Colleges

UM, FIU step up brawl penalties

By TIMES WIRES
Published October 17, 2006

MIAMI - Of all the disturbing images from the sideline-clearing brawl between Miami and Florida International, swift and stern punishment was handed out Monday for the three that stood out the most:

- Miami's Anthony Reddick wielding his helmet as a weapon and smashing it into an FIU player. His one-game suspension was increased to an indefinite one.

- FIU's Chris Smith wrestling Miami holder Matt Perrelli down and appearing to punch him in the chin. Smith was dismissed.

- Marshall McDuffie Jr., Smith's Golden Panthers teammate, then kicking Perrelli in the head. McDuffie was also thrown off the team.

FIU's new sanctions also included 16 other players - each was originally handed a one-game suspension. Now they've been given an indefinite break from the game.

"This is certainly embarrassing. It's disgraceful. It's amazing. I've run out of words," FIU coach Don Strock said. "There's no place for it in college football or football period. This is way overboard. I apologize to all the fans of college football for this taking place."

The dismissed players will remain on scholarship at FIU.

Officials from Miami, FIU and the Atlantic Coast and Sun Belt conferences issued 31 one-game suspensions - to 13 Hurricanes and 18 Golden Panthers - late Sunday, while both schools warned further punishment was possible.

FSU: Shaw's chance

TALLAHASSEE - Offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Jeff Bowden sure wasn't happy that De'Cody Fagg had three drops at Duke, not an aberration of late.

"I'm still looking for some push over at his position," he said.

That means he hopes former Plant City star Joslin Shaw, a tenacious downfield blocker, can challenge Fagg for playing time. It also means Bowden could use true freshmen Damon McDaniel and Preston Parker a little more. McDaniel, a prep teammate of Florida freshman receiver Percy Harvin, had three catches for 51 yards and a TD against Duke while Parker had two catches for 26 yards.

MORE INJURIES: Three starters were hobbled against Duke: linebacker Geno Hayes (knee), tight end Brandon Warren (hamstring) and defensive end Alex Boston (ankle).

Top cornerback Tony Carter (knee) was running at practice and says he should be ready for Boston College on Saturday. HOULLIS SURGERY: Former Tarpon Springs standout Anthony Houllis will have surgery on his left knee Wednesday after doctors found a cartilage donor. He is not expected to play this season.

USF: It's all Bulls

TAMPA - A Sunday night game at Cincinnati gives USF a national ESPN audience and no football competition, with the NFL taking the night off, yielding to postseason baseball.

"You can't turn down a hundred-something thousand dollars," coach Jim Leavitt said. "A lot of people will watch our game."

INJURY UPDATE: Walk-on Eric Setser has been filling in for long snapper Ryan Bourdeau (shoulder) for four games, and Leavitt said Bourdeau won't return this season.

Guard Jake Griffin, who has missed four games with a broken foot, practiced a little and is a long shot to return Sunday, Leavitt said.

Receiver Marcus Edwards (concussion), tight end Ben Busbee (shoulder) and safety Nate Allen (quad) returned to practice.

[Last modified October 17, 2006, 02:52:39]