TAMPA — After a loss and a bye week, USF has wrapped up practices for Saturday's homecoming game against Syracuse.
"We've had a good week of practice," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "The guys were focused; the guys did a good job."
Senior LB Brouce Mompremier, who injured his neck when colliding with a teammate during the FIU game, worked with the first-team defense all week.
Defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said the team will not know until today about his availability for Saturday's game, but he was optimistic about the starting linebacker's return.
"Everybody that I've talked to feels good, but nothing's certain," he said. "It's wishful thinking right now."
Burnham also said junior DE George Selvie and sophomore DT Terrell McClain, who suffered ankle injuries against FIU, will have an evaluation today to determine their availability.
UF: Transfer sought
GAINESVILLE — Reports surfaced Thursday that Florida redshirt sophomore Mon Williams will transfer at the end of the fall semester. Williams was a four-star prospect at running back but switched to linebacker this season.
The Mesquite, Texas, native told the Gainesville Sun that the lack of playing time and wanting to be closer to his family were the main reasons behind his decision.
UF officials said that as of Thursday afternoon Williams had not contacted school compliance officials about seeking a release from his scholarship.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder rushed for 95 yards against Western Carolina in 2006 as a freshman. But he missed the 2007 season with a torn ACL and was far back on the depth chart in 2008.
He has one carry for 2 yards this season, against Hawaii in the opener. He then was switched to linebacker but has not seen any game action there.
The search for a new school will start next week, he told the Sun.
UM: Visiting old friend
MIAMI — Duke QB Thaddeus Lewis went to high school in Miami (at Booker T. Washington, then Miami Lakes) but was not recruited by UM as a quarterback. Now his Blue Devils host the Hurricanes on Saturday. Miami freshman QB Jacory Harris calls Lewis an older brother and credits Lewis for his switch from receiver. "He's a great guy," Harris told the Miami Herald.
Times correspondent Phil Kegler contributed to this report, which used Times wires.
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Return of the 'hawk
The Grohawk is back. At Thursday's practice, Bulls QB Matt Grothe showed off a reminder of USF's 6-0 start last season. Yes, the sides of his head are again shaved clean, as a year ago. Was the mohawk a nod to last year's rise to No. 2 in the rankings? An outburst of Rays mania? Turns out it was an accident. Grothe went to Miracles in Motion, a barber shop on Fletcher Avenue where Bulls basketbball players have had ornate designs shaved into their heads. Grothe sought a "Superman"-style "S" on the side. Unfortunately, the barber was looking in the mirror and thus had the letter going backward (that's Zuperman, by our count). So Grothe opted to go with a clean slate, so to speak.
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