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News Nuggets, 01.06.05
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Louisville losing battering ram Shelton to NFL draft

Louisville running back Eric Shelton and Florida linebacker Channing Crowder will leave school early to enter the NFL draft. Matt Leinart, however, still plans to take his time before making a decision.

West Virginia cornerback and return specialist Adam ``Pac Man'' Jones also said Wednesday he will forgo his remaining eligibility to turn pro, as did Maryland defensive end Shawne Merriman and Clemson cornerback Justin Miller.

Georgia junior Thomas Davis also appears headed to the NFL. The Macon Telegraph and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Davis, who could be the first safety selected, told his high school coach that he has decided to enter the April draft.

After throwing five touchdown passes in the Orange Bowl on Tuesday night and leading Southern California (13-0) to a second straight national title with a 55-19 victory over Oklahoma, Leinart and his teammates celebrated into the wee hours in Miami before arriving back on campus late Wednesday afternoon.

Though he could be a high first-round pick, the Heisman Trophy winner said he remains uncertain whether he will return to the Trojans for his senior season or go into the NFL.

``I have until Jan. 15 to decide what I'm going to do,'' Leinart said. ``It's going to take a lot for me to leave, despite the game last night and the Heisman Trophy. I'm going to talk with Coach (Pete) Carroll about it, get his ideas.''

Shelton, a 6-foot-3, 248-pound junior, ran for 938 yards this season on 146 carries, a 6.4-yard average, and tied a school record with 20 rushing touchdowns. He split time with several other talented backs for the No. 6 Cardinals (11-1), who led the nation in scoring and yards per game.

``After getting word back from the NFL and the success I had on the field, I decided that this was a great time to fulfill a lifelong dream of playing in the NFL,'' said Shelton, who transferred to Louisville from Florida State following the 2001 season.

Crowder, a sophomore, was third on the Gators in tackles last season with 73 despite missing three games with a sprained arch in his right foot. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder finished his career with 179 tackles, including 13 1/2 for a loss.

He also had two sacks, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one interception.

``This has been a very difficult decision for me to make,'' said Crowder, who led the nation in tackles by a freshman with 106 in 2003. ``I felt like it was best for me and my family to pursue a professional career.''

Crowder joins Florida running back Ciatrick Fason in leaving early for the draft. Fason, who has a wife and two children, announced he was turning pro in mid-December.

Jones, the Big East's special teams player of the year, led the Mountaineers in tackles this season and had three interceptions. He said preliminary paperwork returned to him Monday grades him as a potential first-round pick.

Miller, a three-year starter, is the Atlantic Coast Conference's career leader in kickoff return average. This season, he returned three kicks for touchdowns, including a kickoff against Florida State and a punt against Wake Forest.

``He made a great contribution to our program as a defensive back and as the best kick returner I have ever coached. Some of his records will be hard to break,'' Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said.

Merriman, a first-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference pick, led the Terrapins in sacks and tackles for losses. His 23 career sacks rank second on the school's all-time list.

Other underclassmen entering the draft include West Virginia wide receiver Chris Henry, Oklahoma State running back Vernand Morency, California quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Utah quarterback Alex Smith and South Carolina wide receiver Troy Williamson.

Underclassmen have until Jan. 15 to declare for draft and have until Jan. 19 to withdraw their names.

TV ratings nosedive for BCS title matchup

NEW YORK — Southern California's lopsided victory in the Orange Bowl drew the second-worst national TV rating for a BCS championship game.

ABC Sports' broadcast of USC's dominating 55-19 win over Oklahoma on Tuesday night got a 14.7 rating with a 22 share. That ranks sixth of the seven Bowl Championship Series national title games.

The only lower rating was the 13.8 with a 22 share for the 2002 Rose Bowl, when Miami beat Nebraska 37-14.

The Orange Bowl rating was slightly lower than last year's 14.8 with a 23 share that the network got for LSU's victory over the Sooners in the Sugar Bowl.

Still, the bowl game was the highest-rated of the network prime-time shows and helped draw the largest Tuesday night audience for the network since 2000.

The rating is the percentage of all homes with TVs, whether or not they are in use. Each rating point represents a little more than 1 million TV homes.

Injured Hodge set to return to 'Pack lineup

RALEIGH — North Carolina State's Julius Hodge is expected to return to the lineup for Sunday's Atlantic Coast Conference opener against Miami after missing one game with a sprained ankle.

Hodge injured his right ankle last week against St. John's and did not play against West Virginia. The Wolfpack (10-3) lost both games and fell out of the Top 25.

Last season's ACC player of the year, he practiced on Tuesday.

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

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