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USF's Mack makes limited return to practice

 
Published Oct. 20, 2015

TAMPA — USF tailback Marlon Mack made a limited return to practice Tuesday morning, and is day to day as he tries to rehab his strained hamstring in time for Saturday's game against SMU.

Mack was held out of Sunday's workout after sustaining the injury on a carry late in the fourth quarter of the Bulls' 28-20 win at Connecticut. Though Mack said he was feeling 85 percent, coach Willie Taggart didn't take any chances, restricting the sophomore to walking exercises and "mental reps" by having him observe from the sideline.

"He walked around a little bit (and) loosened that hamstring up a little bit, but I wouldn't let him do anything else," Taggart said.

Mack, who will tie Andre Hall's decade-old program record if he completes his fourth consecutive 100-yard rushing game against the Mustangs, is confident he'll be able to play.

"The hammy should be fine," he said.

ANGRY BYRD: Senior defensive back Jamie Byrd said the key to his breakout performance against UConn, was returning to his roots and living up to his nickname, "Angry Byrd."

The Pasco High product had 12 tackles — 31/2 for a loss — and had two sacks.

"When I have a chance to be that player who everybody wants me to be and I know I can be, I'll help the team out,'' Byrd said. "Whatever I can do to help the team, that's what matters to me."

OHIO ST. TURNS TO BARRETT: J.T. Barrett will start at quarterback for No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday against Rutgers, replacing Cardale Jones. "Cardale is going to be a very active part, too," coach Urban Meyer said. "Hopefully, we'll keep him very much involved. So, it was a difficult decision. But red-zone production and third-down production were the two areas that made the difference. The Buckeyes (7-0) are 81st in the nation in converting third downs at 37.5 percent. They are 72nd in converting red-zone trips into touchdowns at 60.7 percent (17-for-28), and most of those touchdowns were with Barrett on the field.

North Dakota State: Quarterback Carson Wentz will miss the rest of the regular season after breaking a bone in his throwing wrist Saturday. Surgery is scheduled today.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.