MeanGreen61

http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2005/Pr...nsiveGuards.htm Top 25 Offensive Guards 1. Max Jean-Gilles, Sr., Georgia 2. Corey Hilliard, Jr., Oklahoma State 3. Matt Lentz, Sr., Michigan 4. Josh Beekman, Jr., Boston College 5. Will Allen, Sr., Texas 6. Kyle Ralph, Sr., North Carolina 7. Tony Palmer, Sr., Missouri 8. Will Montgomery, Sr., Virginia Tech © 9. Aaron Merz, Sr., Cal 10. Kory Lichtenseiger, Soph., Bowling Green 11. Dan Mozes, Jr., West Virginia 12. Cody Douglas, Sr., Tennessee 13. Jose Garcia, Sr., UTEP 14. Mark Setterstrom, Sr., Minnesota 15. Roy Schuening, Soph., Oregon State 16. Aaron Lips, Sr., Louisiana Tech 17. Charlston Gray, Soph., North Carolina 18. Samson Satele, Jr., Hawaii 19. Nate Livings, Sr., LSU 20. Lequalan McDonald, Sr., Baylor 21. Willie Henderson, Jr., Memphis 22. Brian Daniels, Jr., Colorado 23. Dylan Lineberry, Jr., North Texas 24. Manuel Ramirez, Jr., Texas Tech 25. Derrick Morse, Soph., Miami

New Orleans Times-Picayune article Sun Belt has seen its share of changes It has made a mark in basketball and baseball, is football be next? Sunday, July 24, 2005 By Nakia Hogan Contributing writer This isn't quite what Vic Bubas had in mind 30 years ago when representatives from UNO, Georgia State, South Alabama, South Florida, Jacksonville and UNC Charlotte came calling. When Bubas, a legendary basketball coach, accepted the job to become the first commissioner of the upstart Sun Belt Conference, he envisioned a basketball-rich league based in the southeastern portion of the country. From the outset, Bubas' blueprint appeared flawless. In its first year of competition, UNC Charlotte, led by future NBA player Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell, represented the Sun Belt in the Final Four -- perhaps the biggest stage in all of collegiate athletics -- as the nation watched. "It was just a big boon to our overall athletic recognition for a team like UNC Charlotte to go to the Final Four," said Bubas, who was the Sun Belt's commissioner from 1976-1990. "To think that in our first year of existence to have a team that almost was in the championship game was unreal. We were the object of a lot of attention. You don't plan on something like that, but you are glad when it happens. That was terrific, people sat up and took notice." As the Sun Belt readies to celebrate its 30th year in 2006, there has been plenty of change -- from schools moving in and out to the addition football. While the spotlight on the Sun Belt has yet to shine as bright as it did in 1976, the conference continues moving forward. Sitting at his desk at Sun Belt headquarters on the 23rd floor of the Pan American Life Building a few days before this week's football media days, current Sun Belt commissioner Wright Waters pondered the next turn the league would take. Since taking over in 1998 and helping implement Division I-A football, while fending off defections and restoring somewhat of a regional league (Denver is the exception), Waters is pleased with the conference's direction. "It is an exciting time for the league," he said. "It's an exciting time for each of us in the office, too, professionally. There are challenges that this league has never faced before that we have never had to deal with. But they all have such huge advantages that it makes the struggle sometimes worthwhile." Both Bubas and Waters have little trouble pointing out the conference's grandeur moments, especially UNC Charlotte's 51-49 Final Four loss to Marquette. But there have been other stellar feats. As a Sun Belt member, Old Dominion won the 1985 NCAA women's basketball title. In 1992, Western Kentucky lost in the women's NCAA championship game. Then-Sun Belt member Louisiana Tech lost in the 1994 and 1998 title games. In 2004, Middle Tennessee State's Mardy Scales won the NCAA 100 meters, track and field's premier event. Louisiana-Lafayette helped validate the conference as a budding baseball league with a College World Series berth in 2000. Meanwhile, the young football league has quietly produced the nation's past two rushing-title winners -- North Texas' Jamario Thomas (2004) and Patrick Cobbs (2003). Success hasn't been limited to just the playing fields. Eleven of the league's 13 schools graduated athletes at a higher rate than the general student body last year. And four former Sun Belt employees have gone on to become commissioners of other conferences (Tom Burnett-Southland, Doug Elgin-Missouri Valley, Johnny Iamarino-Northeast and Craig Thompson-Mountain West). Still, it frustrates Waters that not many have noticed. "I've heard all my life that perception becomes reality," Waters said. "Nowhere is that more true than here. We really struggle with what is not reality. We know statistically where our schools are. That we can prove. But the perception of fans has really been a challenge to overcome. In some cases it's a challenge of educating the media. "People didn't realize how good our baseball was. The numbers were there. The wins were there. But it took somebody going to the College World Series to say 'hey, they are pretty good.' The same thing now we face with football. We've got to win some high-profile games. That's the only thing we can do to change the perception." Last season for the first time, two Sun Belt teams received bowl berths (North Texas and Troy) and Waters is trying to negotiate a second bowl partner to go along with the Wyndham New Orleans Bowl, which awards a spot to the Sun Belt champion. The Sun Belt also must continue to improve on its football attendance, which ranked 10th out of 11 Division I-A conferences last season, averaging 18,054. That mark was up from 14,252 fans a game in 2003 when the Sun Belt ranked 11th in average attendance. Waters has his sights set on the Sun Belt averaging in the neighborhood of the 35,213 that the Big East Conference averaged last season. "I think we can be as good as any of the leagues below the big five (Southeastern, Big 12, ACC, Pac-10 and Big Ten)," he said. "The big five have way too much of a head start. They are the 'University of' for the most part. They have the 100-year tradition. They have mega-television deals. They are so far ahead, that it may take us a long time to catch them. "But our model to some extent is the Big East, which is a model of eight football programs and basketball programs. We can be as good as they are, over time." In the meantime, Bubas will sit back and watch to see where the conference goes and grows after he first put his blueprint to work in 1976. "It's really a testimonial to the schools that wanted to stay with decent athletic programs. All of them are fine educational institutions," he said. "We've had change within the conference, but it has survived and taken steps to have a better all-around sports program. And that's what conferences do as time goes on."

