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College football around the state

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, PETE YOUNG, ALEX ABRAMS, BRIAN LANDMAN, Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 25, 2001

Gillespie gets SEC honor

GAINESVILLE -- What do Emmitt Smith, Fred Taylor, Errict Rhett and Robert Gillespie have in common?

They are the only running backs from Florida to be named SEC Offensive Player of the Week since the honor was created in 1985.

Gillespie was recognized Monday for his performance in Saturday's 44-10 win over Kentucky. The senior gained 147 all-purpose yards (66 rushing, 81 receiving), including a career-long 52-yard touchdown catch. He also made the block that sprang wide receiver Taylor Jacobs for his touchdown.

"He deserved it," Florida coach Steve Spurrier said. "He had an excellent game -- running, pass receiving, blocking. He blocked, he ran, he caught, he did a little bit of everything."

BULLDOGS WOES: Mississippi State's hopes of winning Saturday could depend on one of the Bay area's former prep stars.

Senior tailback Dicenzo Miller, who rushed for a career-high 172 yards in the Bulldogs' 47-35 win over the Gators last year, is doubtful for Saturday's game with a high ankle sprain.

Dontae Walker will pick up some of the load and redshirt freshman Fred Reid of Tampa King will be asked to make a bigger contribution.

Reid rushed for 2,043 yards in 10 games in his senior season, becoming the first Hillsborough County player to break the 2,000 yard mark in the regular season.

ODDS AND ENDS: Cornerback Lito Sheppard did not practice and Spurrier said his status is up in the air. "He's got a strained groin muscle and he may be okay, may not be," Spurrier said. ... CBS will televise the Florida-LSU game (Oct. 6). Kickoff has changed from 8 p.m. to 3:30. ... Defensive end Ronald Dowdy had surgery to repair a torn ACL and correct cartilage damage in his right knee. He was hurt in practice last week and is out for the season. ... At the request of players, freshman fullback Eraste Autin is being honored with a uniform patch. Autin died of heatstroke in July after a voluntary workout. -- ANTONYA ENGLISH

Bulls sent indoors

South Florida practiced in the Sun Dome as lightning and rain forced the Bulls indoors.

"It's not what you want, but it's what we could do," coach Jim Leavitt said.

Wide receiver DeAndrew Rubin did not practice, but not because of his lingering turf toe. Rubin, the top receiver in the Bulls' first two games, played sparingly Saturday against Memphis. Monday, he was sick.

PROUD PAPA: Leavitt was excited about Browns rookie and former USF defensive back Anthony Henry grabbing three interceptions Sunday against the Lions.

"Unbelievable," Leavitt said. "And Anthony had just called me two days ago and wished (USF) luck (in the Memphis game)."

THAT EXPLAINS IT: Running back Vince Brewer, who started the first two games, didn't play Saturday because of a shoulder injury, which Leavitt said he sustained Sept. 13. Brewer's injury was not revealed to the media until Monday. Leavitt said Brewer should be available to play Saturday against North Texas. Quinton Callum and Clenton Crossley handled the bulk of the rushing against Memphis, combining for 81 yards on 13 carries. -- PETE YOUNG

Seminoles still reeling

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said after an hour practice that his players were clearly distraught by Saturday's 41-9 loss to North Carolina.

"I guess it's typical after losing a game," Bowden said. "They lose so few times, it's really a different experience. I say they are subdued, but I think they'll pick it up more they get into this next game, get their minds on Wake Forest."

Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said the coaches must boost the team's confidence while criticizing mistakes.

INJURY UPDATE: Starting cornerback Malcolm Tatum fractured his right hand Saturday. "I broke up a pass in the end zone (in the third quarter) and fell on my hand," he said. His status against Wake Forest is unknown. POLLED OVER: Bowden said he was surprised his team dropped 12 spots, to No. 18, in the Associated Press poll after the loss.

"You usually don't drop that far," Bowden said at his weekly booster luncheon. "I do have this feeling that people love to see us fall. You just get to where you just want to see somebody beat them."

CAPTAIN WALKER: Bowden said senior receiver Javon Walker has been named as a co-offensive captain, making him the fifth captain on the team. Walker leads the team with 10 catches for 217 yards.

OPERA: Several players, including starting defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, were excused from practice because they had to attend an opera for a class. -- ALEX ABRAMS, BRIAN LANDMAN, TIMES WIRES

Hurricanes relaxed, ready

Miami will have had almost three weeks of rest by the time it faces Pittsburgh Thursday. First-year coach Larry Coker tried to keep the layoff from becoming a distraction.

He mixed tough -- and sometimes fun -- practices with extra downtime for players.

"Are we concerned about being rusty with a 19-day layoff? There's no doubt about it," he said. "We were in a pretty good rhythm, playing pretty well and we were healthy. With the layoff, we'll see. We're not going to let that be an excuse."

Pittsburgh All-American receiver Antonio Bryant, limited to one play this season, is hobbling on a sprained left ankle and is questionable. He was hurt Sept. 1 returning a punt against East Tennessee State and sat out the Panthers' loss to South Florida the following week. -- TIMES WIRES

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