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USF's Robinson Likely To Play Against North Carolina

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 21, 2007

TAMPA - University of South Florida sophomore LB Chris Robinson, who missed the season opener against Elon and was limited to a few plays at Auburn on Sept. 8 because of an ankle injury, is expected to play Saturday against North Carolina, USF coach Jim Leavitt said.

Despite not starting a game last season, Robinson finished second on the team with seven sacks.

BULL'S-EYE: USF's No. 23 ranking has given opponents added incentive to knock off a ranked team. And QB Matt Grothe wouldn't have it any other way.

'They know we're a good team, because of the reputation that Auburn has, so they're going to have to prepare for us at a different level,' Grothe said. 'That makes it even more fun.'

BUCS WAVE WHITE FLAG: For next week's game against West Virginia, the Bulls will have 'USF' painted at midfield - and not over the usual Bucs white flag - and also will have 'Bulls' in each end zone, Tampa Sports Authority spokeswoman Barbara Casey said.

ODDS AND ENDS: Saturday's game will be broadcast at noon on ESPN-HD. ... More than 3,000 student tickets were picked up Thursday for the UNC game. Students can pick up their tickets between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. today. The school has allotted 12,000 student tickets, an increase of 4,000 from past games. ... Pro Football Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon will introduce USF's offensive and defensive starters Saturday.

Brett McMurphy

Star Recruit Says He'll Play For Gators

GAINESVILLE - Highly touted recruit Will Hill announced on ESPNU that he will sign with Florida, choosing the Gators over Southern Cal.

The 6-foot-3, 203-pound free safety/quarterback is rated as the No. 1 athlete by Rivals.com. Scout.com ranks him as the No. 1 safety.

He rushed for more than 600 yards and passed for more than 700, scored 24 touchdowns, recorded three interceptions and totaled 68 tackles in his junior year at St. Peter's Prep in New Jersey, according to Scout.com.

Florida has eight verbal commitments from the 2008 class.

MEYER PRAISES COOPER: It may have happened six days ago, but WR Riley Cooper's performance against Tennessee still has Florida coach Urban Meyer talking.

On Thursday, Meyer said the Gators had a team meeting and discussed the Clearwater Central Catholic graduate's hustle play in the opening minutes of Saturday's game. After Florida jumped to a 7-0 lead, Cooper ran down on kickoff coverage, then turned around and chased down returner LaMarcus Coker from behind, totaling 136 yards in 17 seconds.

'Riley Cooper on that one play, in my opinion, is one of the best plays of the season so far and one of the best plays of the few years of being here,' Meyer said.

INJURY UPDATE: OL Maurkice Pouncey (low ankle sprain) practiced minimally Thursday, and Meyer said he expects the freshman to practice again today, possibly with shoulder pads. Senior Andre Caldwell (MCL sprain) didn't practice but did work out.

Jenna Marina

Greenlee Hospitalized With Neck Injury

TALLAHASSEE - Florida State freshman OT Antwane Greenlee was admitted to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital on Wednesday night with what was diagnosed as a cervical neck injury. Greenlee does have movement in his extremities and X-rays show it is not a fracture, but he will be kept in the hospital for additional tests.

'He's doing all right,' offensive line coach Rick Trickett said after practice Thursday. 'I talked to him this morning and his mom was there. He wanted out of the hospital, so he must be doing pretty good.'

Trickett said the injury occurred Wednesday during one-on-one drills.

ROCK AND ROLL: DT Budd Thacker, who suffered a dislocated big toe on his right foot during practice Wednesday, was confident he could be back to practice as early as Monday.

'We were just doing some board drills and I stepped wrong and it just popped out of place,' Thacker said. 'It's no big deal - no worries.'

NOLE NUGGETS: TE Charlie Graham (hamstring) dressed and participated in practice. ... CB Patrick Robinson did not practice in order to be with his family following the passing of his grandfather. ... LB Derek Nicholson and CB J.R. Bryant wore non-contact jerseys as a precaution to minor injuries.

Michael McGuffee

Around The Nation

NOTRE DAME: The team might release Demetrius Jones from his scholarship, after all, as long as the sophomore quarterback transfers to a school that is not on the Irish schedule. Jones, who started the season opener, quit the team last week and told reporters he had enrolled at Northern Illinois.

On Wednesday, Athletic Director Kevin White said Jones wouldn't be released from his scholarship. In a statement Thursday night, however, White said the university has offered to help Jones find an acceptable school.

TENNESSEE: Coach Phillip Fulmer says two freshmen might start in the secondary Saturday against Arkansas State. Eric Berry could start at safety, and Brent Vinson might start at cornerback, Fulmer said.

WEST VIRGINIA: Cornerback Ellis Lankster and linebacker J.T. Thomas, who were arrested last month for receiving stolen property, were reinstated to the team after agreeing to enter a pretrial diversion program. A pretrial diversion program often involves a trade-off of no jail time and a dismissal of all charges if a defendant stays out of trouble for a certain period.

Coach Rich Rodriguez said both players will be in uniform for Saturday's home game against East Carolina, but they won't start.

West Virginia plays at USF on Sept. 28.

The Associated Press

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