Colleges

Leavitt says key to Pitt is simple: a talented QB

By TIMES WIRES
Published November 3, 2006

TAMPA -Saturday will be the third straight season the Bulls face Pittsburgh. And though USF has a two-game losing streak against the Panthers, coach Jim Leavitt said one thing is the key. Actually, one player: Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko.

The senior, who leads the Big East in passing by more than 400 yards over USF's Matt Grothe, has 18 touchdown passes. He is 34-of-49 for 614 yards and eight touchdown passes against the Bulls.

"Palko makes this team," Leavitt said after Thursday's practice. "It's his team. He is very, very talented."

Leavitt said there will be no change in defensive packages for the left-handed Palko.

"He might be left-handed, but he's going to throw to the left side. He's going to spray the ball all over the field to all different people," Leavitt said.

"He plays real smart," Grothe said of Palko. "He's a senior , so he knows his offense real well - doesn't make a lot of mistakes."

FSU: Good news at QB

TALLAHASSEE - Quarterback Drew Weatherford's injured ankle will keep him out of the starting lineup against Virginia, but it will not keep him out of uniform.

After promising practices Wednesday and Thursday, coach Bobby Bowden named Weatherford the No. 2 quarterback behind Xavier Lee.

"I felt really good," Weatherford said. "I was planning on it being a little more sore because I did a lot (Wednesday)."

Weatherford would not be 100 percent if he plays, but he isn't worried about the pressure that Virginia - the ACC leader with 28 sacks - would bring.

"I feel like I could escape the rush a little bit and do enough to avoid rushers," he said.

DE UPDATE: Sophomore Neefy Moffett will start at defensive end opposite senior Darrell Burston. Burston is entrenched, and defensive ends coach Jody Allen has evaluated practice tape over the past several weeks to determine the other starter. Moffett earned the start last week, but Kevin McNeill and Everette Brown have started in the same spot.

INJURY REPORT: Linebacker Geno Hayes (knee) and receiver De'Cody Fagg (ankle) are out.

UF: Waiting on kicker

GAINESVILLE - Coach Urban Meyer has pretty much decided who will kick against Vanderbilt.

But he's keeping it a secret.

"We're going to wait until game time," he said. "I kind of know who it is, but I'm going to wait until game time, spend some time with the guys (today)."

Meyer opened up the competition after Chris Hetland missed two field goals against Georgia, bringing him to 1-for-7. Hetland is competing with Eric Nappy and Jonathan Phillips.

"I really want to see warmups," Meyer said. "I kind of have an idea, and I think they know as well because we charted every kick. I just want to see what happens on game day."

INJURY REPORT: Brandon James, who sprained his right ankle against Georgia, returned punts in practice and should be ready to play, Meyer said. Quarterback Chris Leak is fine after dinging his head against Georgia, which caused blurry vision and headaches, and receiver Dallas Baker, who sprained his shoulder against Georgia, practiced with contact for the first time this week. "He took the sissy shirt off and he's good to go," Meyer said.

UM: Beating the rain

CORAL GABLES - Miami squeezed in a final full-length practice of the week between torrents of rain. All that is left is a walkthrough before Saturday's game against Virginia Tech.

"Let's play," Miami coach Larry Coker said. "The guys looked sharp and it was a good day for us."

Receiver Ryan Moore will be a game-time decision, though Coker said he has looked good in practice all week and "there is no reason not to play him."

[Last modified November 3, 2006, 02:42:31]