9.23.2002 Conference USA Football Notebook
Dave Ragone |
Conference USA football is featured in prime time on Thursday night when the Louisville Cardinals host No. 4 Florida State (ESPN, 7:30 p.m. EDT). Five C-USA running backs are ranked among the top 35 in the nation; find out about more about the league's trend toward running the ball in this week's notebook.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSE
DeAngelo Williams RB Memphis
The true freshman carried 18 times for 166 yards in the Tigers 38-10 win over Tulane. Included was an 86-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, the longest run by a Memphis player since 1990. Williams has topped the 100-yard mark in three of his first four collegiate games.
DEFENSE
Blue Adams CB Cincinnati
Adams registered six tackles and intercepted a pair of passes as Cincinnati held No. 6 Ohio State to a season-low 292 yards of total offense in a 23-19 loss. He now has nine interceptions in 34 games, but has recorded seven INTs in seven career starts.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Damien Dorsey PR Louisville
Dorsey set a school record and notched an NCAA season-high with 159 punt return yards in a win at Army. His 81-yard return for a touchdown was the 10th-longest punt return in Louisville history and he also had a 32-yard return that he ran back to the Army 22 to set up a Cardinal touchdown.
DYNAMIC DEANGELO
Highly-regarded freshman running back DEANGELO WILLIAMS has delivered on his promise during the first month of the season, rushing for more than 100 yards in three of the first four games. In Saturday's 38-10 win over Tulane he ran for 166 yards and a touchdown. The true freshman has gained 401 yards on 43 carries, giving him a nation-leading 9.3 yards per carry average.
BY GROUND, NOT AIR
With five running backs ranked in the Top 35 in the nation in rushing, the offensive trend in Conference USA has moved more to the ground this season. On Saturday, Cincinnati's Gino Guidugli became the first C-USA passer to throw for 300 yards this season, completing 26-of-52 passes for 324 yards in the Bearcats near-upset of No. 6 Ohio State. Last season, C-USA quarterbacks recorded 300-yard passing days 16 times, including five in the first month of the season.
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
Houston is tied for the national lead with 10 fumble recoveries in the first four games of the season. The Cougars defense has forced 13 total turnovers already in 2002, just two shy of the number of turnovers the unit forced all of last season.
SATURDAY'S STARS
Here's a look at some of the top performers around Conference USA on September 21:
Rushing Attempts
20 Henry Miller, LOU (56 yds.)
18 DeAngelo Williams, MEM (166 yds.)
18 Mewelde Moore, TUL (63 yds.)
Rushing Yards
166 DeAngelo Williams, MEM (18 att.)
Rushing Touchdowns
2 Henry Miller, LOU
Passing Completions
26 Gino Guidugli, CIN (52 att.)
21 J.P. Losman, TUL (31 att.)
15 Dave Ragone, LOU (29 att.)
Passing Yards
324 Gino Guidugli, CIN (26-of-52)
240 Dave Ragone, LOU (15-of-29)
188 J.P. Losman, TUL (21-of-31)
Passing Touchdowns
1 several tied with
Receptions
9 Tye Keith, CIN (94 yds.)
7 Dontay Spillman, LOU (128 yds.)
6 Mewelde Moore, TUL (48 yds.)
5 Antoine Harden, MEM (85 yds.)
5 LaDaris Vann, CIN (81 yds.)
5 Damien Dorsey, LOU (79 yds.)
5 Adrian Madise, TCU (42 yds.)
Receiving Yards
128 Dontay Spillman, LOU (7 rec.)
94 Tye Keith, CIN (9 rec.)
Receiving Touchdowns
1 several tied with
Field Goals
3 Nick Browne, TCU
2 Jonathan Ruffin, CIN
IRONMEN
Cincinnati senior RT JOSH GARDNER is expected to make his 39th consecutive start at Temple on Saturday. That is the fourth-longest active starting streak by offensive lineman in Division I-A.
