Colleges

USF-North Carolina switches to ESPN

Along with its first ranking in both national polls, USF has generated enough interest to have Saturday's game against North Carolina inserted onto ESPN.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published September 18, 2007

TAMPA - Along with its first ranking in both national polls, USF has generated enough interest to have Saturday's game against North Carolina inserted onto ESPN.

The game was originally not scheduled to appear on national television, but after USF's upset of Auburn, ESPN2 picked it up. Then the network announced a switch Monday, moving West Virginia-East Carolina to ESPN2.

CAPOGNA OUT: The same offensive line that helped defeat Auburn will likely be in place against North Carolina with starting center Nick Capogna out with a knee injury.

"He's not going to be back for a while," coach Jim Leavitt said.

Running back Moise Plancher and linebacker Chris Robinson "didn't look good" in practice.

Nose tackle Richard Clebert, who was out with a sore arch, returned Monday. He participated in every team drill except conditioning.

"He's fine. If there's someone who is 100 percent this time of year, they're just watching, they're not playing," defensive line coach Dan McCarney said. "Come Saturday at noon, he'll be ready 100 percent, mark it down."

Brendan Galella, Times correspondent

UF: James honored

GAINESVILLE - Sophomore kick returner Brandon James was named the SEC's special teams player of the week.

In awin over Tennessee, James had 193 all-purpose yards, including 159 on returns. He had a career-long 83-yard punt return for a touchdown - his second career punt return for a touchdown - and tied for the fifth longest in Gator history. James averaged 25.5 yards on four kickoff returns and 30.3 on three punt returns. He leads the nation in punt return average (30.8).

INJURY UPDATE: Sophomore receiver Riley Cooper has a sprained left ankle that will keep him out of practice for one or two days, but he's expected to play Saturday at Ole Miss. Cornerback Markihe Anderson has a PCL injury in his right leg and is out. Freshman offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey (right low ankle sprain) is day to day. Senior receiver Andre Caldwell and redshirt freshman safety Bryan Thomas (both sprained MCLs) will miss their second consecutive games. Brandon Antwine (elbow) is expected to play.

TEAM HONORS: Receiver Percy Harvin and linebacker Dustin Doe were named the team's offensive and defensive players of the week. Among the players who graded champions by the coaching staff were linebacker A.J. Jones and receiver Louis Murphy.

Antonya English, Times staff writer

UM: Show of respect

CORAL GABLES - Martellus Bennett, who with Texas A&M visits the Orange Bowl on Thursday, earned praise from the Hurricanes when he switched his number to pay tribute to former UM player Kevin Everett. Bennett, a tight end, switched from 13 to 85 on Saturday, though it's unclear if he can make the switch permanent.

Everett, who sustained a spinal cord injury playing for the NFL's Bills, hosted Bennett for a recruiting visit at Miami.

"That shows what kind of person Martellus is. To show respect in that way, that's a great thing," UM tight end DajLeon Farrsaid.

School officials said Bennett will be back in No. 13 against the Hurricanes. But Bennett plans to ask coach Dennis Franchione today if he can stay in No. 85 for the season.

"I'm not sure what will happen yet," Bennett said. "A lot of my teammates want me to continue to wear it."

[Last modified September 18, 2007, 01:07:35]