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SYRACUSE, N.Y. Syracuse coach Doug Marrone said goodbye to his star receiver and defended his starting quarterback Monday.
Mike Williams, the Big East's leading receiver, quit the team. He had 49 catches for 746 yards and six touchdowns. At his weekly news conference, Marrone focused first on quarterback Greg Paulus, the former Duke point guard who returned home to play football this season. Paulus was booed Saturday during a 28-7 loss to Cincinnati at the Carrier Dome.
"I've never seen an athlete at any level, including the NFL, work as hard mentally and physically as Greg has worked since he's joined us here," Marrone said. "Really, what he's accomplished is extraordinary. Maybe he can't be fully appreciated because most don't know just how difficult it is to play quarterback at a Division I program."
Williams, who did not play last year because of academic problems, was suspended for Syracuse's game against Akron nine days ago for violating team policy.
His 20 career touchdown catches tie Marvin Harrison for second at Syracuse, two off Rob Moore's school record. Williams also was named recently as one of 10 finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, presented to the nation's top wide receiver.
"He walked up to me and voluntarily took himself off the team. That's it," Marrone said, declining to elaborate.
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AUBURN: Junior strong safety Zac Etheridge was released from the hospital two days after suffering a neck injury against Mississippi.
Coach Gene Chizik said Auburn's medical staff is confident that will make a complete recovery. Chizik did not release details of the nature of the injury. Etheridge is expected to miss the rest of the season.
FLORIDA: Top-ranked Florida will be without star linebacker Brandon Spikes for the first half of Saturday's game against Vanderbilt.
Coach Urban Meyer suspended Spikes two days after the defensive captain apparently attempted to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey in a 41-17 victory.
Spikes issued a statement apologizing for what he did.
FLORIDA STATE: Quarterback Christian Ponder said his bruised ribs aren't bothering him and he plans to resume throwing at practice. Ponder, who ranks third nationally in total offense per game, suffered the latest rib injury early in Saturday's 45-42 win against N.C. State, but played despite the pain.
The Seminoles will play at Clemson on Saturday
GEORGIA: Coach Mark Richt said Joe Cox, a former Independence High star, will continue as starting quarterback. Richt released a statement Monday saying staff members unanimously decided Cox gives the team its best chance to win. Still, he said sophomore Logan Gray will get some playing time at quarterback this week.
VANDERBILT: Starting quarterback Larry Smith is out for the final three games with a partially torn left hamstring. Mackenzi Adams will make his first start this season Saturday against Florida. Observer news services
