News and Notes from East Carolina, Conference USA and Beyond

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09.27.04: No Nuggets posted because of technical issues.

09.26.04: Gamecocks formally unveil "Pops" in win over Troy ... Major football, baseball changes under study ... More...

09.25.04: Duke dealing with meager home crowds, QB issues ... Bush inks legislation targeting shady agents ... More...

09.24.04: NCAA gives thumbs up to South Carolina's "Pops" ... Imperfect Miami manages win at Houston ... Hula Bowl's future in question ... More...

09.23.04: Pirates order up heavy hoops menu ... Miami seeks win and new recruits in Houston ... More...

09.22.04: 'Pack, Pirates in opposite BCA tourney brackets ... Knight criticizes Olympic team's priorities ... Bowden Bowl again pivotal for Clemson coach ... More...

09.21.04: USM turns to former stars to fill athletics positions ... Tigers take two of league's weekly awards ... UH students get more ducats for ESPN game ... More...

09.20.04: C-USA standings, scoreboard, schedule & TV ... Associated Press college football poll ... USM, Cal reschedule Ivan-delayed game ... Cowboys in party mode after long skid ends ... More...

09.19.04: Frogs to collaborate with European reality TV show ... Historically black schools get showcase game ... Cal under the gun to fund stadium upgrades ... Legislation takes aim at sleazy sports agents ... More...

09.18.04: Diamond Pirates post 'Help Wanted' notice ... Stanford band's satire finally goes too far ... Cincinnati vs. Syracuse: Preview of the future ... Bulls poised for taste of BCS football ... Wolfpack, Buckeyes try to live up to 2003 classic ... More...

09.17.04: Storm refugees invited to FSU-UAB game on the house ... Coaches ditch plan for 5th year of eligibility ... CSU cracks down on alcohol in wake of death ... More...

09.16.04: Marshall coach navigates hot water over remark ... Air Force locks in DeBerry through 2009 ... Bowling Green football player dies ... More...

09.15.04: USM's Bower blasts Cal handling of postponement ... More Ivan: Tulane-Louisville game postponed ... Big bucks lure Hawaii to Alabama in 2006 ... More...

09.14.04: Ivan blows Southern Miss-Cal showdown off track ... Happy days in Memphis over national ranking ... SMU, Texas A&M agree to three-game series ... More...

09.13.04: C-USA standings, scoreboard, schedule & TV ... AP Top 25: Memphis, Louisville make the cut ... College football weekend: stars & storylines ... More...

09.12.04: Southern Miss bags big prey in Big 12 country ... Pitcher sues over weight-training injury ... More...

09.11.04: Tulane football crisis turns into boon for program ... Sooners licking chops over visiting Houston? ... More...

09.10.04: ECU boomer Dougherty nominated for punting award ... Army's Ross still fired up about coaching ... More...

09.09.04: Golden Eagles in countdown mode for Nebraska ... ESPN branching out with new ventures ... Tar Heels book trip to Maui Invitational ... More...

09.08.04: It's official: Holland the chosen one ... AP agrees: Holland the chosen one ... Delayed start an unforgiving one for USM ... Old skeptic Holtz goes positive ... More...

09.07.04: Storm-related tragedy slams Bowden family ... Army AD Greenspan enlists with Hoosiers ... More...

Cincinnati defensive end Trent Cole, who wreaked havoc on East Carolina's pass-blocking schemes last Saturday, is among three players from different schools to earn recognition as Conference USA's football players of the week.

The conference office announced the awards on Monday, noting that all three players helped their teams to conference-opening victories.

Darrell Hackney, QB, UAB: Hackney completed 21-of-31 pass attempts for 398 yards and three touchdowns in UAB’s 35-28 win over Memphis. The 398 yards was the second-highest total in his career as he went over the 4,000-yard mark in career passing yardage as a Blazer.

Trent Cole, DE, Cincinnati: Cole led a Cincinnati defense that limited East Carolina to 11 yards rushing and 203 yards of total offense in a 24-19 victory. He recorded three first half sacks, including one for a safety, and finished with four tackles for loss. Cole had seven total tackles and added four quarterback hurries.

Luke Johnson, P, Southern Miss: Johnson punted four times for an average of 42.5 yards per kick in USM’s win at Tulane. Included was a season-long punt of 56 yards.

A year after it placed a record six men's basketball teams in the NCAA Tournament, Conference USA has six teams ranked in the Top 40 poll of Lindy’s Basketball Magazine.

The preseason annual, which hit newsstands last week, has Louisville and UAB in the Top 25. The Cardinals are ranked No. 20 and the Blazers No. 25, while Cincinnati (27), DePaul (33), Memphis (35) and Marquette (40) were listed in the Top 40.

The publication also ranked the top 10 players at each position, with C-USA producing four players on those lists. Louisville’s Francisco Garcia is the No. 2-ranked small forward, Marquette’s Travis Diener is listed sixth at point guard, Cincinnati’s Jason Maxiell is the No. 6-rated power forward, and Sean Banks of Memphis is ranked ninth at power forward.