CSN - Blogs http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php This is a discussion forum and news service of the college football championship subdivision. en Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:18:43 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.collegesportingnews.com/images/misc/rss.jpg CSN - Blogs http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php Week One is Done and Somewhat Fun http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=84 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:05:00 GMT I'll repeat something that I always feel about the first couple weeks of the FCS, they are my least favorite.

It's not because the teams are rusty, not because the newer coaches are still refining their systems, and not because it's difficult keeping up with all the new players and missing the matriculated stars. No, it is because there are too many mismatches in the form of money games and cupcakes for our FCS.

Look at Thursday, September 2 the opening day. 20 games and all but one had our FCS teams playing non-D-I or FBS squads. All but one was won by the home team. So you get the idea, the FCSers were either playing at FBS for the cash or hosting a lower division team for the win.

Oh and that one game? Two FCS squads faced off and Albany beat Maine, the home team.

Friday, September 3 was a little better in that 66% of the games pitted FCS squads against each other. Downside? There were only three games total. At least we got to see our champion Villanova almost knock out their FBS foe.

So came Saturday, that revered day of the week in the FCS. 62 games!! 16 with FCS teams playing each other, all but three of them out of conference tilts and the home team winning all but four. Sweet.

But alas, 27 games at FBS stadiums blotted the day except for the big wins by Jacksonville State and North Dakota State. Take that SEC and Big 12! While several of the other games were respectable, the slate did include 13 single digit outputs by our FCSers and seven more in the teens.

Then there were the lower division games, 19 of them, and sure enough we lost two of them, both at home. So together that made nearly 75% of the games playing the FBS and lower divisions.

Sunday, September 5 was all FCS HBCU, both games.

I just can't get excited about the non-FCS battles so it makes for a lackluster opening week for me. ]]> rwallace http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=84 Football Starts Today for Me http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=83 Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:33:19 GMT After a long wait, at last, football is here. I am in Iowa City, Iowa today covering the Eastern Illinois - Iowa game that starts at 11:00am Central... After a long wait, at last, football is here. I am in Iowa City, Iowa today covering the Eastern Illinois - Iowa game that starts at 11:00am Central time. Hoping for a good game from these Panthers after the Hawkeyes nearly lost to a Pathers team a season ago in the Northern Iowa Panthers.

And today is a double-header day for me with me going to Des Moines after this contest to see one of my games of the week in the Lehigh Mountain Hawks play the Drake Bulldogs in Des Moines, Iowa.

The second game probably will likely be the more competative game of the day for me but we shall see.

Hope all enjoy the first Saturday of football. It is great to see some action on field again! ]]> Kent http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=83 Preparing Panthers http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=82 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:20:42 GMT Winning provides the conqueror with perks, and defending SWAC champion Prairie View A&M is about to begin enjoying theirs.

The Panthers unveiled plans for a new football stadium that will cost in the neighborhood of $34 million. The new facility was is part of a three-pronged, $60 million effort by the school which will include a new athletic department facility and upgrades to the basketball area.

PV’s new stadium would initially seat 15,000, with plans to expand to 30,000 in the future. The school announced that the stadium would have club seating, a dozen luxury boxes and amenities for tailgating.

“This is the single-largest undertaking in the history of our institution,” said Prairie View athletic director Fred Washington. “I don’t think there’s any doubt at all. This will become a reality for us.”

The reality is scheduled to hit home late next year, when plans to begin digging the foundation for the stadium come to earnest.

For Panthers football coach Henry Frazier III, the plans to move forward with a new stadium marks a milestone almost as significant as the school winning its first SWAC championship in 46 seasons.

“I always said this was the last piece of the puzzle,” he told the Houston Chronicle’s Joseph Duarte. “This was one of the selling points when I took the job (in 2003). It’s been talked about since I’ve been on campus. I’m excited to see it start to take shape.”

The next phase of the project would be additions to the football practice fields, a dual soccer/track stadium, new baseball and softball fields along with a student recreational center and facilities for intramural play.

While the expansion of the football stadium highlights the third and final phase, the school also plans to add a 12-court tennis complex and expand the Health Sciences department.

“We want to provide a facility that is Division I-caliber,” said Washington. ]]> bwilliams http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=82 Catching Up on SLC Training Camps http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=81 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:56:17 GMT The Southland Conference is nearing the opening kickoff of the 2010 season. As we make our way to the start of another year of SLC football, there... The Southland Conference is nearing the opening kickoff of the 2010 season.

As we make our way to the start of another year of SLC football, there has already been plenty of news emanating from two-a-days around the eight football-playing members of the league and 2011 newcomer Lamar.

Let's catch up!

Updates From Around The League

Central Arkansas

· Nathan Dick shined in the first UCA scrimmage. The former Arkansas quarterback was 18 of 22 for 164 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday. Head coach Clint Conque moved the 6-3 wide receiver Dominique Croom inside and he got nine receptions on the day. All-SLC kicker Eddie Carmona was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts while punting for 45 and 48 yards. This came after being cleared to return to practice from a knee injury that forced him out for two days.

Lamar
· Andre Bevil looks as if he will be the top signal-caller for the Cards this fall. He was 14-of-26 for 184 yards and two touchdowns in Lamar's first scrimmage. Bevil, who transferred in from Navarro College has reunited with his former target J.J. Hayes from JUCO as the pairing connected for a touchdown.

· Work continues to take place at Provost Umphrey Stadium. The athletic department fully anticipates moving in ahead of schedule for the Webber International contest on Sept. 11. Recent pictures show that the scoreboard has arrived and should be installed shortly. The artificial turf is also down.

McNeese State
· Running back is not going to be a question if the backfield for McNeese are able to play up to the expections, as seen in this weekend's scrimmage. Champlain Babin had 53 yards on five carries while Blair Broussard added 45 yards on five carries. The quarterback race has yielded no clear favorite based on scrimmage results as transfer Jacob Bower was 6-of-10 for for 77 yards. Two others completed 5 or 6 passes for at least 74 yards.

