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Around the state

Compiled from Times staff, wire and correspondent reports

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 7, 2000

UF line healthy for S. Carolina

GAINESVILLE -- Playing with a banged-up offensive line may be something the Gators will not have to worry about Saturday against South Carolina.

Although the line had to play Saturday with two freshmen against Vanderbilt, the group should be healthy for its homecoming game, coach Steve Spurrier said. "We should be (healthy)," Spurrier said Monday of the game that will decide the SEC East champion. "If not, we'll play with whomever we have. But those guys should be pretty close to 100 percent."

Tackle Mike Pearson and guard Leon Hires went down with sprained ankles Saturday and tackle Kenyatta Walker was limited because of a stomach virus.

In addition to the offensive line, senior quarterback Jesse Palmer may be ready to play. Palmer did not play against Vanderbilt because of a sprained ankle sustained against Georgia on Oct. 28. HE'S THE TOP: After completing 21 for 32 with 334 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, quarterback Rex Grossman leads the nation in passing efficiency for the third consecutive week with a 170.5 rating. The redshirt freshman leads FSU's Chris Weinke by five points.

KICK MAN: Senior Jeff Chandler, UF's career scoring leader, was named one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award as the top placekicker in the country. The winner will be announced Dec. 5.

INJURIES: Palmer (right ankle) and defensive tackle Ian Scott (left ankle) are probable for Saturday. Hires (left ankle) and Pearson (left ankle) are questionable. Offensive lineman Tommy Hillard (concussion) is doubtful.

-- DEBI JONES

Trio of Seminoles stands out

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State senior quarterback Chris Weinke, senior offensive guard Justin Amman and senior cornerback Tay Cody earned Atlantic Coast Conference player of the week honors. Weinke completed 27 of 53 for 521 yards, the fourth highest in ACC history, in a 54-7 victory against Clemson. It's the fifth time the league has honored Weinke.

Amman was credited with five intimidation blocks and allowed no sacks as the Seminoles rolled up 771 yards. Cody had seven tackles, broke up two passes and had an interception.

-- BRIAN LANDMAN

Moss, Blades lead honors roll

CORAL GABLES -- Miami receiver Santana Moss was named Big East co-offensive player of the week. Moss had four catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-21 victory against Virginia Teach. He shared the honor with Pittsburgh receiver Antonio Bryant.

Hurricanes safety Al Blades was named defensive player of the week. Blades had a career-high 16 tackles, including 12 solos.

-- TIMES WIRES

Leavitt hopes to keep team out of funk

TAMPA -- With two games left and the Division I-AA playoffs an impossibility, South Florida coach Jim Leavitt is trying to keep his team from complacency. The Bulls (6-3) are guaranteed a winning season but one tough game remains: at Middle Tennessee State on Saturday.

That is why Leavitt was concerned when the Bulls started slowly at practice.

"I was a little disappointed at the beginning," he said. "It's the ninth game, some people think you can take it easy. If you don't stay on edge, you get beat."

Middle Tennessee State, in its second year in Division I-A, is 4-5 but pounded Connecticut -- a team USF defeated by eight points a week earlier -- 66-10 on Saturday. The Blue Raiders are 4-3 since opening the season with losses to Illinois (35-6) and Florida (55-0). "They're playing really well this time of year," Leavitt said. "And we're doing some things, too."

The Bulls have won three straight since a 41-7 loss at Southern Miss.

INJURIES: Linebacker Anthony Williams and defensive end Shawn Hay, questionable for Saturday with sprained ankles, sat out practice. Hay, who aggravated his left ankle against Western Kentucky, likely will sit out another day or two. Williams missed the WKU game and is day-to-day.

-- SHARON GINN

Kruczek expects 50,000 at home for Hokies

ORLANDO -- A record home crowd of more than 50,000 is expected in the Florida Citrus Bowl on Saturday when Central Florida plays No. 8 Virginia Tech, a prospect that excites Knights coach Mike Kruczek. "I think it's critical for our game this week, which we have an opportunity to win, that we're at home and we're playing in front of a big crowd," Kruczek said. "I think it would be tremendously gratifying for our kids to see 50,000. I've never seen that many people at the (Citrus Bowl) for a football game."

Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick is questionable and receiver Andre Davis is out, both nursing ankle injuries . "I don't think that (Virginia Tech coach) Frank Beamer disrespects this program in any way," Kruczek said. "But putting myself in his shoes, he's got to believe that with the recruiting classes he's had and the teams he plays ... that he can beat UCF without those two kids."

INJURIES: Tackle Steve Edwards practiced for the first time in two weeks, shedding his non-contact jersey and playing with tape on his sprained right ankle.

-- DAVID MARSTERS

Florida A&M sets sights on Bethune

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida A&M hopes to take advantage of its week off before its Nov. 18 game against Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic. The game likely will decide the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and determine which MEAC team will reach the Division I-AA playoffs. Coach Billy Joe expects his team to be healthy and refreshed for the game against the Wildcats. "We're anticipating all of our players being ready for the B-CC game," said Joe, whose team took the day off.

-- JABARI RITCHIE

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