Gators itching to start play
GAINESVILLE — Only two practices remained, but for UF guard Antonio Riles preseason camp could not end soon enough.
The Gators broke camp Friday, but before practice Thursday, Riles said he was ready to move onto Week 1.
“It’s getting closer and closer,” Riles said of the end of camp. “That’s what is making this harder and more frustrating, but we know what it’s for. We’re not complaining at all.
“We’re happy with the direction Coach Mac is going,” he said of new coach Jim McElwain. “We’re fine with it.”
Sophomore safety Nick Washington said UF’s players and coaches made a lot of progress in August.
“I think we made great strides getting accustomed to the new coaching staff and how they do things,” he said. “We started to adapt.”
McElwain said the Gators will be off today, focus on their studies Sunday and begin to install the game plan Monday for their Sept. 5 opener against New Mexico State in the Swamp.
Neal treated
Starting safey Keanu Neal remained sidelined by an unspecified leg injury and continues to receive treatment.
While he recovers, Neal, a junior, has not been going out to watch practices.
“What I try to do, if extensive therapy really helps them, I won’t have them out at practice just standing around,” McElwain said.
Backup receiver Valdez Showers returned Thursday after he missed more than week with a hamstring injury.
Naming captains
McElwain said team captains will be determined on a week-to-week basis with criteria other than playing ability.
“We have four game captains each week based on not only what they do on the field, but what they do in practice and in the classroom,” McElwain said. “It doesn’t have to be a senior or a starter or anything like that. There’s a lot of things that go into being a captain.”
— Edgar Thompson
’Canes look ahead
CORALGABLES— With their season opener a little more than a week away, the Hurricanes turned some of their focus this week to Bethune-Cookman, something which players say energized practices a bit.
Though most of Miami’s primary focus this past week was on cleaning up some issues from its scrimmage Aug. 22, the Hurricanes began watching film on the Wildcats, who went 9-3 in the MEAC last year and have a new coach: Terry Sims. Sims was previously an assistant head coach for Bethune, working primarily with the safeties and special teams units, so he knows the Wildcats personnel.
But there’s no doubt that a new coach and a potential new system could be challenging to game-plan as the Hurricanes move into that mode ahead of the game today.
“You just try to trace it back to all the coaches, see what they do and be ready,” Miami coach Al Golden said about the shift to more game-week preparations. “I say it all the time; just try to control your variables. Obviously, you know with having a veteran quarterback now, we’re in a little bit different situation in terms of just being able to control our variables and dealing with what you see on game day. It’s a little bit easier to deal with what you see on game day because he’s been through three training camps now. I think it’s good.”
For focusing on an opponent has been a welcome change, even as the Hurricanes say they’ve continued competing for reps in practice and starting jobs.
“They’re a good team. We’re going to have to come out and play, play our best game,” said Miami offensive lineman Nick Linder, when asked his initial thoughts upon seeing the Wildcats. “Every Saturday, every game day, we’re looking at the teams but we’re not treating them any differently. It’s 100 percent full go. … It’s a little bit different when you’re in the room and you’re not just watching film on yourselves and this D-line. You’re also watching other teams and other games from last year. … It’s like a puzzle, seeing what’s happening with the defensive line and the safeties and everything else like that. It’s cool.”
The Hurricanes will host their annual CanesFest event today on campus. Fans will be able to tour Miami’s athletic facilities and meet athletes from several of the Hurricanes’ sports teams.
Earlier this month, though, the school announced a new policy for those hoping to participate in the autograph session with members of the football team. To get football autographs, fans will need a free voucher to gain access to the autograph area. Those vouchers will be distributed 3-3:45 p.m. in front of the Schwartz Center, with the autograph session running 4-5 p.m.
In case of inclement weather, the autograph sessions will move indoors. CanesFest, which is free, runs 4-6 p.m. — Christy Cabrera
Chirinos
FAU’s Moise waits
A day after injuring his right knee, receiver Derek Moise watched his Florida Atlantic teammates practice Friday from a bench near the Oxley Athletic Center. Moise did not say much about his knee, which was in a brace, but he had the look of a player concerned about his future.
After Friday’s practice, coach Charlie Partridge said the team will seek a second opinion about Moise’s knee and whether or not he can return during the season, which starts next week against Tulsa.
If the second doctor agrees with the first, it is possible that Moise, a redshirt senior, will miss the entire season. In order to continue his collegiate career, the NCAA would have to grant him a sixth year of eli- gibility per the request of FAU.
Partridge said he would know Moise’s fate within the next couple of days.
Captains named
The Owls named their team captains for this season Friday. In a vote, the players selected six seniors to be their captains. The captains are quarterback Jaquez Johnson, receiver Jenson Stoshak, left guard Mikingson Marsaille, safety Sharrod Neasman, cornerback Cre’von LeBlanc and defensive lineman Trevon Coley.
“All six were overwhelmingly voted captain by their teammates,” Partridge said in a statement.
“I’m happy with the results of the vote because I know these players love Florida Atlantic, will represent us with class on and off the field and will lead in a way that will make Owl fans proud.”
Watching Erika
Partridge made a quick change to the team’s schedule. He added another noncontact practice Friday night in FAU Stadium.
Partridge said the move was made to make sure the Owls could go through their normal walk through before Tropical Storm Erika approached South Florida.
Partridge is getting updates on the storm every few hours and he said the team could practice in another city if students have to evacuate.
“We talked to several facilities in different cities,” Partridge said Thursday.
“If we have to evacuated, we have a plan to keep our kids safe. If we don’t have to evacuate and it’s going to be hard to practice, then we need to plan for that.”
Next game: FAU at Tulsa, 3:30 p.m., Sept. 5, CBS Sports Network.
— Nate Taylor