· Defensively, the Pokes are expected to be strong. During the scrimmage, five players combined for seven sacks led by a pair from Terrance Freeman and Brandon Zanders. There were also 12 tackles for losses as the McNeese defense played havoc in their offense's backfield. Matt Viator's team is picked to do well in the league and the defense has everything to do with it!

Nicholls State

· The community-based efforts of head coach Charlie Stubbs are paying off. Stubbs has taken the message of his team to the community and had over 60 children attend a free clinic after a recent practice.


Northwestern State

· Earlier this month, Chris Garrett transferred to Northwestern State. Garrett redshirted last year at the quarterback position at LSU. The most complicated quarterback competition may reside in Natchitoches where preseason All-SLC pick Paul Harris returns, as does one-time Louisville transfer Tyler Wolfe. Where Garrett fits into the equation is anyone's guess. Could we see the wildcat offense from the Demons in a manner of utilizing different strengths of each quarterback?

· With a top ranked recruiting class, one would hope that Bradley Dale Peveto was impressed with the newcomers. According to NSUDemons.com, all indications are that he was. Offensive coordinator Todd Cooley had praise for several players, including quarterback Don Canyon out of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Sam Houston State

· The Oklahoman reported on Aug. 13 that Kansas State running back Timothy Flanders would make the move down to Huntsville and play for Head Coach Willie Fritz's program. This is unconfirmed by the Bearkat athletic department, but worth noting that Rivals ranked him as the No. 31 athlete in his class and No. 9 in the state of Oklahoma.

· SHSU athletic director Bobby Williams reports on his blog that the school as of Aug. 1 has sold 84 percent of their total ticket revenue from last season. Attendance was down in 2009, but the pre-season total reflects numbers that SHSU has not seen before. Williams also reports that SHSU leads Stephen F. Austin and Lonestar Sports and Entertainment (LSSE) in selling tickets to the Battle of the Piney Woods. Additionally, the feasibility study should be completed shortly. Stay tuned!

Southeastern Louisiana

· Southeastern Louisiana has taken to heart the team's dedication of the 2010 season to the children of the gulf. On Sunday, Aug. 15, the team attended church services in Buras, La. before holding an autograph session at the Buras Auditorium. The team then went to visit the oil-affected areas of Venice.

Stephen F. Austin

· The most confusing headline on first glance in the SLC may go to SFA,where
Offense at a Minimum in Opening Scrimmage. That just does not sound right from a team that returns a very successful quarterback in Jeremy Moses, does it? Moses was limited to 4-for-9 passing and 117 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Most of the scrimmage was played by second and third-stringers. Backup quarterbacks Brady Attaway finished 8-for-17 for 117 yards while Texas Tech transfer Garrett Riley was 9-for-15 for 67 yards and a touchdown.

· Since we have not covered it, it is worth mentioning that both Moses and lineback Jabara Williams are in the mix for the top individual player awards in the nation. Moses is on the Walter Payton Award Watch List while Williams is under consideration for the Buck Buchanan Award. Though the watch lists for both awards are dominated by players on the east coast where there is a heavy concentration of FCS schools, it is a pleasant surprise and well-deserving honor for the two SLC players to get recognition.


Texas State

· Head Coach Brad Wright is short another quarterback, according to Tyler Mayforth's Twitter. Mayforth, the TXST beat writer for the San Marcos Daily Record reports that UTEP quarterback transfer Andy McCloud has left the program. Eric Soza left the team after the spring to join former offensive coordinator Travis Bush at UT-San Antonio.

Where does this leave the Bobcats? With a very young quarterback depth chart. Wright will have to choose whether or not to redshirt freshman Tyler Ardnt, but may have no choice but to make him available since the only other legitimate options is sophomore Tim Hawkins. Alvaro Garcia and Bryan Hill are on the roster, but are not likely candidates.

· TXST became the latest SLC school to launch a new web site, turning http://www.txstatebobcats.com/ over to ICS Sidearm. Nicholls State previously joined ICS Sidearm and Central Arkansas is not far behind. ]]> jplotkin http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=81 UCA Gets Full Membership, Moses and Possibly Others on National Award Lists http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=80 Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:41:34 GMT The process is over for Central Arkansas. The NCAA informed the school... The process is over for Central Arkansas.

The NCAA informed the school thsi week that they have gained full NCAA Division I membership. With those privledges in place, the school can begin competing in postseason competition and garner Southland Conference Championships.

Dr. Brad Teague, the athletic director at the school, has done a fine job in getting the school's transition complete. UCA has had success in numerous sports, including a placement on the top of the SLC standings in 2008 with Nathan Brown under center for Clint Conque's team. Though the squad could not win the SLC title, the momentum behind the success of the football team has carried on to other programs.

This past season, the program continue to show that it belongs at the Division I level by defeating Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) foe Western Kentucky and nearly defeating Hawaii.

Though the Bears will likely not be favored this year to win the conference, the school is primed and ready to compete as a member of the SLC and more particularly, the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Conque recently signed a contract extension and with him at the helm, it would be hard to see this program stunted in their ability to move forward.

MOSES, A PAYTON CANDIDATE

It should come as no surprise and was more or less, a formality.

Yet, earlier this week, Stephen F. Austin quarterback Jeremy Moses was named to the Payton Watch List by the Sports Network.

Moses is the top returning finalist from last year's group, finishing seventh in the balloting.

The Lumberjacks, who should be favored to repeat as conference champions, will be hard-pressed to duplicate the success of a year ago. Even with potential obstacles with a young receiver corps, Moses should be able to move his school records into the stratosphere, taking advantage of the school's offensive style of operation.

With SFA's records in completions, touchdown passes, passing yards and total offense already in his back pocket, Moses will aim becoming the conference's all-time leader in each of the four categories.

The other returning finalists include Northern Arizona quarterback Michael Herrick (finished ninth in the balloting), Weber State quarterback Cameron Higgins (10th) and Montana running back Chase Reynolds (13th).

