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College football around the state

By Compiled from Times correspondents and wire reports

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 6, 2000

FSU still up in air over QB Weinke

TALLAHASSEE -- Quarterback Chris Weinke moved around on his sprained left foot during a shortened practice Thursday. With his leg heavily taped, Weinke took snaps and worked out against a Miami scout team.

"I went through a full practice today," Weinke said. "My foot got better every day this week. I'll be ready to go on Saturday."

Coach Bobby Bowden will meet with offensive coordinator Mark Richt tonight to decide whether Weinke or backup Marcus Outzen will start Saturday against No. 7 Miami. That decision could change before game time, if necessary, Bowden said.

"A lot (of the decision) is going to be on how (Weinke) feels," Bowden said.

Weinke will not have his injury re-evaluated before the team leaves for Miami this morning.

SEYMOUR QUESTIONABLE: Roland Seymour's status is questionable after the defensive end experienced minor pain in Wednesday's practice. The senior hopes to play in his first game since tearing a knee ligament in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4.

WALKER IN: Wide receiver Javon Walker has not been hampered by a sprained left ankle and is expected to see playing time.

-- Alex Abrams

Watch for rotating players

GAINESVILLE -- Coach Steve Spurrier has a method for how certain positions will be played Saturday -- rotation.

Because of injuries and performances, Spurrier said, he is unable to determine who will start against Louisiana State at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

"All three of (the quarterbacks) are rotating just like three middle linebackers are rotating, just like three running backs are rotating out there," Spurrier said.

Because of injuries to middle linebackers Andra Davis and Travis Carroll, freshmen Travis Harris and Reid Fleming and redshirt freshman Matt Farrior rotated last weekend.

Spurrier said redshirt freshman Ran Carthon also might start at tailback instead of sophomore Earnest Graham or junior Robert Gillespie.

Senior quarterback Jesse Palmer, who is not 100 percent after injuring his right ankle against Mississippi State; redshirt freshman Rex Grossman; and freshman Brock Berlin are battling for the starting job.

Spurrier said he could not name a starter at quarterback.

"We wish a lot of players would jump out at us and say, "I'm your best man, coach,' " Spurrier said. "It would be very easy for us, but right now we just have a lot of guys. You would think we would know who the best guys are, but until they get in the game, we just don't know."

INJURY UPDATE: Palmer (ankle) is listed as probable and wide receiver Alex Willis (ankle) is questionable.

Carroll (knee) and defensive tackle Ian Scott (ankle) are out.

TICKETS AVAILABLE: The Gators ticket office announced tickets for students and the public are available for Saturday's game. Public tickets can be purchased by calling (352) 375-GOUF or (800) 34GATOR.

Marc out for Saturday

TAMPA -- The injury list continues to grow. Linebacker Vassay Marc will not play against Southern Mississippi because of a shoulder injury.

The Butkus Award candidate was injured in last week's Troy State game, coach Jim Leavitt said.

Marc joins tight end Dan Rodimer (concussion), defensive end John Brown (ankle), defensive lineman Lee Roy Selmon Jr. (knee and ankle), wide receiver DeAndrew Rubin (knee), safety Jay Mize (shoulder) and Marshall Smith (knee) on the bench.

"We can't do anything about it, so there is no use complaining about it," Leavitt said. "We just worked that much harder during practice. There will be a lot of new faces stepping up this weekend; it will be interesting to see."

MORGAN'S TURN: Defensive back Joe Morgan finally is getting a chance to start. The junior, who did not start his first two seasons, started against Jacksonville Stateand will start Saturday in place of Mize. Leavitt said Morgan is ready to play.

"I know he's been waiting for a long time for this opportunity," Leavitt said. "He's been working hard the past two years, and I'm excited to see what he will do."

PREPARING FOR NO. 17: Leavitt said the mood of the team has been serious because the players know they have a tough task ahead.

"They understand who we're playing," Leavitt said. "But they have to be ready every week to play lights-out football no matter who we are playing."

-- Robyn Disney

Week ends positively

CORAL GABLES -- The Hurricanes had an intense two-hour practice to get ready for FSU.

"It was a good day to end the week (of full-speed practices)," coach Butch Davis said. "We caught up the last two days with the good weather. The guys are anxious and ready to play. They can feel the excitement, and the team recognizes the opportunity and the challenge we face."

INJURY REPORT: Cornerback Leonard Myers returned to practice, continuing his recovery from a foot injury sustained against Rutgers. Davis said whether Myers will play will be a game-time decision.

"You never know with injuries, but he was able to do a little today," Davis said.

-- Times wires

Two 2-minute surprises

ORLANDO -- Central Florida's two-minute drill turned into a two-play drill. At the end of practice, the first-team offense and defense lined up with each side getting the better of the other once. On the first play, linebacker Elliot Shorter intercepted quarterback Ryan Schneider. Unhappy with that result, coach Mike Kruczek called for another try, and Schneider hit wide receiver Thad Ward for an 80-yard touchdown.

COLD FRONT: The weather in Northern Illinois is expected to be colder than anything the Golden Knights have faced this year.

"The elements are supposed to be cold, and it's hard to say how this group will react to cold weather, as we've never taken them to cold weather," Kruczek said. "But I think these guys are going to react very, very well to whatever weather is presented to us up there and come out ready to play."

INJURY REPORT: Wide receiver Kenny Clark (ankle), end Don Page (ankle), and linebacker Rachaud Smith (ankle) did not practice and are questionable. Running back Eddie Mack (neck) is probable. Free safety Tommy Shavers got hit hard in practice Wednesday and had headaches and nausea. He is probable. Running back Omari Howard (neck) is doubtful.

-- David Marsters

Motivation adding up

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida A&M has plenty of reasons to be fired up for Saturday's game against Grambling for the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis. The Tigers (4-1), whose loss came against Louisville, are the first team with a winning record the Rattlers will face. Quarterback Quinn Gray has found extra motivation in Tigers coach Doug Williams, a former quarterback who led the Redskins to a Super Bowl title in 1988.

"I've been looking forward to this game personally because Doug Williams is my idol," Gray said. "He's basically the reason I play the position and ... wear the number."

Coach Billy Joe thinks his team is ready.

"I think we are well-prepared," Joe said. "We're in shape mentally and psychologically. I think our emotion will be there. If we don't go out and play flat football, we should be okay."

Grambling quarterback Randy Hymes has thrown for 811 yards and six touchdowns this season.

"They pass the ball about 70 percent of the time, so we know they're going to come out passing," defensive end Jauron Dailey said. "They're going to mix it up and run a little as well, but they're mostly a passing team."

-- Jabari Ritchie

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