News Nuggets, 08.23.03
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

New ECU depth chart packed with answers

GREENVILLE — Little more than a week before East Carolina kicks off its 2003 season, the Pirates' starting lineup is settled — at least for now.

First-year head coach John Thompson announced a long-awaited official depth chart, resolving lingering questions about several first-team slots which had been up for grabs.

Desmond Robinson, last year's backup, will be the starting quarterback for ECU's Labor Day game at Cincinnati, according to the two-deep released by Thompson on Friday.

Robinson and fellow junior Paul Troth have been battling for the starting job throughout spring and fall practice sessions.

Troth is the incumbent starter, having completed 49 percent of his passes for 2,315 yards and 15 touchdowns with 20 interceptions last season. Robinson played in eight games in 2002, completing 48 percent for 250 yards, one TD and two pickoffs.

While Robinson is penciled in as the starting signal-caller for Sept. 1, Thompson stressed that both players were likely to see action.

"We've said all along that we've got two guys that could win for us," he said. "We just felt like right now, Des has been a little more consistent. But Paul is going to have to step in there and win games for us also. This is something that we've done for this game and, at this time, we feel like it's the best thing for everybody involved. We're ready to roll."

The depth chart shows both experience — 13 seniors are listed — and youth. Five true freshman are expected to see immediate action.

Junior Marvin Townes, who rushed for 304 yards on 76 carries last season, will step into the starting role at tailback after senior all-conference rusher Art Brown was lost for the season due to a knee injury. Newcomers Kevin Fain, a junior college transfer, and Robert Tillman, a true freshman, will back him up.

Junior Cameron Broadwell will be the Pirates' opening-day place kicker.

VIEW THE COMPLETE ECU DEPTH CHART

Butkus committee eyes seven C-USA players

The Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Inc. (DACO), the organization which annually presents the prestigious Butkus Award to the nation’s best collegiate linebacker, has announced the preliminary list of 90 candidates for this year’s award. Seven of the candidates hail from Conference USA.

Rod Davis of Southern Miss, a consensus preseason All-American selection last season, is joined by teammate Michael Boley, Derrick Ballard of Memphis, Anthony Cannon of Tulane, Rod Day of Louisville, Maurice Jones of South Florida and Zac Woodfin of UAB as C-USA’s representatives on the list.

The Butkus Award Watch List will be trimmed to 10 semi-finalists on Thursday, October 16. That list will be cut to three finalists, who will be announced via a national teleconference with players, coaches, media members and Butkus Award officials on Thursday, November 13. The winner will be announced Friday, December 12, 2003 at the Butkus Award Gala in Orlando, Fla.

Created in 1985 by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando Inc., the Butkus Award carries the name and support of one of the greatest middle linebackers in football history, Dick Butkus. The Butkus Award is regarded as one of the most elite individual honors in college.

Last year's recipient was E.J. Henderson of Maryland. Oklahoma's Brian Bosworth won the award the award the first two years it was presented (1985-1986).

Hawaii Bowl lands new title sponsor

HONOLULU — Sheraton Hotels & Resorts has reached an agreement to take over title sponsorship of the Hawaii Bowl. Terms of the multiyear pact were not disclosed when the deal was announced earlier this week. Sheraton replaces ConAgra Foods, which terminated its agreement with the postseason college football game earlier this year.

The hotel chain will receive extensive on-air advertising during the game, which will be televised on ESPN, and gain exposure through the sports network's magazine, radio network and Web site, ESPN said in a news release.

The Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, scheduled for Christmas Day at Aloha Stadium, is owned and operated by ESPN Regional Television, the marketing arm of the cable sports network, in partnership with the University of Hawaii, the Western Athletic Conference and Conference USA. Sheraton, one of several brands owned by White Plains, N.Y.-based Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., has seven properties in Hawaii.

C-USA representative Tulane beat WAC member Hawaii 36-28 in last year's inaugural Hawaii Bowl. It marked the return of a postseason game after a one-year absence following Aloha Sports Inc.'s decision to move the Aloha Bowl and the Oahu Bowl to the West Coast in 2001.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2003 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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