Colleges

Tebow says of Hayes: 'Just fires you up'

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow brushed aside comments made by Florida State linebacker Geno Hayes, who said that Tebow was "going down" when the Gators host the Seminoles on Saturday.

By TIMES STAFF
Published November 21, 2007

GAINESVILLE - Florida quarterback Tim Tebow brushed aside comments made by Florida State linebacker Geno Hayes, who said that Tebow was "going down" when the Gators host the Seminoles on Saturday.

"That's fine. I don't really say much or talk trash or anything like that," Tebow said Tuesday. "They're just heated up and excited about the game. I'll just use it as motivation."

"The bigger they are, the harder they fall," Hayes said Monday. "Hopefully we can go out there and shatter his dream."

Tebow said he usually laughs off trash talk, but he winked at reporters when asked whether he will seek out Hayes on the field.

"Who knows. We'll see," Tebow said. "I might remember it. I love playing, so that just fires you up and reminds you what the game of football is all about."

HADEN HURTING: Freshman cornerback Joe Haden is questionable because of a sprained ankle. Redshirt freshman Jacques Rickerson has been practicing with the first-team defense.

"He had a good practice," coach Urban Meyer said. "I think he's up for the challenge or else I wouldn't put him out there."

Rickerson struggled against Kentucky in his only significant playing time.

Freshman Moses Jenkins and sophomore Markihe Anderson are expected to be in the mix, and Meyer joked that a reporter should help fill in at cornerback.

GETTING HEALTHY: Wide receiver Percy Harvin, who missed the last two games with severe migraines, practiced for the second straight day. "He's doing real well," Meyer said. Freshman defensive tackle Mike Pouncey (hyper-extended elbow) practiced and should play.

Times correspondent Bryan Jones, Times wires

FSU: RB Smith probable

TALLAHASSEE - Coach Bobby Bowden said starting running back Antone Smith should be ready to play Saturday.

"Antone was running good," he said.

Smith participated in most of practice, with no contact. Bowden said Preston Parker continues to work at running back and wide receiver, and will likely play both positions against UF.

Jamey Givens, Times correspondent

USF: Receivers improve

TAMPA - An unsung aspect in USF's impressive wins against Syracuse and Louisville is improved play by the receivers.

"No question," coach Jim Leavitt said. "Give (receivers coach) Mike Canales a lot of credit."

Leavitt said the progress of redshirt freshmen such as Carlton Mitchell, A.J. Love and Jason Sherman, along with true freshman Dontavia Bogan, has allowed the Bulls to focus on recruiting other positions.

"I feel a lot better about the future than I did 10 weeks ago," Leavitt said.

Offensive coordinator Greg Gregory, who said the receivers had totaled about 18 to 20 drops this season, said the sure hands in recent games have given the entire offense confidence.

"They're just catching the ball," Gregory said. "I don't know what you attribute that to, maybe their focus. Matt (Grothe) is being a little more careful of where he throws the football, not forcing the ball as much."

COMING BACK?: USF plans to petition the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility for senior tackle Jared Carnes. Carnes would be eligible for a medical redshirt after playing only two games in 2005, though Leavitt said USF might have a case from Carnes' first season in 2003 at Division II Concord College in West Virginia.

RECOVERING: Receiver Amarri Jackson (knee) and defensive tackle Aaron Harris (ankle) remain limited as they slowly return to practice, both hopeful they can play Saturday at Pittsburgh. Jackson did agility drills, testing his knee with quick cuts, while Harris had his first day without a boot on his left foot.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

Fast Facts:

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Up next

USF: at Pitt, noon Saturday, Ch. 28

FSU: at Florida, 5 Saturday, Ch. 10

UF: vs. FSU, 5 Saturday, Ch. 10

Miami: at Boston College, noon Saturday, ESPN

[Last modified November 20, 2007, 23:59:53]