Sports: Marshall misses six players

Marshall misses six players

By ANTONYA ENGLISH and DEBI JONES

GAINESVILLE -- Two starters and two key reserves were among six Marshall players who sat out Saturday night's game. The NCAA suspended them last week for improperly receiving extra work benefits.

Sophomore nose tackle Marlan Hicks and sophomore running back Franklin Wallace sat out as part of a three-game suspension. Backups Denero Marriott (wide receiver) and Brandon Carey (running back) also missed the game. The others were not part of the two-deep depth chart.

Marshall coach Bobby Pruett said the school will appeal the suspensions.

WHERE'S JEFF?: Florida kicker Jeff Chandler, who was granted a fifth year of eligibility, was required to sit out because he played in one game against Central Michigan in 1997. Brendt Talcott took over the kicking duties, but failed on his first assignment. Talcott missed a 25-yard field goal with 10:15 left in the first quarter that would have given Florida a 3-0 lead. Talcott did kick three extra points to help the Gators to 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Chandler was on the field during warmups and was on the sideline during the first half. He said he planned to go into the stands and watch the second half with his parents.

RECORD CROWD: The 85,445 who attended set a record for opening-day attendance at Florida Field. It was also the largest crowd to watch Marshall.

WE'RE NO. 1: It has been four years since Florida played as the No. 1-ranked team. Florida was No. 1 in five games in 1997 before losing to LSU in the sixth.

The return to the top is music to athletic director Jeremy Foley's ears. After all, being No. 1 offers Florida an extra boost of media attention and publicity.

"It has a trickle-down effect for all your programs because it's exposure for the University of Florida, obviously for its football program but also for (the school)," Foley said. "This is where we all work and are trying to recruit to, so there's no question it helps all our programs. I think it helps the entire university."

FIRST START: Hillsborough High brothers Ray and Shannon Snell had their first collegiate starts for UF with Ray in at fullback and Shannon at offensive guard.

Last season, Shannon Snell played in 10 regular-season games for 161 plays.

In addition, defensive tackle Bryan Savelio, defensive end Bobby McCray, defensive tackle Ian Scott, safety Gus Scott and offensive tackle Max Starks made their first starts.

Starks is filling the role of Kenyatta Walker, the Bucs' first-round draft pick in April.

"I feel comfortable that I can step in and hopefully contribute to the team in the best way I can," Starks said. "I'm not going to say I'll be able to step and fill everything he has done, but I am definitely going to give it my best effort." DAVIS RETURNS: The Gators' opener was the first back for middle linebacker Andra Davis, who had a season-ending knee injury in last year's opener against Ball State.

The senior made an immediate impact, sacking Byron Leftwich on the third play of the game for a loss of 6 yards.

MOMENT OF SILENCE: Florida held a pregame moment of silence for fullback Eraste Autin.

Autin died July 25 from a heatstroke after participating in voluntary workouts for the incoming freshmen.

TOUGHEST SCHEDULE: Florida's 2000 schedule was rated toughest in the nation by the Bowl Championship Series and the NCAA.

The Gators face five teams ranked in the preseason Top 25 this season: Tennessee, Mississippi State, Louisiana State, South Carolina and Florida State.