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Cheering Section For Bulls Growing

Published: Oct 18, 2007

TALLAHASSEE Florida State wide receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey will spend most of today preparing for FSU's showdown with Miami on Saturday. But sometime tonight after FSU's final practice, Dawsey will flip on the TV and take a peek at the USF-Rutgers game.

After all, Dawsey still receives text messages and phone calls from some of the players and assistant coaches he befriended the past three years as USF's receivers coach. The former FSU receiver returned to Tallahassee when Noles coach Bobby Bowden offered one of his all-time favorite players a job. Dawsey is enjoying the challenges of his new job, but he hasn't forgotten about his old team, which is ranked No. 2 in the country and talking about winning a national championship.

"I'm not surprised at all," Dawsey said after Wednesday's practice. "They've got good talent. They've got good coaches. The quarterback is doing a great job. The defense is great. I knew it was in the making. I felt it was close last year when I was there. They had most of the guys coming back. I feel like they can go undefeated."

Dawsey said if the Bulls play like they have been, tonight's road game at Rutgers is "going to be no problem." While USF's quick climb onto the national stage doesn't surprise him, he smiled widely when asked about the sudden talk of Bulls sophomore QB Matt Grothe contending for the Heisman Trophy.

"That's a little weird," Dawsey said. "I didn't think it would be going on this year. I figured that more for his senior year. I knew he had the talent and with the style of offense they're running, it's not surprising."

CHANGING HATS: FSU sophomore WR Preston Parker is developing into one of the Noles' most exciting players. If he had grabbed the other hat on National Signing Day in 2006, he would be playing for Miami on Saturday rather than FSU.

During the recruiting process as a senior two years ago at Delray Atlantic Beach, Parker verbally committed to Miami. However, when it came time to sign on the dotted line, Parker tossed a FSU and Miami hat up in the air at the same time, and ended up catching the FSU hat.

"Really, when I grabbed the hat, that's when I decided," Parker said. "I didn't really like [FSU] on my official visit. I knew I was going to Miami. I don't know what made me change. I had a lot of second thoughts, especially last year when I wasn't playing."

Parker now believes he made the right decision.

"I'm finally playing," he said.

Scott Carter

DT Antwine To Sit Out With Low Back Pain

GAINESVILLE - University of Florida DT Brandon Antwine will not play Saturday against Kentucky, Coach Urban Meyer said.

Meyer said the sophomore has not practiced for a few days because of low back pain.

Antwine sat out of the Tennessee game earlier this season with a hyperextended elbow.

OL Carl Johnson left Wednesday's practice wearing a boot because of a sprained ankle. Meyer said he's not sure about severity of the injury.

Jenna Marina

Canes' James Playing Despite Sore Neck

CORAL GABLES - RB Javarris James is dealing with a sore neck.

James suffered the nagging injury against Duke on Sept. 29 and it has affected his play.

Including the Duke game, James has rushed for 78 yards on 32 carries, an average of 2.4 yards per carry in the last three games.

"I understand I am not starting off the year like I expected, but I never got down on myself because I have been battling injuries and the other guys have been running the ball good," James said.

Although he is not producing the way the Hurricanes would hope, he is showing toughness as he plays through the injury.

James will start against Florida State on Saturday, but freshmen Graig Cooper (484 yards, 5.7 avg.) and Shawnbrey McNeal (86 yards, 5.1 avg.) will be waiting their turn.

Christopher Stock