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News Nuggets, 08.28.04
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Virginia Tech looks to regain luster against No. 1 USC

Three straight late-season stumbles have taken the luster off Virginia Tech. Now the Hokies are looking to get it back, and there's no better way to do that than to knock off No. 1 Southern California.

"Yeah, it's a huge opportunity for us as a ballclub to go out there and gain some respect," Hokies quarterback Bryan Randall said. "We think we're very capable of winning this game."

The Hokies and Trojans open the season Saturday night in the Black Coaches Association Classic at FedEx Field, home of the Washington Redskins.

The BCA had originally planned to showcase a nationally-televised matchup between East Carolina and Virginia Tech in Blacksburg's Lane Stadium, but the organization announced last December it would stage a game between the Hokies and Trojans instead.

Southern Cal opens its title defense without wide receiver Mike Williams after the NCAA's decision Thursday to deny his request to regain his eligibility. Even without the All-American, the Trojans are a 17½-point favorite against the Hokies, who enter the season unranked for the first time since 1998 and have never beaten a No. 1 team in six tries.

"If we can shake things up the first game, there's no telling what the future holds for us," defensive end Jim Davis said.

The Trojans lost several stars from last season's 12-1 squad, but return quarterback Matt Leinart and have unsurpassed depth and athleticism.

USC's biggest concern might be dealing with a series of offseason distractions — some of which are about to become in-season distractions.

Williams tried to enter the NFL draft after his sophomore year but was stymied by a court ruling. USC has receivers with speed and ability, but few with game experience.

The Trojans also will be without Hershel Dennis, one of their three talented tailbacks who has been suspended for violating team rules. Sophomores Reggie Bush and LenDale White, who led the team in rushing last season, should make up for Dennis' absence.

And there's been no resolution to a sexual assault investigation that police say involves at least one USC player. No one has been charged or named in the investigation.

On the field, the Trojans are breaking in four new starters on the offensive line. They are sure to be a target for a Virginia Tech defense that likes to bring pressure.

USC rejoined college football's elite with a national championship last season. Virginia Tech, meanwhile, slipped out of the class of perennial title contenders by going 8-5. The last time the Hokies began the season with such modest expectations was the year before Michael Vick took them to a national title game.

The post-Michael Vick era has been a bit of a letdown in Blacksburg.

"After Michael Vick left, expectations were really high," Randall said. "We were preseason top 10 a couple of times in the last couple of years, but that's a good thing. But you also have to live up to those expectations, which can sometimes be a negative if you're not producing."

In the last three seasons the Hokies have won 26 games — nothing to be ashamed of — but they are only 6-11 after Nov. 1 in those seasons and each year they've played in a less prestigious bowl game.

Last year, Virginia Tech climbed to No. 3 in the polls before losing five of seven — including the Insight Bowl to California.

Randall is being counted on to lead a team short on experience. The senior has the top job to himself this season after sharing it last year with Marcus Vick, Michael's little brother who was suspended from school for getting into trouble with the law in the offseason.

No matter who has been at quarterback for the Hokies in recent years, they've had terrific tailbacks in Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones to lean on. This year Cedric Humes, who averaged 5.8 yards a carry last season, takes the top spot after Jones left early for the NFL.

Randall has proved capable of carrying the team at times. He threw for 1,996 yards and 16 touchdowns and was second on the team in rushing with 404 yards in 2003.

"When you play a quarterback that can run with the football and strike you dead from that position after the play begins, that is the most difficult element of any football team to defend," USC coach Pete Carroll said.

Trio of outsiders poised for potential BCS runs

Texas Christian made a run at becoming the first team from a non-BCS conference to earn a bid to a Bowl Championship Series game by winning its first 10 games last season. The Horned Frogs couldn't close the deal, but they were the talk of college football for weeks. The BCS will expand to five games in the 2006 season to allow greater access to the likes of TCU. For now, there are two wild-card spots available and the best the little guys can do is go undefeated and hope.

So who's this year's TCU? Three possibilities:

LOUISVILLE: The Cardinals have a balanced and explosive offense with QB Stefan LeFors, WR J.R. Russell and RB Eric Shelton. Points won't be a problem. Playing in Conference USA for the last time, they also get a break by missing defending league champ Southern Miss. Potential problems: a defense that allowed over 400 yards per game and a road game at Miami.

UTAH: The Utes' nonconference schedule sports good names (home games against Texas A&M and North Carolina and a road game against Arizona), but is very manageable for an experienced and well-coached team. They'll probably face stiffer challenges in the Mountain West. QB Alex Smith directs coach Urban Meyer's spread offense.

FRESNO STATE: The Bulldogs were everybody's favorite underdogs in 2001 when David Carr's crew beat Wisconsin, Oregon State and Colorado. But loses in the WAC dashed their BCS dreams. Pat Hill's latest team may be even better, with TB Dwayne Wright running behind five returning starters. Starting the season with trips to Washington and Kansas State will be very tough.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2004 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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