GAINESVILLE -- Florida starting cornerback Robert Cromartie likely will miss the season after tearing his right pectoral muscle in Wednesday night's scrimmage.

The senior will have surgery to reattach the muscle and has a redshirt season remaining.

"Making a tackle, his arm ripped back somehow," coach Steve Spurrier said. "So that's where we are with Robert Cromartie. Unfortunate."

Spurrier said senior Bennie Alexander could move into the starting job opposite Lito Sheppard. Keiwan Ratliff also could compete for the position.

Cromartie has started 24 games, including the final eight of last season at right cornerback.

COLON'S SCORE HELD: The testing agency has scored offensive lineman Jonathan Colon's most recent ACT but it "is on hold for some reason," Colon said.

"Supposedly the testing agency has not given him his score for some reason," Spurrier said. "That's what we are waiting on."

Colon said there are some things going on right now but he expected to receive the score later in the week.

SECOND SCRIMMAGE: The Gators will scrimmage at 3:30 Saturday, "at the same time we will play Tennessee," Spurrier said, referring to the Sept. 15 game.

INJURIES: Wide receiver Reche Caldwell returned to practice after injuring his ankle and fullback Rob Roberts suited up in a no-contact jersey for the first time since his knee surgery in the spring. Fullbacks Reid Fleming and Ray Snell had to leave early after overheating during practice.

FSU's Maddox is okay

TALLAHASSEE -- Coach Bobby Bowden, who has dealt with a string of injuries, received good news when an X-ray on running back Nick Maddox's ailing right wrist was negative.

Maddox, listed as the first-team tailback, has a sprained wrist. He missed most of the morning practice and was held out of noncontact drills in the evening.

TAMPA PRIDE: Freshman kicker Xavier Beitia of Jesuit High made 12 of13 field-goal attempts Monday morning, including a 42-yarder.

"The fact that (the Seminoles) recruited me, and they want me to do the job, I think, takes a lot of the burden off of me," Beitia said. "I don't have to prove anything to anybody."

Beitia was the only one of three kickers to attempt field goals, indicating he will be the starter this season.

INJURY UDPATE: Receivers Atrews Bell, Talman Gardner and P.K. Sam (hamstrings), offensive lineman Matt Heinz (MCL sprain), linebackers Michael Boulware, Ray Piquion (heat exhaustion), B.J. Dean and Ron Lunford (intestinal flu) and center David Castillo (hand) were out.

USF roster takes shape

TAMPA -- After practice in shorts and helmets, coach Jim Leavitt said as many as six freshmen might find a spot on the two-deep roster on the offensive line, including Shelly Houston and Levi Newton, and redshirts Derrick Sarosi, Alex Herron, Devon Small and Mark Sopcik. Sarosi, at right tackle, and Herron, at center, could be starters.

Leavitt also said his three tight ends will be sophomores Casey Cobb and Tommy Huner and freshman Tim Jones. Leavitt will make freshman Jon Simmons, sophomore Mark Feldman and junior John Marshall redshirts.

Widell joins broadcasters

JACKSONVILLE -- Former NFL offensive lineman Dave Widell will provide color commentary on radio broadcasts this season.

FAU player leaves hospital

BOCA RATON -- Offensive lineman Joshua Blaylock was released from the hospital, a day after collapsing at practice.

Miami practices hard

CORAL GABLES -- The Hurricanes concluded two-a-day practices with a two-hour workout in full pads. Coach Larry Coker stopped practice a few minutes early because he was satisfied.

"I really liked the intensity," Coker said. "They've done well to this point and I reminded them that we're just getting into the toughest part of the preseason."

Defensive end Jerome McDougle, who fainted at practice Tuesday morning, returned and was in full pads.

UCF gets good news

ORLANDO -- Starting middle linebacker Tito Rodriguez got a great birthday present, and starting center Mike Mabry received an encouraging report.

Rodriguez, who turned 23, injured his right knee in practice Wednesday and sat out morning practice. But the injury turned out to be a strain. He is expected back early next week.

An MRI exam revealed a sprained medial collateral ligament in Mabry's right knee and he is expected back in about two weeks, but is questionable for the Sept. 1 opener at Clemson.

FAMU ranks 2nd, B-CC 5th

The Rattlers came in at No. 2 in the Sheriden Broadcasting Network Black College poll with Grambling grabbing No. 1. FAMU had one first-place vote. Bethune-Cookman came in at No 5.

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