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Seminoles RB Smith Could Return

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 21, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - FSU coach Bobby Bowden said TB Antone Smith got in another day's work Tuesday, and the coach was optimistic his junior starter would be ready in time for Saturday's rivalry matchup.

"He looks OK to me. No contact, but he looks good," Bowden said. "Running good - I think he's OK. It is encouraging."

Though sophomore WR Preston Parker filled in for Smith and was very productive from the tailback spot last Saturday, Seminoles offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher made it clear he would prefer to use Parker as more of a part-time tailback.

"We need both guys," Fisher said. "We need all the guys we can get."

Should Smith sit out Saturday in Gainesville, it would be the second straight Gators game he has missed. Last season, Smith dislocated his right elbow the game before FSU hosted Florida, a 21-14 loss.

As a freshman in 2005, Smith rushed three times for 14 yards in a reserve role against the Gators. The running game will likely play a significant factor again Saturday, as the team with the most rushing yards is 16-2-1 in the series since 1990.

Smith did not speak to the media Tuesday after practice.

THE SWAMP: Bowden and the Seminoles are plenty familiar with The Swamp, and the team is making a conscious effort to prepare for the crowd noise.

"The Swamp would be like Virginia Tech with 30,000 more people," Bowden said. "Every time we've played down there, every time I can remember, we've got an illegal procedure - somebody jumping offsides because they can't hear."

FSU hopes that playing in several tough road games this season - at Clemson, at Boston College and at Virginia Tech - will help them endure the crowd noise in Gainesville.

"It's a hard place to play in," DT Andre Fluellen said. "It gets really loud, especially for our offense. It's a tough, but fun place to play."
Michael McGuffee
Rickerson Ready To Fill In At Cornerback

GAINESVILLE - With University of Florida CB Joe Haden still questionable for Saturday's game, redshirt freshman Jacques Rickerson moved up to the first team during practice Tuesday, Coach Urban Meyer said.

Haden sprained his right ankle during the Florida Atlantic game and is wearing a walking boot. Rickerson filled in during the Gators' 59-20 victory and finished with one tackle. He has played in nine games this season, posting 14 tackles.

Florida gave up 309 yards passing last week against the Owls. Even though there is a chance Haden will miss the Florida State game, Meyer doesn't think the Gators will lose much without their starter.

"I think Rickerson had a good practice Tuesday," Meyer said. "I think he's up for the challenge, or we wouldn't have put him out there."

HARVIN UPDATE: Percy Harvin should be his old self by the time the Gators face the Noles.

Harvin practiced again Tuesday. Meyer said he expects to use the receiver as both a passing and running threat against the Seminoles, much like he had before Harvin missed the past two games.

The sophomore became the first player in school history to surpass 100 yards rushing and receiving in a single game during Florida's victory against Vanderbilt on Nov. 3.

Jenna Marina

Leavitt Can Feel Panthers' Pain

TAMPA - University of South Florida coach Jim Leavitt said the Bulls will face a "tremendous" challenge at Pittsburgh on Saturday.

"Offensively, their offensive line is as good as we've seen this year," Leavitt said. "They are a very good group. LeSean McCoy is a tremendous running back. They've been going between two quarterbacks who have got a lot of talent.

"They're young, but they've got a lot of talent. Their receivers are good. Their kicking game is solid. Playing up there, at their place, it's going to be a great challenge for us."

McCoy, a freshman, is the Big East's second-leading rusher, averaging 112.5 yards per game.

The Panthers (4-6, 2-3 Big East) have lost four of their six games by a touchdown or less.

"Pittsburgh has had some difficult situations in the games, much like us," said Leavitt, whose Bulls lost three games by a total of 15 points. "Where things happen for whatever reason and you have a chance to win and maybe you do, maybe you don't because of different circumstances.

"We'll just leave it at that. It's tough, I know exactly how they feel, because I've been there."

Brett McMurphy

Shannon Expects RB Cooper To Play

CORAL GABLES - Coach Randy Shannon said RB Graig Cooper should play Saturday at Boston College. Cooper (knee) did not play last week as Miami rushed for minus-2 yards against Virginia Tech.

The freshman leads the team with 664 yards on 121 carries.

"He should be playing without any problems. Unless something happens today, he should be playing," Shannon said.

TOUGH FOR WRIGHT: This could be QB Kyle Wright's last game, and Shannon says it has been tough for Wright, who has had three different offensive coordinators in as many years.

"It is a shame he hasn't had the chance to have a coordinator or quarterback coach for over a six-month period," Shannon said. "You see some things that he really can do, but it is a shame that this has happened to him over this period of time."

Christopher Stock

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