MeanGreen61

Breaking down the Independants http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2869113

Apparently McNeese State fired Price. Don't have much info but here's a couple of post from a thread on the Cowboy board. ++++ I heard on the radio today that the men's basketball program, along with either the mens or women's track program (I can't remember which), are on probation for recruiting violations. The basketball violation has something to do with an assistant coach dealing with a Junior College transfer. The report stated that TIC PRICE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. It also stated that the team would be eligible for post-season play despite the probation. Does anyone know what probation entails? The track violation involved a coach asking a student to make false documents. Back to the fact that Tic Price had nothing to do with it, I ask everyone, why was he fired? As a student, and as a fan, I believe I have a right to know. I had pretty much concluded that it was due to violations, but here we find he is innocent. WHY WAS HE FIRED? I respect and comment Dave Simmons on his coaching job, and I see true potential in the team's future, but why is it that we had to go through this "rebuilding year" in the first place? Perhaps our administration owes Mr. Price and apology for jumping to conclusions, while at the same time ignoring more pressing issues lingering right under their noses, the AD situation for instance? Tim aka Wet Burrito King Wrom: XISHJEXXIMQZUIVOTQNQEMSF To: TOOBAHCOWBOY (2 of 4) 7124.2 in reply to 7124.1 It's a two-year probation. All of the penalties other than the probation itself have already been served through McNeese's self-imposed measures (the NCAA accepted McNeese's actions, basically). Tic was not directly implicated on any of the major violations the report listed; however, there was a litany of secondary violations he was directly linked to and that may answer your question on why he was fired. Plus, if major violations happen under your watch, even if you are not directly involved, then that can influence the decision as well.

NCAA's 12th game costs fans Saturday, May 12, 2007 The NCAA allowed college football teams to begin playing a 12th game on a regular basis in 2006. On paper, it looked a great idea. More football. More big matchups. More great games to watch on the tube. And the theory was wrong on just about every point. Instead of playing more important games, most schools -- particularly those in the SEC -- have just added more patsies to the schedule. The little schools are getting richer, to say nothing of big-time SEC schools getting more home games. And the fans continue to grow poorer in the process. In a close look at the 12 SEC schools' non-conference schedules, you see a lot of familiar names. Take Troy ... please. The Trojans show up this year on the schedules of three SEC schools. There are also plenty of Louisiana-Lafayettes and Louisiana Techs to go around, serving as homecoming opponents and veritable punching bags. FULL ARTICLE http://www.al.com/sports/mobileregister/pf....xml&coll=3

Not a regular bowl game, but will be an annual game with MAC team vs a service academy to open the season. MAC Schools To Be Part of Newly Created Patriot Bowl First game has Akron vs. Army on Sept. 1, 2007 May 9, 2007 GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS COMMISSION CREATES FIRST MERIT PATRIOT BOWL AT CLEVELAND BROWNS STADIUM Annual College Football Game Surrounded by Patriotic Weekend CLEVELAND, OH – May 9, 2007 – The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission announced today its newly created, owned and operated event, The First Merit Patriot Bowl. The Patriot Bowl is an annual college football game featuring a Mid-American Conference (MAC) University from Ohio and one of the Service Academies – Army, Navy or Air Force. Each year, the game will take place over Labor Day weekend at Cleveland Browns Stadium; the 2007 date is September 1st. Surrounding the football game will be patriotic, civic events, including a tailgate, Cleveland Firefighters vs. Cleveland Police flag football pre-game match and spectacular halftime show. Game time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. The Patriot Bowl will be the season opener for both the Akron Zips and Army Black Knights and will serve as the Zips home game. “We’re excited about the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Patriot Bowl,” said Army Director of Athletics, Kevin Anderson. “It’s always a thrill being a part of a tremendous event the first time it is held and we feel very strongly that the Patriot Bowl will be a highly popular event with the people here in this great city of Cleveland. We view this as an outstanding opportunity to showcase our institution and our cadet-athletes on a national forum.” The winner of the Patriot Bowl will walk away with the “Cleary Trophy” named for Michael Cleary, long-time Executive Director of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) in recognition of his lasting service to the Cleveland community, collegiate athletics and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. “If past events put on by the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is a barometer, the Patriot Bowl will be a success and a great experience for the teams and fans,” said Akron athletics director Mack Rhoades. “Not only do we have the opportunity to face a storied program like Army, but we are proud to represent the Mid-American conference in this game. This event will be first class, gives our fans a great environment to participate in a number of game-day activities and gives our student-athletes the opportunity to play in Browns Stadium, which is one of the finest venues around.” The Patriot Bowl will be guided and enhanced by a Local Organizing (Steering) Committee comprised of individuals dedicated to planning a spectacular event. Many of these individuals are high-level business and civic leaders with a connection to military service, military academies and MAC schools. This group will utilize its experience, influence and resources to ensure success and significant community-wide promotion and marketing will surround this event. Tickets go on-sale to the general public May 14, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. (EST). Tickets are available through Ticketmaster: online at www.ticketmaster.com, via phone at 216.241.5555 or at Ticketmaster locations (Macy’s and select Giant Eagle stores). Ticket prices for the game are $45 for mid-field lower level seating, $30 for lower level seating between the end zone and 30-yard lines, and $20 for the lower level corners and lower west end zone. ADA seating is available in each price category. The Cleveland Browns welcome Visa cards. Expected attendance is 30,000+ based on average attendance at Army away and neutral-site games (averaged 47,836 in seven road and neutral-site games in 2006; these games included no significant community marketing), as well as Akron’s close proximity to Cleveland and the tremendous support already demonstrated with the MAC basketball championships at Quicken Loans Arena. Sponsors for the event include First Merit Bank, title sponsor for three years (2007, 2008 and 2009) and the U.S. Army. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be used to establish the Patriot Fund at First Merit Bank, which will serve to assist local military families in need. “First Merit is honored to be the title sponsor for the first annual Patriot Bowl. We are committed to supporting the communities we serve and proud to celebrate football in Ohio,” says Julie Anne Robbins, Executive VP, Retail Banking. For more information, visit www.patriotbowl.com, or contact the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission at 216.621.0600. The mission of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is to measurably enhance the economy, image and quality of life in the Greater Cleveland community by attracting and creating significant sporting events and activities.