CONSECUTIVE STARTS BY OL
42 Steve Sciullo, Marshall
39 Gene Mruczkowski, Purdue
39 Bruce Nelson, Iowa
38 Josh Gardner, Cincinnati
BEST ON THE GROUND
Three current C-USA players are among the league's all-time leaders in rushing yards. Here's a look at the top rushers in Conference USA history (through Sept. 21):
CAREER RUSHING LEADERS
3,636 Ketric Sanford, HOU, 1996-99
3,089 Leonard Henry, ECU, 1998-01
2,921 Derrick Nix, USM, 1998-present
2,786 Robert Cooper, CIN, 1996-99
2,725 Mewelde Moore, TUL, 2000-present
2,378 Gerard Arnold, MEM, 1997-99
2,294 DeMarco McCleskey, CIN, 1998, 00-02
2,275 Michael Wallace, Army, 1998-00
2,183 Frank Moreau, LOU, 1996-99
DEFENSIVE MINDED
Since the beginning of the 1999 season, the Southern Miss defense has allowed fewer touchdowns than any Division I-A school. This list does not include special teams or defensive touchdowns by opponents, only TDs allowed by the defense.
School TDs Allowed
1. SOUTHERN MISS 55
2. Oklahoma 61
3. Miami (Fla.) 62
4. Virginia Tech 66
5. Kansas State 67
6. Texas A&M 68
7. Nebraska 69
8. Texas 71
9. Tennessee 74
Florida State 74
Florida 74
12. TCU 76
STACKING SACKS
Since the beginning of the 2000 season, three Conference USA teams are among the top seven teams in the nation in quarterback sacks:
School SACKS
1. LOUISVILLE 107
2. Fresno State 105
3. Tennessee 93
4. New Mexico 86
5. Texas 85
6. TCU 84
7. SOUTHERN MISS 81
8. Pittsburgh 81
PICKED OFF
Since the beginning of the 1999 season, three Conference USA teams are among the top 12 teams in the nation in interceptions:
School INT
1. Oregon 66
2. Fresno State 65
3. LOUISVILLE 59
4. Nebraska 57
5. Fresno State 56
Washington State 56
7. Georgia 55
8. SOUTHERN MISS 50
USC 50
10. Hawaii 49
Purdue 49
12. CINCINNATI 48
Texas Tech 48
WHITE HOT
Louisville junior DE DEWAYNE WHITE is continuing to make his mark in the Cardinal record books as well as C-USA's annals. In 26 career games, White has 28.5 sacks and 42.5 tackles for loss.
C-USA ALL-TIME SACK LEADERS
35 Bryan Thomas, UAB (1998-01)
34.5 Adalius Thomas, USM (1996-99)
30 Michael Josiah, LOU (1998-01)
28.5 Dewayne White, LOU (2000-01)
26 Cedric Scott, USM (1997-00)
RAGONE RISING
Louisville quarterback Dave Ragone continues to move up several C-USA career passing charts Here's a look at where he currently stands (through games of Sept. 21):
ATTEMPTS
1,679 Chris Redman, LOU, 1996-99
1,388 Jason McKinley, HOU, 1997-00
1,355 Patrick Ramsey, TUL, 1998-01
1,169 David Garrard, ECU, 1998-01
975 Jeff Kelly, USM, 1999-01
964 Shaun King, TUL, 1996-98
922 Deontey Kenner, CIN, 1997-00
872 Dave Ragone, LOU, 1999-01
817 Lee Roberts, USM, 1996-98
COMPLETIONS
1,031 Chris Redman, Louisville, 1996-99
798 Patrick Ramsey, Tulane, 1998-01
786 Jason McKinley, Houston, 1997-00
666 David Garrard, East Carolina, 1998-00
571 Jeff Kelly, Southern Miss, 1998-01
554 Shaun King, Tulane, 1996-98
522 Dave Ragone, Louisville, 1999-01
498 Deontey Kenner, Cincinnati, 1997-00
465 Lee Roberts, Southern Miss, 1996-98
PASSING YARDS
12,541 Chris Redman, Louisville, 1996-99
9,205 Patrick Ramsey, Tulane, 1998-01
9,029 David Garrard, East Carolina, 1998-01
8,694 Jason McKinley, Houston, 1997-00
7,373 Shaun King, Tulane, 1996-98
7,095 Jeff Kelly, Southern Miss, 1998-01
6,669 Dave Ragone, Louisville, 1999-01
6,278 Deontey Kenner, Cincinnati, 1997-00
6,224 Lee Roberts, Southern Miss, 1996-98
TOUCHDOWN PASSES
