Wednesday, September 18, 2002

Strock solidifies game plan, makes changes in depth chart for Bethune-Cookman

inal preparations for Saturday's South Florida Classic game against No. 24 Bethune-Cookman took place during FIU's two-hour practice at Community Stadium, Wednesday, with head coach Don Strock saying he was pleased with the effort.

"Practice was pretty good, today," he said. "We solidified our offensive and defensive plans. Tomorrow will be more of a thinking-type practice in helmets. Friday, we'll walk through substitutions and special teams and get ready to play."

The Golden Panthers will play the Wildcats with several changes to the depth chart, the most noticeable of which is the insertion of junior transfer Jermell Weaver (Miami/ Northwestern) as the starting strong safety. He replaces redshirt freshman John Haritan (Casselberry/Lyman) who started the first three games at that position.

The much-heralded Weaver played in four games last season for national champion University of Miami. His season was cut short, however, when he suffered a torn ACL while making a tackle on special teams against West Virginia last Oct. 25.

He joined the FIU program after being given his release by Miami in late summer and made his first Golden Panthers appearance last Saturday against Butler, when he led the team with seven tackles while playing on special teams and in the defensive backfield.

"Jermell is still not 100 percent yet, but we want to give him some time back there and we still have John Haritan who has been with us since the beginning," Strock said. "It gives us a chance to keep fresh bodies back in our defensive secondary, which is what we're trying to get to--becoming two deep all the way around."

Also slated for his first start at right tackle is Tim Dierks (Clewiston/ Clewiston) who, at 6-feet-4 and 250 pounds, becomes the second true freshman on the FIU starting offensive line, joining 6-feet-6, 292 pound John Shanahan (Brandon/Brandon) who is at left tackle.

"We'll move Victor Cernius (Tampa/Tampa Catholic) inside because Matt Mathews (Ellerton/ Palmetto) has had some shoulder and hip troubles that have worn him down a bit," said Strock. "But they'll all get a chance to play and like I've told them, it's really not all that important who starts."

Running back Bill Grant (Belle Glade/Glades Central) was still hobbled by low back strain. Julius Eppinger (Miami/Miami Senior) took Grant's place on kick-off returns, Wednesday during special teams work.