North Texas #52 with a 394-324-31 record. 1A winning percentages 1869-2006 http://football.stassen.com/cgi-bin/record...&by=Win+Pct

Florida Atlantic Owls Preview 2007 By Pete Fiutak Not enough was made about the job Howard Schnellenberger did last year winning five games with a team full of new starters and with the nation’s most brutal schedule to start the season with five straight road games. Now the sky’s the limit. Call 2006 the type of stepping-stone season needed to be taken so the program can take a giant leap this year. With as much returning experience as anyone in America, and even a little bit of depth to rely on to create competition for several positions, FAU could be the Sun Belt’s biggest surprise. The Owls were rarely pretty, but they were able to go 5-3 down the stretch with two of the losses coming by seven against Troy and six to UL Lafayette to show just how competitive the team could be. Now it’s time to make some real noise in the Sun Belt. PREVIEW http://cfn.scout.com/2/643100.html

FIU Golden Panthers Preview 2007 By Pete FIUtak There are bad seasons, there are bizarre seasons, and then there are bizarre, bad seasons that couldn’t possibly be scripted in any coach’s worst nightmare. How strange was 2006 for FIU? The defense wasn’t statistically the best in the Sun Belt, but it was fourth in the nation against the pass and 28th overall and first in the league in tackles for loss. That alone should’ve made the Golden Panthers contenders for the Sun Belt championship. Throw veteran quarterback Josh Padrick into the mix, and you have a trip to the New Orleans Bowl planned. 0-12 FIU lost its first four games by a combined 11 points, lost in seven overtimes to North Texas, got into a fight with Miami, lost half its team, canned head coach Don Strock, and now is starting from scratch under Mario Cristobal. PREVIEW http://cfn.scout.com/2/643105.html

ESPN on OC opponent Smoooooooo Spring answers: 1. DeMyron Martin returns strong at running back: Slowed by a foot injury for much of last season, Martin showed glimpses of his 2005 form this spring. He rushed for 35 yards on seven carries in the spring game, scoring on an 8-yard dash. "DeMyron had a much better spring," coach Phil Bennett said. Martin earned Conference USA All-Freshman team honors after posting four 100-yard rushing games in 2005. 2. Bryce Hudman emerges at safety: SMU will struggle to replace four-year starter Joe Sturdivant, but Hudman stepped up this spring. He started the final four games of last season at free safety and did nothing to lose the spot this spring. "[Hudman] has all the tools," Bennett said. "His knowledge showed this spring." 3. Line dance pays off: Bennett called Ben Poynter's shift from center to left tackle "a really positive move for us." Poynter, a second-team all-league selection who started all 12 games at center last season, has been SMU's top lineman for years and should be able to protect Justin Willis' blind side. Poynter's move bumped up Mitch Enright to the starting center spot. Enright improved as the spring progressed. Fall questions: 1. Decision time on the defensive line: After losing three starters, the defensive front is SMU's shakiest area. Cory Muse is a force on the end, but Bennett must find answers at defensive tackle. He has "a lot of possibilities" with Chris Parham, Zac Thomas, Ryan Leonard, Kyle DeGroat and Mickey Dollens competing for playing time. Bennett was impressed by the spring performance of end Justin Smart, a converted linebacker. 2. Jessie Henderson recovers from bad wheel: SMU eagerly awaits the return of Henderson, a dangerous return man who missed the second half of 2006 with a foot injury and sat out spring practice. Henderson, expected to be 100 percent by training camp, led the nation in kickoff return average (36.9 yards) before getting hurt against Marshall. He ranked 13th nationally in kickoff return average in 2005 (27.6). 3. Safety squeeze: Bennett expects junior college transfer Rock Dennis and converted cornerback David Haynes to compete for the starting free safety spot this summer. Dennis transitioned well this spring and brings playmaking skills to the secondary. Haynes played in every contest last season and had an interception in the spring game. LINK TO CUSA TEAMS SPRING ANSWERS/FALL QUESTIONS http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2865460

FWIW. Stallion posted on the smoo board. LINK TO THREAD http://www.ponyfans.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=23750 Link to Sporting News article http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=204688 1. Gary Patterson, TCU 2. Chris Petersen, Boise State 3. Paul Johnson, Navy 4. Jeff Bower, Southern Miss 5. Bronco Mendenhall, BYU 6. Dick Tomey, San Jose State 7. June Jones, Hawaii 8. George O'Leary, UCF 9. Art Briles, Houston 10. Pat Hill, Fresno State 11. Joe Novak, Northern Illinois 12. Larry Blakeney, Troy 13. Mike Price, UTEP 14. Todd Graham, Tulsa 15. Chris Ault, Nevada 16. Tom Amstutz, Toledo 17. J.D. Brookhart, Akron 18. Kyle Whittingham, Utah 19. Frank Solich, Ohio 20. Skip Holtz, East Carolina 21. Sonny Lubick Colorado State 22. Howard Schnellenberger, Florida Atlantic 23. Rocky Long, New Mexico 24. Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee State 25. Bill Cubit, Western Michigan 26. Charlie Weatherbie, Louisiana-Monroe 27. Joe Glenn, Wyoming 28. Steve Roberts, Arkansas State 29. Gregg Brandon, Bowling Green 30. Brady Hoke, Ball State 31. Hal Mumme, New Mexico State 32. Tommy West, Memphis 33. Rickey Bustle, Louisiana-Lafayette 34. Shane Montgomery, Miami (Ohio) 35. Phil Bennett, SMU 36. Doug Martin, Kent State 37. Bob Toledo, Tulane 38. Mark Snyder, Marshall 39. David Bailiff, Rice 40. Mike Sanford, UNLV 41. Al Golden, Temple 42. Chuck Long, San Diego State 43. Jeff Genyk, Eastern Michigan 44. Brent Guy, Utah State 45. Turner Gill, Buffalo 46. Neil Callaway, UAB 47. Mario Cristobal, Florida International 48. Troy Calhoun, Air Force 49. Butch Jones, Central Michigan 50. Robb Akey, Idaho 51. Derek Dooley, Louisiana Tech 52. Todd Dodge, North Texas 53. Stan Brock, Army

