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Practice reports

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 11, 2001

Florida's top rusher likely out

GAINESVILLE -- After missing most of practice this week, Florida tailback Earnest Graham most likely will not play against Auburn on Saturday. The junior, UF's leading rusher, sprained his ankle during a win over LSU on Saturday.

"He didn't practice a bit," coach Steve Spurrier said. "Right now, he is out."

Spurrier said sophomore Ran Carthon is preparing to back up Robert Gillespie.

The Gators' other tailback, Willie Green, is recovering from preseason knee surgery.

"If Robert got hurt, I don't know what we would do," Spurrier said. "We might have to bring out that Tiger formation with five wide."

Spurrier said he would try to allow Gillespie to play the whole game.

Graham has played in all five games, rushing for 350 yards and six touchdowns on 64 attempts.

McCULLOUGH GETS READY: Linebacker Marcus Oquendo-Johnson is out again, and the Gators might play true freshman Todd McCullough.

Oquendo-Johnson, who has an injured shoulder, dressed last week but did not play.

Bam Hardmon played most of the game Saturday and is expected to start this week.

INJURY UPDATE: Defensive end Bobby McCray (ankle) did not practice Wednesday and is not expected to play. Linebacker Dwright Jackson (ankle) also is out. -- DEBI JONES

Running back Brewer is out

TAMPA -- South Florida sophomore running back Vince Brewer will not play Saturday against Connecticut because of a bruised shoulder.

Brewer, who sustained the injury Sept.13 and has missed two of three games since, did not practice. Coach Jim Leavitt said Brewer had an MRI earlier in the day, and the results are pending. BACK IN THE SWING: Sophomore receiver Elgin Hicks could receive the first playing time of his career Saturday.

Hicks, who recently became academically eligible, traveled to Utah but did not play. Leavitt said Hicks no longer is working with the scout team and returned punts Wednesday.

Redshirt freshman defensive back Antonio Warren, who played on special teams against Northern Illinois but missed the next five weeks pending a felony charge for possession of a weapon (a box cutter) on campus, will be a backup on all special teams units against Connecticut, Leavitt said. The charges were dropped last week.

HOBBLING: Four injured players bypassed part of practice and are questionable for Saturday: receivers DeAndrew Rubin (turf toe) and Brian Fisher (ankle/toe), safety John Miller (ankle) and running back Derrick Rackard (ankle).

FAMILY DEATH: Linebacker Kawika Mitchell was excused from practice because of the death of his grandmother. -- PETE YOUNG

Nose guard starter undecided

TALLAHASSEE -- Sophomore Jeff Womble might not start at nose guard Saturday as previously expected, defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins said.

Womble has practiced this week despite a sprained left elbow sustained in a 48-24 win over Wake Forest on Sept.29. He likely will play against Miami, but freshman Travis Johnson could start. "Travis might be starting," Haggins said. "I don't know about Jeff really."

Johnson has been hampered by a sprained left ankle that sidelined him against Wake Forest. He returned to practice Monday and has showed progress. MORE DEFENSE: Junior defensive end O.J. Jackson, who has a groin injury, will play Saturday, defensive ends coach Jim Gladden said.

"O.J. is in pain," Gladden said. "It's slowing him down, but when that ball is snapped, he goes full speed. I know Saturday he isn't going to miss a trick in that game."

Jackson will back up Charles Howard, who missed the first two games with a strained right hamstring.

Freshman Eric Moore will back up starter Kevin Emanuel at the other end. Emanuel is playing in place of Alonzo Jackson, out with a sprained right MCL. -- ALEX ABRAMS

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