84 Chris Redman, Louisville, 1996-99
72 Patrick Ramsey, Tulane, 1998-01
68 Shaun King, Tulane, 1996-98
60 David Garrard, East Carolina, 1998-01
55 Dave Ragone, Louisville, 1999-01
52 Lee Roberts, Southern Miss, 1996-98
51 Jeff Kelly, Southern Miss, 1998-01
46 Jason McKinley, Houston, 1997-00
31 Deontey Kenner, Cincinnati, 1997-00
PEAK PERFORMERS
Here's a look at some of the top individual offensive performances in Conference USA this season:
300-YARD PASSERS
324 Gino Guidugli, CIN vs. Ohio State 9-21
100-YARD RECEIVERS
128 Dontay Spillman, LOU at Army 9-21
128 Jon Olinger, CIN vs. TCU 9-2
121 Antoine Harden, MEM vs. Mississippi 9-7
111 LaTarence Dunbar, TCU vs. SMU 9-14
109 LeRoy Handy, USM vs. Jackson St. 8-31
106 Dontay Spillman, LOU at Colorado St. 9-14
100-YARD RUSHERS
201 Derrick Nix, USM vs. Illinois 9-7
196 Derrick Nix, USM vs. Memphis 9-14
185 Art Brown, ECU vs. Tulane 9-14
166 DeAngelo Williams, MEM vs. Tulane 9-21
155 Joffrey Reynolds, HOU at Rice 8-31
152 Josh Holden, Army vs. Holy Cross 9-7
147 Mewelde Moore, TUL vs. Southern 8-31
143 Joffrey Reynolds, HOU vs. Tulane 9-7
129 DeAngelo Williams, MEM vs. Murray St. 8-31
121 Anthony Harris, USM vs. Memphis 9-14
114 Mewelde Moore, TUL at East Carolina 9-14
114 Joffrey Reynolds, HOU vs. La.-Lafayette 9-14
105 DeAngelo Williams, MEM at USM 9-14
GETTING THEIR KICKS
Three current C-USA kickers are among the top five in league history in both scoring and field goals made. Here's a look at how they currently rank (as of Sept. 23):
C-USA CAREER SCORING
1. Seth Marler, TUL (99-present) 279
2. Brad Palazzo, TUL (1996-98) 255
3. Ryan White, MEM (1998-01) 248
4. Jonathan Ruffin, CIN (1999-present) 230
5. Kevin Miller, ECU (1999-present) 216
C-USA CAREER FIELD GOALS MADE
1. Seth Marler, TUL (99-present) 54
2. Ryan White, MEM (1998-01) 49
3. Brad Palazzo, TUL (1996-98) 48
4. Jonathan Ruffin, CIN (1999-present) 46
5. Kevin Miller, ECU (1999-present) 38
6. Brad Palazzo, TUL (196-98) 37
SOUTH FLORIDA
Conference USA will expand to 11 teams in football by the 2003 season as South Florida, a member of Conference USA in all other sports, will become a football-playing member in 2003. Here's a quick look at USF:
UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA
Location: Tampa, FloridaNickname: BullsColors: Green and GoldStadium: Raymond James (41,441)
Head Coach: Jim Leavitt
SOUTH FLORIDA 2002 SCHEDULE (2-1)
Aug. 29 (Thu.) FLORIDA ATLANTIC W, 51-10
Sept. 7 NORTHERN ILLINOIS W, 37-6
Sept. 14 at Arkansas L, 3-42
Sept. 28 at Oklahoma 7:00p
Oct. 5 at North Texas 8:05p
Oct. 12 SOUTHERN MISS 7:00p
Oct. 19 at East Carolina 2:00p
Nov. 2 CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 7:00p
Nov. 9 MEMPHIS 7:00p
Nov. 16 BOWLING GREEN 7:00p
Nov. 23 at Houston 3:00p
All times Eastern
South Florida currently has the third-longest home field winning streak in I-A, having won their last 15 games at Raymond James Stadium. Only Nebraska (24 games) and Miami-Fla. (17) have a longer current streak.
The Bulls will make their first appearance on national television on September 28 when USF visits Oklahoma. TBS will televise the game live at 7:00 p.m. EDT/6:00 p.m. CDT.
Oklahoma great (and Pro Football Hall of Fame member) Lee Roy Selmon is the director of athletics at South Florida.
Head coaches Bob Stoops and Jim Leavitt were co-defensive coordinators at Kansas State from 1991-1996.