It may be a reach in some opinions, but this columnist feels that Moses could be joined by another player from the SLC at some point on the Payton Watch list. Whether that player is a certain Southeastern Louisiana wide receiver or a running back from either Texas State or McNeese, remains to be seen.

The Buck Buchanan list will come out next week. SFA could have another player in the mix in the form of Jabara Williams with SLU's Tommy Connors potentially getting consideration as the season wears on and he has proved to be in fine form.

Notes from Around the League

SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE
* The NCAA has launched the web site home of the 2010 Division I National Championship Game. The contest will take place on Jan. 7, 2011 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. The SLC is hosting the game, in-conjunction with a partnership group that includes the City of Frisco and the Hunt Sports Group.

NORTHWESTERN STATE
* Northwestern State athletic director Greg Burke will serve as President of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletic Directors Association, it was announced earlier this week. Fellow SLC athletic director Robert Hill of Stephen F. Austin will start a four-year term on the Executive Committee as well.

TEXAS STATE
* Tyler Mayforth of the San Marcos Daily Record reported that Ralston Dews will not be returning to the Texas State program. A nose tackle on the team, Dews will transfer to Tyler (Texas) JC for the 2010 season before going back to the Division I level, according to the letter obtained from the SMDR. Dews played in just six games last year. ]]> jplotkin http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=80 <![CDATA[Louisiana Schools Could Feel Pinch & Plenty of SLC Notes]]> http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=79 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 03:13:57 GMT In perhaps one of the bigger stories of the off-season, several schools in the Southland Conference could soon face a financial pinch. Unlike college... In perhaps one of the bigger stories of the off-season, several schools in the Southland Conference could soon face a financial pinch. Unlike college realignment, the final result of this situation could play out sooner than later.

In the months' ahead, the four SLC schools based in Louisiana will be contemplating how to deal with an expected 23 percent cut to higher education during the 2011-12 fiscal year.

The impact on the schools' athletic departments are not known at this point, but the slashing of state support for higher education stems from the Louisiana Legislature's decision to not maintain the Stelly Tax, the federal stimulus money running out and the state's limited options in what they can cut from the state budget.

The state's legislature has provided some support to help alleviate the cuts by allowing the schools to increase tuition.

As of post time, there has been no official information from the schools pertaining to how they will handle the cuts.

McNeese State, Nicholls, Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern State are part of the University of Louisiana System (ULS). The two other major systems in the state are the Southern University Sytem and the Louisiana State University System.

Though no schools in the SLC are in the LSU system, a letter from the system's Chancellor may be a glimpse of how the ULS schools will handle the cuts.

The first tier of recommended cuts per the letter include reductions in funding to "such things as museums, galleries, sports activities, community service, public relations, and similar valuable functions that nonetheless do not directly sustain teaching and research."

The cuts are nothing new for Louisiana and in particular, the schools in the SLC.

Prior to the 2009-10 school year, SLU cut its men's tennis program while Nicholls eliminated its women's golf team. The cuts put the Lions at 15 programs while the Colonels are hovering at the minimum of 14 (six men, eight women).

Elsewhere in the state, Southern eliminated its men's tennis and women's golf teams while both Centenary (a private institution based in Shreveport) and New Orleans have started the process of transitioning to Division III.

The cuts continue around the state this year as Grambling in contemplating cutting as many as four sports in wake of the budget cuts. If GSU did cut four sports, they would be left at 15 sports - one above the NCAA minimum.

For some further insight into the 2008-09 budgets of the state's Football Championship Subdivision schools, the USA Today has a database of financial numbers.

One of the areas of note in the financial figures is the direct institutional support, an area that could potentially face cuts in light of the budget situation. Of the FCS schools listed in the state, (Southern is not included in the list) each relies on these funds for at least 46 percent of their budget with SLU at 68.64 percent the most reliant followed by Grambling at 64.53 percent.

It probably will not be much longer until the schools decide their route moving forward for presentation to their system boards. In light of the budget cuts, several SLC schools have already announced academic reorganizations including Northwestern.

This is a situation we'll continue to follow at CSN.

Notes from Around the League

SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE
* The Southland Conference announced its 2010 television schedule in mid-June. The slate includes nine conference games and a lone out of conference contest between Sam Houston State and Gardner-Webb. Other highlights of the schedule include the first Battle of the Piney Woods at Reliant Stadium on Oct. 23 and the league's annual Wild Card game on Nov. 20. Broadcast affiliates cover the league footprint from Austin and San Antonio to New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

* Phil Steele announced his preseason All-SLC teams this past week. The most glaring omission was Karrington Bush, who is back and better than ever according to the San Marcos Daily Record. Questions also arise at quarterback where LaQuintin Caston of Nicholls was listed despite a likely move to wide receiver. Feedback from other league followers felt that of returning players, Paul Harris (NWST) would be a better selection.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS
* Central Arkansas head coach Clint Conque signed a new five-year contract on June 23rd. For fans of the league and the UCA program, there is no explanation needed. Conque has gone out and orchestrated a successful transition of the Bears' football team from Division II to Division I. To date, he has no SLC championships to his credit, but the year his team topped the standings, he was named SLC Coach of the Year and amongst the finalists for the Eddie Robinson Award.

* A busy off-season for Conque as far as dealing with his staff, the head coach finalized his staff on July 7th, adding Jeremy Hammock (tight ends), Cody Moore (interior defensive line) and Keith Scott (assistant defensive backs) to the staff.

NICHOLLS
* Former Nicholls great Mark Carrier was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on June 24th in Natchitoches. Carrier played for the Colonels from 1983-86, finishing as the school's all-time leader in catches (147), receiving yards (2,709) and touchdowns (24). The wide receiver ended up in the National Football League for 12 years, highlighted by a 1989 All-Pro season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

* Nicholls became the latest school in the SLC to join ICS/Sidearm as the school's web site provider when they launched GeauxColonels.com on July 1st. Southeastern Louisiana is the other SLC member that is a Sidearm client with Central Arkansas currently in development with the company.

