Speaking of the Southland

The quarterback controversy at Texas State only got more confusing as [url=http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/sports/x895849750/College-Football-Soza-to-transfer-from-Texas-State]redshirt freshman Eric Soza[/url] 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 [URL=http://www.collegesportingnews.com/entry.php?15-Let-the-Battle-Begin-UTSA-vs-Texas-State]offensive coordinator Travis Bush[/URL] to I-35 rival UT-San Antonio.

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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 [url=http://www.txstatebobcats.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/020310aag.html]Wright in February after signing day[/url]. "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.

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[b]Southland Conference Quick Hits[/b]

• Southeastern Louisiana's track and field team will no longer share a facility with the football team, as [url=http://www.lionsports.net/news/2010/5/11/MTFCC_0511105903.aspx?path=mtrack]construction moves forward on the new track and facility[/url] 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 [url=http://www.gobearkats.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=92955&SPID=11345&DB_OEM_ID=19900&ATCLID=204940918]Dr. Tommy Davis[/url] 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 [url=http://www.goutsa.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=315549&SPID=34919&DB_OEM_ID=13100&ATCLID=204939088]Houston to a growing future football slate[/url]. UTSA, announced several months ago that it would [url=http://www.collegesportingnews.com/entry.php?31-UTSA-Throws-Curveball-Announces-FBS-Plan&bt=45#comment45]bypass the Southland Conference for life as an FBS Independent[/url]. 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.