http://www.dnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?A.../507250314/1006 Sun Belt Media Days signal countdown to season By ADAM SPARKS sparks@dnj.com NEW ORLEANS — Sun Belt football will not kick off for more than a month, but today the first signs of fall and the upcoming season will arise from a sweltering summer. Sun Belt Football Media Days, a two-day event, will begin today as head coaches and selected players from all eight conference squads converge here to meet with league media and discuss the landscape of the upcoming season. MTSU coach Andy McCollum will be joined by senior linebacker Dennis Burke as representatives of the Blue Raiders at the event. Commissioner Wright Waters will hold a press conference today. Former Georgia coach and ESPN analyst Jim Donnan will serve as a guest speaker at the event. Today will also stage the announcement of the Sun Belt preseason poll, where MTSU could be slotted as high as second, and the preseason all-conference teams, where several Blue Raiders could be placed. Four-time defending Sun Belt champion North Texas should be again picked to win the league. However, the Mean Green's representation on the preseason All-Sun Belt squad could be lessened with only 10 starters returning. Nevertheless, sophomore running back Jamario Thomas should be selected Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after earning the postseason honor in 2004. Media Days will conclude Tuesday with open interviews for each coach and player in attendance. Sun Belt Football Media Days will be broadcast on SIRIUS channel 123 on the "Rivals Radio Show" from 9-11 a.m. today and Tuesday. Host Bill King, a 20-year Nashville radio personality, is joined by co-host Chris Childers, an MTSU alum and host of the weekend show "The Blitz." The duo will interview coaches and players from all eight Sun Belt teams during the two-day event, as well as college football gurus at Media Days. MTSU's Burke is slated to be on the air Tuesday at 9 a.m. Originally published July 25, 2005

