The Tampa Tribune from Tampa, Florida • 24

6 SPORTS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2006 THE TAMPA TRIBUNE TBO.com COLLEGE FOOTBALL baviffs 2-Minu te Drill Irks Media If Eligible, Army Will Get Bid To Poinsettia Bowl 4 FOOTBALL I Tribune photo by KEIVIN MA Coach Jim Leavitt had little to say during USF's season-opening news conference Tuesday and took very little time to say it. Leavitt. "Anyone who has spent any time at all with Coach Leavitt understands his intense focus," USF assistant AD John Gerdes said. "He has determined it is in his team's best interest to set all its focus on this week's opening game and if he believes that includes limiting media access, that's his call as the head coach." Leavitt's two-minute drill also disappointed USF fans, who paid $8 for a week of USF's "Press Pass" service, which provided video of Tuesday's news conference. Brad Meyer, of Higley, paid $79.95 for a year of USF's "Press Pass," which featured only 22 seconds of Leavitt's interview.

"There's some very good archived video and audio, but the news conference today was disappointing," said Meyer, who runs a USF fan Web site, TheBullsPen.com. "I had hoped to hear more from Coach Leavitt." NOTE: USF announced a home-and-home series with N.C. State. The Bulls visit the Wolfpack on Sept 27, 2008, and host N.C. State on Sept 13, 2014.

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928 or bmcmurphytampatrib.com.' and retain annual college bowl games should expect to spend money on state-of-the-art facilities, commissioners of three of the country's most powerful conferences said. The remarks from the heads of the Southeastern Conference, Big Ten and Atlantic Coast Conference came as sports promoters here pitched local officials on plans to renovate the decades-old Citrus Bowl. Cities such as Orlando, which hosts the Capital One and Champs Sports bowls, stand to lose the annual draws if they don't invest in stadiums at a time colleges across the country are upgrading their own, the conimissioners said. "I know that without exception, within a couple years every Big Ten stadium will have been revisited," Big Ten commissioner Jim Delaney said. "Just like we recruit student-athletes, you recruit people from outside the region to play football games and visit" "The standards are con-standy being raised if you look around you, and that's across the country," ACC commissioner John Swofford said.

NORTH CAROLINA: Nebraska transfer Joe Dailey will start North Carolina's season opener against Rutgers, Coach John Bunting said. Redshirt freshman Cam Sexton also will play, though Bunting said he hasn't decided how much playing time each quarterback will receive. The Associated Press WEST POINT, MY. Before its first snap of the season, Army has been invited to the Poinsettia Bowl. Now the Black Knights have to win enough games to be eligible.

Bowl executive director Bruce Binkowski and Army officials announced in a conference call Tuesday that Army will be invited to play a team from the Mountain West Conference on Dec. 19 at Qual-comm Stadium in San Diego. The invitation is good only if the Black Knights go at least 6-6. Based on Army's recent history, that could be a mighty big chore. Army hasn't been to a bowl game since 1996, when it lost to Auburn, 32-29, in the Liberty Bowl.

"This was the best bowl for us, and we believe we have a great chance of being bowl-eligible," Army director of athletics Kevin Anderson said. "We have to come up with the wins, but we are guaranteed. It would just be fantastic." The Black Knights were 4-7 last year, their second under Coach Bobby Ross, who took over a program in severe disarray. Army won only two games in his first season, started last season 0-6, then won four straight before losing to Navy. Big Conferences Expect Bowl Stadium Upgrades ORLANDO Cities around the country hoping to attract 3 it Star To Eledshirf' USF COACH BRIEF AT NEWS CONFERENCE By BRETT McMURPHY The Tampa Tribune TAMPA They came in droves to the University of South Florida's athletic facility Tuesday.

Newspaper reporters from Tampa, Braden-ton, Lakeland, Sarasota and Pinellas County along with an Associated Press reporter. Even all the local television stations showed up. They all were there for USF's season-opening football news conference. It was a chance to interview USF coach Jim Leavitt for the upcoming season and Saturday's game against McNeese State and speak with quarterbacks Pat Julmiste and Matt Grothe about their ongoing battle to become USF's starter. Leavitt took exactly 1 minute, 59 seconds to answer seven questions before leaving the room like his game film was on fire.

Roger Mooney of the Bra-denton Herald, who drove 50 minutes from Bradenton and spent 10 minutes trying to find a parking spot, walked into the news conference at 1:03 p.m., just as Leavitt was leaving. ormer STATE NOTEBOOK GAINESVILLE Florida freshman LB A.J. Jones will redshirt this season after breaking a bone in his right foot. Coach Urban Meyer said Jones would have surgery on the foot either Tuesday or today. "It's a pretty good sting for us," Meyer said Tuesday.

"We thought he was going to have some game reps for us." Doctors told Meyer that Jones, a former Middleton High star, would need to spend seven weeks in a walking boot before he could begin his rehabilitation. Jones' injury forced Florida coaches into a long meeting to discuss their depth at linebacker. Jones had emerged as the top backup to senior Brian Crum at strongside linebacker. Should Crum get hurt, Meyer said coaches now would shift weakside LB Earl Everett to strongside and let freshman Dustin Doe play weakside backer. ALMOST BACK: Meyer said RB Brandon James (knee) and Bryan Thomas (knee) are on pace to return more quickly than expected from arthroscopic surgeries.