Wiley is known to have an extreme dislike of North Texas North Texas Preview Stephen Wiley and Casey Bowman GoMiddle.com Staff Oh' how the mighty have fallen. After winning four consecutive Sun Belt Conference Championships the Mean Green have won a measly combined five games over the past two seasons. The recent dismal performance combined with a rocky relationship between Head Coach Darrell Dickey and Athletic Director Rick Villarreal resulted in a regime change in Denton. The infamous Jerry Glanville was rumored to be a front runner for the position but in the end Todd Dodge was hired. Dodge is an exalted Texas high school coach, best known for his high powered offense and relentless work ethic. Most recently, he installed Missouri's new offense which is led by QB Chase Daniel, a former player for Dodge at Southlake Carroll High School. He provides a much needed shot in the arm to a program whose offense was arguably the worst in Division 1-A last year. It appears Dodge is also a much better recruiter than his predecessor. After a late hire, Dodge has brought in a class that is probably the best yet at North Texas. The class is highlighted by 3-star running back Cam Montgomery and 2-star running back Micah Mosley followed by LB A.J. Penson and super sleeper WR Sam Roberson. North Texas is moving in the right direction but is at least a year away from being a serious contender. NORTH TEXAS PREVIEW http://middletennessee.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=672177 Here's a link to the thread on gomiddle.com for those who might want to comment on the muts board http://middletennessee.rivals.com/showmsg....142&style=2

