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Jackson To Miss 2nd Straight Game

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 8, 2007

TAMPA - The only certainty among the University of South Florida's walking wounded is senior WR Amarri Jackson will miss his second consecutive game since injuring his knee Oct. 27 at Connecticut.

"Amarri's not going to play," USF coach Jim Leavitt said.

The Bulls might get back the services of WRs Taurus Johnson (ankle) and Dontavia Bogan (hip) for Saturday's game at Syracuse.

"We're working hard to get Taurus and Bogan back," receivers coach Mike Canales said. "They both practiced Wednesday, so that's good. Taurus was running around and catching a couple of balls, so I was happy."

The availability of Johnson and Bogan, along with RT Walt Walker (knee) and RB Ben Williams (ankle), won't be known until today.

"A lot of them are just working out," Leavitt said. "They're all just trying to work around a little bit and trying to get themselves ready. ... Are any of them going to play for sure? No. Are any of them out for sure? No.

"I'll know today because we'll make a decision."

ANOTHER COMMITMENT: Coral Springs Charter High School athlete Evan Landi (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) committed to USF, according to scout.com.

Landi chose the Bulls over offers from South Carolina and Wisconsin, among others, the Web site reported.

Gregg Becnel
Garcia Will Run UF Offense During Gamecocks' Practice

GAINESVILLE - Tampa native Stephen Garcia could have his hands full this week.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier appointed the former Jefferson High star to simulate University of Florida QB Tim Tebow during practices this week on the scout team as the Gamecocks prepare for their game against the Gators on Saturday night.

Garcia, a freshman, is also in contention for next season's starting quarterback spot after the Gamecocks' current leader, Blake Mitchell, graduates.

"We'll wait and see. Garcia can run around a little bit," Spurrier said. "Ball comes out of his hand nicely. He's got a lot to learn about trying to play quarterback."

Garcia will battle Chris Smelley and Tommy Beecher for the role, so perhaps mimicking Tebow might not turn out to be such a bad gig.

Spurrier praised Tebow's ability to be a double threat on the field.

"The tapes I've watched, he doesn't miss many open guys. If they're open, he doesn't zing it 5, 10 yards over their heads," Spurrier said. "He's made some unbelievable plays when they're not open and guys hanging all over him and this, that and the other. ... He's just a guy that can run around and break some tackles and still get balls off.

"He's really the type of quarterback that almost everyone is looking for."

Jenna Marina

Ball Suspended 1 Game For Breaking Team Rules

TALLAHASSEE - Sophomore LB Marcus Ball returned last week at Boston College after missing back-to-back games due to a severely sprained ankle. However, Ball will be out again Saturday at Virginia Tech, but this time because of a one-game suspension.

FSU coach Bobby Bowden announced after Wednesday's practice that Ball is suspended for Saturday's game against the No. 11-ranked Hokies due to an unspecified violation of team rules.

Ball, one of FSU's most athletic players, backs up Dekoda Watson at strongside LB.

With Ball unavailable, reserve Rodney Gallon could receive significant playing time if he recovers fast enough from a sprained ankle suffered during practice Wednesday. Regardless, linebackers coach Chuck Amato said Ball's absence won't cripple the unit because of its depth.

"We'll have to see what happens with Rodney," Amato said. "We've got a lot of options."

FRIENDLY REMINDER: In the inaugural ACC Championship Game in 2005, FSU entered as a heavy underdog against a Virginia Tech team ranked fifth in the nation. But FSU pulled off the upset, winning 27-22 to advance to the Orange Bowl.

In the teams' first meeting since, Bowden expects the Hokies to be fired up when the Noles roll into Lane Stadium on Saturday.

"I would think they would have great incentive after that playoff game," Bowden said.

"I would think that would be on their bulletin board."

BIRTHDAY BOY: Bowden has no special plans for his 78th birthday today. Normally, his wife Ann bakes a cake and hands out traditional gifts.

"I'll be getting my handkerchief and getting my tie," Bowden said.

NOLE NUGGETS: K Gary Cismesia is one of 20 finalists for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the nation's top kicker. Cismesia has made 19 of 25 field-goal attempts. ... FSU practiced Tuesday in temperatures near 50 degrees, about the same temperatures expected Saturday in Blacksburg. ... FSU has not played in Blacksburg since 1989.

Scott Carter

Wright Recovering Well From High Ankle Sprain

CORAL GABLES - QB Kyle Wright continues to improve each day with his high ankle sprain.

"It is better than yesterday," Wright said. "I was pretty sore last night and early this morning, but I got a ton of treatment on it again today."

Wright said he could play if the game was tomorrow after missing last week's game against North Carolina State.

TWO COMMITMENTS: The Hurricanes received two verbal commitments in the past two days as QB Cannon Smith (Memphis, Tenn.) and WR Kendal Thompkins (Miami) both gave a verbal commitment to Coach Randy Shannon.

Smith, who will enroll in January, is the third quarterback who has committed and Thompkins is the sixth verbal commitment from Northwestern High School, the nation's No. 1-ranked team.

Miami now has 21 verbal commitments.

Christopher Stock

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