VIEW THE MOBILE ALPHA VERSION OF THIS SITE

News Nuggets, 09.27.03
NOTES FROM ECU AND BEYOND...

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

Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Tuition jackpot and other booty on the line for ECU students

GREENVILLE — East Carolina University students will have a chance to win free tuition for a semester and other valuable awards by attending the ECU-Houston football game on Tuesday night (7:30 p.m., ESPN2), the school's athletic department announced this week.

One student prize will be given out per quarter, leading up to the fourth-quarter drawing for free in-state tuition and fees for next semester. Other awards to be given out include a one-year parking permit, a meal plan for the spring semester, and a book scholarship (maximum $400) for spring 2004.

Read complete details and rules on ECUPirates.com >>>

C-USA alums picked for Olympic baseball trials

A pair of former Conference USA standouts are among the 30 professional players invited to the 2003 Olympic Qualifying Team Trials in Phoenix, Ariz., on Oct. 3-23, USA Baseball announced today.

Former Houston pitcher/shortstop Jesse Crain and ex-Charlotte pitcher Jason Stanford will vie for roster spots on the 24-man United States Olympic Qualifying Team. Montreal Expos manager Frank Robinson will serve as the team’s coach at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games Baseball Qualifying Tournament for the Americas in Panama City, Panama, Oct. 30-Nov. 10.

A sixth round selection by the Minnesota Twins in the June, 2002 draft, Crain posted a 3-1 record with a 3.12 ERA and 10 saves this summer at triple-A Rochester after opening the season at single-A Fort Myers.

Stanford was signed by the Cleveland Indians as a non-drafted free agent in June, 1999 and made his way to the major leagues in four years, making his big league debut on July 6, 2003 vs. the Minnesota Twins. He has made 12 appearances for the Tribe this summer, going 0-3 with a 4.09 ERA in seven starts.

The Team USA trials roster is subject to change during the trials process, as the final 24-man roster that will travel to Panama will not be announced until Oct. 24. Team USA opens pool play in the event on Oct. 31 vs. Colombia.

Team USA will play a total of 12 exhibition games against each of the Arizona Fall League's six teams, beginning Oct. 10 against the Mesa Solar Sox at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Ariz.

TV shifts Louisville-TCU basketball game

LOUISVILLE — The University of Louisville's men's basketball game at Texas Christian has been moved to Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. EST to accommodate its telecasting by ESPN2. The game had originally been scheduled on Feb. 18. The move increases the number of 2003-04 nationally-televised games for the Cardinals of Coach Rick Pitino to 13.

Maine handed a 'W' in Isabel-canceled William & Mary game

ORONO, Maine — The Atlantic 10 Conference awarded Maine a victory for Saturday's scheduled football game at William & Mary that was canceled in the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel. In the decision, described as unprecedented in the conference, William & Mary came away with a no-contest.

The decision was made by Atlantic 10 presidents, acting on the recommendations of the league's athletic directors. It reflects Maine's efforts to play the game, along with an understanding of the unique circumstances facing William & Mary after the storm that caused power outages and prompted concerns about public safety, according to commissioner Linda Bruno.

Officials at Maine said the conference resolved the issue fairly. ``While we would prefer to earn any victory on the field, in this instance this was not possible,'' athletic director Patrick Nero said. ``We appreciate and support the decision made by the members of the Atlantic 10 Conference.''

The win boosts the Black Bears' record to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the conference; William & Mary remains 1-2 overall and 0-1 in league play.

College football TV capsules for Saturday

3:30 PM, ABC: Wake Forest (3-1) at Virginia (2-1), 3:30 p.m.

Opening Line: OFF.
Series Record: Virginia leads 32-12.
Last Meeting: 2002, Virginia, 38-34.

