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Weinke takes day off for sore ankle

By Compiled from Times staff, correspondent and wire reports

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 25, 2000

TALLAHASSEE -- A left ankle injury forced Heisman Trophy candidate Chris Weinke to be a spectator during Florida State's two-hour practice Tuesday.

The senior quarterback, who leads the nation with 2,784 passing yards and 22 touchdowns, has not taken a snap since Saturday's 37-3 win over Virginia.

Coach Bobby Bowden plans to get Weinke limited action in today's practice, as the team continues preparations for No. 21 N.C. State.

"I wish he could get it in (to practice), but we just felt like it was probably better to rest it," Bowden said.

Weinke has missed two days of practice because of the ankle he sprained in FSU's 59-7 win over Maryland on Sept. 28.

- ALEX ABRAMS

Stats deceiving for offensive line

GAINESVILLE -- Statistics are not really an issue for the Florida offensive line. The Gators rank near the bottom of the Southeastern Conference in sacks allowed.

Quarterback Rex Grossman, however, is not complaining.

"The protection has been unbelievable," Grossman said. "I give a lot of credit to them. It's real easy playing football when you have got a great group of players around you."

Florida is tied for 10th out of 12 teams in the SEC with 17 sacks in seven games -- one fewer than last-place Alabama. Tennessee also allowed 17 sacks.

The positive side is the last two games, when Florida allowed one sack against Louisiana State and none against Auburn.

The two solid games will be a key for the Gators' confidence coming into their game against Georgia on Saturday in Jacksonville.

"We are starting to jell a little bit better," offensive lineman Kenyatta Walker said. "We got a great defensive line we are going against. We just got to go out there and stay together, keep our heads up."

- DEBI JONES

UCF's leading receiver injures shoulder

ORLANDO -- UCF wide receiver Tyson Hinshaw, who ranks second in the nation in receptions per game, separated his left shoulder and was forced to leave practice. The injury occurred when Hinshaw collided with a defender during a passing drill, but it is not as serious as the shoulder separation that sidelined quarterback Vic Penn for almost a month earlier this season. Hinshaw likely will not practice the rest of the week, and his status for Saturday's game at Alabama is uncertain. Hinshaw leads UCF with 64 catches for 824 yards and nine touchdowns.

Coach Mike Kruczek said his team will have to work hard to prepare for Alabama and will have to play mistake-free football to win.

"They're a great football team," Kruczek said. "We can't make mistakes and we can't have penalties. We're playing a better football team, and they're going to have to step up and flat get after it."

- DAVE MARSTERS

Injuries force USF to make changes

TAMPA -- Senior center Joey Sipp (ankle) did not practice and USF coach Jim Leavitt said he will not practice until Thursday. "They all need to practice, Joey included," Leavitt said. "But what are you going to do?" While Leavitt said Sipp most likely will start Saturday against Connecticut, he said Anthony McKenzie will move from right guard to center with Matt Sparrowhawk at right guard. "Matt is ready to play," Leavitt said. "He's been working at this for well over two years. He's very strong and ready to go."

UNDER PRESSURE: With senior free safety Jay Mize (herniated disc) out, strong safety Roy Manns has had to adapt to the position. Leavitt said he was concerned at first because Manns has become familiar with the strong side. "We knew he could handle it because he is a senior captain and they have to be able to adapt to new situations," Leavitt said. "I'm real proud of the way he has handled the situation."

MORE ROSTER CHANGES: Sophomore defensive back Ryan Hearn moved to wide receiver, Leavitt said.

-- ROBYN DISNEY

Lewis nears end of rehabilitation

CORAL GABLES -- Damione Lewis feels like he's been preparing for the Tour de France.

Rehabbing from a broken foot, Lewis' workouts the last three weeks have consisted mostly of riding an exercise bike. Now he's healthy and ready to carry Miami's defense through the remainder of the season and possibly into the national championship game.

"It's been frustrating," the senior tackle said. "I'm used to being in on the action. It's tough being on a bicycle. I thought I was practicing to be Lance Armstrong or something. But being out three weeks gave my body a long while to heal."

- TIMES WIRES

FAMU back in conference picture

TALLAHASSEE -- North Carolina A&T's 17-16 weekend loss to Howard gave Florida A&M (6-2, 5-1) a shot at its first MEAC championship since 1996, but the road to the title -- and its automatic playoff bid -- goes through Hampton and undefeated rival Bethune-Cookman. Neither team has a conference loss.

"What we need to do is concern ourselves with our in-house responsibilities -- winning," coach Billy Joe said. "We think our external factors will take care of themselves. If we win our remaining three games, we have an excellent chance at getting into the playoffs. Last year we were 8-3 and we got in."

- JABARI RITCHIE

Elsewhere

NAVY: A third player has been charged with raping a female midshipman at an off-campus party this summer. Shaka Amin Martin, a 21-year-old junior and starting linebacker, was charged Monday. The 20-year-old victim said she became intoxicated and passed out in a bedroom. Investigators collected blood samples from guests at the party.

PENN STATE: According to the Centre Daily Times in State College, Pa., a Hudson County, N.J., grand jury indicted quarterback Rashard Casey on an assault charge stemming from the alleged beating of an off-duty police officer on May 14 in Hoboken, N.J.

- TIMES WIRES

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