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Plancher Gets Work With 1st Team

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The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 2, 2008

TAMPA - With University of South Florida RBs Ben Williams and Mike Ford slowed at Monday's practice with ankle injuries, junior Moise Plancher worked with the first-team offense.

Plancher started the season opener in 2006, only to suffer a torn ACL on the first series. Last week he was fifth on the depth chart, but rushed for 65 yards and two TDs against Tennessee Martin.

"Mo did enough to deserve reps anyway, he's earned the right to get reps," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "How much RB coach Carl Franks plays him Saturday at UCF, I don't know."

Ford, who wore a protective boot on his left foot Monday, and Williams both hurt their ankles Saturday.

Sophomore TE Trent Pupello (ankle), also hurt Saturday, was on crutches Monday and Leavitt said he didn't know if he would be available. Freshman DL Cory Grissom (ankle) is not expected to play at UCF, Leavitt said.

"If they're not 100 percent they won't play," Leavitt said. "We won't have a chance against Central Florida if we don't have guys going 100 miles an hour."

NO, WHAT ARE YOU WEARING? UCF scheduled a media conference call with Coach George O'Leary on Monday. However, the 800-number provided by a UCF official mistakenly had one digit wrong. Instead of getting O'Leary's conference call, media members instead got a phone sex line.

"Hi sexy, you've reached the one-on-one fantasy line. Where the girls are ..." the recording said. A woman who answered said this was not the number for O'Leary's conference call, but said she would pretend to be O'Leary.

UCF rescheduled the call for Wednesday.

ODDS AND ENDS: Senior OT Ryan Schmidt (knee), who left Saturday's game, practiced Monday. ... Leavitt said he thinks freshman CB George Baker will get academic approval from the NCAA Clearinghouse today. Baker, though, will be redshirted this season. ... Freshman LB Quavon Taylor, who was suspended a week for missing team meetings and a practice last week, returned to practice Monday.

Brett McMurphy

Harvin Looks Good In Return To Practice

GAINESVILLE - After the Gators scored a seemingly effortless 56 points against Hawaii on Saturday, it's easy to forget that the University of Florida's most electrifying player, Percy Harvin, didn't play.

The Gators didn't forget, but in case they did Florida got a reminder Monday as Harvin finally participated in a full practice.

"He's still Mercy Percy," FS Ahmad Black said.

Harvin underwent heel surgery in April and had been relegated to conditioning drills throughout fall practice, but apparently hasn't shown any rust.

"He's ready to go," QB Tim Tebow said. "He's fast; I'm still leading him a little more than everyone else. He's just so electric and explosive and he just looked 100 percent ready to go."

EXPERT RETURN MAN: One of the biggest plays during the Gators' romp over Hawaii was when punt returner Brandon James brought one back 74 yards for a touchdown.

Coach Urban Meyer, who always has been a big believer in the importance of strong special teams play, called James the player of the game. James also scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

Meyer feels that a talented punt and kick returner like James brings out the best in his special teams units, which is a welcome change from his first year in Gainesville.

"Awful, you watch film and it bordered on pathetic and I think it's because you can coach as hard as you want but there's no reward," he said. "Now when you see a guy that can take it 80-90 yards you're going to see great effort. The punt return team gives lights-out effort. That's not just a one man show, that's 11 guys going."

Karl Hyppolite

Fisher Mum On Who Starting QB Will Be

TALLAHASSEE - Get Jimbo Fisher on the right topic and he can engage in a long conversation.

Who his starting quarterback will be for Florida State's season opener against Western Carolina on Saturday isn't one of them.

"No announcement," the offensive coordinator said - and very little after that on the subject - following Monday's practice.

Asked if the competition is that close among veteran Drew Weatherford and redshirt sophomores D'Vontrey Richardson and Christian Ponder, Fisher responded: "Just not ready to announce."

Fisher has said previously that because all three have received significant playing time during the preseason there is no need to rush the decision.

Coach Bobby Bowden repeated on Monday that the choice will be Fisher's. No matter who starts, both coaches have alluded to getting the others playing time in the first two games against WCU and Chattanooga.

The depth chart for the first game will be announced today - with the exception of the quarterback position - according to FSU sports information.

Fisher, beginning his second season as FSU's offensive coordinator, said he has not talked to his quarterbacks about who will start.

"I would definitely tell them before I tell you all," he told the media.

Meanwhile, offensive line coach Rick Trickett may have figured out his starting lineup for the opener after switching freshman OT Zebrie Sanders to the left side and junior-college transfer Joe Tonga to right tackle on Monday.

That would put Sanders and G Rodney Hudson on the left side with G Will Furlong and Tonga on the right side flanking Ryan McMahon at center. Dave Spurlock has seen significant work at right guard while Furlong has battled back problems.

Steve Ellis

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