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Practice reports

By ALEX ABRAMS, DEBI JONES, BRANDON WRIGHT and Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 19, 2001

FSU will let punter keep job

TALLAHASSEE -- After three days of competition, Florida State junior Chance Gwaltney has been named the starting punter over walk-on freshman Chris Hall, coach Bobby Bowden said Thursday.

"I think (Chance) has punted probably more consistently (than Hall in practice)," Bowden said. "He's just got to do it in the game."

Gwaltney has started all five games, but had to prove himself to coaches this week after dropping a well-snapped ball during Saturday's 49-27 loss to Miami. It was his second dropped snap in as many games.

"As far as last week, mistakes happen," Gwaltney said. "I haven't dropped a ball all year in practice. I never dropped a ball in high school."

REDSHIRT CANDIDATE: Freshman defensive end Willie Jones Jr. likely will be redshirted after learning that his repaired right knee has not improved as expected. Jones, who set a state record of 32 sacks as a senior at Carol City, tore his right MCL during the California-Florida high school all-star game.

INJURY REPORT: Cornerback Malcolm Tatum (fractured right hand), defensive tackle Travis Johnson (sprained left ankle), nose guard Jeff Womble (sprained left elbow) and fullback William McCray (sprained ankle) are listed as probable for Saturday night's game at Virginia. Defensive end O.J. Jackson (groin) and cornerback Leroy Smith (injured right knee) are listed as questionable.

UF's Davis a Butkus final 12

GAINESVILLE -- Florida senior middle linebacker Andra Davis has been named one of 12 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, presented by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando to the best linebacker in college football. The 6-foot-1, 254-pound Davis leads Florida with 46 tackles (31 solo, 7 for loss and 2 sacks) through six games.

Also nominated were Rocky Calmus of Oklahoma; Ryan Nece and Robert Thomas of UCLA; Kalimba Edwards, South Carolina; Trev Faulk, LSU; LaVar Fisher, North Carolina State; Larry Foote, Michigan; E.J. Henderson, Maryland; D.D. Lewis, Texas; Ben Taylor, Virginia Tech, and Josh Thornhill, Michigan State.

Meanwhile, the Gators practiced for about 30 minutes before getting the weekend off. Their normal practice routine begins Monday in preparation for Southeastern Conference rival Georgia on Oct. 27 in Jacksonville.

USF ends 'decent week'

TAMPA -- South Florida wrapped up preparations for Saturday's game with Southern Utah with a two-hour workout in helmets and shoulder pads. "We went through a lot of team work and had a decent week of practice,coach Jim Leavitt said. The Bulls will study film and have a walk-through today.

Leavitt listed cornerback Kenny Robinson (ankle) as out for Saturday, but said he will have a better indication as game time approaches. He said running backs Derrick Rackard and Vince Brewer will play.

Leavitt also said he hoped to use offensive lineman Alex Herron, who hasn't played since injuring his knee against Northern Illinois in the opener. "There is a need to rush him back because we're playing a very good team in Southern Utah, but you want to make sure he's ready," the coach said.

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