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Practice reports

By DEBI JONES, PETE YOUNG and ALEX ABRAMS

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 4, 2001

Spurrier gives quarterbacks extra work

GAINESVILLE -- The Gators' 2 1/2-hour practice Wednesday was not enough for coach Steve Spurrier. Spurrier spent about 20 extra minutes with quarterbacks Rex Grossman, Brock Berlin and Jeff Creveling.

"Throwing more completions," Spurrier said. "We were just trying to get better. I wish they were as good as (the media) makes them out to be sometimes."

Spurrier said he would like Grossman to run forward instead of scrambling around the pocket.

The last time he remembered Grossman running forward was the 2000 Orange and Blue game.

"I have told him for two years to run forward, and he hasn't yet," Spurrier said. "And we talked about that today. Maybe he'll do that before his career is over. Maybe he'll fall on a fumbled snap before his career is over, too. He is 0-3 this year."

The Gators fumbled snaps against Louisiana-Monroe, Kentucky and Mississippi State.

FLANKER CHANGE: Spurrier said he might start junior Taylor Jacobs at flanker.

"He blocked a little bit better than Reche (Caldwell) downfield last week," Spurrier said.

Jacobs has 14 catches for 298 yards and 3 touchdowns this season.

LOOKING BLUE: The Gators will wear blue jerseys against LSU. Florida commonly wears white on the road.

Receiver to travel, likely not play

TAMPA -- South Florida coach Jim Leavitt said sophomore receiver Elgin Hicks, who became academically eligible this week, will make the trip to Utah but likely will not play.

"He's got a ways to go," Leavitt said. "He's going to have to really work hard to get back in there."

Hicks, a high school All-American at Punta Gorda Charlotte, transferred to USF last fall after one year at Florida. He was removed from the team this summer after becoming ineligible but returned to practice last week and became eligible Monday. He has yet to play a college game.

IN AND OUT: Leavitt said reshirt freshman defensive tackle Matt Groelinger, who did not play Saturday against North Texas after missing practice last week because he was sick, was feeling better and will play at Utah. Reserve linebacker Mike Minus (ankle) and reserve cornerback Sidney Simpson (ankle) are questionable.

FIRST TIME: Leavitt said redshirt freshman running back Clenton Crossley will get his first career start at Utah. Crossley leads the Bulls with 139 yards on 36 carries (3.9 average).

Bowden sees New York rubble

TALLAHASSEE -- FSU coach Bobby Bowden said he was amazed at what he saw Tuesday flying over New York City.

"You see a vacancy," Bowden said, referring to where the World Trade Center once stood. "Where there used to be all buildings, now all of a sudden, you see a square out there with nothing in it."

Bowden said he got within three blocks of Ground Zero during his promotional tour for his new book.

REDSHIRT: Freshman linebacker Willie Jones Jr. will not redshirt this season, defensive end coach Jim Gladden said. With some defensive players injured, Gladden said Jones will be needed.

INJURY: Defensive tackle Travis Johnson participated in non-contact drills and expects to return completely from his sprained left ankle by Monday. Freshman defensive tackle Brian Ross was taken to a hospital for X-rays after spraining his left ankle. Wide receiver Joey Kalaikini left practice on crutches after rolling his left ankle.

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