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Ex-Bull Bishop praised as a Terp

By BRIAN LANDMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 29, 2000

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Former Northeast High star linebacker Kevin Bishop has been rounding into shape nicely for Maryland after recovering from knee surgery and then a rare, somewhat mysterious, pelvic inflammation. He has been rotating with Marlon Moye-Moore.

"Kev's starting to return to his old self," coach Ron Vanderlinden said before Thursday night's game against Florida State.

And the importance of that can't be overstated.

Bishop, a 6-2, 227-pound junior transfer from South Florida, started the first nine games last season and finished third on the team in tackles with 84.

"He might have been our best linebacker a year ago," Vanderlinden said. "We had three young linebackers who might have surprised everybody with how effective they were and Kevin's a big part of that."

FACES IN THE CROWD: Although Byrd Stadium wouldn't be confused with FSU's home, you couldn't mistake the large contingent of Seminoles fans among the crowd. FSU senior linebacker Tommy Polley, a native of Baltimore, and freshman defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, from nearby Burtonsville, Md., had about 16 between them.

Neither seriously considered signing with Maryland.

"I never took a visit; it wasn't even in my top five," Dockett said. "And then the coaches talked bad about me."

Polley started approaching teammates to ask if they were going to use their allotment of four tickets for this game a couple weeks ago. He initially thought he needed about 60, but the list grew every day to 90. His mother, Amy, faxed him a final list on Monday with the simple note: "Do your best Tommy. Love, Mom."

"It's going to be very special for me," Polley said.

Coach Bobby Bowden figured that Polley and Dockett's emotion of playing at home could help fuel any of their teammates who might not be too excited about playing the underdog Terrapins.

"We'll let him (Polley) talk all he wants to," Bowden said.

STILL OUT: FSU remained without several key players, sophomore defensive tackle Chris Woods (ankle), freshman defensive tackle Travis Johnson (neck) and junior receiver Javon Walker (ankle). FSU coaches may opt to seek a medical redshirt for Johnson unless he plays in one more game. Meanwhile, defensive end Roland Seymour (knee) continues to recover from off-season surgery.

BREAKING THE NORMAL ROUTINE: Both teams had to adjust to less preparation change for this game, but the schedule also altered Vanderlinden's usual Thursday night plans.

"In a coach's life, Thursday night is your night off," he said. "It's the only night we can pretty much go home and put your feet up. It's a tradition in my home that we order a pizza and watch Thursday night football. It's fun being a part of it."

DIVIDED EMOTIONS: You could forgive ESPN analyst Lee Corso if he had some mixed feelings about Thursday's game. He played defensive back/running back for FSU (1953-56) and served as an assistant coach there (1958-59). But then he became a Maryland assistant (1959-65). "In this particular position," he said, "I really get so involved in the game, I don't remember that."

GETTING A PEEK: Bucs general manager Rich McKay, needing to be in New York for a league meeting and then Sunday's game against Washington, attended the FSU-Maryland game to do some advance scouting. He also plans to go to Saturday's Navy-Texas Christian game at Annapolis, Md.

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