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By DEBI JONES, ALEX ABRAMS, PETE YOUNG and Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 7, 2001
DE Mitchell returns
GAINESVILLE -- Defensive end Clint Mitchell returned to practice Thursday for the first time this season.
Mitchell, a Countryside High graduate, is being investigated by the state attorney's office for a sworn complaint of sexual battery, which was filed on June 26 by a female Florida student. Until Thursday, Mitchell had not been at practice or team functions.
Mitchell also is serving a six-game suspension for unrelated issues of breaking the university code of conduct and unspecified team rules.
"Clint Mitchell is back out practicing, he's not eligible but he is able to come out and practice," coach Steve Spurrier said. "We'll evaluate his situation when he is eligible going into the seventh game." Spurrier said it was his decision to let Mitchell practice. During the SEC media days in August, Spurrier said Mitchell was "no longer with the team."
Mitchell practiced with the scout team wearing a red jersey.
State attorney Bill Cervone said he had one interview left in the investigation but a decision hadn't been made on whether to press charges.
The sophomore was a starter last season and had 38 tackles, 3 sacks and 1 forced fumble.
INJURIES: Free safety Lester Norwood has been limited in practice with a bad neck. Spurrier said he did not want to take any chances on a serious neck injury.
Linebacker Mike Nattiel left practice early Wednesday with a bruised knee but was able to practice Thursday. Linebacker Travis Harris still has a bad shoulder.
Spurrier said former Pasco High fullback Rob Roberts (knee surgery) would try to play but Hillsborough High's Ray Snell likely would get the start.
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State will hold a short practice this afternoon after heavy rains again forced the team to practice indoors.
Fridays typically are a day off for players, but coaches decided another practice was needed because the team has worked outside once this week.
"It is kind of scary," coach Bobby Bowden said. "The one thing we have been able to do is go inside and get assignments, so maybe it will help us know who to block better. Thank goodness we were able to get out (Wednesday)."
The practice, expected to be only 40 minutes, will begin at 2.
WOMBLE RETURNS: Sophomore Jeff Womble will start at nose guard after serving a one-game suspension for violating team rules. "That kind of hurt," Womble said of the suspension. "I want to play (Saturday) to the best of my abilities."
INJURY REPORT: Linebacker Allen Augustin (burner), wide receiver Talman Gardner (shoulder) and defensive end Alonzo Jackson (heat cramps) are probable. Defensive end Charles Howard (hamstring) is questionable. Fullback Randy Golightly (Achilles') and defensive tackle Chris Woods (ankle) are doubtful. Wide receivers Anquan Boldin (knee), Robert Morgan (knee), Willie Reid (leg), guard Otis Duhart (leg), center David Castillo (hand) and defensive end Willie Jones (knee) are out.
TAMPA -- South Florida, which has been dodging the weather all week, moved practice up two hours to 2:30 and finished just before lightning arrived at 4:30.
"It's just been one of those weeks," coach Jim Leavitt said. "There's not a whole lot you can do about it. You just try to look at the forecast and make some decisions on when to practice."
The Bulls leave at 1 today for Pittsburgh, where they play the Panthers at 1:30 Saturday. Sophomore reserve linebacker Clay Rebol (sprained ankle) won't make the trip, but sophomore reserve linebacker Mike Minus, who missed the Northern Illinois game with a sprained ankle, will travel.
Leavitt said freshman linebacker Tony Pricor will miss 4-6 weeks with a dislocated patella. Pricor was injured at practice Wednesday.
After speculation there would be some shuffling, the long-snapping duties will remain the same as last week. Freshman Justin Daniel will handle extra points and field goals, and tight end Casey Cobb will snap on punts.
CENTRAL FLORIDA: For the second straight day, lightning forced UCF to alter its practice schedule.
The offense worked inside the education building for the first half of practice and the defense and special teams worked out during the second half.