TEXAS STATE/UTSA

* Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Commissioner Karl Benson conducted an interview with UTSA Tailgaters and made it clear that the league has had discussions with Texas State and is aware of the situation at UT-San Antonio. Below is an excerpt from the interview.

Larry Coker has brought some immediate credibility to the program. We will watch that and evaluate Texas State up in San Marcos as a current FCS program. They have gone on the record indicating their interest and desire to move up the ranks. We've had discussions with Texas State, we've also had discussions with Lynn Hickey, and certainly are aware of their (UTSA's) plans. Over the course of the next four to six months, I'm sure both of those schools will be on the WAC's evaluation list.
]]> jplotkin http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=79 <![CDATA[UTSA Adds QB from TXST & Lamar's Tubbs Steps Down]]> http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=78 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:48:51 GMT For the second time in several months, UTSA has taken a key member of the Texas State football team. A few months after hiring offensive... For the second time in several months, UTSA has taken a key member of the Texas State football team.

A few months after hiring offensive coordinator Travis Bush away from Brad Wright's staff, it being reported by UTSATailgaters.com that quarterback Eric Soza will also join the Roadrunners.

Soza was in line to be the starting quarterback for the Bobcats entering August, emerging as the front-runner for the position during the spring as TXST sought a replacement for Bradley George, who finished his eligibility last season. After struggling some at the onset of the spring, Soza finished strong by leading the offense on five scoring drives in the Maroon and Gold Game.

This fall, Soza is expected to compete with Cole Hubble and Kam Jones for a spot on the first-team offense. Hubble and Jones were signed this past February by UTSA head coach Larry Coker.

* * *

Back in San Marcos, the quarterback picture is still not clear.

The university announced that Tim Hawkins is now the No. 1 quarterback with Alvaro Garcia entering camp as the No. 2 heading into the fall. Highly-touted freshman Tyler Arndt will join the squad this fall and reports have surfaced that Texas-El Paso quarterback Andy McCloud could join the Bobcats as well.

If McCloud does earn the starting nod, TXST would become another school in the league with a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) transfer at quarterback. Nathan Dick (Arkansas) is leading Central Arkansas, Tyler Beatty (Baylor) heads Southeastern Louisiana, McNeese just added Tulsa transfer Jacob Bower, Auburn's Tyrik Rollison is expected to join Sam Houston State and Northwestern State could see Tyler Wolfe (Louisville) run the show instead of Paul Harris.

Only Nicholls State, who signed several signal-callers this past spring and moved their incumbent quarterback to wide receiver and Stephen F. Austin with preseason All-American Jeremy Moses, have the potential to avoid starting an FBS transfer.

* * *

Lamar legend Billy Tubbs stepped down as athletic director at the Beaumont school on Monday. He was replaced by women's basketball coach Larry Tidwell, who becomes the second active Division I women's basketball coach to currently serve as an athletic director.

Tubbs most notably led Lamar to great success in the late 1970s in the sport of men's basketball before returning to the program in 2002. Though he did not have the same success for a hoops program that has fallen on hard times, Tubbs was a catalyst for bringing football back.

In addition to stints at Lamar from 1976-1980 and again from 2003-2006, Tubbs served as a head basketball coach at Oklahoma (1980-1994) and Texas Christian (1994-2002). ]]> jplotkin http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=78 Southland Ultimatum – The First Shot Fired in NCAA Realignment? http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=77 Fri, 04 Jun 2010 22:57:00 GMT After months of speculation since UT-San Antonio announced that they were bypassing the Southland Conference... After months of speculation since UT-San Antonio announced that they were bypassing the Southland Conference as a football-playing institution, the jury of peers that is the SLC has made their judgment.

At the recently completed SLC meetings held in Galveston, Texas - the league decided that all members must participate in SLC sports for which they sponsor.

Despite the league-issued press release not mentioning the intent of the legislation, the 11-1 vote in favor of the change brings to a close an issue that started with Louisiana-Monroe and reared its head once more with UTSA.

The rule does not force conference members to add the league sports in which they do not sponsor, but clearly states that any new sports must compete under the SLC umbrella, if they are league sponsored.

• • •

So, where does UTSA go from here?

The options are as clear as day. In an article that came out in the San Antonio Express-News, athletic director Lynn Hickey specified what we all knew.

UTSA must:
1) join the SLC in football
2) leave the conference and operate as a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) independent in football and a Division I independent in all sports
3) join another conference, preferably with FBS football.

With conference realignment at the forefront of college athletics, was this the first shot fired in what could be a domino effect?

While the epicenter that league commissioner Tom Burnett spoke of recently as it relates to conference realignment starts when schools in the Big 10, Pac-10 and Big 12 begin to move around, this truly was the first definitive move.

UTSA received an ultimatum from their current conference and must respond. Their response in this writer's opinion will be to leave the SLC for a new conference home.

• • •

This is not a move that UTSA will take lightly, in fact it is one that the school has prepared for over the last few months, if not years. After all, In collegiate athletics, you can not think about tomorrow without thinking about five, 10 years away.

Anyone that knows anything about collegiate athletics know that being an independent is not the best move.

Not only does it take away the opportunity to playing for a conference title, it also makes it very challenging to make it to postseason play. Of course, we have not even broached the subject of scheduling, which is much more difficult as well, particularly when other schools in the non-revenue sports are in the midst of their conference slate.

For this reason, the need of a new conference home, brings to light why there has been a different approach to a move up to FBS from UTSA than Texas State, though the San Marcos Daily Record could not have been more ill-informed of those reasons.

UTSA is a school that wants to be at the top level, but with no football in their background and unlike fellow upstart South Alabama, no FBS conference home to all their sports.

With a blank resume, the Roadrunners had to do things big and do them the right way.