Off the Muts board. Article from Lafayette paper. http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll.../507250323/1006 Q&A: Commissioner boasts about Sun Belt Conference has earned increased TV exposure since 1999. Wright Waters was named the fourth commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference on Dec. 15, 1998. He spearheaded the addition of football as a conference sport in 2001 and helped found the New Orleans Bowl with the Sun Belt champion as the event's host. Sun Belt Football Media Days will be held today and Tuesday in New Orleans. Waters talked to Advertiser Senior Sports Writer Bruce Brown. Q: North Texas has been the football champion of the Sun Belt Conference ever since the sport was included in 2001. Is there a problem with the perception of the Sun Belt as the Mean Green, surrounded by lesser programs? A: I don't get paid to deal in perception. I look at things differently than the public does. What I really like is having a balanced league. What I look at are the margins and what I see is the other teams getting closer to North Texas. I think we need to say 'thank you' to North Texas for telling us what the standard is, and now I think it's up to the rest of the schools to catch up. I remember when Jack Nicklaus built a golf course in North Carolina, and he heard complaining that (playing from) the members' tees was too hard. He told them there are old-timers' tees, and that they could move up. Q: The Sun Belt is receiving increased attention with television exposure for games in 2005. What do you think of the progress in that area? A: Probably the easiest way I can talk about it is to say that when I got here in February of 1999, we had two regional TV games and our basketball championship on national TV. This year we have more national TV exposure for football than we had in all sports combined in 1999. In addition, we've got an extensive regional package. We are also cashing in a little bit on ESPN-U, although I'm trying to resist playing on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday. I have no problem with Thursdays. We (college football programs) have been doing that for 25 years now. Q: Are you amazed that you were able to put together a bowl game tie-in in the first year of football for the Sun Belt in 2001? A: I think a lot of that was being in the right place at the right time. From the seat I sit in, I know about the good staff we had and I know that the schools understood the importance of having a bowl game. They had been drifting in the wilderness, and they knew there were a lot of advantages in going for it, too. Another advantage we had was (former UNO A.D.) Ron Maestri. It has made a big difference to have him as our executive director. Q: The Sun Belt is an 8-team football league for 2005, with Western Kentucky's program remaining in Division 1-AA. What do you think of that number at this point in the league's development? A: People have been too worried about conference realignments. Now I think we're entering a period of stability, and we'll see more movement at the double-A and triple-A levels. If you had nine teams, the advantage from a scheduling standpoint is that you could have four (home) and four (away). Another advantage to where we are is that it is very limited. Now, being able to count 1-AA opponents on home schedules and for bowls, less may be better. A bunch of leagues have operated with eight teams. Guys get extra games, and our athletic directors have done a good job of getting high-profile people (foes) on campus. Missouri went to Troy last year, Oklahoma State is at Florida Atlantic this year and you (Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns) have had Texas A&M and Alabama in the past. I think we're going to be OK. Now, in three, four or five years, I don't think we'll be the Big 12 or the SEC, because their schools have "University of" in front of their names and they have a 100-year head start on us. But we can be that next rung of schools, and we can be a pain in the butt for them on the field. I think we'll continue to play solid defense, and have a fast brand of offense that can give them trouble. The margins are getting smaller, and the trend continues of us getting upset wins like Troy over Missouri last year. Q: Success on the field can be matched or exceeded by success in the classroom. Where is the Sun Belt on academic progress? A: I've been asked what is the most significant event in our 30-year history, and having Charlotte in the Final Four our first year is certainly one of them. We've had national champions in cross country and women's basketball. But, the most significant may have been two years ago, when we won our first bowl and had a tremendous about of success in baseball and other sports. That year, every (member) school had graduation rates that were higher than the student body. I think we've got our morals in the right place. We're trying to get our kids graduated. If we can win, put people in the stands and do it all with class, I think we'll be all right. Originally published July 25, 2005