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/foo...ing-focus_N.htm Spring wrapup: Taking stock of football landscape USA TODAY's Jack Carey and Kelly Whiteside take a look around the country at developments from spring football practices. The first major college games are Aug. 30. Atlantic Coast The biggest news at Florida State is the revamped coaching staff with five new assistants, including four on offense and high-profile hires Jimbo Fisher (offensive coordinator) and Rick Trickett (offensive line). "This is my last shot," coach Bobby Bowden says. "I'm 77 and I doubt I can go past 87. I had to hire people to get the job done. That doesn't mean we'll just walk in and win games, but we're headed in the right direction." …Virginia Tech cancelled the final week of spring practice and its spring game following the April 16 tragedy. "There's no question it was the right thing to do. It sets us back, but we'll make that up," coach Frank Beamer says. "We're going to come back stronger than ever. That's what keeps me going. I know that's what needs to happen and will happen." …Boston College's new head coach, Jeff Jagodzinski, plans to open up the offense with senior quarterback Matt Ryan, the leading passer last season in the ACC, and says he'd like to let Ryan call his own plays at times this fall. Jagodzinski, the Green Bay Packers' former offensive coordinator, is one of four new ACC coaches. He joins joining Miami's Randy Shannon, North Carolina's Butch Davis and North Carolina State's Tom O'Brien, the former BC coach. Big East New Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly used the spring to familiarize himself with the team but will have another new face to get used to once fall camp starts. Former Wake Forest QB and Ohio high school star Ben Mauk has transferred to UC and is expected to challenge incumbent Dustin Grutza for the starting job. … Redshirt freshman LB Scott Lutrus intercepted three passes in Connecticut's spring game and returned two of them for touchdowns. One went for 91 yards. He also had nine tackles. … It looks as if new Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe knows a good thing when he sees it. Returning QBs Brian Brohm and Hunter Cantwell combined for 513 passing yards in the spring game, which drew a UL record crowd of 28,000. …Pittsburgh's defense forced six turnovers in the spring game, including a 53-yard interception return for a TD by safety Elijah Fields. …Rutgers All-America senior DT Eric Foster has become the first Scarlet Knight named to the preseason watch list for the Lott Trophy, which is awarded to college football's defensive impact player of the year based on athletic performance and the personal character attributes. Foster had 51 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and six sacks last season. South Florida's spring game was highlighted by the defenses combining for 13 sacks in a 7-6 final that was decided by QB Matt Grothe's short run with 1:02 to play. …Syracuse, which was 5-18 in Greg Robinson's first two seasons as coach, suffered a blow when Delone Carter, the leading returning rusher, suffered a dislocated hip. He is likely lost for the season. …West Virginia backup QB Adam Bednarik, who played in nine games in 2005 but missed last season with a shoulder injury, was back this spring and passed for 118 yards and a TD in the spring game. Big Ten The Big Ten has two new head coaches in Michigan State's Mark Dantonio and Minnesota's Tim Brewster and five new starting quarterbacks. Ohio State junior Todd Boeckman fills the biggest cleats, replacing Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith. Competition for the starting quarterback job at Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota will continue in August camp. … The Badgers are loaded no matter who hands off the ball to tailback P.J. Hill, the league's leading rusher who ran for 1,569 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns as a freshman. The Badgers have 10 returning offensive starters, including two who shared starts at tight end, seven defensive starters and their two kicking specialists back. … It's unclear how criminal charges against two Penn State players, including starting defensive back Anthony Scirrotto, could affect the team in the fall. …Michigan has plenty of offensive firepower with quarterback Chad Henne, wide receiver Mario Manningham, and tailback Mike Hart, but coach Lloyd Carr did not address the status of receiver Adrian Arrington, who was suspended from spring ball for disciplinary reasons. Big 12 After watching his offense score just seven points in the spring game, Baylor coach Guy Morriss says the unit needs to play with more consistency. The Bears have to replace seven starters from last year's unit that averaged 23.6 points a game, Baylor's highest mark in 10 years, and set school single-season records for passing yards a game (275) and touchdown passes (24). However, the Bears averaged only 40.2 rushing yards a game, their lowest mark in 60 years. … Redshirt freshman QB Cody Hawkins is in the mix for the starting job at Colorado after passing for 119 yards in the spring game. His father is Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins. ... New Iowa State coach Gene Chizik said his team needs more consistency in its deep passing game, which will be spearheaded by senior QB Bert Meyer. This is the first head coaching job for Chizik, the former defensive coordinator at Auburn and Texas. … Senior wide receiver Marcus Henry was the offensive star of Kansas' spring game, scoring three touchdowns and finishing with 150 yards on six receptions. ... Kansas State coach Ron Prince was a bit concerned about his punt return unit, saying it made some "poor decisions" when it came to fielding the ball in the spring game. That will be addressed when camp opens, he said. …Missouri's offense accumulated 550 yards in the spring game with QBs Chase Daniel, Chase Patton and Dominic Grooms combining for 373 through the air. … Former Arizona State QB Sam Keller had an impressive debut for Nebraska in the spring game, passing for 193 yards and completing 10 of 13. …Oklahoma must replace NFL-bound RB Adrian Peterson, but returnee Allen Patrick, who impressed when Peterson was injured last season, could be complemented by redshirt freshman DeMarco Murray, who averaged 11.3 yards a carry for three scrimmages this spring. … Quarterback Zac Robinson threw two TD passes in the last 1:14 of Oklahoma State's spring game as his team rallied for a 35-27 win. … Eight different players caught passes in Texas' spring scrimmage. Coach Mack Brown says the 2007 team will feature "the best group of receivers we have ever had." … Paced by freshman RB Cornell Tarrant and veteran Jorvorskie Lane, Texas A&M's White squad rolled to 213 yards on the ground and averaged 7.6 yards a carry in the spring game. …Texas Tech's secondary had five interceptions in the spring game, including sophomore Pete Richardson's 93-yard return and redshirt freshman Nathan Stone's 43-yarder that went for touchdowns. "I think