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UF's Davis captures SEC honor

By ANTONYA ENGLISH and ALEX ABRAMS

© St. Petersburg Times,
published November 13, 2001

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GAINESVILLE -- Florida senior linebacker Andra Davis was named the SEC's defensive player the week for his performance against South Carolina.

Davis, a semifinalist for the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker, had 16 tackles against the Gamecocks and leads the Gators with 84 tackles (54 solo). He has nine tackles for losses, including two sacks.

"Andra's had a wonderful year thus far," coach Steve Spurrier said. "Hopefully, it will continue."

MITCHELL PRACTICES, WON'T PLAY: Sophomore defensive end Clint Mitchell practiced with the team Monday, but he will not play Saturday against Florida State after being suspended for the second time this season. Mitchell already had missed the first six games of the season.

"He is out here, he is eligible to practice, but he is not eligible to play," Spurrier said. "That's his thing. I did not suspend him, the university suspended him. He's out. ... He broke a university rule. I'm not mad at the university, I just can't talk about it. I agree with our university."

HE KICKS, HE TACKLES: Kicker Matt Piotrowicz had a stellar defensive night against South Carolina. The freshman from Chicago had two tackles on kickoffs, as many tackles as defensive starters Lito Sheppard, Byron Hardmon and Kennard Ellis. Piotrowicz, who is 5 feet 10, 220 pounds, has 10 tackles this season. According to the school's Sports Information Department, Piotrowicz has more tackles this season than any UF kickers had in their entire careers since 1984, the year it started keeping defensive statistics.

GRAHAM UPDATE: Running back Earnest Graham did not practice, still nursing a sprained ankle. He is expected to play Saturday.

"He had a little tiny sprain and the trainers won't even let him come out and watch," Spurrier said. "He said he was fine during the meeting, then he didn't come out. Shows you how much control I have over what they do."

Tailback Robert Gillespie, who has been nursing a sprain, practiced and is expected to play Saturday.

FSU gets in extra work

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State practiced for an additional 35 minutes, trying to correct the mistakes that led to Saturday's 34-28 home loss against North Carolina State.

"We worked a little bit longer today than we usually do on a Monday since we had a holiday," coach Bobby Bowden said. "We're trying to correct the mistakes we made last week and then try to get a look at Florida's stuff."

Starting receiver Talman Gardner missed practice because of post-concussion headaches.

Gardner, a junior who leads the team with 11 touchdowns, sustained a concussion during Saturday's game. He has been taking aspirin for the pain and should return to practice today.

Team trainers told Gardner the headaches should last 48 hours. He expects to play Saturday.

MORE INJURIES: Sophomore running back Greg Jones will be held out of contact drills this week because a sprained neck that forced him to miss the second half of Saturday's game. "They're not going to be able to keep me out of this game on Saturday," Jones said. Starting defensive end Alonzo Jackson has his right hand in a cast after requiring 10 stitches to close a deep cut sustained against N.C. State.

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