When the school hired Larry Coker as head coach, they made a splash. This was a splash that could have probably been picked up by a satellite in outer space. All the national media covered the hiring of Coker and it has led to continued coverage of the program, just as hiring Bill Curry did for Georgia State.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, UTSA could have approached their hiring in much the same way Lamar did. The Cardinals, who will hit the field in 2010, hired junior college head coach Ray Woodard, who was not exactly the "sexy" pick that even those in Beaumont were wanting for a splash out of the gate.

Back in San Antonio, Hickey may very well have been doing belly flops off the high board as the splashes continued to come, notably with the addition of Arizona, Arizona State, Kansas State, Colorado State, Baylor and Houston to future schedules. The school is reportedly also discussing games with Oklahoma State and Air Force, among others.

These additions not only show that UTSA is serious about football, it shows conferences that may be interested in the Roadrunners, that they will put together one of the best schedules a mid-major could have. Of course, it surely does not hurt being in the football hotbed of Texas.

• • •

The work is not limited to football, though football does turn on the ignition to the car, which will drive UTSA towards a conference.

Hickey’s work continues as UTSA is in negotiation with the San Antonio Missions, a AA baseball club regarding a joint stadium venture for baseball.

The school also has plans for further upgrades on campus to athletic venues, including some joint efforts with the local school district for an arena - an upgrade over their Convocation Center on campus.

Hickey is well-respected in collegiate athletics, particularly this region. If there is anyone to direct UTSA moving forward, the Roadrunners probably have one of the best people they could potentially have at the helm.

The only change for Hickey and her school in wake of today’s decision is that time is of the essence and it is even more critical to find a new home sooner than later. ]]> jplotkin http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=77 SLC in Preseason Polls, SLC Meetings Now Underway http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=76 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 01:10:46 GMT There have been several things going on around the Southland Conference the last few days and this week in general, so though writing about the SLC... There have been several things going on around the Southland Conference the last few days and this week in general, so though writing about the SLC for the annual College Sporting News preview magazine is priority number one, we'll take a break and catch up on some of the news around the league.

• • •

The Any Given Saturday poll was announced on Tuesday afternoon. The turnout for the poll was very good and as the announcement indicates, "in comparison to other polls, the AGS Poll had as many or more of it’s preseason top 25 on it’s final regular season poll than either of the other two polls (coaches and media) had on their’s since their inception five years ago."

This year, the base of voters for AGS have Stephen F. Austin at No. 11 and McNeese State at No. 13. Are these rankings just? My personal opinion is that SFA should be a top 10 team ahead of Elon and South Carolina State. You could even make the argument later this week that Villanova could slip out of the top 10 depending on how the Major League Baseball amateur draft goes as it pertains to the Division I National Championship Game MVP.

Other SLC schools receiving recognition were Texas State (41 votes), Central Arkansas (11) and Southeastern Lousiana (9). Of the SLC squads, I had SFA and MSU in my top 25, but also had SLU. I was surprised that SLU finished behind both TXST and UCA, but what matters most is at the end of the season.

• • •

Lindy's also released their preseason poll. SFA was ranked No. 8 with TXST and MSU following at No. 14 and No. 16, respectively. The early reception for this poll indicates that fans were surprised by the placement of several squads, including TXST, No. 11 Eastern Illinois, No. 12 Prairie View A&M, No. 19 Grambling and No. 21 Missouri State. I agree with those assessments on all accounts. Once you get into those final three, four spots at this time of year - it truly is a toss-up!

• • •

The SLC meetings have gotten underway.

One of the early notes out of the meetings is that Assistant Commissioner for Communications Todd Lamb made a presentation to the Southland's Advisory Council on social media. The SLC has typically been at the forefront of embracing new media and that is an easy tip of the stetson hat to Lamb and Commissioner Tom Burnett. Both are very active on Twitter, which has been embraced by many of the SLC schools.

Several schools including Sam Houston State (Jason Barfield) and Northwestern State (Doug Ireland, Matt Bonnette and company) run blogs. Others have began to incorporate YouTube with their athletic programs. All steps in the right direction!

If there is any important news that comes out of the SLC meetings, we'll share it here.

• • •

Southland Quick Hits

• McNeese's Toddrick Pendland and Wes Mangan signed professional contracts last week. Pendland signed with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League, while Mangan inked with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League.

• Lamar added another Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) transfer this week as former Texas A&M player Adren Dorsey will join the team. Dorsey left College Station after A&M head coach Mike Sherman suspended him following an April arrest for family violence.

• The rumor mill is heating up as it relates to former TXST quarterback Eric Soza, who left the Bobcats' program and a gaping hole at the quarterback position. As we said on May 18th, there is a possibility that he could follow his former offensive coordinator Travis Bush to I-35 rival UT-San Antonio.

• Clint Conque knows a thing or two about how to mold a quarterback. While he just added Arkansas transfer Jim Youngblood, Conque has a QB in his own backyard, literally. Son Zach Conque (6'4, 195) has been invited to camps at Arkansas and Notre Dame. Additionally, Memphis and Kansas are showing interest. Also on his itinerary for the summer is a trip to the Manning Passing Academy. ]]> jplotkin http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=76 Possible Arrival of Rollison at SHSU Nears as Bearkat Feasibility Study Continues http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=75 Thu, 20 May 2010 20:15:38 GMT Though Sam Houston State has not officially announced Tyrik Rollison as a new member of the Bearkat roster, the highly-touted quarterback moved one... Though Sam Houston State has not officially announced Tyrik Rollison as a new member of the Bearkat roster, the highly-touted quarterback moved one step closer to joining the Football Championship Subdivision school of his choosing by gaining a release from Auburn.

Back in February, numerous media outlets reported Rollison was heading to SHSU. In fact, the signal caller's dad, Michael Kelly stated, "He wants to come closer to home. It's a go. He was just unhappy there. I think that's the reason they went out and got another quarterback."

Different news outlets report that Rollison did not transfer earlier in the year and did not practice in spring football at Auburn, so he could get his grades in line in order to be eligible at another school.

• • •

Will Rollison be the starting quarterback for head coach Willie Fritz, should he land in Huntsville?