we're faster on defense, and we have some young guys I'm impressed with," coach Mike Leach says. Conference USA New Alabama-Birmingham coach Neil Callaway is starting over in more ways than one. The Blazers lost 30 seniors from the 2006 roster and have only four starters back on offense and three on defense from a 3-9 team. … After playing at the Citrus Bowl, Central Florida will open a 45,000-seat stadium Sept. 15 against Texas. … Healthy this spring after shoulder problems hampered him for much of the past two years, East Carolina junior QB Patrick Pinkney is a viable option at the position going into the fall. … As Houston tries to replace record-setting QB Kevin Kolb, coach Art Briles says the defense might have to carry more of the load in the early going. The Cougars return eight defensive starters, including SS Rocky Schwartz, who missed most of last season with a knee injury. … Longtime former West Virginia assistant Steve Dunlap is Marshall's new defensive coordinator. The Herd gave up 27 or more points seven times last year. … Sophomore DE Greg Terrell, who led Memphis in sacks last year and was tied for the lead in tackles for loss, picked up in the spring game where he left off, with a team-high eight tackles, three for loss, two sacks and one pass deflection. …Rice All-America WR Jarett Dillard will enter the season having caught touchdown passes in 15 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in NCAA history. Former Pittsburgh WR Larry Fitzgerald holds the record (18). …SMU, 6-6 a year ago, will try to increase its win total for a fourth consecutive season and will count on a league-high six members of C-USA's all-freshman team, including QB Justin Willis, the freshman of the year. … Starting DT Sean Merrill suffered a broken leg late in Southern Mississippi's spring practice period but is expected back for the fall. … With Texas El-Paso's all-time leading passer Jordan Palmer having been drafted, coach Mike Price said a five-man battle for the job will continue in the summer. Included is redshirt freshman Trevor Vittatoe, who passed for 186 yards and 2 TDs in the spring game. … New Tulane coach Bob Toledo must replace QB Lester Rickard. Junior Scott Elliott returns with sophomore Anthony Scelfo, son of former Tulane offensive coordinator Frank Scelfo and the nephew of former Green Wave head coach Chris Scelfo, whom Toledo replaced. … New Tulsa co-offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn came over from Arkansas to join new coach Todd Graham's staff. The Golden Hurricane offense put up seven TDs in the spring game. Mid-American Akron lost two of its three starting defensive linemen from a year ago, but the Zips defense looks to be ahead of the offense with the top six tacklers returning. … Ball State junior punter Chris Miller has become just the second Cardinal named to Playboy magazine's preseason All-America team. He ranked second in the nation last year, averaging 46.3 yards a punt.…Bowling Green coach Gregg Brandon says the Falcons want a more balanced attack this season. Bowling Green led the conference in rushing last season for the first time in 42 years (176.7 yards a game) after being among the best passing teams in the league the previous five seasons. Former QB coach Mick McCall is the new offensive coordinator. … LB Trevor Scott has been named a team captain at Buffalo for the second year. The former tight end came back last year from two broken bones in his back and led the team in sacks (nine) and tackles for loss (131/2). … New Central Michigan coach Butch Jones could have a smooth transition because the defending league champs will have seven first- or second-team All-MAC selections returning, including QB Dan LeFevour, MVP of the Motor City Bowl. … Eastern Michigan, which began the spring looking for a replacement for K Andrew Wellock, a four-year starter, might have found one in redshirt freshman Sean Dutcher, who booted field goals of 38 and 42 yards as snow swirled in the spring game. … With the loss of only six starters off last year's team, Kent State is hoping for a better finish in 2007. The Golden Flashes started 5-2 but lost four of their last five. … The offense at Miami (Ohio) figures to be better after an uncharacteristic 2-10 season. Eight offensive starters return, and the RedHawks have six offensive linemen who have starting experience. But only two receivers have caught passes. …Northern Illinois DE Larry English has been named to the preliminary watch list for the Rotary Lombardi Award. The junior had 12 sacks a year ago, tying the school record and earning first-team All-MAC status. …Ohio QB Brad Bower, the team's most experienced returning signal-caller, sat out the spring game because of a knee injury but is expected to be OK in the fall.…Temple joins the league full-time this fall and the Owls' first MAC game is at home Sept. 8 against Buffalo. The Owls hope for an improvment in coach Al Golden's second year after playing 22 true freshmen last season. … Toledo returns 18 starters from last season's 5-7 team, including OL John Greco who is on the watch list for the Rotary Lombardi Award. …Western Michigan welcomed back DB Antwain Allen and QB Tim Hiller, who missed last season. Hiller injured a knee in the final game of 2005, and Allen suffered a knee injury last spring. Mountain West Air Force spent the spring learning new offensive and defensive schemes under coach Troy Calhoun, the former Houston Texans offensive coordinator and the first Air Force graduate to lead the program. The triple-option is still in the playbook but Calhoun, who replaced the retired Fisher DeBerry, plans to run a more balanced offense. … Texas Christian returns nine defensive starters to a unit ranked second nationally in run defense and total defense. That defensive experience will help the six returning starters on offensive adjust to a new starting QB … BYU will replace QB John Beck, the league's 2006 offensive player of the year, with sophomore Max Hall, a transfer from Arizona State. Pacific-10 One of Arizona's strengths figures to be a veteran secondary. Senior CB Antoine Cason, a Jim Thorpe Award finalist, returns to spearhead a group that includes CB Wilrey Fontenot and FS Dominic Patrick. Only the strong safety spot appears unsettled. … Coach Dennis Erickson could be lined up for a successful first season at Arizona State, where nine offensive starters return and the Sun Devils welcome back OL Zach Krula. He missed all but three games of the past two seasons because of ankle problems. Krula, granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA, is moving from guard to right tackle. …California is looking for more big things from junior LB Zack Follett, who last year earned all-conference honors despite not being a starter. He recorded 62 tackles with a team-high 121/2 tackles for loss and was tied for the team lead with 51/2 sacks. Follett also led the conference with four forced fumbles. … After Oregon finished last season with four consecutive losses following a 7-2 start, coach Mike Bellotti thought part of the