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UF's Pearson returns from skull fracture

By Compiled from Times staff, correspondents and wire reports

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 27, 2000

GAINESVILLE -- Florida's offensive line finally got some good news. Tackle Mike Pearson returned to practice and is expected to be available for the first game Sept. 2 against Ball State.

Pearson, an Armwood High star, fractured his skull after hitting his head in a parking garage in late July.

"It's a real bonus to have Pearson back," offensive line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens. "It will give us the flexibility to move Leon Hires back inside and strengthen us inside."

Coach Steve Spurrier said center Zac Zedalis, who had knee surgery this summer, is expected to return to practice this week.

The Gators had a short practice Saturday morning inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. They worked on special teams and two-minute drills.

"Hopefully we can get everybody out on the field correctly next week, so it was a little brush up on that type of stuff," Spurrier said.

GAFFNEY READY: Despite the youth on offense, wide receiver Jabar Gaffney, who caught four passes for 115 yards in Friday's scrimmage, said the offense is ready.

"We are going to be all right," Gaffney said. "We will use the first game to kick out a few little weak links in the offense and see what we can accomplish as an offense. We will be ready for that third game of the season when we go up against Tennessee."

-- Debi Jones

Fans give team a boost

TAMPA -- More than two weeks of two-a-days ended on a positive note, when about 300 supporters showed up for South Florida's annual Fan Appreciation Day. The attention gave the Bulls, whose offense was inconsistent in the morning workout, a needed lift, coach Jim Leavitt said.

"They were a little bit slow today," he said. "You can tell they're tired. We weren't as sharp as we will be."

The Bulls practiced their kicking drills in the afternoon and will take today off before Monday night's workout under their new practice field lights.

"They need to get away from football for a couple of days," Leavitt said.

INJURY REPORT: An MRI exam of freshman DE Ian Blackwell's knee revealed nothing other than a sprain, Leavitt said. One of the Bulls' top five defensive ends, Blackwell is expected to return within a week. Senior center Joey Sipp, who had been hobbled by a sore hamstring before returning to practice Friday, said he is healed.

NEW BULLS: Leavitt likes what he has seen from WR Huey Whittaker, who transferred recently. A graduate of Springstead High and a sophomore out of Hudson Valley Community College, Whittaker is eligible immediately. The problem? Getting him enough work in practice. "We're not giving Huey the kind of reps we need to give Huey," Leavitt said.

Leavitt also was pleased with DE Tommy Hunter's first practice. The freshman, who signed with USF in February 1999, became eligible Friday. "You can tell he hasn't been out doing anything in two years, but it's good to get him in practice," Leavitt said.

-- Sharon Ginn

Offense shines at Citrus Bowl

ORLANDO -- The offense ran its scripted plays against the scout-team defense, highlighted by quarterback Victor Penn's three touchdown passes, including a 60-yarder to Tyson Hinshaw and a 50-yarder to Kenny Clark. Running backs Eddie Mack and Corey Baker each had touchdown runs. Coach Mike Kruczek was especially pleased with Penn's performance.

-- David Marsters

Overall, Joe pleased

TALLAHASSEE -- After having a successful final scrimmage, Florida A&M players and coaches are optimistic about the Sept. 2 opener at Delaware State.

"Based on the fact that we have so many new, young and inexperienced ballplayers out there, I thought the guys looked good," said coach Billy Joe, who will determine the starting lineup on Monday. "I thought the guys caught on extremely fast. This is a very smart football team. I can always find things that I didn't like, but there were more things that I am very pleased about than I am displeased with."

Joe is most concerned with the amount of penalties committed in the scrimmage.

-- Jabari Ritchie

Kennedy named captain

JACKSONVILLE -- Tampa's Scott Kennedy, a junior tight end, was named a tri-captain on the Dolphins team with junior quarterback Gary Cooper and sophomore defensive end Will Weatherford. Kennedy, who has been with the program since its inception in 1997, earned District III Academic All-America honors with a 3.79 GPA.

-- Times wires

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