Colleges
USF running low on healthy linemen
Bulls concerned but confident they will have majority of their line back in time for opening day.
By JAMEY GIVENS
Published August 14, 2007
TAMPA - Healthy offensive linemen are getting hard to find at USF, with nine sidelined or limited Monday by mostly minor injuries and illnesses.
"That's taking a little bit of a toll on our offensive line. Not an excuse, but we're losing a little bit of continuity," coach Jim Leavitt said. "You put all those names together, that's a lot of offensive linemen. We expect most of them back."
The only projected starter from the preseason depth chart fully healthy was center Nick Capogna. The only injury expected to affect the season opener is guard Matt Huners, recovering from a left knee injury, but backup tackle Danny Tolley has a groin injury that could persist.
Linebacker Chris Robinson and tackle Walter Walker are no longer wearing protective boots on their injured ankles but could still miss "a couple of weeks," Leavitt said.
NEW POSITIONS: Junior Carlton Hill, the former quarterback who started fall drills as a safety, has been shifted to receiver, his third position switch. Freshman Mike McGowan, who started at guard last week, is working with the tight ends.
USF running low on healthy linemen
Bulls concerned but confident they will have majority of their line back in time for opening day.
By JAMEY GIVENS
Published August 14, 2007
TAMPA - Healthy offensive linemen are getting hard to find at USF, with nine sidelined or limited Monday by mostly minor injuries and illnesses.
"That's taking a little bit of a toll on our offensive line. Not an excuse, but we're losing a little bit of continuity," coach Jim Leavitt said. "You put all those names together, that's a lot of offensive linemen. We expect most of them back."
The only projected starter from the preseason depth chart fully healthy was center Nick Capogna. The only injury expected to affect the season opener is guard Matt Huners, recovering from a left knee injury, but backup tackle Danny Tolley has a groin injury that could persist.
Linebacker Chris Robinson and tackle Walter Walker are no longer wearing protective boots on their injured ankles but could still miss "a couple of weeks," Leavitt said.
NEW POSITIONS: Junior Carlton Hill, the former quarterback who started fall drills as a safety, has been shifted to receiver, his third position switch. Freshman Mike McGowan, who started at guard last week, is working with the tight ends.
