They Have Hurricane in Their Eyes

Classes were canceled at Florida because of Hurricane Floyd on Wednesday, although the teaching effort was intensified in the football complex.

NCAA rules say that on days when classes aren’t in session, coaches don’t have to adhere to the four-hour time limit with players. So, for one very important day, the No. 4 Gators got extra preparation time for Saturday’s game against No. 2 Tennessee.

The team met twice, once more than usual. Later, the practice that had been scheduled for indoors was moved back outside because severe weather never materialized in Gainesville, which sits about 75 miles inland from the Atlantic.

“We got a lot of meeting time in,” Coach Steve Spurrier said. “I don’t know if it paid off any. We practiced just so-so today, at least from the offense’s side. Maybe the defense had a better day.”

Meanwhile, in Raleigh, N.C., Floyd has caused problems for North Carolina State Coach Mike O’Cain as he prepares for No. 1 Florida State.

The Wolfpack has already altered its practice plans for the next few days. Heavy rain forced the team inside Wednesday, and O’Cain hopes conditions today will allow at least a team meeting at 6 p.m.

“The one thing I do not want is during the day Thursday when it is supposed to be bad, coaches, players or anybody out traveling,” O’Cain said.

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Oregon reserve tailback Herman Ho-Ching and starting left cornerback Tamoni Joiner were reinstated Wednesday by Coach Mike Bellotti, who suspended them for last week’s game for undisclosed violation of team rules. . . . Brigham Young faces Colorado State tonight in the first Mountain West Conference game.