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Bulls' Defense Will Have Task Of Slowing Down UCF's Smith

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 11, 2007

TAMPA - Something's got to give Saturday when the University of South Florida plays Central Florida.

USF's defense hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in its past 13 games, while UCF RB Kevin Smith, who leads the country in rushing (172 yards per game), has surpassed 100 yards in every game this season, including two games of 200-plus.

'Oh boy, he's good,' Bulls coach Jim Leavitt said. 'I've watched him. He's big, he's strong, he has vision. I don't think you can stop the guy. He's going to get yards.'

USF-UC NATIONAL TV: USF's Nov. 3 game with Cincinnati is being considered for a national ABC telecast, Kirk Herbstreit told a Cincinnati radio station Tuesday.

'I just got my ABC preliminary look ahead for the next three weeks and UC at USF right now is down as a potential ABC national game,' said Herbstreit, an analyst for ABC and ESPN.

ODDS AND ENDS: The availability of OL Matt Huners, who tore his ACL in the spring game, will be a gametime decision, Leavitt said. ... Scouts from the NFL's Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders were at Wednesday's practice. ... A USF-UCF pep rally will be held at the USF Hooters, 13606 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., from noon-2 p.m. Friday.

Gregg Becnel, Brett McMurphy

Backup DTs Causing Meyer To Fret

GAINESVILLE - Florida coach Urban Meyer expressed dismay for a second consecutive day at his lack of confidence in the Gators' backup defensive tackles.

Tuesday and Wednesday, Meyer said Florida's inability to stop top-ranked LSU on five fourth-down attempts in Saturday's 28-24 loss may have had something to do with the fact DTs Javier Estopinan and Clint McMillan rarely get a breather because coaches aren't sure backups such as freshmen Torrey Davis and Lawrence Marsh are ready to play significant snaps.

'We're not having that rotation,' Meyer said during a teleconference Wednesday. 'Last year, when we had that excellent defense, we had that nice rotation going with our defensive front.'

CHANCE FOR REDEMPTION? Meyer said Wednesday he isn't sure whether senior S Tony Joiner will get a chance to earn back his captaincy.

Meyer stripped Joiner of the title after Joiner's arrest Oct. 2. Though a burglary charge was dropped, Meyer said he wasn't sure how he would proceed because he's never stripped a player's captaincy in midseason.

'He's a guy,' Meyer said, 'our team is counting on to provide some leadership, and he acted like we don't want a captain to act. ... It's too early to tell.'

Andy Staples

Jenkins Critical After Loss To Tar Heels

CORAL GABLES - Darnell Jenkins is not happy with some of his teammates.

Jenkins, a fifth-year senior who leads the team with 18 receptions and 360 yards, was not afraid to speak his mind after UM's 33-27 loss to North Carolina.

'I think some people are probably playing for the next level or some people probably playing for next season because we lost already,' Jenkins said.

The loss was the Canes' sixth of their last seven road games. Miami is 12-10 in its last 22 games.

'I think some people just accept losing,' Jenkins said.

'When the coaches try to make corrections, some people just let it go in one ear and out the other. We are looking to find those weak links and we are trying to remove them off our team or put them on scout team or something.'

Christopher Stock

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