Grothe Sits Out Practice, Should Play (Trib)

[E.T.]

Grothe Sits Out Practice, Should Play

Published: Oct 10, 2006

TAMPA - University of South Florida QB Matt Grothe missed Monday’s practice while wear ing a protective boot on his right foot. Grothe sprained liga- ments on the top of his right foot early in the second quarter against Connecticut.

X-rays taken were negative and Grothe is expected to play Saturday at North Carolina.

“We had it checked and ev- erything is fine. It’s not broken,†USF coach Jim Leavitt said. “He’s sore. We thought it would be best to keep him out [Mon day].â€Â

! CHOMPING AT THE BIT: For the first time this season, RB Ricky Ponton, WR Jackie Chambers and DL Josh Julmiste practiced with a purpose.

The three players, who were allowed to work out with the team during their six-game suspensions, will make their season debut against the Tar Heels.

“They’re great guys,†Leavitt said. “[Whether they start] will be determined by how they practice. Nothing will be held against them.

They’ve done a lot and have been severely punished  more than any other school in the country. I don’t think you’ll find any other school in the country that will punish them like we just did.â€Â

The players’ six-game sus pensions were because of the school’s substance abuse policy for the 2005-06 school year (when the second positive test occurred), requiring a student- athlete to miss 50 percent of the games for the following season for a second positive test. That rule was reduced for the 2006-07 school year to missing 20 per cent of games for a second positive test.

! ODDS AND ENDS: WR Ean Ran dolph (hip) and NT Allen Cray (knee) will play Satruday, Lea vitt said. ... Grothe was named to this week’s Big East honor roll for his performance in USF’s win against Connecticut. He finished 12-for-15 for 146 yards and a TD, and also ran for 82 yards and three more scores.

Gregg Becnel

[flipflop4900]

:-X :-X ;)

[BullsWinBucsWin]

“They’re great guys,†Leavitt said. “[Whether they start] will be determined by how they practice. Nothing will be held against them.

I was worried about this........this is good news.

[NAM37]

:-X :-X ;)

Your boy sure did give us all a scare this weekend... tell him he's not allowed to get hurt!

[BULLfreak]

looks like they will not be in CJL dog house long

[Bull Martin]

I hope Grothe's not more injured than implied.  Also I hope the suspended players come out with a vengeance.

[BullyPulpit]

He didn't look too injured on the first two drives of the second half!

[flipflop4900]

I really cant discuss any more about it but thanks for your concern.

[Bull Matrix]

Grothe is tough kid, but I still want Ponton and Williams to get most of the carries against UNC.  

[Bull Martin]

^^^^^^^^

Agreed, unless we need him to in the second half.