Boise State tailback Ian Johnson has a bruised kidney, and will miss a second consecutive game Friday when the Broncos play a Western Athletic Conference game at Fresno State, coach Chris Petersen said after Saturday's 45-31 victory against Louisiana Tech, according to the Idaho Statesman.

Johnson became the Broncos' eighth starter to miss a game with an injury this year.

"(Doctors) decided he should sit two games," Petersen told the newspaper, "and as long as the X-rays kind of check out like they think they're going to, then we should get him back for San Jose (on Nov. 3)."

The junior running back was injured during the Oct. 14 game against Nevada.

FLORIDA STATE

LEE OUT AT QB, WEATHERFORD BACK IN

After nearly a month on the bench, junior Drew Weatherford will return as Florida State's starting quarterback for Saturday's game against Duke.

Just as he did last season, Weatherford will take over for junior Xavier Lee, coach Bobby Bowden said yesterday. Lee replaced Weatherford on Sept. 29.

For the second time in his career, Lee has been yanked — this time after poor finishes in consecutive losses to North Carolina State and Miami the last two weeks.

In Saturday's 37-29 loss to Miami, Lee was intercepted twice and had two fumbles. One of the fumbles was recovered by the Hurricanes for a key late-game touchdown.

RUTGERS

QB TEEL VOWS TO PLAY AGAINST WEST VIRGINIA

Rutgers quarterback Mike Teel vowed to play against No. 6 West Virginia despite being limited in practice yesterday because of a bruised right throwing hand.

"That's not happening," Teel said when asked if he might miss the No. 25 Scarlet Knights' game Saturday. "I will be there."

Teel hurt his right thumb against Cincinnati on Oct. 6 and the injury now involves a bruised hand.

ELSEWHERE

Louisville: Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese called Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich Sunday, saying the referees erred during a disputed punt return for a touchdown by Connecticut early in the third quarter in Louisville's 21-17 loss on Friday.

On the play, Connecticut's Larry Taylor moved under the ball and waved his right hand above his head, appearing to make a fair catch signal.

But when Taylor caught the ball, he began running to his left and raced untouched 74 yards up the sideline for a touchdown. Several Cardinals had slowed, thinking the play was over when Taylor made the catch.

Florida: Safety Major Wright had surgery to repair a broken thumb yesterday, but Gators coach Urban Meyer said the freshman could play against No. 20 Georgia. Backup receiver Riley Cooper also had surgery yesterday to repair a broken finger.

Georgia Tech: Tailback Tashard Choice will have surgery today to determine the severity of the knee injury he suffered Saturday against Army. Choice will miss the Nov. 1 game against Virginia Tech, but his status for the rest of the season is not known, according to coach Chan Gailey.

North Carolina: Cornerback Jermaine Strong and offensive tackle Andre Barbour were suspended yesterday for violating team and university rules.

Barbour, a sophomore, faces a court appearance today in Orange County on a misdemeanor charge of possession of up to one-half of an ounce of marijuana, according to the North Carolina Court System's Web site. No details were available on the reason for Strong's suspension.