Colleges

Selvie first Bull named finalist for national award

By Times staff
Published November 16, 2007

TAMPA - Defensive end George Selvie, leading the nation in sacks and tackles for loss, is the first USF football player ever honored as a first-team All-America selection by the Football Writers Association of America, announced Thursday.

Selvie, a sophomore from Pensacola, is also the first Bulls player to become a finalist for a national award. He's one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the nation's top defensive player, and will attend the award banquet Dec. 3, hosted by the Charlotte (N.C.) Touchdown Club.

The other four finalists: Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis, last year's winner; LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey; Virginia defensive end Chris Long; and Kansas defensive back Aqib Talib.

INJURY UPDATE: Senior tackle Walt Walker, who has missed the past three games with a knee injury, is expected to return for his final home game Saturday.

"It looks he never got hurt," coach Jim Leavitt said. "He'll play a lot of football. I don't know if (offensive line coach Mike Simmonds) will start him or not, but he'll play a lot."

The only Bulls expected to miss the game are receiver Amarri Jackson (bruised knee) and defensive tackle Aaron Harris (ankle). Leavitt said kickoff specialist Justin Teachey, who pulled a muscle in his kicking leg last week at Syracuse, should be able to go, though field-goal kicker and punter Delbert Alvarado is available.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

UF: Harvin will sit

GAINESVILLE - Wide receiver Percy Harvin has been ruled out for Saturday's home game against Florida Atlantic, coach Urban Meyer said.

Meyer said Harvin is beginning to feel better but that he spent all day in the infirmary undergoing treatment for severe migraine headaches.

"He's sitting there with IVs in his arms," Meyer said. "I've never had to deal with (migraines), but I've had to see players deal with them. It's awful."

Meyer said Harvin's parents have spent the past two days in Gainesville with their son. He has been held out of practice for more than a week and missed the South Carolina game Saturday.

Against Vanderbilt the week prior, Harvin became the first player in school history to have 100 rushing and 100 receiving yards in the same game.

POUNCEY WILL PLAY: Freshman offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey, who left last week's game with a sprained ankle, is expected to play.

"He had a great day today," Meyer said. "He heals well."

Redshirt freshman Maurice Hurt filled in for Pouncey last week, and Meyer said redshirt freshman Marcus Gilbert has earned some playing time, too.

Bryan Jones, Times correspondent

FSU: Ponder is backup

TALLAHASSEE -Redshirt freshman Christian Ponder will back up Drew Weatherford on Saturday against Maryland.

Ponder replaced Weatherford after he suffered a concussion in last week's loss to Virginia Tech because second stringer Xavier Lee was serving a suspension. Lee has been reinstated, but Ponder will remain the backup.

"It would have been little tough going from playing in the game back to third string," Ponder said. "I'm going to try to do the best I can to stay up there.

Weatherford said that he is no longer experiencing side affects from the concussion.

Special day for Boatman:Senior offensive lineman Shannon Boatman spent a lot of time in line coach Rick Trickett's dog house early this season. But Boatman has improved and played his best game as a Seminole last week, Trickett said. Boatman will play his last home game Saturday in front of friends and family, including his son and daughter.

"There will be a lot of emotions going through this game," Boatman said. "At the beginning I didn't buy in. I started slowly buying in and getting in shape, and everything came through for me."

Jamey Givens, Times correspondent

[Last modified November 16, 2007, 01:24:42]