James, only a week after surgery, walked with only a slight limp Tuesday. Meyer said Thomas, from Zephyrhills High, is nearly ready to play. TEBOW UPDATE: Meyer said freshman QB Tim Tebow should be ready to play Saturday when the Gators open against Southern Mississippi. "We added a couple of plays today for Tim," Meyer said. "We've got a couple things in there." Meyer said Tebow hasn't had as much difficulty adjusting to Florida's offense as he has adjusting to the athleticism of the college game.

"The positive about Tim is he ran a lot of the same stuff in high school," Meyer said. "Nease High School runs a lot of the same stuff we run. But the biggest thing Tim needs to get used to is the speed of the game." KEEPSAKE HELPS CHARITY: Fans who purchase a particular USF FOOTBALL Continued From Page I Conference. As part of the contract with ESPN Regional, WFTS is required to air a certain number of games, but Carey wouldn't say how many thdt was. a McClaichy-Tribune Junior Lance Leggett, the ACC outdoor champion in the 400 hurdles, will start in place of a suspended Ryan Moore.

If Leavitt's two-minute drill wasn't bad enough, the quarterbacks never showed up, denying the media their only opportunity to interview them this week. Apparently, they were told by the coaches not to attend. Lakeland Ledger writer Patrick Zier came specifically to speak to Leavitt and Grothe, a Lakeland Lake Gibson product. Zier managed two questions: "Have you named a starting quarterback yet?" "No." "Will both kids play this Saturday?" "Uh, unsure. Unsure." piece of memorabilia celebrating the 100th anniversary of Florida football also will be helping the Children's Miracle Network.

Nikco Sports is selling memorative footballs, and $7.50 of the $99 purchase price will benefit the charity, which helps children with life-threatening illnesses who are being treated at UF's Shands Hospital. For more information, visit www.nikcosports.com. Andy Staples Rains Disrupt Seminoles Practice Regimen TALLAHASSEE The weather was supposed to be the story 500 miles to the south with Tropical Storm Ernesto approaching Miami, but heavy rain and lightning also disrupted Florida State's practice plans Tuesday. While the Hurricanes got in morning practice Tuesday they already have canceled today's practice FSU was forced inside by a thunderstorm, limiting what the Seminoles could do. But with six days remaining before the Labor Day showdown at the Orange Bowl, the Seminoles downplayed not having practiced outside for three consecutive days.

FSU was off Sunday and Monday. "We've got the rest of this week. We've got plenty of time to get ready," John Frady said. "They are the ones with the tropical storm headed at them. All we've got is a couple of lightning bolts that kept us off the field." FSU held meetings, conducted a walk-through inside and focused on conditioning drills Tuesday.

Coach Bobby Bowden said because the game is Monday rather than Saturday, the concern remains low about any missed practice time up to this point. "We still can go over a lot of Miami stuff and go over alignments and stuff like that inside," Bowden said. "It's not critical right now, but if it continued, you'd have to sweat. I think Miami is going through the same thing." VETERAN ADVICE: Sophomore "We have no issue if WFTS decides to move the USF game to another channel," an ESPN spokesman said. "However, it is really WFTS' decision.

They own the local rights to the USF-McNeese State game." Also Tuesday, it was announced Big East football, basketball and some other Olympic sports will be televised on the ESPN family of networks for the next six Middkfon "I think Jim's missing an opportunity to promote this program," said Zier, who has worked at the Ledger for 30 years. "He wants to bring the program up to the level of Florida, Florida State and Miami, but when he limits access and things like that, I think it makes it tougher for him to do that" Since The Tampa Tribune reported Sunday that three USF starters have been suspended for a second positive drug test, Leavitt has been curt in his dealings with the media. He also banned his assistants from talking to the media this season, a first for CB Tony Carter wants his younger teammates who never have played against Miami to know what's in store. He has a simple message. "I told them to put on your seatbelts because you're going for a ride," Carter said.

"It's going to be a fun environment. There are a lot of crazy people down there." Carter didn't play when FSU visited Miami in 2004, but he dressed for the game and later was redshirted that season. SACKMASTERS: In their 10-7 win against Miami last season, the Seminoles recorded nine sacks against a relatively experienced offensive line. DL Andre Fluellen would like a repeat performance, but he knows the Seminoles can't expect that to happen again. "It was pretty surprising," Fluellen said.

"At the same time, we played a lot of fronts that we probably hadn't played before in Florida State history. That probably threw them off a little bit." 'NOLE NUGGETS: DE Alex Boston remains questionable because of a severely sprained ankle that has kept him sidelined for the past week. An MRI revealed no significant damage. Drew Weatherford is one of only three sophomore quarterbacks on the Davey O'Brien watch list released Tuesday. The Davey O'Brien Award is given annually to the nation's top QB.