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?i...d=2113075&num=0

Liberty Bowl will have first choice of CUSA teams & need not take conference champ. Will this become the bowl that belongs to Memphis like the H-Bowl belongs to Boise State ? Will this freeze out SMU, Tulsa, Rice ? Lotta discussion on the CUSA board. http://www.ncaabbs.com/forums/confusa/invi...ST&f=22&t=27294 http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/footba...3948220,00.html Liberty Bowl will have its pick of teams New C-USA format creates some flexibility By Phil Stukenborg Contact July 23, 2005 The AutoZone Liberty Bowl will invite a representative from Conference USA to play in the Dec. 31 game, but for the first time since 1999 it won't necessarily be the league's champion. C-USA commissioner Britton Banowsky said the Liberty Bowl will have the first selection of bowl eligible teams from the conference. He said the bowl is being given flexibility because of the league's addition of a championship game in 2005. "I think that it makes sense," Banowsky said. "We support the idea of moving to a first selection position as opposed to a required champion position because of the advent of our football championship game." From 1999 to 2004, the bowl invited the champions from the Mountain West Conference and C-USA. But the Mountain West's contract with the Liberty Bowl ended after the 2004 game. The bowl remains in negotiations with the Mountain West to invite the league champion to Memphis in December. The bowl is also talking with the Southeastern Conference, the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East about being an opponent for a C-USA team. An 11-team football league last season, C-USA's makeup was altered July 1. Louisville, Cincinnati and South Florida officially departed for the Big East, TCU joined the Mountain West and Army dropped out to become an independent. In their place, C-USA added six football programs -- SMU, Rice, Tulsa, Central Florida, Marshall and UTEP -- and split into two six-team divisions with a playoff game. Liberty Bowl executive director Steve Ehrhart said changing the format from C-USA champion to having the first selection of C-USA teams was agreed upon during league meetings in Destin, Fla., in May. "With a championship game, the league is putting another game on the schedule," Ehrhart said. "That could cause some additional travel for fans. "If someone has made the effort to travel to the championship game (in early December), will they turn around and travel again in three weeks? I think that's why it makes sense to have that flexibility, even though in all likelihood it will still be the champion we'd invite." Banowsky said it would make sense for Ehrhart to have flexibility if, for instance, a division runnerup was nationally ranked and had a better overall record than the league champion. "That team might have lost head-to-head to the ultimate divisional champion, but has a better overall record," Banowsky said. "It's helpful from a bowl's perspective to have greater flexibility in selecting the teams that they think will provide them the opportunity to have a great game." Could that include inviting a DeAngelo Williams-led Tiger team with a stellar record, but no league title? "If (Memphis) is having a great year, an unbelievable year, but isn't ultimately our conference champion, my sense is that the people in Memphis would really love to see the Tigers in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl," Banowsky said.

Article submitted by a familiar name. http://www.beltboard.com/

Amazing Jamario TD stats. 17 TD's scored 10 were from 25 or more yards with 3 over 50! (70,58,57)! Only 5 were under 10 yards! The remaining 2 were 15 & 17. 70 58 57 48 42 33 31 27 25 25 ----- 17 15 ----- 6 4 2 1 1 One word .... INCREDIBLE

Jamario & Henderson were the running backs in DCTF's All Texas College team. DC's also had Jamario listed as the best runner in Texas Is there another school that has TWO on this top 25 list?

So you specialized in long distance "hard sell".

Top 25 Running Backs 1. Reggie Bush, Jr., USC 2. Adrian Peterson, Soph., Oklahoma 3. Laurence Maroney, Jr., Minnesota 4. DeAngelo Williams, Sr. Memphis 5. Andre Hall, Sr., South Florida 6. Mike Hart, Soph., Michigan 7. LenDale White, Jr., USC 8. Leon Washington, Sr., Florida State 9. Lynell Hamilton, Soph., San Diego State 10. Gerald Riggs Jr., Sr., Tennessee 11. Marshawn Lynch, Soph., California 12. Garrett Wolfe, Jr., Northern Illinois 13. Cornell Brockington, Jr., Connecticut 14. Taurean Henderson, Sr., Texas Tech 15. P.J. Daniels, Sr.. Georgia Tech 16. Chris Barclay, Sr., Wake Forest 17. Patrick Cobbs, Sr., North Texas 18. Wali Lundy, Sr.. Virginia 19. Maurice Drew, Jr., UCLA 20. Pierre Thomas, Jr., Illinois (KR) 21. Jamario Thomas, Soph., North Texas 22. Cory Ross, Sr., Nebraska 23. DonTrell Moore, Sr.. New Mexico inj. 24. P.J. Pope, Sr., Bowling Green 25. Jerious Norwood, Sr., Mississippi State CFN All-American Running Backs Cobbs & Thomas make "Watch List" http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2005/Pr...unningBacks.htm

