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[ Originally posted 08.25.03 ]
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AP CONFERENCE
USA PREVIEW
Frogs strive to
live up to expectations |
By The Associated Press
Texas Christian coach Gary Patterson didn't
see a team that deserves a preseason No. 25 ranking at a recent Horned Frogs
scrimmage.
"We have a lot of work to do to be the team
that people think we're going to be,"' said Patterson, beginning his third
season as TCU's head coach.
Despite Patterson's assessment, the
defending Conference USA co-champions still figure be the team to beat again
this year. Six starters return for a defense that led the nation in rushing
yards allowed (65 per game) and was second with 42 turnovers.
On offense, the returning lettermen include
2002 Conference USA freshman of the year Lonta Hobbs and sophomore
quarterback Tye Gunn, who was 4-0 as a starter before suffering a
season-ending knee injury in October. Gunn is healthy again, and Patterson
feels comfortable letting him run the team despite his limited game
experience.
"He's a leader and you can always tell when
he's around, people are going to listen to what he says," Patterson said.
TCU shared the 2002 league title with
Cincinnati, which will once again be led by quarterback Gino Guidugli. The
junior set a school season record for passing yards in 2002.
Both TCU and Cincinnati defeated two-time
defending league champion Louisville in 2002, sending the Cardinals
spiraling to a disappointing 7-6 record. U of L's season culminated in a
bowl loss to Marshall and the departure of coach John L. Smith to Michigan
State. Louisville hired Bobby Petrino, who was the Cardinals' offensive
coordinator in 1998 � when they led the nation in scoring (40.4 points) and
total offense (560 yards).
Southern Mississippi also is looking to
return to the league's top tier after a 7-6 campaign in 2002. The Golden
Eagles won or shared three of the first four Conference USA championships,
but haven't finished better than third since 1999. They'll have a have an
opportunity to win abiding respect for themselves and their league by
springing an upset when the Nebraska Cornhuskers pay a Sept. 25 visit to
Hattiesburg.
South Florida joins the league this season
and figures to contend immediately, after going 9-2 in 2002, including four
wins against Conference USA opponents.
UAB welcomes back quarterback Darrell
Hackney, its top three rushers and three of its four top receivers from
2002.
Tulane also has much of its starting
offense back, including quarterback J.P. Losman and running back Mewelde
Moore. The Green Wave finished 8-5 in 2002.
Memphis quarterback Danny Wimprine set
school records for passing yards and touchdown throws in 2002, but he's one
of only four offensive starters back for the Tigers.
East Carolina will break in a new head
coach � John Thompson � and will try a new starting quarterback � Desmond
Robinson � after enduring its first losing season since 1997, thus failing
to reach the postseason for the first time since 1998. The sour taste of
that 2002 campaign will be completely neutralized if the Pirates can topple
mighty Miami for the third straight time in the Orange Bowl on Sept. 13.
Houston will also try to rejuvenate its
program under new coach Art Briles, who will quickly be labeled a
miracle-worker if the Cougars upend Michigan in Ann Arbor on Sept. 6.
Meanwhile, Army continues to rebuild under
Todd Berry as the Black Knights seek to climb the ladder in C-USA before
rejoining the independent ranks in 2005.
| CONFERENCE USA PREVIEW
SUMMARY Team capsules, in
predicted order of finish:
TEXAS CHRISTIAN: The preseason ranking is
the Horned Frogs' first since 2000, but second since 1960. ... The Frogs
have won 41 of their last 60 games. ... The '02 league title was TCU's third
in four years. The Frogs won WAC championships in '99 and '00.
SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI: Coach Jeff Bower,
entering his 13th season, has the seventh longest tenure at one school among
I-A coaches. ... Southern Miss will play three games on Thursday night ...
The Eagles were last in Conference USA in third-down conversion percentage
(30.2 percent) in 2002.
SOUTH FLORIDA: The Bulls' 19-game
home-field winning streak is the second longest in the country, behind
Miami's 21-game run. ... The current seven-game winning streak is the
longest among Conference USA teams. ... PK Santiago Gramatica is the younger
brother of NFL kickers Martin and Bill Gramatica.
LOUISVILLE: The Cardinals have reached a
bowl game the past five seasons. ... They averaged 107 rushing yards per
game in '02, 104th in the nation. ... The natural grass at Papa John's
Cardinal Stadium was replaced with artificial turf in offseason.
TULANE: The Green Wave led league in
turnover margin (plus 13) in 2002. ... LB Anthony Cannon led the nation's
freshmen with 114 tackles. ... The first name of RB Mewelde Moore is Swahili
for ``he who gets his wisdom, knowledge and strength from God.''
CINCINNATI: The Bearcats are coming off
third straight bowl appearance for first time in school history. ...
Cincinnati was last in Conference USA in fourth-down conversion percentage
(7-of-24, 29.2 percent) in '02. ... Guidugli ranks third in school history
in passing yards (6,116) and second in career TD passes (39).
UAB: QB Hackney started final eight games
of '02. ... LB Zac Woodfin set a school record with 120 tackles in '02. ...
The Blazers have 16 starters back.
EAST CAROLINA: The Pirates' 4-8 mark in '02
was first losing record since '97. ... North Carolina will make first-ever
trip to Greenville on Oct. 11. ... Pirates had league's worst defense (446
yards per game) in '02.
MEMPHIS: The Tigers lost seven of last
eight in '02. ... Former coach Rip Scherer is now the offensive coordinator
at Southern Miss. ... QB Danny Wimprine's 37 TD passes are a school record.
... Tigers' 303 points in '02 was highest total since '92.
HOUSTON: The Cougars were last in the
league in turnover margin (minus-16) in '02. ... WR Brandon Middleton
averaged 24 yards per reception in '02, tops among nation's returning
receivers. ... DE Farouk Adelekan had 38 tackles in '02, 18 for losses.
ARMY: The Knights are 5-29 over last three
seasons. ... They will make first-ever trip to Hawaii for Nov. 22 game with
the Warriors.
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Copyright 2003 The Associated
Press. Bonesville.net contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
02/23/2007 10:48:11 AM
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