Sports: Security bolstered for game

Security bolstered for game

By ANTONYA ENGLISH

GAINESVILLE -- Fans attending the Florida-Kentucky football game Saturday can expect stricter security when entering Commonwealth Stadium.

In the wake of last week's terrorist attacks, Kentucky athletic director Larry Ivey said procedures were implemented Tuesday to "further enhance" the school's current plan to ensure the safety of those attending the game.

Kickoff is 12:30 p.m. and fans are asked to arrive early. Items that were permitted but now are banned include: backpacks, bags, containers and packages. Any items may be subject to search. There also will be a no-fly zone around the stadium during the game. Umbrellas, artificial noisemakers, video cameras and other recording devices remain prohibited. Fans will be permitted to bring cell phones, pagers, still cameras, small purses, binoculars, small radios and seat cushions.

GAME TIMES SET: The rescheduled Florida-Tennessee game will be at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 1, and the SEC Championship Game will be at 8 p.m. on Dec. 8. Both games are on Ch. 10.

The players think a tough finishing stretch will be a benefit.

"I think the stretch at the end of the year is going to be good for us," senior running back Robert Gillespie said. "It'll show a lot of people that we are the best team. If we can come out on top in those last stretch of games and still be the No. 1 team, that's going to say a lot for us and the character this team has."

Junior offensive tackle Mike Pearson said he doesn't think the schedule will hurt the Gators.

"I think if we take care of business, run the gantlet, there will be no questions asked as who should be playing in that final game, if we take care of business with South Carolina, FSU, Tennessee and hopefully the SEC Championship Game," Pearson said.

ROAD TRIP: The Florida volleyball team returns to action with its first back-to-back matches against Top 25 USA Today/AVCA teams. The Gators play at No. 19 South Carolina (6-0) Friday night, then travel to Austin to take on No. 25 Texas (5-1) Monday night.

"This will be a tough road trip for us," coach Mary Wise said.

The 10th-ranked Gators (4-1) had three matches canceled last week. Wise said she will try to reschedule the match against Florida State, but matches against Connecticut, Houston and Montana State will not be rescheduled.

To help ease her players back into competition, Wise enlisted the help of USF coach Nancy Mueller.

"We talked to South Florida ... and we talked them into coming up here (Monday) afternoon and scrimmaging, almost as kind of an in-between match," Wise said. "It was a chance for the players to do what they love best and that's just to play. No one was wearing uniforms, it was in the Lemmerand (practice) Center, there were no fans and it was a very informal setting. And yet it allowed us to make that one step closer to go back to competing, which we have to do in a big way Friday night."

Wise also arranged for a team psychiatrist to speak with players Friday, to help cope with the national tragedy and alleviate any fears about traveling.

The match against South Carolina opens the conference season for the Gators. The Texas match is scheduled to be broadcast at 8:30 p.m. on Sunshine.

SOCCER RETURNS: The women's team (2-2) hosts SMU (4-0) at 7 p.m. Friday. Florida's games against UConn and Syracuse were canceled last week.

- Antonya English covers University of Florida athletics. She can be reached by e-mail at english@sptimes.com or at (813) 226-3389.