WHAT TO WATCH: Marques Hagans will be the Cavaliers QB if Matt Schaub can't play. Schaub separated his shoulder in Virginia's first game, and Virginia coach Al Groh has kept mum on his status. Hogans, a QB who had been converted to a WR, had the luxury of an off week to prepare for the Demon Deacons. Against Western Michigan two weeks ago, Hagans threw three touchdown passes and completed 12 of 20 passes for 162 yards and rushed for 68 yards on nine carries. Wake Forest's defense will also have to deal with TB Wali Lundy and WR Deyon Williams. Demon Deacons QB Cory Randolph is unspectacular, but highly efficient. He's 46-for-77 this season. WR Willie Idlette is a threat on returns, too. He's the ACC's top freshman in all-purpose yards, with more than 100 per game, and scored on a reverse last week against East Carolina. Although Wake Forest's defense allows 423 total yards per game _ they have some playmakers in S Warren Braxton and CB Eric King (two interceptions this season). Also, Wake Forest P Ryan Plackmeier is averaging almost 47 yards this season.

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES: A win would make the Demon Deacons 2-0 in the ACC for the first time since 1987. They upset N.C. State earlier this season. ... Virginia has won 18 of the past 19 meetings. ... Both Groh and Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe attended Virginia. ... The Deacons are off to their best start since 1999.

7 PM, TBS: Tulane (3-1) at No. 14 Texas (2-1), 7 p.m.

Opening Line: Texas by 31.
Series Record: Texas leads 16-1-1.
Last Meeting: 2002, Texas, 49-0.

WHAT TO WATCH: Texas has struggled in the recent past with well-balanced teams. Remember, two weeks ago, the Longhorns couldn't stop Arkansas' pass-run attack. Well, Tulane QB J.P. Losman leads the nation with 1,355 yards and 15 touchdowns. And RB Mewelde Moore is Conference USA's career rushing leader, and has also been effective as a receiver in Tulane's pass-first offense. Of course, Texas' best bet might be to keep the ball away from the Green Wave. RB Cedric Benson is back to his old ways. After rushing for just 67 yards in the Longhorns' first two games, he had 130 yards and two TDs on 18 carries last week in Texas' 48-7 win over Rice. He also caught a 59-yard TD pass. Benson's backup, Selvin Young also had two TDs last week. Texas QB Chance Mock also has one of the nation's top WRs in Roy Williams.

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES: The Green Wave's eight wins last season were the school's most since a 12-0 season in 1998. ... Losman has completed 74 percent of his fourth-quarter and overtime passes this season. ... The Green Wave leads the nation with 15 takeaways. ... Moore is also fifth on Tulane's career receptions list.

7:45 PM, ESPN: South Carolina (3-1) at No. 8 Tennessee (3-0), 7:45 p.m.

Opening Line: Tennessee by 14.
Series Record: Tennessee leads 17-2-2.
Last Meeting: 2002, Tennessee, 18-10.

WHAT TO WATCH: Tennessee could be in for a letdown after its big road win against Florida. It happened two years ago, when the Vols beat the Gators and were poised to play for the national title but fell to LSU in the SEC title game. Jabari Davis emerged as a rushing threat against the Gators last week when Cedric Houston left with a hip pointer. Davis took over and had 20 carries for 78 yards and two touchdowns in the 24-10 win at The Swamp. He and Houston should split time. South Carolina found its rushing game last week against UAB — Demetris Summers ran for 161 yards and three touchdowns. Summers and QB Dondrial Pinkins could have a harder time against the Tennessee defense. LB Kevin Simon has 38 tackles and 3 sacls and is at the heart of a unit that has allowed just 2.0 yards per carry this season — best in the SEC. DE Parys Haralson has a non-stop motor and had two sacks against Florida. South Carolina will be without starting OL Chad Walker, who is out for the season after getting hurt last week. The Gamecocks will also have a new placekicker, after Daniel Weaver went 1-for-5 this season.

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES: Tennessee is 11-0 at home against South Carolina and has won the past 10 in a row against the Gamecocks. ... The Vols have 12 sacks this season, good for second in the SEC. ... South Carolina coach Lou Holtz's 241 career wins are third among active coaches, behind only Bobby Bowden of Florida State and Joe Paterno of Penn State.

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