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'Noles lose tight end Franklin

By Compiled from Times staff, correspondent and wire reports

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 24, 2000

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State's Nick Franklin of St. Petersburg will miss the rest of the regular season with a medial collateral ligament sprain and a lateral joint-line fracture in his right knee. The starting tight end could return for a bowl game if he has arthroscopic surgery.

Franklin, who has three catches for 40 yards, sustained the injury in a 37-3 victory Saturday over Virginia. Trainer Randy Oravetz said Monday he expected the senior to have surgery next week.

"He knows he's got another possible several months of rehab that he's got to go through," said backup Ryan Sprague, who will move into the starting lineup. "That can be frustrating."

Franklin, who played at Osceola High, missed 11 games last season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament. RUN, WEINKE: Heisman Trophy candidate Chris Weinke will try to get more snaps in practice after trainers said the work might benefit his injured left ankle. Coaches had been trying to limit his work in practice. Weinke will conduct a live chat at 6:45 tonight on ESPN.com.

HONORS: Sophomore Chance Gwaltney was named ACC specialist of the week after kicking three field goals and four extra points against Virginia. Center Jarad Moon was named offensive lineman of the week.

BOWDEN IN 2000: Coach Bobby Bowden still was excited after receiving a phone call from Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush on Friday. The Texas governor called to congratulate Bowden on his team's performance this season.

-- ALEX ABRAMS

Extra motivation for Gator

GAINESVILLE -- Florida's Travis Harris will have a little more behind Saturday's game against Georgia than an 85-year tradition.

For Harris, when it comes to the Florida-Georgia game, it's personal.

The true freshman grew up in Decatur, Ga., cheering for the Bulldogs with his family and friends. However, the team Harris grew up rooting for did not recruit him until late in his senior year in high school

"Not being recruited by the home school -- that hurt," Harris said.

By the time Georgia began pursuing Harris, a middle linebacker named the state Player of the Year by USA Today, had signed with the Gators.

Harris most likely will see playing time, rotating with redshirt freshman Matt Farrior.

"I want to have a good game to show them why they should have recruited me," Harris said. "I'm just working hard because I want to really take it to them because I was interested in going there."

BACK TO WORK After an open date, the Gators returned to practice. "It was just a decent practice, nothing exciting," coach Steve Spurrier said.

INJURIES: Defensive lineman Gerard Warren did not practice due to a right hamstring pull. Spurrier said the junior most likely would play Saturday, although he is listed as questionable. Receiver Taylor Jacobs (hip) and middle linebacker Travis Carroll (left knee) are probable, and safety Daryl Dixon (left ankle), receiver Brian Haugabrook (left knee) and lineman Tommy Hillard (concussion) are questionable. Defensive lineman Ian Scott (left ankle) is doubtful.

VANDERBILT MOVED: The kickoff time for the Nov. 4 game against Vanderbilt has been moved to 12:30 p.m. and will be televised on the Jefferson-Pilot Network (Ch. 32).

-- DEBI JONES

Injury won't sideline center

TAMPA -- Center Joey Sipp will play against Connecticut on Saturday despite a sprained right ankle, South Florida coach Jim Leavitt said. Sipp left Saturday's game against Liberty in the third quarter and did not return. He has started in all 40 games.

"Joey Sipp will start even if he only has one leg," Leavitt said. "When the first ball is snapped, Joey will be the one to snap it. We just don't know how much he will play."

Linebacker Vassay Marc (herniated disc) and safety Jay Mize (herniated disc) will not play.

"Those injuries are long term," Leavitt said. "If they do come back, they will return at the end of the season."

YOUNG GUNS: Many freshmen saw playing time Saturday due to injuries, including receiver Chris Iskra and tight end Mark Feldman, who each scored a touchdown. "Chris and Mark are starting to play significant roles on the team," Leavitt said. "I also thought (safety) J.R. Reed did a good job as well. Of course, these guys need more playing time so they can develop more, but I like what I see."

PLEASING PRACTICE: Leavitt said Monday's practice stood out. "This could be one of the best I can remember," he said. "They were more focused than they have been all season." UConn is in its first year in Division I-A, and Leavitt said the teams are similar. "They beat Akron last week, which beat UCF earlier this season," he said. "I'm very excited to be going up there and facing them."

-- ROBYN DISNEY

Rattlers enjoy winning feeling

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida A&M returned to practice, coming off a victory for the first time in three weeks. The Rattlers, who defeated Norfolk State 42-14 Saturday, had a light workout and special-teams drills.

FAMU's offense improved after scoring 10 points in consecutive losses to Grambling and North Carolina A&T.

"I saw some encouraging signs from the offense," coach Billy Joe said. "It's still not clicking on all cylinders, but it was an improvement over the last two games."

Knights try to roll with Tide

ORLANDO -- Central Florida on Saturday gets another shot at its first Division I upset as the Golden Knights travel to Tuscaloosa to play Alabama.

Coach Mike Kruczek does not want to put special emphasis on the game.

"I'm treating this game as another game," he said. "I'm not putting any more pressure on these kids than I do for Louisiana or Eastern Kentucky. It's another game, period. There's too much pressure on them already. You don't play up to someone's level, you don't play down to someone's level, so I'm not going to talk about how critical this win is. All wins are critical."

-- DAVID MARSTERS

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Gary Shelton