problem was a lack of "mental toughness." Bellotti said the Ducks have put more of an emphasis "on competing and creating more competitive situations" as practice unfolded. … With QB Matt Moore, the MVP of last season's Sun Bowl, having departed, Oregon State coach Mike Riley said the position is open. Last year's back-up, Sean Canfield, and junior college transfer Lyle Moevao are the top candidates. … Southern California freshman FB Stanley Havili had an impressive spring, according to coach Pete Carroll, who says the redshirt freshman is "way ahead of anybody else we have had in these early stages." Havili earned a medical redshirt last year after suffering a broken leg against Arizona. … Under new coach Jim Harbaugh, Stanford is hoping for an improved defense. The Cardinal gave up 31.4 points and 387.5 yards a game last year. New defensive coordinator Scott Shafer coached a defense last year at Western Michigan that ranked 11th in the nation in total defense and sixth in run defense while leading in interceptions (24) and sacks (46). …UCLA's defense figures to be paced by All-America defensive end Bruce Davis, who had 12.5 sacks last season, (the most in the nation among returning players) and 17.5 tackles for loss. …Washington fans are anxiously awaiting the debut of QB Jake Locker, the former high school All-American and 2005 Washington state player of the year, who led Ferndale High to the state title two years ago. He accumulated almost 3,000 total yards while passing for 27 TDs and running for 24 in '05. … Former Washington State star RB Steve Broussard is the Cougars' new running backs coach after spending the past three years at Portland State and nine in the NFL. Broussard rushed for 3,054 yards in his career, the second best total in WSU history, before a nine-year NFL tenure. Southeastern Each week at Arkansas seems like another edition of "How the Hog Turns," given the soap opera surrounding the program. "This is the first time in my 26 years of coaching that there's been this much distraction, especially as far as things that involve me personally," coach Houston Nutt says. The first 2,000 Razorback fans at the spring game were expected to receive a Darren McFadden Heisman Trophy key chain card. Because of frigid temperatures only 2,000 attended and McFadden, the league's leading returning rusher, played sparingly. Quarterback Casey Dick enters the season as the starter. Last year's highly regarded freshman QB Mitch Mustain is transferring to Southern California. One of the freshmen competing for playing time next year will be Dick's younger brother, freshman Nathan, is competing for playing time. … Four SEC coaches have won national championships: Florida's Urban Meyer, South Carolina's Steve Spurrier who won a title at Florida; Alabama's Nick Saban who won at LSU and is the only new hire, and Tennessee's Phillip Fulmer. … Defending national champion Florida returns just two starters on defense and six on offense. …Mississippi coach Ed Orgeron did not name a starting quarterback coming out of spring drills in the competition between last year's starter, Brent Schaeffer, and Seth Adams. …South Carolina could start two pairs of twins on defense: LB Dustin and DE Jordin Lindsey and LBs Jasper and Casper Brinkley. Sunbelt First-year Florida International coach Mario Cristobal, a former Miami assistant, won't have much time to ease into his first head coaching job. The Panthers, whose 2006 season was best remembered for zero wins and one ugly brawl, play four of their first five games on the road, including at Penn State in the opener, at Miami and Kansas and home vs. Maryland. {hellip} New North Texas coach Todd Dodge, the 2005 USA TODAY High School Coach of the Year, has brought his four-wide spread attack to the Mean Green, which has been known as a running team and ranked 117th in the nation in passing and total offense last year. Western Athletic One of Boise State's unsung heroes from last season's Fiesta Bowl title team, OT Ryan Clady, is getting some preseason props. The 6-6, 319-pound All-WAC choice has been named to the Rotary Lombardi Award watch list. The Broncos finished sixth in rushing and 10th in total offense last year. … Seven starters return to Fresno State's offense, including four OLs who helped set a school record by allowing just 12 sacks last season. …Hawaii has rehired Greg McMackin as defensive coordinator, replacing Jerry Glanville, who left for Portland State. McMackin, who served as the school's defensive coordinator in 1999, returns after a three-year stint at Texas Tech and two-year stay with the San Francisco 49ers. In '99 the Warriors led the league with 34 forced turnovers, scored five defensive touchdowns and registered 33 sacks. … New Idaho coach Robb Akey will count on CB Stanley Franks, who led the nation with nine interceptions last year. His return yardage of 220 was a Vandals season record. … New Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley faces a schedule that will send his team to California, Mississippi and LSU. He is the son of former Georgia coach Vince Dooley. … Only one Nevada QB returns with any kind of collegiate experience. Sophomore Nick Graziano played in every game last season on special teams and also threw 17 passes. Redshirt freshmen Colin Kaepernick and Tyler Lantrip are also in the mix. New Mexico State returns 19 starters, including QB Chase Holbrook (4,619 passing yards and 4,541 total yards, NCAA records for a sophomore and school records for a season). … Fifteen starters return to San Jose State, coming off its first winning season since 2000 and first bowl victory since 1990. The Spartans have not posted back-to-back winning records in 15 years. …Utah State must fill the quarterback spot vacated by Riley Nelson, who left for a church mission. Leon Jackson, who started nine games as a sophomore in 2005 and the first five last season, returns. Independents Notre Dame not only has to find a new starting quarterback but also has to learn how to rely on more than a star quarterback. "In the last two years I think too many games we counted on No. 10 winning the game for us," coach Charlie Weis said about Brady Quinn. "Well, guess what? No. 10 is not here anymore. So the mentality has to change." Competing for that spot is highly touted freshman Jimmy Clausen, junior Evan Sharpley, sophomore Demetrius Jones and sophomore Zach Frazer. "None of the four, I would say, played themselves out of contention, and that's as strong a statement as I can make there," said Weis, who plans to narrow the candidates for the starting job to two in late May. {hellip} Navy QB Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, who started the final six games in place of injured Brian Hampton last year, missed the spring game due to an injured shoulder. Troy Gross, and Jarod Bryant will also compete for playing time. {hellip} New Army coach Stan Brock, an assistant under the retired Bobby Ross, will decide between David Pevoto, who started the first eight games last year, and Carson Williams, who started the final four.

