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News Nuggets, 09.05.04
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Shooting deaths overshadow debut of State QB

RALEIGH — A Marine Corps junior officer was one of two men shot to death Saturday while tailgating before North Carolina State's season-opening game against Richmond, Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said.

One victim was dead at the scene and the other died at a hospital, Harrison said. Neither was an N.C. State student, he said.

The victims were identified as Kevin M. McCann, 23, of Chicago, and 2nd Lt. Brett Johnson Harman, 23, of Park Ridge, Ill. It was not known where Harmon was based, a sheriff's department spokeswoman said.

Harrison said he suspected alcohol consumption contributed to the motive behind the shooting.

Suspects were being sought and the shooting was under investigation.

The incident marred the debut of N.C. State quarterback Jay Davis, who threw two touchdown passes in his first chance as Philip Rivers' replacement, leading the Wolfpack past Division I-AA Richmond 42-0.

Conference USA scoreboard & schedule

THURSDAY
Texas Christian 48, Northwestern 45

SATURDAY
Mississippi State 28, Tulane 7
Memphis 20, Mississippi 13
UAB 56, Baylor 14
Ohio State 27, Cincinnati 6
West Virginia 56, East Carolina 23

SUNDAY
Kentucky at Louisville, 3:00 PM
Houston at Rice, 7:00 PM

MONDAY
Pittsburgh at South Florida, 4:30 PM

SATURDAY, SEPT. 11
Louisville at Army, 1:00 PM
Southern Miss at Nebraska, 12:00 PM
Florida A&M at Tulane, 6:00 PM
Houston at Oklahoma, 6:00PM
Southern Methodist at Texas Christian, 6:30PM
Tennessee Tech at South Florida, 7:00 PM
Chattanooga at Memphis, 7:00 PM
Wake Forest at East Carolina, 7:00 PM
Miami (OH) at Cincinnati, 7:00 PM

Sunday's college football TV capsules

ABC

Syracuse (0-0) at No. 24 Purdue (0-0), 1:30 p.m.
Opening Line: Purdue by 13

What to Watch

The Boilermakers should have no trouble moving the football, but their Achilles' heel this season could be their defense. Purdue only returns three starters from a unit that was 13th in the nation last season, including just one of its front seven, T Brent Glover. Syracuse RB Walter Reyes could be a major factor. Last season, he was a revelation, using his low center of gravity and quick cuts to run for 1,347 yards and a school-record 20 TDs. He gained 5.3 yards per carry. He'll have a chance to be the difference-maker, especially if safeties Anthony Smith and Diamond Ferri can neutralize Purdue WR Taylor Stubblefield - the favorite target of QB Kyle Orton. Purdue's spread offense relies on multiple receivers and an effective ground game, but Stubblefield is the class of the Boilermakers. He needs 31 catches and 1,255 yards receiving to break former teammate John Standeford's Big Ten career records. RB Jerod Void will be a factor as well - he gained 4.1 yards per carry last season. Syracuse has yet to pick a starting QB, but either freshman Joe Fields or sophomore Perry Patterson should start.

Streaks, Stats and Notes

Purdue lost its first home opener in seven years under coach Joe Tiller last season, getting upset 27-26 by Bowling Green. ... Syracuse finished last season 6-6, capping its season by beating Notre Dame 38-12, but missing out on a bowl bid. ... Syracuse teams are now called simply "the Orange" after the athletic department decided to drop the gender-specific nicknames of Orangemen and Orangewomen. ... Purdue finished last season 9-4, beating Georgia 34-27 in overtime in the Capital One Bowl.