ARMY BLACK KNIGHTS
The Black Knights lost their conference opener against Louisville on Saturday. Senior LB RYAN KENT provided Army's first touchdown with an 88-yard fumble return for a score. The Black Knights other touchdown came when sophomore QB MATT SILVA and senior TE WARREN STEWART hooked up on their first collegiate touchdown, a one-yard pass. Sophomore DB DALENTE BREWER, who had first career interception against Rutgers last week, blocked a field goal attempt in the third quarter, Army's first blocked kick since the 2000 Navy game. Sophomore WILLIAM WHITE had 175 all-purpose yards against Louisville and is second in the nation with 194.7 per game.
CINCINNATI BEARCATS
The Bearcats had three passes to the end zone fall incomplete in the final seconds as UC's upset bid over No. 6 Ohio State fell short on Saturday, 23-19. Sophomore QB GINO GUIDUGLI threw for 324 yards, the fifth 300-yard passing game of his short career. Greg Cook (1966-68) holds the UC mark for most 300-yard games with six. In the first three quarters of games this season, Guidugli is 38-of-76 for 468 yards and three touchdowns, while in the fourth quarter and overtime he is 26-of-44 for 418 yards and two scores. After catching nine passes for 94 yards against Ohio State, senior WR TYE KEITH needs just two receptions to become the 12th player in school history to reach 100 career catches. Senior DE ANTWAN PEEK recorded one quarterback sack against OSU and has one sack in four straight games, dating back to last season. Saturday's crowd of 66,319 set a new attendance record for Conference USA and was the largest to ever watch a football game - at any level - in the city of Cincinnati.
EAST CAROLINA PIRATES
The Pirates moved into the win column with a 24-20 victory over Tulane in their conference opener on Sept. 14. Junior RB ART BROWN carried 27 times for a career-high 185 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score late in the third quarter that proved to be the game-winner. MARVIN TOWNES added a career-best 87 yards on 14 attempts, while sophomore QB PAUL TROTH scored a rushing touchdown, the first of his Pirate career. After being plagued by turnovers in a pair of losses at ACC schools, East Carolina did not commit a turnover vs. Tulane. Senior FS KELLY HARDY recorded seven tackles and had a 31-yard interception return to set up a field goal. Senior K KEVIN MILLER, who extended his streak of consecutive field goals made to 14 following Hardy's interception, moved into second place on the school's all-time scoring list with 216. He needs just six more points to tie all-time leader Carlester Crumpler (1971-73).
HOUSTON COUGARS
The Cougars fell to 2-2 with a loss at No. 2 Texas on Saturday. Houston's lone touchdown came on a one yard run by backup QB NICK EDDY, his second career rushing TD. Senior RB JOFFREY REYNOLDS moved past Antowain Smith (1995-96) into 10th place on UH's all-time rushing list with 1,851 yards. He needs just 85 more to move into ninth place. With a 42-yard field goal in the second quarter, sophomore DUSTIN BELL recorded his seventh straight successful field goal attempt this season. Four of his kicks have been from 40 yards or longer. With 13 tackles on Saturday, senior S HANIK MILLIGAN has recorded double-digit tackle totals in 16 straight games, dating back to the 2000 season. Senior VICTOR MALONE's 57-yard interception return was the longest by a Cougar player since Nov. 6, 1999.
LOUISVILLE CARDINALS
Louisville won its conference opener at Army on Saturday, 45-14. For the second straight week, senior QB DAVE RAGONE generated 302 yards of total offense, throwing for 240 yards and one touchdown. His 62 yards rushing tied his 2000 performance against Tulane for the second-most rushing yards ever by a Louisville quarterback. Senior RB HENRY MILLER (20-for-58) ran for two touchdowns, giving him five rushing TDs in the last two weeks. Junior WR DONTAY SPILLMAN had seven receptions for 128 yards, including an eight-yard scoring reception in the second quarter. The Cardinals special teams unit blocked two punts and had a punt return for a touchdown against Army. Louisville has now scored touchdowns on a kickoff return, punt return, interception return and two on blocked punts in four games this season.