Article off the Muts board. Bad timing for the Trojans http://www.dothaneagle.com/gulfcoasteast/d...05-08-0006.html

In my high school days at ole' Denton High, you wouldn't dream of assaulting a coach or teacher; or even being disrespectful. Actually what many would now call minor infractions rated you a visit to assistant principal Johnny Guyer's office. Yep the same Guyer that now has a local high school with his name on it. Several whacks on your butt with the sturdy wooden board he kept leaning in a corner would remind you that it would be much better & much less painful if you toed the line. One trip was enough for most.

Remember the receivers in Spring training WERE recruited by DD. TD's recruits come in this Fall. You can access the North Texas Offense & Defense preview from the CFN main page (upper right side).

That's a bit of a stretch.

Followup article from the Advertiser. Be sure to read the reader comments UH vows to upgrade facilities http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbc.../705050357/1001 From reader posts in Story Chat Candidate for the most humorous quote of the day: "Associate athletic director John McNamara said the department is "working on problems that can be solved immediately."" Can't you just imagine the urgency as Mr. Frazier or Mr McNamara ran down to the local Safeway for a couple bars of soap! Way to go guys! Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 11:24 am -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You need a master plan to notice there is no soap? Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 10:54 am

No, not about UNT.............it's Hawaii. Off the Frog board Not all rainbows in Hawaii QB Brennan criticizes conditions of athletics facilities HONOLULU (AP) -- Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan is criticizing school administrators for not sufficiently funding and backing the upgrade of aging and substandard athletic facilities. From the crusty locker room and the ancient carpet in the coaches' offices to the lack of soap in the showers, Brennan gave several examples of what needed to be improved. "There's a good chance we could be a Top 25 preseason ranked football team and we can't even get soap in our locker room," he said Friday. "We're going against programs that have $20 million facilities with support and tradition. And you want us to compete with that? Just help us out." He said all the Hawaii sports are entitled to so much more, but "it's getting the school to cough up money." His concerns were first published in The Honolulu Advertiser. "I want to see change. I want to see this school way better off when I leave," he told the newspaper. "That's a big reason why I came back. When the seniors leave, we want to know our younger teammates will be taken care of. And I'm not just talking about football. I want to see the entire sports program become better." Brennan also complained about having to pay for parking to attend practices, workouts and study sessions. The quarterback said he racked up as much as $800 in parking fines at the Manoa campus and his car has been towed twice. University of Hawaii spokesman Gregg Takayama said he understands Brennan's concerns, saying the players are using the facilities every day and have firsthand experience. Takayama emphasized the chancellor's office has provided financial support in past years to balance the athletic budget and has been working with the department on a master plan to upgrade facilities. "But overall, the Manoa campus is still trying to overcome more than a decade of shortfalls in budget appropriations that apply to facilities, staff and maintenance," Takayama said. "We are in the process of upgrading the entire Manoa campus and the athletics department is a part of it. It is a priority for the chancellor's office." Hawaii athletics director Herman Frazier said his $21 million annual budget barely covers the day-to-day operation of the department. Frazier said he's been working with school officials on securing more money for capital improvements. "I think if you compare (our facilities) with some schools in the WAC, we're probably right there," Frazier said. But compared to BCS programs like Ohio State, "can we compete with them? I'm not sure we can, ever." Despite the conditions at Manoa, Frazier pointed to the success of different UH sports teams. The football team finished 11-3 last season. Brennan agreed, saying better facilities would take the school to another level. "To have this success with this lack of resources says a lot about Herman Frazier, Coach (June) Jones and especially about the student-athletes," Brennan said. "You can't deny the fact that our facilities are poor." Besides the facilities, Brennan said players wind up paying for their own equipment, like shoes and wristbands because of the tight budget. Brennan, who attended Colorado for a year, said the facilities and resources in Boulder were "night and day" in comparison. The record-breaking quarterback, who finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting last season, said he was hesitant to voice his opinions, which may affect recruiting, but felt compelled to speak out. Brennan set an NCAA record with 58 touchdown passes last season, leading the nation in passing yards (5,549), passing efficiency (186) and completion percentage (72.6). He withdrew from the NFL draft to return for his senior season at Hawaii.

USA Today - Reports on ALL Sun Belt teams http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/foo...unbelt/home.htm NORTH TEXAS INSIDE SLANT North Texas owned the Sun Belt the first four years of the conference's existence, winning the title each season to earn an annual trip to the New Orleans Bowl. UNT stumbled for two consecutive seasons and, after going 3-9, head coach Darrell Dickey was replaced by Texas high school coaching legend Todd Dodge. It will be a new look at North Texas, particularly offensively. Dodge installed a new spread offense in the spring, a system he hopes will cause Sun Belt opponents problems in 2007. While the offense will be exciting, the defense is what might turn the tables for the Mean Green. UNT returns 10 defensive starters and the experience will be a huge advantage in a league that seems to be offensively balanced. The experience is limited offensively, though, particularly on a line that had its share of issues in 2006. However, if the line can improve, Jamario Thomas can get back to his old form and if junior quarterback Daniel Meager can master the offense, the Mean Green has a chance to move back up in the league standings. NOTES, QUOTES North Texas used three quarterbacks last season junior Daniel Meager, senior Woody Wilson and junior Matt Phillips. Meager came out of the spring as the projected starter in 2007. Incoming freshmen WRs Evan Walker and Breece Johnson caught a combined 187 passes last season in high school and could be a factor this season. Incoming freshman QB Giovanni Vizza also could get a strong look. He threw for more than 3,200 yards and 37 TDs as a senior. SPRING MOVERS: DB Latif Nurudeen A Baylor transfer, he made a strong push in the spring and could start at cornerback. OL Kelvin Drake Earned the starting center job in the spring. QUOTE TO NOTE: "The offense was more consistent today and that was what we were trying to accomplish. The defense is still the strength of this team and they showed what they are capable of. We set the goal at the beginning of the spring to get better during the 15 practices that we had and I can definitely say that we did that." UNT first-year coach Todd Dodge. STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL 2007 OUTLOOK: The Mean Green will be an unknown in a lot of ways in 2007. Head coach Darrell Dickey was fired in the offseason and replaced by Todd Dodge, who went 79-1 as a Texas high school coach. He brings a new spread offense to North Texas, which has always been a running team. The defense returns 10 starters, but whether Dodge has the quarterback he needs remains to be seen. SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: UNT will employ four- and five-WR formations, but the Mean Green also returns senior Jamario Thomas. Thomas, who led the nation in rushing as a true freshman, won't be entirely forgotten in this offense. While Dodge is bringing more of an air show to North Texas, expect Thomas to still flirt with the 1,000-yard mark. The key will be the play of QB Daniel Meager and an offensive line that struggled last season. SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: North Texas returns 10 defensive starters and has very good players up front and at linebacker. The safeties are outstanding, but the key will be the play of a young secondary that struggled last season. SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Junior Truman Spencer was an all-conference punter last year, averaging more than 41 yards a kick. Sophomore Evan Robertson is the top returner. ROSTER REPORT: Sophomore DB Roy Loren (knee) missed four games in 2006 but returned for spring drills.

Good idea.

SPRING GAMES WRAPUP http://cfn.scout.com/2/641184.html North Texas – The Mean Green were in dire need of offense and the hiring of new head coach and offensive guru Todd Dodge was evidence of the lack of explosiveness in the offense. So, it should come as no surprise that the White/offense defeated the Green/defense in the team’s annual spring game. In a stark contrast to last year, the Mean quarterbacks combined for over 400 yards passing.

May 02, 2007 UNT fares well in APR report The NCAA released its latest Academic Progress Report today. The report rates athletic programs' ability to retain their student athletes and keep them eligible. The report can be confusing, but here is the bottom line -- unlike many programs in the Sun Belt Conference and across the country -- UNT will not lose any scholarships in any sport and in general fared well across the board. For more on the report, see tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle.