The starting position is open after would-be incumbent Blake Joseph completed his eligibility.

This past spring, Bryan Randolph and Greg Sprowls were the top two quarterback options moving toward fall practice. At the end of the spring, it was Randolph who emerged on top of the Bearkat tentative two-deep.

Did Fritz feel comfortable in either of those quarterbacks taking the starting position heading into the fall? Neither was overwhelmingly impressive and competition does drive the marketplace. Sprowls and Randolph will be given every opportunity to compete with Rollison, just as he will not have anything handed to him.

• • •

Should Rollison join the Bearkats, it would mark the return back to the Lone Star State of a quarterback with plenty of prep credentials.

According to his Auburn athletic bio, Rollison completed 315-of-428 passes for 4,728 yards and 51 touchdowns during his senior season of high school. He also rushed for 1,094 yards on way to being selected to participate in the U.S. Army All-American All-Star game.

Though Rollison will be a new face amongst many on the roster, he would reunite with one of his playmaking wide receivers from his prep career, Jace Jackson.

Jackson caught 105 passes for 1,550 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior in teaming with Rollison to lead Sulphur Springs to the Texas Class 4A Division II state championship. Jackson ranked amongst the top five in receiving yard in Texas and No. 9 in the nation. A redshirt a year ago, Jackson does not currently appear on the Bearkat two-deep at wide receiver.

• • •

Though SHSU has a reputation for taking in transfer quarterbacks from the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), this is not your typical transfer.

Rollison would come into SHSU with four years of eligibility, having redshirted in 2009. Typically, quarterbacks have come with just one year of experience, such as Dustin Long (Texas A&M) and Josh McCown (SMU), who led the Bearkat program to new playoff heights. Others like the Oklahoma pair of Rhett Bomar and Noah Allen had multiple years of eligibility upon hitting town.

Could we see a comparison made from Rollison to current SFA signal caller Jeremy Moses?

Moses, despite not being a transfer like Rollison, was given the keys to the ignition that runs the offense early in career. Notably inconsistent, Moses was given the time to grow under a new head coach and entering his senior year, is fresh off a Southland Conference championship.

SHSU has a very similar situation with a new head coach, who would like to make a splash from the get go, but will have time to develop Rollison, much in the same way Moses was brought along. If Rollison does become the starting quarterback, he could potentially have four years and grow an offense around him that will become a consistent winner in the SLC, positioned to move SHSU to a higher tier than the one former coach (and current Lamar offensive coordinator) Todd Whitten left them.

• • •

In addition to the Rollison news, the feasibility study at SHSU continues.

Today, the university launched a page, in which students, alumni, community members and fans are surveyed regarding the university's current place, the support individuals would be willing to place behind an FBS move, as well as providing schools for comparison purposes.

Considered by some to be strictly an FBS study, the analysis will prove the Bearkat athletic program with a better sense of direction and understanding of how the department can improve its current place, should the school stay in the SLC.

Times are changing in collegiate athletics. Budget issues are forcing schools to eliminate sports or in the case of a few schools, change classifications within the NCAA pyramid. Other schools are looking at changing conferences for geographic purposes or ultimately, trying to increase the television revenue.

Where does SHSU fit in this? Time will tell, but the school has consistently been part for all of its existence at the Division I level with schools like Northwestern State, Texas State (formerly Southwest Texas) and Stephen F. Austin. Of the group, only TXST has shared a desire to move up to FBS. Will SHSU keep up with their system sister school in San Marcos? Will TXST even be able to make the move up? The next few years will be intriguing, but it should be of no question that SHSU is keeping an eye on their surroundings and preparing to be in the best position possible. ]]> jplotkin http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=75 <![CDATA[TXST Seeks a Starting QB & SLC Quick Hits]]> http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=74 Tue, 18 May 2010 18:53:20 GMT The quarterback controversy at Texas State only got more confusing as redshirt freshman Eric Soza... The quarterback controversy at Texas State only got more confusing as redshirt freshman Eric Soza informed head coach Brad Wright that he would not be returning to the Bobcats' sidelines in the fall.

Soza proved himself this past spring to be the frontrunner for the position of starting quarterback in light of the end of Bradley George's eligiblity in San Marcos.

Where will Soza transfer? That is not known at this point, but he could potentially follow his former offensive coordinator Travis Bush to I-35 rival UT-San Antonio.

• • •

Now that Soza is out of the picture, who emerges as the starter?

The starting position for the time being could fall into the hands of redshirt junior Tim Hawkins, who has appeared in 11 games for TXST during his collegiate career.

Other options for TXST include juniors Bryan Hill and Alvaro Garcia. Hill has yet to take a snap for the Bobcats, after transferring from Houston in 2008, after redshirting at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) school in 2007. Garcia played in four games as a reserve quarterback before moving to the wide receiver position, in which he played 11 games in 2009, catching 22 passes for 305 yards.

Could a true freshman step in as the starting quarterback?

If Wright is comfortable and Tyler Arndt is ready, he could be the solution. Arndt, who was signed in February, was ranked as one of the top 32 quarterbacks in the nation per ESPN, throwing for over 7,100 yards and 75 touchdowns during his time at Cuero High School (Texas).

"Tyler is one of those guys who we feel very fortunate in getting when you see the list of schools that offered him," said Wright in February after signing day. "We really feel he can come in here and be a difference maker right away if he can handle the mental part of it. He has all of the physical tools to be great quarterback. He is as big of a recruit that we have had around here.

• • •

Southland Conference Quick Hits

• Southeastern Louisiana's track and field team will no longer share a facility with the football team, as construction moves forward on the new track and facility in Hammond. Strawberry Stadium's facility was inadequate for the track program and was not an NCAA certified facility. The new track complex will have the ability to host meets is expected to be complete by spring 2011.

• Former Sam Houston State football player Dr. Tommy Davis will be inducted in the Southland Conference Hall of Honor at the league meetings in June. Current Kansas City Royal manager and former UT-Arlington baseball player Trey Hillman will join Davis, as will current Lamar athletic director and former head men's basketball coach Billy Tubbs.

