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Freshman Mitchell Stepping Up At WR

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 7, 2007

TAMPA - With injuries depleting the University of South Florida receiving corps, freshman Carlton Mitchell has seized the opportunity to impress QB Matt Grothe.

"He knows he needed to step up," Grothe said, "and he's done a good job."

Grothe doesn't have trouble finding the 6-foot-4 Mitchell on pass patterns.

"He's a big, lanky guy," Grothe said. "I just look for the streak of green running across the field."

Mitchell, who also runs track and holds the USF record in the 400 meters with a time of 47.28, is second on the team with 22 catches for a team-high 390 yards and two TDs.

JENKINS MAKES CUT: USF senior CB Mike Jenkins is among 12 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to college football's top defensive back. The three finalists will be named on Nov. 19.

Meanwhile, sophomore DE George Selvie, who leads the nation in sacks (13.5) and tackles for loss (27.5), was not among the four finalists announced Tuesday for the Lombardi Award, given to college football's best lineman.

JUCO PAIR COMMITS: USF received commitments from two Pearl River (Miss.) Community College teammates, according to scout.com. LB Kion Wilson, a four-star recruit, and WR/DB Theo Wilson are both listed as Top 50 JUCO recruits.

Gregg Becnel
Infection Keeps Murphy On Sideline

GAINESVILLE - University of Florida WR Louis Murphy sat out of Tuesday's practice with an undisclosed illness.

Murphy said he was feeling "under the weather" and exited practice in his jersey, but he was wearing sneakers instead of cleats.
Gators coach Urban Meyer said the St. Petersburg native developed an infection, but he wasn't sure of the details.

"He'll be fine," Meyer said. "He'll practice today."

Murphy has become a key component of Florida's offense. The junior had three receptions for 56 yards against Vanderbilt on Saturday and had three for 49 yards and a touchdown in the Gators' loss to Georgia.

With 29 catches, he is second only to sophomore Percy Harvin (45) in receptions for UF this season.

WRIGHT'S ALL RIGHT: Freshman FS Major Wright finally could be free of the club he has been sporting in recent games.

Meyer said Wright will continue to tape his thumb and index finger, because his broken thumb is still healing.

"Major Wright's got three exposed fingers, which is going to help him tackle, and obviously catching the ball," Meyer said.

Wright had surgery two weeks ago to insert a plate after he broke the thumb against Kentucky.

He played on special teams during the Georgia game with a modified boxing glove taped over his hand.

He played free safety against Vanderbilt and still wore the glove.

Meyer said he is not sure if the freshman will return to his starting role against South Carolina.

In other injury news, TE Cornelius Ingram's ankle is improving after he sprained it last week at practice.

Ingram, fourth on the team with 22 catches for 340 yards, failed to catch a pass for the first time this season against Vanderbilt.

"He's still a little hobbled, but he's a lot better," Meyer said. "He told me it's 100 percent better than last week."

Jenna Marina

DT Fluellen Will Worry About The Future Later

TALLAHASSEE - At the start of the season, Florida State senior DT Andre Fluellen was projected as high as a third-round NFL draft pick on some projections. That was before a series of injuries turned Fluellen into a doctor's dream.

Healthy for the first two games, Fluellen's first major setback was an elbow injury. He missed a game, then played sparingly to give the strained ligaments time to heal. He then suffered a strained hamstring and a dislocated ring finger. Fluellen eventually had to miss two more games, putting his senior season in jeopardy.

However, Fluellen is back on the field and ready for FSU's final three games, hoping to salvage a spot in the draft and the rest of his FSU career.

"I want to go as high as possible, because that's my future," Fluellen said Tuesday. "Right now, I'm just playing for the team, because I know we need help. I'll worry about that when that time comes."

Fluellen said he remains only about 75 percent, but with his FSU career down to three regular-season games and a bowl trip, Fluellen isn't about to miss any more time.

"Time will heal it, but I don't really have that time right now," he said.

RECORD HOLDERS: Asked if he had heard of Terrell Buckley when he arrived at FSU, sophomore CB Patrick Robinson 'fessed up.

"Not really," Robinson said.

Now, the two are linked in FSU's record book. Robinson picked off a pass for the fifth consecutive game Saturday at Boston College, joining Buckley as the only players in school history to accomplish the feat. Buckley went on to play 14 years in the NFL after he set the record in 1991.

Robinson can break it Saturday at Virginia Tech. If he does, Robinson can thank Buckley in person. Buckley, back at FSU getting his degree and working as a student assistant, is helping coach the defensive backs.

NOLE NUGGETS: FSU coach Bobby Bowden said starting LT Daron Rose, who suffered a sprained left knee Saturday, won't play at Virginia Tech. The Jefferson High product remained severely hobbled Tuesday ... FSU's home game against Maryland on Nov. 17 will start at noon on Lincoln-Financial Sports.Scott Carter

Wright Will Be Back At QB For Hurricanes

CORAL GABLES - QB Kyle Wright will start on Saturday against North Carolina State after missing the last game because of a high ankle sprain.

Wright suffered the injury late in the game against Florida State on Oct. 20.

Wright dressed against N.C. State, but he watched from the sideline as Kirby Freeman completed one pass in 14 attempts and threw three interceptions.

"Wright will start," Coach Randy Shannon said. "Now, if something happens mysteriously that I can't foresee happening, then he won't."

Wright is 20th nationally in passing efficiency, and he has thrown for 1,240 yards and nine touchdowns with nine interceptions this season.

KICKER BATTLE OPEN: K Daren Daly's role as the kicker lasted two games.

After replacing Francesco Zampogna, who made nine of 14 field goal attempts, Daly is in a battle with Zampogna and P Matt Bosher after he missed a 27-yard field goal in overtime against N.C. State.

"The competition is really open," Shannon said. "Really open."

Christopher Stock

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