MEMPHIS TIGERS
The Tigers evened their Conference USA record with a 38-10 win over Tulane on Saturday. Memphis rushed for 242 yards and four touchdowns, led by freshman DeANGELO WILLIAMS with 166 on 18 carries. The true freshman scored on an 86-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, the longest run by a Tiger player since 1990. Williams leads the nation with a 9.3 yard per carry average and has rushed for more than 100 yards in three of his first four collegiate games. Sophomore WR ANTOINE HARDEN caught five passes for 85 yards, including four for 77 yards in the first quarter. Sophomore QB DANNY WIMPRINE finished the night 11-of-23 for 154 yards with one passing TD and his first rushing score of the season. True freshman DB O.C. COLLINS forced a fumble and had a 48-yard interception that set up a Memphis touchdown. Junior LB DERRICK BALLARD had 11 tackles, two of the Tigers five sacks and a forced fumble in the win. Junior LB GREG HARPER suffered a fractured fibula in the second quarter.
SOUTHERN MISS GOLDEN EAGLES
The Golden Eagles lost for the first time this season when they fell at Alabama, 20-7 on Saturday night. Despite the loss, Southern Miss is 3-1 for the third consecutive season. The Golden Eagles only touchdown came when sophomore LB MICHAEL BOLEY returned an interception 54 yards for a touchdown, USM's first INT for a touchdown since Oct., 2000 against Tulane. It marked the seventh consecutive game that Southern Miss recorded at least one interception. The Golden Eagles have at least two INTs in three of four games this season. Senior RB DERRICK NIX rushed for 57 yards on 14 carries, moving him into third place on the school's all-time rushing list with 2,921 yards. He needs just 194 yards to pass Sammy Winder, who is currently second. Senior CB ETRIC PRUITT registered a career-high 18 tackles, including 15 solo stops. He also forced a pair of fumbles and had one tackle for loss.
TCU HORNED FROGS
The Horned Frogs won their third straight game on Saturday, defeating North Texas, 16-10. The TCU defense did not allow a touchdown until 42 seconds remained in the game and it allowed North Texas just 219 yards of total offense. The Frogs have not allowed a touchdown in the second quarter this season and have not allowed a third quarter point since the Northwestern game, a span of 37:55. Senior QB SEAN STILLEY was 9-of-17 for 64 yards before leaving the game with a right (throwing) shoulder injury. Redshirt freshman TYE GUNN replaced him and threw his first career touchdown, a four-yarder to CODY McCARTY. The Horned Frogs have forced their first three opponents into 15 turnovers, picking off six passes and recovering nine fumbles. Senior LB LaMARCUS McDONALD registered a game-high 15 tackles, including three for losses. Senior SS JARED SMITHERMAN had 11 tackles, including a pair of TFL's.
TULANE GREEN WAVE
The Green Wave fell to 2-2 with a 38-10 loss at Memphis last Saturday. With 18 carries (63 yards), junior RB MEWELDE MOORE moved into second place at Tulane in career rushing attempts with 532. The record is held by Terrence Jones (1985-88) with 578. With 11 all-purpose yards, Moore moved over 4,000 all-purpose yards and needs just six more to move past Jeff Liggon (4,110) for second place on the school's all-time list. Junior CB JEFF SANCHEZ had a 52-yard interception return in the third quarter, his fifth career INT and the sixth interception by Tulane this season. Junior J.P. LOSMAN was 21-of-31 for 188 yards and a touchdown. Nine different Wave receivers caught passes, led by Moore with six receptions for 48 yards. Sophomore WR TRISTAN SMITH caught Tulane's TD pass, a seven-yard reception. Senior SETH MARLER, the Wave's record-setting placekicker in his first season as the team's punter, had career long punts of 62 and 54 yards.
UAB BLAZERS
The Blazers lost at Louisiana-Lafayette this past Saturday. Sophomore RB KENDAL GIBSON carried 11 times for 63 yards. On the season, he's averaging 6.3 yards per carry, with 38 attempts for 238 yards. True freshman WR CARL DUNCAN recorded his first collegiate catch at ULL, a team-long 43-yard reception. Sophomore LB NIGEL ELDRIDGE had a game-high 11 tackles, including four for losses. He recorded a pair of sacks and also forced a fumble. Junior P ROSS STEWART, who punted nine times for a 40.9 yard average against ULL, is ranked 12th in the nation in punting at 43.8.