• Since our last update, UTSA has added Houston to a growing future football slate. UTSA, announced several months ago that it would bypass the Southland Conference for life as an FBS Independent. Since then, the school has announced scheduling agreements with Houston, Kansas State, Baylor, Arizona and Arizona State. The school will also play SLC foes SHSU, Stephen F. Austin, McNeese State and Northwestern State as they start-up their football program. ]]> jplotkin http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=74 <![CDATA[Lamar Moves Forward, SFA's Moses Tabbed One of Nation's Best QBs]]> http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=73 Fri, 07 May 2010 17:00:00 GMT Lamar continues to move forward with their vision of putting a successful football program together, one that could catapult it to the ranks of a... Lamar continues to move forward with their vision of putting a successful football program together, one that could catapult it to the ranks of a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) entry.

This week, Lamar University president James Simmons announced that seven new suites will be built and leased for $25,000 a year (with a three-year commitment) in the athletic complex in the end zone. According to the release, leases will include 16 tickets to each home game and parking passes.

Further changes in Beaumont include the launch of a new design for LamarCardinals.com. The school, which is one of a few in the league along with Nicholls and Texas State to use CBS College Sports (formerly CSTV) is a more modern look.

Lamar still has some online hurdles to accomplish, notably the web streaming of games that are not covered under the television contract that the program put together in the last few months.

• • •

Speaking of our up and coming Southland Conference schools, UTSA continues to move forward with future scheduling.

Though they will not play a down of SLC football, the Roadrunners added a 2012 game against Stephen F. Austin along with home-and-home arrangements with Kansas State and the University of Houston in the past week.

I have said before in this medium that UTSA's decisions as it pertains to football has a vast impact on that of the SLC, especially now that Lamar has joined TXST and to a lesser extent, Sam Houston State, in potentially preparing to move to FBS.

• • •

The Sports Network has a new writer in the form of former Princeton beat writer Craig Haley. In one of Haley's first stories, he tabs SFA quarterback Jeremy Moses as one of the tops in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Moses has topped 40 touchdowns the last two years and despite the changing of the guard at wide receiver, continues to find success in throwing the ball around the field. In 2008 against arch rival SHSU in the "Battle of the Piney Woods", Moses set NCAA records for pass attempts (85), completions (57) and still took a loss to the Bearkats.

No other SLC quarterback received mention from Haley, but let's keep an eye on Tyler Beaty of Southeastern Louisiana as we move forward into 2010. He has shown that he is capable of picking up where the now departed Brian Babin has left off.

At this point, the rest of the quarterbacks in the SLC remain a mystery, especially as signal callers like TXST's Bradley George and McNeese's Derrick Fourroux have now departed after exhausting their eligibility.

• • •

Five SLC football players were named to the 2010 Hampshire Honor Society by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame this past week.

The team honors college players who have maintained a 3.2 GPA or higher, while being a significant starter (or contributor) in their last year of eligibility.

McNeese had three selection in Beau Lasseigne, Justin Beitzel and Kurt Reeves. SFA had Tim Knicky and TXST rounded out the group with Travis Houston. ]]> jplotkin http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=73 UNI Plays last Spring Game that I will see http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=72 Sat, 01 May 2010 03:54:08 GMT I heard before the game that the Northern Iowa Panthers would be the last team in college football to play their spring game. My boys and I took in... I heard before the game that the Northern Iowa Panthers would be the last team in college football to play their spring game. My boys and I took in this final spring contest. This game was the Offense (Purple) vs. Defense (White). The offense got the best of the defense with a 38-26 win. This game used four 12-minute quarters and a modified scoring format. The defense scored 7 points for interceptions, 3 points for fumble recoveries, and 1 point for defensive stops. The offense used regular scoring to put points on the board.

Sophomore running back and kick returner highlighed the start of the game with a 91 yard kickoff return for the game's first points.

The Panther defense forced three straight stops before junior quarterback Tirrell Rennie hooked up with Ian Moore for a 48-yard scoring strike to put the offense on top, 14-3.

UNI’s defense then scored 19 straight points to take a 22-14 lead following a pair of interceptions from L.J. Fort and Kane Thompson.

The Panther offense regained the lead before the half with two touchdown drives. The first score came on a 39-yard run by Rinnie and was followed up by a 7-yard scamper around the right end by Matt Strathman. The two touchdowns gave the offense a 28-22 lead it would never relinquish.

Rennie connected on his second touchdown with a 10-yard strike to Terrell Sinkfield to give the offense a comfortable 35-24 advantage.

Kicker Tyler Sievertsen closed out the scoring in the game with a 33-yard field goal. Those points ended the scoring for the game.

I was impressed with Rennie at the quarterback position and seemed, at least in this game, better than the more experienced Zach Davis.

Here are some photos and video from the game.

http://sports.webshots.com/album/577502744HvmaHV

Well, I can't wait until this fall when we see real football again. Four games in three weeks in the spring time is a new record for me but nothing will compare to the action we will see in September. ]]> Kent http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=72 <![CDATA[Fourroux Out Indefinitely? Spring Football Reports & UFA Signings]]> http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=71 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:12:20 GMT Injuries this time of year are something that no one wants, especially as players battle for positioning on the depth chart and coaches plot a course... Injuries this time of year are something that no one wants, especially as players battle for positioning on the depth chart and coaches plot a course of action for next season's recruiting class.

Falling under the radar with the other happenings in the league is the story that the football future of McNeese quarterback Zack Fourroux is in question.

The signal caller was expected to compete for the starting role in August for the Cowboys and suffered a back injury, according to the release issued on Apr. 19. Since the release, no further information has been made available through the school's web site or any of the local media.

Fourroux did not play in the Pokes' Spring Game, which saw a 16-for-23 outing by Cody Stroud, who threw for 163 yards.

Fourroux played quarterback and defensive end in high school, redshirting his first year at McNeese and his older brother, Derrick, was a four-year starter for the Pokes.

