C Genus limited in practice; LB Wilson will travel

Posted Dec 3, 2009 by Gregg Becnel

Updated Dec 3, 2009 at 07:52 PM

University of South Florida C Sampson Genus (ankle) practiced Thursday in a limited fashion, Coach Jim Leavitt said, but still remains doubtful for Saturday’s game at Connecticut.

LB Kion Wilson (ankle), who was ruled out by Leavitt earlier this week, will travel with the team.

“We’re going to learn more (Friday),” Leavitt said. “We’re still kind of going day-to-day with them. Kion will travel. … Genus practiced for a little bit. He did a few snaps. We don’t know for sure, but he got in with the ones a little bit. But that’s what I’m saying; it’s so hard to tell because you just don’t know. Every guy is different. Every injury is different. So you don’t know.”

If Genus and Wilson can’t play, their replacements – sophomore Kevin McCaskill and freshman Sam Barrington – would make their first career starts.

Leavitt also said RG Zach Hermann, who missed the past three games with a neck injury, will not play again this season.

FINISHING STRONG: If USF is to end the regular season with a win, senior RB Mo Plancher needs to continue to chew up the yards to take some of the pressure off of freshman QB B.J. Daniels.

Plancher, who had a productive start to the season before becoming a non-factor, has bounced back and is determined to end his career on a positive note.

Plancher rushed for 193 yards and four TDs in USF’s first two games, but had only 200 yards and no TDs in the next seven games. In the Bulls’ past two games, however, Plancher has totaled 146 yards and one TD.

“We’re very pleased with the way he’s playing,” offensive coordinator Mike Canales said. “He’s so determined right now to finish strong. He’s kind of our team captain now that Matt (Grothe) is out of the mix, so he leads us. He’s the voice, it’s a very quiet voice but he carries a big stick. When he talks everybody knows it means something to him.”

For the season, Plancher has rushed for a career-high 539 yards, and his five TDs are one shy of his career-high.

TURNING IT AROUND: Following October’s stabbing death of UConn CB Jasper Howard, the Huskies lost their next three games by a combined 10 points to drop their record to 4-5.

But a double-overtime win at Notre Dame and a blowout win vs. Syracuse have UConn bowl eligible and playing with renewed confidence.

“I’ve been very impressed with UConn,” Leavitt said. “They have a lot of momentum going after beating Notre Dame and then beating Syracuse.”

For the season, UConn’s five losses have been by a total of 15 points.