Daily's article on the academic losses. Academic woes hit NT football Rian Johnson Staff Writer July 21, 2005 For the second consecutive year, the NT offense is plagued by academic ineligibility. Last week, the NT athletic department announced that four football players were academically ineligible for the 2005 season. "It's frustrating from my perspective as [athletics director] because we are trying to get those kids on track to graduate," said NT athletics director Rick Villarreal. "Our goal for bringing young people here is to see them graduate." The most notable name on that list was Joey Byerly, the only quarterback on the Mean Green roster who saw live action last year. Byerly entered last spring as a leading candidate, alongside redshirt freshman Daniel Meager, to replace four-year starting quarterback Scott Hall. Byerly's performance in the spring game (nine of 24 passing for 150 yards and a touchdown and 63 rushing yards), coupled with a shoulder injury that sidelined Meager for most of spring practice, had all but assured him the starting spot. Excluding Byerly, the Mean Green has five quarterback candidates to replace Hall. The frontrunners are most likely Jonathan Ieans and Meager. The Mean Green expects Meager to fully recover from his shoulder injury by the time two-a-day practices start next month. As a junior in high school, Meager was thought to be one of the top five quarterbacks in the state before injuring his leg prior to his senior season. Entering the 2005 season, Ieans was expected to be a reserve at wideout, but the sophomore might challenge Meager for the job. Ieans earned all-district honors as a quarterback at Houston Madison High School. Another major casualty to academic eligibility is junior fullback Chris Nevins, who had seen playing time in all 12 games last season and was expected to carry a larger load at the fullback position this year. Eligibility burdens the quarterback position, but the wide receiver and defensive back positions will benefit from the reinstatement of senior Ja'Mel Branch and junior Joel Nwigwe. The two wideouts were ineligible last year. "It's good to see those kids back," Villarreal said. "They had to take care of some things on their own, and to their credit they did." In 2003, Branch was second on the team in receptions and all-purpose yards, while Nwigwe led the team in yards per reception. Nwigwe is expected to return to the receiving corps. However, Branch will compete for a starting spot at defensive back. Senior linebacker Montrell Parks, redshirt freshman defensive lineman Micah West and junior track and field athlete Lee Porter were also declared ineligible. Briefly: NT edged Middle Tennessee in ESPN's 2005 pre-season Sun Belt Conference rankings. Although the Mean Green and the Blue Raiders each had seven players named to the preseason All-Sun Belt team, ESPN has NT winning its fifth consecutive Sun Belt title. Offensively, lineman Dylan Lineberry and running backs Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas were named to the All-Sun Belt team. Junior wideout Johnny Quinn was awarded dual spots as a wide receiver and specialist for his punt returning duties. Senior place kicker Nick Bazaldua also earned a spot on the special teams. Defensively, NT was not represented, but junior defensive lineman Willie Ransom, a Kansas Community College transfer, was projected as the conference Newcomer of the Year.