Cotton Bowl eyes Texas Tech-OSU Big 12 teams would begin playing at Fair Park in 2008 04:20 PM CDT on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 By BRIAN DAVIS / The Dallas Morning News brdavis@dallasnews.com Hot on the heels of a new contract extension for the Texas-Oklahoma series, Dallas city officials are close to bringing another Big 12 matchup to the Cotton Bowl – Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma State. The Red Raiders and Cowboys would meet at Fair Park beginning in 2008 and play in conjunction with the State Fair of Texas, according to two sources close to the contract talks. Financial parameters are still being negotiated, and the deal has not been finalized. But a Dallas City Hall official characterized the deal as being "awfully close." OSU athletic director Mike Holder said Wednesday he wants to talk with Tech's Gerald Myers about "the possibility of making this game an annual event." "Playing Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl in conjunction with the State Fair of Texas has a lot of appeal for our university," Holder said. "We have a large recruiting presence in Texas for students and student-athletes. A lot of our alumni live in Texas." Myers would not say if a deal was imminent, but he admitted that Tech would love to play in Dallas, too. The Dallas-Fort Worth area is by far the biggest area of Tech alumni outside of Lubbock. "I think there is a big upside to playing a game in Dallas," Myers said. "That's why I say don't ever say never. But at this point, we don't have any conference game scheduled in Dallas." Speculation has been rampant that Tech would sign a deal with Texas A&M. The two schools have talked in the past, but a source with the city of Dallas said the issue is basically dead. The Aggies simply do not want to give up a home game at Kyle Field. A&M athletic director Bill Byrne could not be immediately reached for comment. So without A&M as a willing partner, city officials turned to Oklahoma State. But getting OSU's approval meant convincing Dallas billionaire Boone Pickens, who has spent millions of his own money for massive facility upgrades in Stillwater, Okla. That includes renovating the football stadium which bears his name. The city official said Dallas mayor Laura Miller reached out to Pickens and helped arrange a meeting with State Fair of Texas president Errol McKoy, Pickens and Holder. At that meeting, McKoy made his pitch and Pickens informed Holder that he thought this would be a good move for OSU. On Wednesday, Miller declined to say where negotiations stood with Texas Tech and OSU, or if she even met with Pickens. "I can't tell you," Miller said. "I've been very good about the Cotton Bowl. I don't talk about it – until the press event." The mayor did say, however, that she's been actively working with the schools to reach a deal. "I'm on the phone, on the phone, on the phone, on the phone, in the car, at home, in the morning, in the night," Miller said, adding that she hopes to reach a deal before she leaves office in June. "That's been my goal. That's seven, eight weeks." Miller held a news conference on the Cotton Bowl's 50-yard line on April 19 to announce that Texas and OU had signed an extension that will keep the Red River Rivalry in Dallas through 2015. Grambling and Prairie View A&M officials have also agreed to a similar extension. By adding Tech-OSU to the mix, city officials believe they have another good reason to spend $30 million in stadium improvement courtesy of bonds. In March, a Dallas Morning News poll found that 48 percent of respondents said Dallas shouldn't use the money for stadium upgrades. The city has been scrambling to keep high-profile games at Fair Park since AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic officials decided to move their New Year's Day game to the Cowboys' new stadium in Arlington beginning in 2010.

UNT 1-1 (W SMU, L Tulsa)

Yep, title says it all. It is an absurdly premature assessment.

Posted on the Sun Belt board by Space Raider Golden Panthers await word on future losses Substandard graduation rates by FIU student-athletes could result in the forfeiture of 12 scholarships when an NCAA report is released Wednesday. BY PETE PELEGRIN ppelegrin@MiamiHerald.com Al Diaz / Miami Herald Staff 'We've made it a point to be proactive in addressing all issues with a detailed and organized plan as we move forward in positioning FIU as a major university,'' said FIU Athletic Director Pete Garcia, right, with football coach Mario Cristobal.The Florida International University athletic program is expected to lose 12 scholarships when the NCAA's Academic Progress Report for intercollegiate athletics programs comes out Wednesday, according to athletic director Pete Garcia. The FIU football program will forfeit nine scholarships. The men's basketball program will lose two and the baseball program will lose one. The penalties expected to be levied against FIU are because of substandard graduation rates of its student-athletes. Expecting to face penalties from the NCAA, FIU already has absorbed the bulk of the scholarship sanctions for the APR. The football program, which was below the 85-man roster size, surrendered six scholarships in January and will give up the final three in August or September. Men's basketball already gave up its two scholarships. Baseball also took its one scholarship loss. ''We've made it a point to be proactive in addressing all issues with a detailed and organized plan as we move forward in positioning FIU as a major university,'' Garcia said. Garcia, who was hired Oct. 10, led an internal investigation into FIU's athletics systems and processes earlier this year. After a review of its athletic academic procedures, FIU restructured its athletics compliance area and changed its reporting so that it falls directly under the purview of the university's general counsel. FIU also made staffing changes to several of its programs. Already with the experience of dealing with compliance issues, Garcia -- who encountered compliance issues while at the University of Miami in 1995 and helped organize a plan to revive the UM athletic program that lost 33 scholarships -- began planning to fix FIU's compliance issues earlier this year. Unlike the heavy scholarship losses at UM, the situation at FIU is not as severe. Regardless, the athletic department has taken several steps to improve the resources for FIU's student-athletes. ''We have the full backing from the president, Board of Trustees and the entire administration to provide the proper resources to lay a solid foundation to not only be successful on the field but in the classroom,'' Garcia said. ``The current and future student-athletes will be the ones that will benefit from this solid foundation.'' Among some of the changes FIU already has made for not only the student-athletes, but for the entire student body: Program Grad Xpress, a student degree audit program that allows the student and academic advisor to be up to date on the student's classes and major requirements. Starting July 30, through multiterm registration, each student will be able to register for two terms at once, allowing for better planning to fulfill degree requirements. For FIU athletics, the academic support program has been enhanced and strengthened with more tutors, advisors, study rooms, computers and learning specialists. The same is being done with the compliance department. Garcia said he is expecting to hire an Academic Program Report specialist to help the university concentrate on degree requirements and degree fulfillments. Garcia also added the university has created more opportunities for student-athletes to attend summer school.