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UF's Berlin to transfer

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 18, 2001

Brock Berlin

GAINESVILLE -- Florida backup quarterback Brock Berlin said Monday he will transfer at the end of the season.

Berlin began the season battling with Rex Grossman for the starting job but lost and spent the season at No. 2.

"Basically, I am looking around at some different schools," Berlin said. "I am viewing all my options and seeing what is going on, talking to my family about it and praying about it.

"After the (Orange) Bowl game, maybe a couple of days after, I'll make my decision. ... I love it here as a Florida Gator, but it didn't work out the way I thought it would."

Grossman finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting and said he will return next season. He said he would like to see Berlin stay.

NFL INQUIRIES: Tampa natives Mike Pearson and Reche Caldwell have submitted inquiries to the NFL draft advisory board which gives prospects an idea of where they might be drafted.

Receiver Jabar Gaffney and cornerback Lito Sheppard also plan to inquire about their draft projections.

Pearson, a junior offensive tackle, graduated last weekend and is getting married in May. He said he will weigh his options after the Orange Bowl.

"I've definitely got some big decisions (to make), Pearson said. "But right now I'm just concentrating on this last game."

SPURRIER'S SURPRISE: Florida coach Steve Spurrier surprised reporters during media day by playing a tape of two controversial incidents from the Nov. 17 Florida State game.

Spurrier played the tape on a large screen, showing FSU defensive end Darnell Dockett's tackle of UF tailback Earnest Graham, who sustained a knee injury and alleges Dockett intentionally twisted his leg. Spurrier also showed a play where Dockett appears to be trying to stomp on Grossman's hand.

"Some people are trying to say that Earnest made this up and that I'm making this up, but I've never had anything happen like this in all my coaching," Spurrier said.

"I just want to let y'all know I'm not making this up. People are personally trying to attack me, but I'm not making this stuff up."

After playing the tape, Spurrier asked if anybody was headed to Tallahassee. When Fox Sports Florida cameraman Mike Holt said he was, Spurrier handed him the tape and said, "Here, take this.' "

INJURY UPDATE: Offensive lineman Shannon Snell sprained his ankle during practice. Defensive end Darrell Lee had wrist surgery after the Tennessee game and is doubtful for the Orange Bowl.

The Gators will also be without defensive end Kennard Ellis, who had knee surgery before the UT game.

Griffin eyes Leavitt

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Paul Griffin, the new athletic director at Arkansas State, has shown interest in hiring South Florida coach Jim Leavitt, who Griffin hired to start the Bulls program.

Leavitt, 45, is 35-20 including 8-3 this fall in USF's first year in Division I-A.

Griffin called Leavitt his "No. 1 choice," but said there is no question Leavitt wants to continue as USF coach. The two friends talk often.

ASU president Les Wyatt said Griffin's list of candidates includes less than 10 people, but more than two or three.

ARIZONA STATE: Quarterback Jeff Krohn will transfer to Massachusetts.

GEORGIA TECH: Athletic director Dave Braine said had the George O'Leary scenario surfaced at Tech, he would not have been fired.

O'Leary resigned on Dec. 9 to take the Notre Dame job, which he backed out of Friday after it was learned he lied about his athletic and academic credentials on his resume.

"We could have squared it," Braine said. "It could have been rectified."

NOTRE DAME: South Carolina coach Lou Holtz said he's focused on preparing his team to play Ohio State in the Outback Bowl in Tampa -- not on discussing Notre Dame.

The South Bend Tribune reported Notre Dame officials contacted Holtz on Saturday to discuss the coaching position. "The call strictly was Notre Dame asking for advice," Holtz said in a statement through South Carolina. Holtz coached the Irish for 11 seasons and won the 1988 national title.

OKLAHOMA STATE: Quarterback Aso Pogi was in fair condition after the car he was driving collided with a tractor-trailer rig in Lawton, Okla. Officials at Comanche County Memorial Hospital said Pogi would have surgery to repair a deep cut to the ring finger of his left (non-throwing) hand.

PURDUE: Senior defensive tackle Matt Mitrione quit the team, coach Joe Tiller said. Brandon Johnson will start in Mitrione's place in the Sun Bowl Dec. 31 against Washington State.

WASHINGTON STATE: Defensive end Fred Shavies and receiver Nakoa McElrath won't start in the Sun Bowl for disciplinary reasons, but will play.

-- Times wires contributed to this report.

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