http://www.jonesborosun.com/story.asp?ID=10899 ASU'S Roberts finds reasons for optimism By Kevin Turbeville Sun staff writer JONESBORO — A more reasonable schedule and a more experienced roster have Steve Roberts excited about his fourth season as Arkansas State’s head football coach. ASU will play five games at Indian Stadium and, for the first time in Roberts’ tenure, will have more Sun Belt Conference games at home than on the road. The schedule didn’t look nearly as friendly a year ago, when the Indians opened with three Top 25 teams while playing seven of their first nine games away from home. True freshmen, redshirt freshmen and sophomores also made up roughly two-thirds of the 2004 travel roster, as Roberts pointed out when he spoke to the Jonesboro Kiwanis Club on Wednesday. “I don’t bellyache, cry or make excuses for that because the day I took the job, I knew exactly what it was going to be like last year,” Roberts said, reflecting on a 3-8 season. “There were no misgivings about that. I knew it was going to be a challenge, and we had some bright moments last year. “I reflect on that from last year to tell you this — I am very, very excited about this year’s football team. We are still a year away from having those juniors and seniors that we need, but I’m very, very excited about what we have coming back.” When practice starts in early August, ASU will return six defensive starters and four offensive starters from last year’s team. The Indians led Memphis late in the fourth quarter and also dropped close games against Ole Miss and Louisiana-Lafayette. The offensive backfield returns intact with quarterback Nick Noce, tailback Antonio Warren and fullback Oren O’Neal. All are seniors. Warren was second-team All-Sun Belt last year with 1,036 yards, and Roberts said O’Neal will have “an opportunity to play at the next level” at fullback. Noce threw for 2,115 yards and 13 touchdowns, but also tossed 16 interceptions in his first year as a starter. “Nick Noce made tremendous strides throughout the course of the year last year. Everybody knows he started off with a bang and in the third ballgame he set a school record, threw for 418 yards against Memphis, but Nick was still inexperienced,” Roberts said. “He still made some experience-type mistakes. I’m really, really looking forward to seeing him after a year of starting experience under his belt. I think he’s going to have a great year for us.” ASU lost its top three receivers and top tight end from last year, but Roberts said the Indians will be more talented in those areas. He also said the offensive line, where center Tanner Jenkins is the only returning starter, should be “a tremendous unit” as it comes together. Defensively, Roberts said the Indians should be especially strong on the line and in the secondary. “Up front in the defensive line, we will have the best talent and depth that we’ve had since we had Jon Bradley and Corey Williams on the defensive line. I really feel good about that position,” Roberts said. “Jon Najm, who we redshirted last year, will come out and turn a lot of heads at defensive end. I think he’s going to be a tremendous player. Myron Anderson is one of the strongest football players I’ve ever been around. He’s had an unbelievable summer.” Anderson, a senior, was a starter last season along with junior nose tackle Jamarrow James and sophomore end Brian Flagg, who could still play linebacker in the Indians’ new 4-3 scheme. Sophomore strong safety Tyrell Johnson had 94 tackles and four interceptions as a redshirt freshman. Roberts said the Indians will have a battle at free safety between sophomore Khayyam Burns, a returning starter, and junior Darren Toney, who was listed as the starter after spring practice. At cornerback, Roberts said the Indians have three players with the ability to start in senior James Johnson, junior Kelvin Cox and sophomore Montis Harrison, who started last season. Roberts said newcomers will have to help at linebacker. Junior college transfers Devrett Wade and Eli Ellis (a 2004 redshirt) are on the first unit, and true freshman Ben Owens of Bearden comes in with strong credentials. The Indians return key performers on special teams, including kicker Eric Neihouse and punter Jarod Little. “We’re getting better. There is no doubt about that,” Roberts said. “Our redshirt freshmen are now sophomores and that’s a big, big issue for us. I wish that three years ago we could have hid three or four, or five or six of those guys who were juniors and seniors, just hid them in the closet for a couple of years and brought them out now, because we would be really, really good.” Roberts said the Indians have made progress in all three areas covered by his “I Will” philosophy — academics, personal conduct and preparing to win. After three seasons, Roberts is 14-22 as the Indians’ head coach. ASU was 3-19 in the two seasons preceding his arrival. “We’re excited about the progress we’ve made. Many of y’all could sit here today and say, ‘Hey, we have not won enough games in the last three years since you’ve been our football coach,’” Roberts said. “I agree with that wholeheartedly, no doubt in my mind about that. I could also tell you that we’ve won more games the last three years than have been won at Arkansas State since 1987, ‘88 and ‘89. “That was the last 3-year period that had more wins than what we’ve had the last three years. We’re not where we need to be, but we’re moving in the right direction. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind about that.” kturbeville@jonesborosun.com

Well GE, CFN agrees with you on a 4 rating for our defensive backfield & they have us a 6th best in the conference. Here's the comments from their review. Defensive Backs The pass defense was horrible allowing 241 yards per game, and that was with all-star safeties Jonas Buckles and Markeith Knowlton. T.J. Covington has to become a better number one corner while Ja'Mel Branch has to make the successful transition from receiver to corner. The safeties are big, especially Cliff Higgs, and can hit, but the jury is still out on how well they can cover. Player to keep an eye on: SS Cliff Higgs, RFr. ... Secondary rating: 4 Projected Starters - CB T.J. Covington, Sr. - 40 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 3 broken up passes ... The leader of the defensive backfield, the former JUCO transfer is a strong tackler and decent cover-corner but he needs to make more plays when the ball is in the air and has to be more of a shutdown player on opposing number one receivers. His first year highlight was a 100-yard fumble return for a score against Utah State. - FS Roderick Cotton, Soph. - 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss ... Cotton was a decent reserve and has the makings of a top safety. He's a big hitter and had a decent spring trying to replace four-time all-conference performer Jonas Buckles. - SS Cliff Higgs, RFr. - At 6-1 and 222 pounds, Higgs his a huge safety getting the first shot at replacing leading tackler Markeith Knowlton. He's not lightning fast, but he has good range and an intimidating presence. - CB Ja'Mel Branch, Sr. - Branch was one of the team's better receivers, but now he'll move over to corner to try to beef up a weak area. He's only 5-7, but he's extremely quick and should do fine against speed receivers. The key will be how physical he can be. Top Backups - CB Deavin Cox, Soph. - 8 tackles ... Cox was a key reserve and is expected to play an even bigger role behind T.J. Covington and pushing Ja'Mel Branch for time on the other side. He's one of the best athletes in the secondary and could step in and start at any time. - SS Christopher Walthall, Soph. - One of the team's bigger safeties, the 200-pound Walthall will challenge Cliff Higgs for time at strong safety. He could be used in nickel situations.