• • •

Spring Football Recaps

Spring football around the league will be concluding shortly. Nicholls will wrap up their spring football slate today with a scrimmage, which was postponed from over the weekend. Here are a brief recap of recent spring games.

• Central Arkansas head coach Clint Conque watched from the sidelines as the Bears' offense scored three touchdowns and a pair of field goals in their spring game. Stars of the game included running back Jackie Hinton, who rushed 10 times for 54 yards and two touchdowns and quarterback Nathan Dick, who completed 16 passes for 218 yards. If needed, Eddie Carmona made two kicks, including one from 42 yards out.

• Northwestern State took in the Delaney Bowl last week and head coach Bradley Dale Peveto is looking for some leaders to turn the tide next year. The MVP of the game from an offensive perspective with Phillip Harvey, who had three catches for 27 yards. Defensively, it was Mike Adams, who had a sack and a batted down pass. Not overlooked, kicker John Shaughnessey had a 50-yard field goal to go along with makes from 28 and 35 yards out. Two other kickers - Nic Russo and Jerad Hayes - made from over 40 yards out as well.

• Sam Houston State brought to an end their spring with the annual Orange and White game at Bowers Stadium. Head coach Willie Fritz continues to get a hold of what he has and the defense was victorious. The top two quarterbacks heading into the summer are Bryan Randolph and Greg Sprowls. At this point, there is no word to confirm that Auburn quarterback Tyrik Rollison plans to transfer in.

• Southeastern Louisiana also had a defensive showcase against the high-powered offense in the their annual Spring Game. Two players - Robert Alford and Craig Duronslet - each intercepted a pair of passes, representing 4 of 7 picks on the day for the Lions' defense. Tyler Beatty was 15-for-27 for 99 yards and added a 20-yard rushing touchdown. Other quarterback B.J. Young was 21-for-31 for 141 yards, plus scoring on an 18 yard run.

• Stephen F. Austin's first-team or what was primarily the first team, accounted for six touchdowns (four passing and two rushing) in a 42-0 victory in the Purple and White Game in Nacogdoches, Texas. Jeremy Moses was 10-for-15 for 95 yards and a touchdown to lead the Purple offense while the defense stepped up for the purple squad, allowing just five first downs in the threet quarters of play. SFA continues to run the ball well on the offensive end, with the team's running backs combining for 55 yards on 10 carries.

• • •

Speaking of spring football, UTSA head coach Larry Coker made a visit to Old Dominion's spring drills. Another startup program, ODU hit the field last year and will return for a second season under head coach Bobby Wilder this year.

According to the article, Coker sought a plan from Wilder on how to run practice at first, especially since the team will be going at it for the entire fall against themselves and not opposition.

Coker was not alone in the trip to Norfolk, Va. On a private jet owned by Roadrunners booster Jim Bodenstedt, the UTSA head coach was joined by director of football operations Shane Elder, the team's equipment manager and athletic director Lynn Hickey.

This group seems to be ahead of the game in their quest to reach the next level, which all indications point are C-USA.

• • •

Lastly, we reported in our last blog about the drafting of Larry Hart to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Several other SLC players will have a chance to play at the next level. Entering today, here's a list of SLC players who have signed on to other teams...

Dominique Daniels, CB, Nicholls State (Atlanta Falcons)
Antonio Robinson, WR, Nicholls State (Chicago Bears)
Tim Knicky, LB, Stephen F. Austin (Green Bay Packers)
Isaiah Greenhouse, LB, Northwestern State (Houston Texans)
Aaron Rhea, WR, Stephen F. Austin (Minnesota Vikings) ]]> jplotkin http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=71 <![CDATA[Hart Drafted by Jags, Expansion & Realignment in the SLC]]> http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=70 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:35:31 GMT Larry Hart was draftedin the fifth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, becoming the highest Central Arkansas football player to ever be selected.

A two-time Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Hart was the only player in the conference selected and at that point, the fifth player from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) taken. In addition to his conference accolades, Hart was a two-time All-American selection and will now join former Bears defensive end Jacob Ford (Tennessee Titans) and tight end/fullback Marquez Branson (Denver Broncos) on an NFL roster.

According to Hart, the Jaguars plan to leave him at defensive end, despite rumors of a potential switch to the outside linebacker position.

• • •

Potentially lost in the mix this weekend was that Lamar athletic director Billy Tubbs was quoted in the Beaumont Enterprise as saying that his program's five year plan is to be in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

The quote from Tubbs reads, ""Yes, we plan to do that, in a five-year program we would like be in the FBS, which is the Bowl Subdivision. That's where we aspire to be. As things are moving around, we want to position ourselves to have the possibility of upgrading our football program."

Lamar becomes the third SLC program to state in public that they are interested or in the process of moving to FBS, joining Texas State and UTSA. TXST is currently in the midst of "The Drive", an initiative they hope lifts their program to the FBS level while UTSA athletic director Lynn Hickey has made it clear the school will skip the SLC with intentions on being FBS.

A fourth school, Sam Houston State, is in the middle of an evaluation that will review the school's standing at the FCS level, examine how the school can improve, what it needs to do and what would be needed if the school does look into FBS.

Conference realignment and expansion will impact the league at some point. SLC commissioner Tom Burnett may have said it best, when quoted in the same Beaumont Enterprise article in which Tubbs was quoted.

"I liken it to what someone told me, 'It's like what happens when an earthquake hits. How far are you from the epicenter?'" Southland commissioner Tom Burnett said. "If the Big Ten takes one team, then the quote experts say there will not be much of a ripple. If the Big Ten takes five teams, and another 10 teams make a move, the waves are a big bigger. It's too early to say."
How much longer until the expansion and realignment chatter becomes deafening? It is a matter of those movers and shakers in the Big 10 and Pac-10 to decide that. Those will be the first dominoes to fall...

• • •

We will be back later today with news from spring football, a major injury in the Southland and more! ]]> jplotkin http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=70