Senior LB Buster Davis was added to the Butkus Award watch list. Scott Carter, Bryan Baker Ernesto Forces 'Canes To Practice Early CORAL GABLES Miami moved Tuesday's practice to the morning to give the players and coaches ample time to prepare for Tropical Storm Ernesto. "The players need to get in and get where they need to be, get hydrated, rested and get ready for hopefully a normal Thursday with not a lot of damage around the area," Coach Larry Coker said. Today originally was scheduled as a day off, which works out well for the team as the years. The basketball deal, which begins in 2007-08, includes every Big East intra-confer-ence men's basketball game on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN360 or ESPN Regional television (except for select games on CBS).

Big Monday will continue, as will a second weekly time slot on Thursday nights (on ESPN or ESPN2). The football part of the deal means ESPN and ABC Sports STATE SLATE McNeese State at South Florida WHEREWHEN: Raymond James StadiumSaturday, 7 Florida State at Miami WHEREWHEN: Orange Bowl Monday, 8 p.m. TV: ESPN Southern Miss at Florida WHEREWHEN: Ben Hill Griffin StadiumSaturday, 6 p.m. Other State Games Florida International at Middle Tennessee, Thursday, 7 p.m. Florida Atlantic at Clemson, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

(ESPNU) Bethune-Cookman vs. Southern at Jacksonville, Saturday, 7 p.m. Florida vs. Delaware State at Detroit, Saturday, 1 p.m. (taped, ESPNU, Sat.

10 p.m.) Villanova at UCF, Sat, 6 p.m. Gardner-Webb at Jacksonville. Saturday, 12:30 p.m. university has canceled all classes and events for the day. INJURY UPDATE: OL AJ.

Trump twisted his right ankle the same one he sprained earlier this month during Monday's practice and did not practice Tuesday. He was in a walking boot, but expects to be out of the boot Thursday and be ready to play Monday against Florida State. Trump, a redshirt freshman, is a backup guardcenter who has impressed the coaching staff this fall when he has been healthy. Coker said he does not anticipate WR Khalil Jones being ready to play in the opener because of a sprained ankle. Jones tried practicing some Tuesday after suffering the injury nearly two weeks ago.

Jones, a sophomore, caught two passes for 30 yards last season. CCC GRAD WILL PLAY: Freshman LB Colin McCarthy definitely will play this year and won't be redshirted, Coker said. McCarthy is the second-team strongside linebacker behind junior Tavares Gooden. Christopher Stock Get expanded college football notes at Key words: Bulls, Gators, Notes and Canes. will be the exclusive cable and broadcast homes for Big East football.

Women's basketball will make approximately 11 regular-season appearances on ESPN or ESPN2 each year, in addition to the conference championship. Reporter Rick Harmon can be reached at (813) 259-8243 or rharmon tampatrIb.com. K.SSUU. field. However, last year Leggett had one only play over 30 yards a 76-yard touchdown against Wake Forest This fall he has scored a variety of touchdowns and has a sense of enthusiasm.

"We are real excited because Olson will give us a chance to make big plays," Leggett said. Coach Larry Coker has been "really pleased" with Jenkins and Leggett this fall, but possibly the biggest surprise of the camp has been freshman Sam Shields. Shields has scored touchdown after touchdown throughout fall practices. He is expected to be a large contributor this season as the No. 3 receiver.

After the top three receivers there are question marks with the depth. But Mosely is confident in the rest of his unit, which consists of a punter, Brian Monroe; a recently converted freshman cornerback, Ryan Hill; and two returners battling injuries Khalil Jones and Terrell Walden. "From the outside in, there will be a concern, but from the inside out I am meeting with these guys daily and watching as much tape as I can with them," Mosely said. "There is a little bit of concern, but at the same time we are going to play with what we got." Said Coker "The numbers we have are quality numbers. We have quality players there." Preseason All-American safety Brandon Meriwether faces the receivers on a daily basis and believes they will have a productive season beginning with the FSU game.

"I flunk we have the most underrated receiving corps in the nation," Meriweather said. "The expectations we have for them is high, but with the athletes we have at receiver I think they can handle it We have some potential first-rounders." RECEIVERS Continued From Page 1 Jenkins has caught 49 passes in his career for 492 yards. This year, Jenkins expects to make big plays. "I see myself running past DBs," said Jenkins, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 190 pounds. "I got much stronger and much faster.

I can read defenses better from my past experiences and I am ready to make big plays down field." Jenkins has a prediction for Miami's season opener against Florida State on Monday. "We are going to win," he said, "that's it." Expected to start along with Jenkins had been fellow senior Ryan Moore, but Moore has been suspended definitely after an alleged altercation with a woman at a bar last weekend. According to a police report released Monday, Moore grabbed a woman by the throat, pushed her to the ground and threatened another woman. The report will be forwarded to prosecutors, who will decide if Moore, who was not arrested after the incident early Saturday, should be charged. There is a chance Moore will return to the team, but he will miss at least the first two games because of the suspension.

Starting in place of Moore will be junior Lance Leggett. "I wasn't excited to hear that Ryan was suspended, but I know that I have an opportunity to make a lot of plays," said Leggett, who caught 15 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games last season. Leggett, the ACC outdoor champion in the 400 hurdles, has excelled when given the opportunity to go down the.