Classic. Another Deep Green moment to remember!

From a May CBS Sportsline article. Sun Belt dead last in SOS. Sun Belt team schedules scroll down to bottom. Strength of conference teams really affects our SOS. Rating by Conferences Rnk Conference Rating 1 Big East 1.2955 2 SEC 1.1887 3 Big 12 1.1750 4 ACC 1.1544 5 Pac-10 1.1294 6 Indep. 1.0883 7 Big Ten 1.0716 8 WAC 0.9094 9 M. West 0.8908 10 MAC 0.7853 11 C-USA 0.7362 12 Sun Belt 0.6661 Sun Belt Teams SOS #99 ULL #100 ULM #113t FAU #113t MUTS #116t North Texas #116t Troy #118 ASU #119 FIU http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/...l/story/8521762

“He brought a very personal, warm style to campus leadership,” Jackson said. “He renewed the campus spirit, not only around athletics, but in campus residency as well. He was highly regarded by the community for his hands-on approach.” "Pohl said he was most happy with accomplishments in athletics, school spirit and in engineering".

Pleeze PMG, don't do a poll

Has anyone bothered to check & see what DD's compensations actually is ? I thought his total compensation package, with his contract extension, paid him much more that $215,000.

PMG, do you stay up nights thinking of the next poll you can put up? "Careful pardner, PMG will poll ya at the drop of a hat"

Different folks have different rankings. College Football News has our D-line at #4 in the conference & the defense at #4 overall. They rate the line as a 5. Defensive Line This should be a problem early on replacing the entire line that wasn't all that great at stopping the run but was great at getting to the quarterback. Getting into the backfield shouldn't be a problem with Jeremiah Chapman and Eli Hutchinson each looking like future Sun Belt stars. Tackle is a different story needing Sky Pruitt and Chris Miller to go from being decent reserves to steady starters. Player to keep an eye on: DE Willie Ransome, Jr. ... Defensive Line rating: 5 Projected Starters - DE Jeremiah Chapman, Soph. - 10 tackles, 2 tackles, 3 tackles for loss ... Athletic and strong, the 6-4, 245-pound Chapman saw a little bit of playing time as a reserve and looks like the new star pass rusher. He had a strong spring and needs to be strong against the run right away. - DT Sky Pruitt, Jr. - At 6-2 and 295 pounds, Pruitt has to be a rock in the middle in a full-time role. He's strong and tough against the run, but he needs experience and has to prove he can handle the heavier workload - NT Chris Miller, Sr. - 11 tackles ... The 270-pound senior had a good reserve year and needs to be an anchor after being groomed for the spot over the last two years. He's athletic and should shine now that he gets his chance for the starting gig. - DE Eli Hutchinson, Sr. - 18 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss ... The former JUCO all-star is the most experienced returning player to the new line. He's a rangy 6-4 and 240 pounds with good quickness. Top Backups - DE Blake Burruss, Soph. - 2 tackles ... Burruss got a little bit of mopup time against Texas and will need to be a valuable reserve behind Eli Hutchinson. At 6-7 and 252 pounds, he's an interesting prospect with room on his frame to get even bigger. - DT Montey Stevenson, Soph. - 11 tackles, 2 tackles for loss ... A valuable reserve, the 267-pound Stevenson is a quick tackle who'll be asked to get into the backfield on a regular basis behind Sky Pruitt. - DE William Ransome, Jr. - The star JUCO transfer will be given every opportunity to take over one of the starting end jobs. He was a top pass rusher at Coffeyville CC and was strong at coming up with big plays.

SUMG the plate is made of pewter & probably stamped "hand made in USA Wendell August Forge". A nice desk piece!

PC members ( $1,000.00 plus) get free media guides.

Frog board had a thread on the 7-7 games at A&M. A WR from Colleyville by the name of Markley was impressive. Poster said he's being recruited by Smoo, Army, Yale & UNT. Any more info ?

Warren's bio from the official site. The definition of a dual-threat quarterback, Warren was named the Offensive MVP of District 4-5A ... Warren threw for 489 yards and rushed for 951 more as a senior ... Finding the end zone was a regular occurrence for Warren last season as he ran for 10 scores and threw for four ... Warren was a pitcher for the Elks baseball team and was clocked at 10.7 in the 100-meter dash for the school track team.