A GLANCE AT THIS WEEK'S MATCHUPS
(4) FLORIDA STATE at LOUISVILLE
Thursday, September 26 Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 p.m. (EDT) Papa John's Cardinal Stadium (42,000)
All-Time Series: Florida State leads 12-1
Last Meeting: Florida State 31, Louisville 0 (Sept. 23, 2000)
Television: ESPN
Announcers: Mike Tirico (Play-by-Play), Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit (Analyst)
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium Press Box Phone: (502) 852-6793
Florida State (4-0, 3-0 in ACC)
Head Coach: Bobby Bowden (Howard '53)
Career Record: 327-91-4 (38th year)
Record at FSU: 254-59-4 (27th year)
Last Week: Florida State 48, Duke 17
Next Week: Oct. 3, Clemson
Louisville (2-2, 1-0 in C-USA)
Head Coach: John L. Smith (Weber State '71)
Career Record: 106-56-0 (14th year)
Record at U of L: 37-17 (5th year)
Last Week: Louisville 45, Army 14
Next Game Oct. 8, at Memphis (ESPN 2)
GAME NOTES: Florida State is making its first trip to Louisville since 1991. The teams last met in 2000 in Tallahassee, with Florida State winning 31-0. In that game, U of L picked off three Chris Weinke passes but could not dent the scoreboard. The game was one of only two career games in which Dave Ragone has not thrown at least one TD pass (a 31-7 win over Western Carolina in 2001 was the other). Game features a great QB matchup between FSU sophomore Chris Rix (56-of-90 for 798 yards and six TDs) and Louisville senior Dave Ragone (74-of-143 for 985 and five TDs). Rix has thrown for more than 200 yards in 11 of his last 12 games, including 244 last week vs. Duke.
SOUTHERN MISS at ARMY
Saturday, September 28 West Point, New York
1:00 p.m. (EDT) Michie Stadium (39,929)
All-Time Series: Southern Miss leads 2-0
Last Meeting: Southern Miss 24, Army 0 (Oct. 16, 1999)
Michie Stadium Press Box Phone: (845) 938-3377/4514
Southern Miss (3-1, 1-0 in C-USA)
Head Coach: Jeff Bower (Southern Miss '75)
Career Record: 76-53-1 (12th year)
Record at USM: 76-53-1 (12th year)
Last Week: Alabama 20, Southern Miss 7
Next Game: Oct. 12, at South Florida
Army (0-3, 0-1 in C-USA)
Head Coach: Todd Berry (Tulsa '83)
Career Record: 28-45 (7th year)
Record at Army: 4-21 (3rd year)
Last Week: Louisville 45, Army 14
Next Week: Oct. 5, at East Carolina
GAME NOTES: Teams are meeting for the first time since the 1999 season. Southern Miss has won each of the two meetings in the series, 37-13 at West Point in 1998 and 24-0 in Hattiesburg in 1999. In that 1998 game at Army, USM running back Derrick Nix rushed for 163 yards to lead the Golden Eagles to the win.
CINCINNATI at TEMPLE
Saturday, September 28 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Noon (EDT) Franklin Field (52,593)
All-Time Series: Temple leads 9-2-1
Last Meeting: Temple 28, Cincinnati 16 (Oct. 5, 1985)
Franklin Field Press Box Phone: (215) 271-1015
Cincinnati (1-2, 1-0 in C-USA)
Head Coach: Rick Minter (Henderson State '75)
Career Record: 40-47-1 (8th year)
Record at UC: 40-47-1 (8th year)
Last Game: (6) Ohio State 23, Cincinnati 19
Next Week: Oct. 5, Miami (Ohio)
Temple (1-3, 0-1 in Big East)
Head Coach: Bobby Wallace (Mississippi State '76)
Career Record: 95-710-1 (15th year)
Record at TU: 13-35 (5th year)
Last Week: South Carolina 42, Temple 21
Next Week: Oct. 12, Syracuse
GAME NOTES: Teams are meeting for the first time since 1985. From 1977 to 1985, when both schools were independents, they met every season. UC's last win in the series came in 1983, a 31-16 win in a game played at Riverfront Stadium in downtown Cincinnati. This game will be played at historic Franklin Field, the oldest stadium in Division I-A. Cincinnati has suffered back-to-back losses by a total of seven points with an opportunity to win or tie each game in the final minute. Temple carries a three-game losing streak into this one and has allowed 35 or more points in each of those defeats.
EAST CAROLINA at WEST VIRGINIA
Saturday, September 28 Morgantown, West Virginia
Noon (EDT) Mountaineer Field (63,500)
All-Time Series: West Virginia leads 11-2
Last Meeting: West Virginia 42, East Carolina 18 (Nov. 18, 2000)
Television: ESPN Plus/WITN-TV (Greenville, N.C.)
