Speaking of the Southland

The process is over for Central Arkansas.

The [url=http://www.southland.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18400&ATCLID=204968814]NCAA informed the school[/url] 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.

[b]MOSES, A PAYTON CANDIDATE[/B]

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

Yet, earlier this week, [URL=http://www.southland.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18400&ATCLID=204967526]Stephen F. Austin quarterback Jeremy Moses was named to the Payton Watch List[/url] 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.

[b]Notes from Around the League[/b]

[b]SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE[/b]
* The NCAA has launched the [url=http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-footbl/champpage/m-footbl-div1-index-2010.html]web site home of the 2010 Division I National Championship Game[/url]. 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.

[b]NORTHWESTERN STATE[/B]
* Northwestern State athletic director Greg Burke will serve as President of the [url=http://www.southland.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18400&ATCLID=204967955]Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletic Directors Association[/url], 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.

[b]TEXAS STATE[/B]
* Tyler Mayforth of the [url=http://smdrcatscradle.blogspot.com/2010/07/college-football-dews-to-transfer.html]San Marcos Daily Record[/url] 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.