University of South Florida RB Mike Ford (ankle) was limited in practice Wednesday and is questionable for Saturday’s game at UCF, Bulls coach Jim Leavitt said.

However, the status of fellow RB Ben Williams (ankle) has improved.

“I think he’ll play,” Leavitt said. “He’s probable.”

Williams’ return – if he’s close to 100 percent – will provide the Bulls with a boost.

“Ben’s always a back you don’t have to worry about fumbling or messing up,” QB Matt Grothe said. “He’s always sound and holds onto the ball well and he’s always going to get you those yards that you need. Ben always is there when you need him.”

And while Leavitt said sophomore TE Trent Pupello (ankle) is “50/50,” the Jefferson grad, who was out of his protective boot, was far more optimistic.

“I’ll be playing,” Pupello said. “You can put that in the paper.”

NO RESPECT: After senior Marcus Edwards’ recording-setting performance against Tennessee-Martin, one would think he would’ve earned the respect of his teammates.

However, early in Wednesday’s practice during punt drills, SS Carlton Williams playfully needled Edwards from the sideline saying, “Can we get a touchdown this week, please. I think Pat [Richardson] could’ve gotten one if he had more chances.”

Edwards had seven returns for 124 yards against UTM, while Richardson had one for 29. Also, freshman Theo Wilson had a 67-yard return for a TD on his lone opportunity.

A GOOD START: Junior Jessie Hester, who was second on the team a year ago with 35 catches for 418 yards, caught three passes for 50 yards and two TDs in USF’s season-opening win. The two scores are half of his team-leading four he caught last season.

“I just wanted to go out and play my best game possible,” Hester said. “I felt really good getting back into the swing of things. Just being able to play a game, you can’t take that for granted.

“I would like to expand and get better as the season goes on. You never just want to stay in one spot and feel like you can’t get any better. I really want to try to get better every week as the year goes on.”

CAPTAINS: TE Cedric Hill, C Jake Griffin, CB Tyller Roberts and FS Danny Verpaele will serve as captains for the UCF game. 

MO BETTER: Junior RB Moise Plancher’s performance in USF’s easy win Saturday has been a long time coming.

Plancher tore his ACL in his first start as a freshman in 2006 and missed the entire season. He saw limited action a year ago, rushing just 10 times for 17 yards.

But against Tennessee-Martin, Plancher came off the bench to rush eight times for 65 yards and score the first two touchdowns of his career.

“I was excited for Mo,” Bulls QB Matt Grothe said. “My freshman year, me, Mo and George [Selvie] were roommates and we always want to say we had the best room combination of all time. When Mo finally got into the end zone, me and George gave him a hard time saying that all three of us were roommates at one point.

Even when Ford and Williams return completely, Plancher’s feel-good game should help him secure playing time in an already crowded backfield.

“I could tell Mo was happy,” Grothe said. “I was definitely really happy for him especially since everything he’s gone through the last couple of years and knowing how he would do anything to be on that field. And then to finally get the opportunity and do what he did … I think you’re going to see a lot more of Mo throughout the year.”