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College football around the state

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 2, 2001

Up next for UF: LSU's struggling pass defense

GAINESVILLE -- Last week, Florida faced the No. 1 passing defense in the nation and scored 42 of its 52 points against Mississippi State via the air.

Imagine the possibilities this week.

Florida (4-0, 2-0 SEC) faces an LSU team (2-1, 0-1) that has struggled against the pass. The Tigers are ranked 111th nationally in pass defense; Florida is No. 1 in the nation in passing offense (441.5 yards a game). LSU is giving up 295.7 yards and is 87th nationally in total yards (388.33). The Gators have the No. 2 scoring offense, averaging 50 points.

Second-year Tigers coach Nick Saban knows his team is in for a challenge.

"Jabar Gaffney is a great receiver," he said Monday. "(Reche) Caldwell is a great receiver, so I'm going to ask you how we are going to stop them? The security is going to be tight around the stadium, so maybe we should not let them (Florida's receivers) in."

MORE PRIME-TIME EXPOSURE: ESPN announced that it will televise the Oct. 13 Florida-Auburn game. Kickoff will move to 7:45 p.m. It was scheduled for 2.

The game will be Florida's fourth national appearance this season. Two other games already have been announced as national telecasts on CBS: home games against Florida State on Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. and Tennessee on Dec. 1 at 4:30.

CORRECTING MISTAKES: Coach Steve Spurrier characterized Monday night's practice as "decent" but said after further review the Gators made too many mistakes in last week's 52-0 win. ... Sophomore linebacker Dwright Jackson sprained his ankle and is doubtful this week. -- ANTONYA ENGLISH

Bulls get thinner at defensive end

TAMPA -- The losses for the season of defensive ends Emerson Morris (broken leg) and Derek Carter (dislocated shoulder) has left South Florida thin at the position.

Coach Jim Leavitt said defensive tackle Tchecoy Blount worked some at defensive end in practice and likely would be a top reserve at both positions Saturday at Utah.

Morris, a junior, started the first three games. Carter, a freshman, was a reserve who played primarily on kickoff coverage and returns. He was injured during the fourth quarter Saturday against North Texas.

MOVING AROUND: The Bulls shifted three redshirted players to new positions.

Freshman Frank Davis moved from defensive tackle to offensive tackle, junior John Marshall from tight end to defensive end and freshman Marcus Edwards from defensive back to wide receiver.

Edwards was a Times All-Suncoast selection last season as a receiver at Clearwater Central Catholic.

HOBBLED: Senior running back Derrick Rackard, who started against North Texas and had 13 yards on four carries, sprained his left ankle in the game. Leavitt said Rackard was questionable for Saturday, and redshirt freshman Clenton Crossley, who led the Bulls with 55 yards on 16 carries, likely would start. -- PETE YOUNG

Linebacker Pope earns ACC honor

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State sophomore linebacker Kendyll Pope, who had a career-high 14 tackles and two interceptions in Saturday's 48-24 victory against Wake Forest, was named the Atlantic Coast Conference's defensive back/linebacker of the week. Pope leads the team with 43 tackles.

COMING UP: ESPN's GameDay is expected to be in Tallahassee for the FSU-Miami game on Oct. 13. -- BRIAN LANDMAN

Golden Knights glad to get back home

ORLANDO -- After starting the season with four consecutive road games, UCF coach Mike Kruczek said his team is ready to return home for Saturday's game against Alabama-Birmingham.

"It gives us a boost to play in front of our fans," Kruczek said. "It gives us a chance to play in an environment that we are accustomed to and that we have had success in."

INJURIES: Junior cornerback Carlos Thompson strained his right hamstring during Saturday's loss at Virginia Tech. He is doubtful for Saturday's game. Defensive end Rashad Jeanty had surgery to repair a ligament in his left thumb. He practiced with limited contact and is expected to play. -- TIMES WIRES

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