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Practice reports

By PETE YOUNG, BRIAN LANDMAN, DEBI JONES, Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 13, 2001

Bulls return to practice

South Florida returned to practice Wednesday after canceling Tuesday's workout because of the national tragedy.

The Bulls moved things up two hours to avoid the rain. As they left the practice field they learned Saturday's home opener against Southern Utah would go on as scheduled, air travel permitting.

"We're as disappointed as anyone about the events in this country, and I think the most important thing for us to do is to continue to move forward," coach Jim Leavitt said. "I think we can have an impact in this community and other places by showing resiliency.

"It's tough. You're depressed, you don't really want to work (because) you feel so bad about the tragedy, but you know in your heart and soul that you have to move on."

WHEW: At least two affiliated with the program endured scares Tuesday. Nose tackle Matt Groelinger's father works in the Pentagon, but he was not in the building. Defensive line coach Earl Lane has a cousin who also works in the Pentagon but was not injured. NOT YET: Receiver DeAndrew Rubin, who suffered turf toe in his right big toe in Saturday's win over Pittsburgh, dressed for practice but did not participate in drills, as he did Monday. Leavitt said Rubin is questionable for Saturday. -- PETE YOUNG

FSU practice interrupted

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State halted practice after about 30 minutes when school administrators told the team Saturday's game against Georgia Tech had been postponed.

"We told them if it were canceled, we'd let them know immediately and stop practice," coach Bobby Bowden said. "We had to go ahead and practice in case they didn't cancel it."

Players had a mixed reaction to the news, but all respected the decision.

"This is kind of what I was hoping for and what I thought was proper," redshirt freshman quarterback Chris Rix said.

"I was watching TV and saw a clip of a guy jumping out a building. It did something to me inside," junior tailback Nick Maddox said.

The team will practice today and Friday for its game at North Carolina on Sept. 22. -- BRIAN LANDMAN

Gators stay focused

GAINESVILLE -- Coach Steve Spurrier said his players were focused at practice, continuing to prepare for SEC rival Tennessee.

"I didn't feel good all day yesterday," Spurrier said. "I felt like about everybody but we have to all realize that life has to go on. Terrorists can't disrupt our lives too much." LINEUP CHANGES: Spurrier said he is going to make changes in the starting offensive line and possibly at other positions. He said the announcement might come today. -- DEBI JONES

UCF continues to practice

ORLANDO -- With the decision to play Saturday's home opener pushed back until this morning, UCF continued to practice, with a normal 21/2-hour workout in full pads.

Coach Mike Kruczek said the team would continue to prepare for Louisiana-Lafayette until a decision is made.

"We just have to prepare as if we are going to play the game," Kruczek said. "Until we are told different, we will continue to prepare." -- TIMES WIRES

Around the nation

KANSAS: Quarterback Mario Kinsey and running back Reggie Duncan were charged in the theft of a purse taken from a bench in front of an academic building.

They were charged with misdemeanor theft of lost or mislaid property and criminal use of a credit card.

Lindsay Douglas said her purse was taken from the bench on June 22 and she had seen the players in the area.

She said her missing credit card was used to buy pizza and that university police later found the contents of her purse in an apartment where the suspects live.

Coach Terry Allen said Kinsey and Duncan would play in Saturday's scheduled home game against Wyoming. The players had been suspended for the opener Sept. 1 for violating team rules.

Kinsey and Duncan are scheduled to appear in court Oct. 10.

TEXAS: A kidney injury will force receiver Montrell Flowers to give up his career.

Flowers, who had two touchdown catches in the opener, was hit while trying to catch a pass in the third quarter of Saturday's 44-14 win over North Carolina.

During treatment for the injury, it was discovered Flowers has had only one kidney since birth.

"Because that kidney now has been injured, it's not safe for him to continue to play football," team trainer Tom McVan said. "He will be able to resume an athletic life, but it's not safe for him to participate in a collision sport."

Flowers, a senior, is expected to continue running track.

"I'm disappointed that I am not going to be able to continue my football career," Flowers said. "The team is excited about this season and I'm sorry I won't be able to be on the field to meet our goals."

Also, fourth-string kicker Matt McFadden quit, five weeks after being arrested on charges he was involved in the distribution and taking of nude photographs of a 17-year-old girl. The charge is a second-degree felony.

Coach Mack Brown said McFadden, a freshman, voluntarily left the team. -- TIMES WIRES

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