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Wright Providing Competition For Jackson At Free Safety

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 20, 2007

GAINESVILLE - Senior Kyle Jackson may not be starting at free safety Saturday when Florida travels to Mississippi.

Gators coach Urban Meyer said both Jackson and freshman Major Wright are competing for the spot.

'That's a game-time decision,' Meyer said. 'They're both going with the 1's right now.'

Jackson was pulled in the first quarter of the Tennessee game after missing a tackle, and Wright took over and finished with six tackles. Jackson did not have any.

REVAMPING RETURNS: After RB Brandon James completed an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Volunteers, Meyer is expecting the sophomore to have some issues being successful against future opponents.

'I'm not sure I'd kick too many to him now that he's got a little bit of confidence going,' Meyer said. 'That's what we were working on today.'

The coach said if opponents start to punt away from James, he will send out more players to attempt to block the kick.

Jenna Marina

Bulls' Buzz Resulting In Ticket Sales

TAMPA - The University of South Florida announced it has eclipsed 20,000 season tickets for the first time since the 1997 inaugural season (20,619). USF's season-ticket total was at 20,043 through Wednesday.

'Our football team has created a great amount of excitement within the Tampa Bay area,' said Bill McGillis, senior associate athletics director. 'The buzz around this program grows every day, and it is going to create a one-of-kind college game-day atmosphere at Raymond James Stadium.'

USF also increased its student ticket allotment from 8,000 to 12,000 for the remainder of the season.

USF is expecting a crowd of 40,000 for Saturday's North Carolina game and a possible sellout for the West Virginia game Sept. 28.

FIGHTING BACK: OL Matt Huners (knee) and Danny Tolley (groin) were in pads again Wednesday but didn't do much.

'They're trying to do whatever they can,' Coach Jim Leavitt said. 'But both are long-term injuries.'

NO DIFFERENT: Leavitt believes the media blitz that engulfed No. 23 USF after its overtime upset at Auburn on Sept. 8 won't affect his team's preparedness for North Carolina.

'I'm always going to do everything I can do to prepare us to win a football game, whether we're ranked or not,' Leavitt said. 'Over 100 games we've been preparing to win football games, and we weren't ranked, so that doesn't change.'

Gregg Becnel

Kelly Reinstated After Academic Ineligibility

TALLAHASSEE - LB Anthony Kelly, who was ruled academically ineligible after his spring semester, returned to practice in shorts Wednesday, but he has not been officially cleared. He has, however, been reinstated to the team and hopes to play as early as the Oct. 6 matchup against N.C. State.

The Daytona Beach native took correspondence classes over the summer and worked his way back into school.

Named the most improved linebacker at the conclusion of spring practice, Kelly saw practice time at all three linebacker spots and had impressed coaches before learning of his ineligibility.

'It was frustrating because I had a good spring,' Kelly said.

THACKER HURT: DT Budd Thacker left practice Wednesday after dislocating the big toe on his right foot. The severity of the injury is not known, but the sophomore returned to watch the rest of practice.

Thacker, a sophomore, earned a starting role after an impressive offseason. He has 13 tackles and three tackles for loss through three games.

Michael McGuffee

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