real good today," coach Jim Leavitt said. "He's not all the way back, but he has two (more) days. He's still tender, so he didn't go all the way."

Leavitt said backup quarterbacks Pat Julmiste and Grant Gregory ran most of the first team plays Wednesday and also said if Grothe reinjures his foot, Julmiste will start.

Returner lightly working: Receiver Ean Randolph, who injured his hip in Saturday's game, also practiced, but did not have a full practice. Leavitt said Randolph, who is seventh in the nation in punt returns, is "tender."

- MIKE CAMUNAS, Times correspondent

UF: Ready for trickery

GAINESVILLE - After Auburn recovered an onside kick against South Carolina two weeks ago, Florida coach Urban Meyer said his team has to prepare for that possibility.

"(Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville) has got a history of doing things like that," Meyer said. "He ran a fake punt against Washington State. A couple years ago, he ran a fake punt in the Swamp. It didn't work, but he ran it from his own goal line."

Meyer said Auburn punter Kody Bliss and kicker John Vaughn are as good as any in the SEC. Bliss leads the conference with 47 yards per punt; Vaughn is second with 45 points.

NO PERSONNEL CHANGES: Meyer said kicker Chris Hetland will keep his job despite being 0-for-4 for field goals. Meyer said Hetland's confidence is fine.

Also, Meyer said that Ronnie Wilson and Jim Tartt will rotate at left guard.

ETC: Running back DeShawn Wynn (knee) practiced a little Wednesday and receiver Percy Harvin practiced a lot. Meyer said he feels better about their chance to play.

- IAN FISHER, Times correspondent

FSU: Freshman focus

TALLAHASSEE - Brandon Warren didn't have to wait for quarterback Drew Weatherford to even snap the ball before Warren saw what some extra motion in the offense had created: a mismatch.

"Oh yeah. We saw that, and that's something we are trying to take advantage of," said Warren, a freshman from Alcoa, Tenn.

"I think it helps a lot. With us shifting around and catching the defense in bad situations, we are creating mismatches."

Even without some pre-snap motion, bigger linebackers and smaller cornerbacks have had a tough time reeling in Warren's athleticism.

Warren ranks second on the team with 15 catches and third with 168 yards.

"I'm just focused on getting better and getting my assignments down," Warren said.

ETC: Coach Bobby Bowden praised backup quarterback Xavier Lee's practice performance.

"Lee threw better than I have seen him throw in a while," Bowden said. "I hope that's a good sign." ... Bowden said defensive end D.J. Norris (shoulder) will not play against Duke on Saturday.

- D.C. REEVES, Times correspondent

[Last modified October 12, 2006, 05:36:13]