ESPN

Kentucky (0-0) at Louisville (0-0), 3:30 p.m.
Opening Line: Louisville by 8

What to Watch

The RB duo of Eric Shelton and Lionel Gates will once again be key for Louisville, after a season in which they combined for over 1,600 yards. Kentucky counters with an experienced defensive line, but no returning starters at LB - which will make the presence of DE Vincent "Sweet Pea" Burns even more crucial. The potential All-SEC performer had arthroscopic knee surgery Aug. 19 and his status for the game remains uncertain. He will most likely be limited to no more than 15-20 plays, meaning Louisville QB Stefan LeFors will have to find a way to move the ball through the air as well. WR J.R. Russell is the Cardinals' main weapon at WR, and though the Cardinals have a run-first offense, they can throw, too - last season, Louisville averaged 35.6 points and 488.8 yards of total offense. Kentucky's offense will rely on QB Shane Boyd, an experienced former backup who is a threat to scramble. He'll be protected by a very green offensive line, and the Wildcats WRs are a largely untested bunch. TE Jeremiah Drobney should be a factor though. He's healthy after playing with a broken hand for most of last year. The Wildcats will also have four RBs sharing time, with Arliss Beach and Draak Davis getting most of the action.

Streaks, Stats and Notes

Louisville coach Bobby Petrino called a timeout with 13 seconds left in last year's game that allowed the Cardinals time to tack on an extra touchdown. ... The Cardinals finished 9-4 last season, losing 49-28 to Miami (Ohio) in the GMAC bowl. ... The Wildcats finished 4-8 last season. ... The teams plan to continue their series after the present contract runs out in 2005. ... They play for the Governor's Cup, a trophy created when the series resumed after 70 years off in 1994.

Fox Sports Net

Fresno State (0-0) at Washington (0-0), 5:30 p.m.
Opening Line: Washington by 4½

What to Watch

One of the best Fresno State teams in a long time faces one of the worst Washington teams in a while. Last year, the Huskies barely avoided their first losing season since 1976, and they'll need a strong performance out of defensive leaders LB Joe Lobendahn, CB Derrick Johnson and DL Manase Hopoi to hold the Bulldogs in check. Fresno State has five returning starters on its offensive line, and QB Paul Pinegar is healthy after he was hampered by a torn pectoral muscle last season. RB Dwayne Wright should be the focus of the offense, however, as the WRs are green. For the Huskies, QB Casey Paus will have to remain calm against Fresno State DE Brian Morris (11 sacks) and DT Garrett McIntyre (eight), who led the WAC in sacks last season. He has a speedy WR in Charles Frederick, who caught 59 passes for 831 yards and five TDs last season, as well as two capable RBs in Kenny James and Shelton Sampson.

Streaks, Stats and Notes

Washington finished 6-6 last season, a campaign that included an embarrassing 28-17 loss at home to Nevada. ... The Bulldogs finished 9-5 last season, beating UCLA 17-9 in the Silicon Valley Classic. ... Washington is playing in its first Sunday game ever.

ESPN2

UNLV (0-0) at No. 14 Tennessee (0-0), 8 p.m.
Opening Line: Tennessee by 20.

What to Watch

Although the Volunteers are overwhelming favorites, they'll need their freshman QB - whoever it is - to remain calm in the face of UNLV's confusing, blitzing defense if they want to avoid a scare or worse. Both Erik Ainge and Brent Schaeffer will play. The Volunteers are deep at RB, with Cedric Houston starting, but Corey Larkins and Gerald Riggs will see time as well. WRs Tony Brown and Chris Hannon are back for the Vols as well, as is dominant LT Michael Munoz. UNLV's main playmaker on defense is S Jamaal Brimmer, who had six interceptions last season, and could victimize Tennessee's QBs. On offense, the Rebels will use two QBs, as well. Last season's starter, Kurt Nantkes will start, but Shane Steichen also will see time.

Streaks, Stats and Notes

UNLV hasn't had a winning season since 2000. ... Tennessee Vols finished the season 10-3 after a second straight loss in the Peach Bowl, this time to Clemson. ... Whether Ainge or Schaeffer plays, he'll make SEC history. No team in the league has ever had a true freshman start a game at quarterback. ... UNLV upset Wisconsin last season, but finished 6-6.

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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