San Jose St. Holds Out Whitaker

San Jose State tailback Deonce Whitaker, the nation’s sixth-leading rusher, will be held out of the Spartans’ next two games as a medical precaution.

Whitaker experienced tingling in his fingers and legs during San Jose State’s 34-24 loss to USC at the Coliseum last Saturday.

After X-rays, an MRI exam and consultation with a spine expert in Los Angeles, the school’s training staff and coaches decided to hold out Whitaker for two weeks to allow swelling in the area to subside.

Whitaker, a senior, had surgery on his neck in March to release pressure from a herniated disc between the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae.

“Fortunately, the tingling sensation Deonce experienced during the USC game is not related to his previous neck surgery,” San Jose State head athletic trainer Charlie Miller said.

Whitaker has rushed for 597 yards and averaged 8.5 yards per carry--second nationally to Miami’s Clinton Portis (12.1). It was announced Wednesday that Portis, a sophomore who has rushed for 253 yards, will be sidelined at least three weeks because of three broken toes on his right foot.

*

Adam Taliaferro’s father believes the Penn State cornerback will overcome a spine injury to walk again.

“My son is strong, that’s why I’m telling you my boy is going to come back,” Andre Taliaferro said at Ohio State University Medical Center.

Adam Taliaferro, 18, underwent spinal fusion surgery Monday at the hospital after bruising his spinal cord Saturday while making a headfirst tackle against Ohio State. A metal pin and bone graft were inserted to stabilize his spine at the neck.

*

Running back Deuce McAllister’s status for Mississippi’s game against Kentucky on Saturday will be determined just before kickoff. McAllister, the Rebels’ leading rusher, has been nursing a sprained right shoulder since Mississippi’s victory over Vanderbilt on Sept. 16. The Rebels (2-1) had an open date last week. . . . Washington State linebacker James Price will miss Saturday’s game at California because of a broken hand. . . South Carolina quarterback Phil Petty, hobbled by a sprained right ankle, is expected to miss the Gamecocks’ game at Alabama on Saturday. Coach Lou Holtz said he’s planning to start Erik Kimrey, but is also looking at freshman Dondrial Pinkins.