VIEW THE MOBILE ALPHA VERSION OF THIS SITE

News Nuggets, 10.31.03
NOTES FROM ECU AND BEYOND...

Previous Day Nuggets...             Next Day Nuggets...

Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

'Bama booster indicted in Means recruiting fiasco

A Memphis businessman was indicted by a grand jury Thursday for allegedly paying $150,000 to have a promising football player attend Alabama. Logan Young pleaded innocent to the charges, which include conspiracy, crossing state lines to commit racketeering and arranging bank withdrawals to cover up a crime. He was released without bond.

Young is accused of conspiring with former Trezevant High School coach Lynn Lang and others to influence Albert Means, a highly recruited defensive lineman, to accept an athletic scholarship with the Crimson Tide.

In the wake of the scandal, Means was allowed by the NCAA to transfer to Memphis, where he is a defensive lineman. The Tigers, incidentally, host East Carolina at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Each of the charges in the indictment carries a maximum punishment of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, though federal guidelines would call for a lighter sentence upon conviction.

Authorities say Means apparently knew nothing about the scheme. He played one season at Alabama before transferring to the Memphis. Means' family has said he relied on Lang's advice in selecting a college in 2000.

Lang pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing. The scandal became part of an NCAA investigation that last year resulted in Alabama being put on five years' probation and banned from bowl games for two seasons. Its number of football scholarships also were reduced.

University officials wouldn't comment on the indictment of Young, who was a longtime booster.

Tonight's Cincinnati at USF TV capsule

ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.
Cincinnati (4-3) at South Florida (4-3)

Opening Line: South Florida by 4.
Series Record: First meeting.
Last Meeting: First meeting.

What to Watch: This shapes up to be a defensive battle, as South Florida leads the CUSA in total defense (292.1 ypg), while Cincinnati is second (309.0 ypg). UC has the top rushing defense in the conference (76.4 ypg), while USF owns the league's top scoring defense (18.9 ppg). The Bearcats have limited their last three foes to an average of 51.7 yards rushing. Cincinnati did outgain Army 345-138 to snap a three-game losing streak last week. Junior RB Richard Hall has four 100-yard efforts and 9 TDs in six games this season. South Florida saw several promising drives fail vs. Southern Miss. USF came away with just two field goals in four trips inside the opponents 20, including blocked field goal that turned into a USM TD and a fumble inside the five-yard line. USF senior LB Maurice Jones recorded 17 tackles last week and is third in the league in tackles with 83. Cincinnati has an active defense, but is vulnerable to the pass, as the Bearcats are ranked seventh in the conference in passing efficiency defense.

Streaks, Stats and Notes: This is South Florida's first year in Conference USA. ... USF is 4-3 in their first meetings against C-USA schools, posting wins over Houston, East Carolina, Army and Louisville. ... USF has one of the top home winning records in the nation, compiling a 38-6 record at old Tampa Stadium and Raymond James Stadium during its seven-season history. ... Cincinnati is playing its first game in the state of Florida since a trip to Florida State in 1990. The Bearcats' remaining opponents have a combined record of 27-12. UC's first six foes are 19-35.

'Pack's Cotchery named Biletnikoff semifinalist

North Carolina State senior Jerricho Cotchery is among the nine semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top wide receiver.

Oklahoma State's Rashaun Woods, Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald, Roy Williams of Texas, Mike Williams of Southern California, Washington's Reggie Williams, Mark Clayton of Oklahoma, LSU's Michael Clayton and Craphonso Thorpe of Florida State are the other semifinalists.

The Award is named for Fred Biletnikoff, who played college football at Florida State and starred in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders.

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.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007