Announcers: Dave Sims (Play-by-Play), John Congemi (Analyst)
Mountaineer Field Press Box Phone: (304) 293-3799
East Carolina (1-2, 1-0 in C-USA)
Head Coach: Steve Logan (Tulsa '75)
Career Record: 66-52 (11th year)
Record at ECU: 66-52 (11th year)
Last Game: East Carolina 24, Tulane 20
Next Week: Oct. 5, Army
West Virginia (2-1, 0-0 in Big East)
Head Coach: Rich Rodriguez (West Virginia '86)
Career Record: 50-45-2 (10th year)
Record at WVU: 5-9 (2nd year)
Last Game: West Virginia 35, Cincinnati 32
Next Week: Oct. 5, Maryland
GAME NOTES: West Virginia has won all eight meetings in Morgantown, including the most recent one, a 42-18 decision in 2000, Don Nehlen's last home game as West Virginia head coach. Both teams were idle last week. The Mountaineers are seeking a second consecutive win over C-USA after posting a 35-32 win at Cincinnati on Sept. 14. In that win, WVU RB Avon Cobourne rushed for 193
yards and two TDs.
MEMPHIS at UAB
Saturday, September 28 Birmingham, Alabama
6:00 p.m. (CDT) Legion Field (83,091)
All-Time Series: Series Tied 2-2
Last Meeting: UAB 17, Memphis 14 (Oct. 27, 2001)
Television: WLMT-TV
Announcers: Greg Gaston (Play-by-Play), Michael Eaves (Analyst)
Legion Field Press Box Phone: (205) 326-3814
Memphis (2-2, 1-1 in C-USA)
Head Coach: Tommy West (Tennessee '76)
Career Record: 42-43-0 (8th year)
Record at MEM: 7-8 (2nd year)
Last Week: Memphis 38, Tulane 10
Next Game: Oct. 8, Louisville
UAB (1-3, 0-0 in C-USA)
Head Coach: Watson Brown (Vanderbilt '73)
Career Record: 75-120-1 (18th year)
Record at UAB: 38-43-0 (8th year)
Last Week: Louisiana-Lafayette 34, UAB 0
Next Week: Oct. 12, Houston
GAME NOTES: The last two meetings have decided by a total of seven points, with UAB winning 17-14 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium last year and 13-9 at Legion Field in 2000. In last year's game, the Blazers blocked a potential game-tying 41-yard field goal attempt with 43 seconds to play to preserve the win. Thomas Cox and Kendal Gibson had short scoring runs for UAB, while Dante Brown had a seven-yard scoring scamper for Memphis. After opening the season with four straight non-conference games, UAB is the final C-USA team to play a league game.
(2) TEXAS at TULANE
Saturday, September 28 New Orleans, Louisiana
2:30 p.m. (CDT) Louisiana Superdome (69,000)
All-Time Series: Texas leads 15-1-1
Last Meeting: Texas 31, Tulane 0 (Sept. 17, 1965)
Television: ESPN Plus
Announcers: Doug Bell (Play-by-Play), Merril Hoge (Analyst)
Louisiana Superdome Press Box Phone: (504) 587-3868
Texas (3-0, 0-0 in Big 12)
Head Coach: Mack Brown (Florida State '74)
Career Record: 127-87-1 (19th year)
Record at UT: 41-13 (5th year)
Last Week: Texas 41, Houston 11
Next Week: Sept. 28, at Tulane
Tulane (2-2, 1-2 in C-USA)
Head Coach: Chris Scelfo (Northeast Louisiana '85)
Career Record: 15-24 (4th year)
Record at TU: 15-24 (4th year)
Last Week: Memphis 38, Tulane 10
Next Game: Oct. 5, at Louisiana-Monroe
GAME NOTES: Texas seeks its second straight win over a C-USA team after defeating Houston last week. Texas head coach Mack Brown was Tulane's head coach from 1985-87, posting an 11-23 mark and leading the Green Wave to the 1987 Independence Bowl. Texas has won nine straight in the series, although the teams have not met since 1965. In that 1965 meeting, the Wave and the Longhorn were scheduled to play in New Orleans, but Hurricane Betsy hit New Orleans, forcing the game to be played in Austin. Texas currently leads the nation in total defense, allowing just 213.3 yards of offense per game.