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N C STATE AT SOUTH CAROLINA: The Gamecocks scored 31 straight points in the second half and shut out the Wolfpack for a seemingly easy win. Starting quarterback Tommy Beecher, who left with a head injury) was only 12- of- 22 for 106 yards and four picks. Chris Smelley came off the bench to complete 5- of- 5 passes for 92 yards and two scores. Tailback Mike Davis shook off a first quarter suspension to gain 101 yards on 14 carries. Receiver Kenny McKinley caught six passes for 37 yards. N C State quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Daniel Evans (combined 5-of- 20 passing) threw for only 49 yards. The Wolfpack rushed for only 89 yards. N. C. State gained only 138 total yards. One of the turning points of the second half came early when Carlos Thomas picked Evans and returned it to the 10-yard line. Through three quarters, South Carolina had 161 yards, but gained 208 yards in the fourth quarter and scored three touchdowns. Emmanuel Cook was penalized 15 yards (unsportsmanlike conduct) for doing push-ups on the spot after he dropped an interception.
The Wolfpack and Gamecocks met for the first time in nearly a decade. N C State had won four straight games in the series. South Carolina ended the Wolfpack’s four games winning streak in the series and their own five game losing streak that began in 2007. Coach Steve Spurrier is 22-16 at South Carolina. The South Carolina defensive front with tackle Nathan Pepper and linebacker Jasper Brinkley caused problems for redshirt freshman Russell Wilson.
N C State: Jamelle Eugene, last year’s leading rusher, didn’t play because of an ankle sprain. Wilson will be examined over the next few days after his concussion.
VANDERBILT AT MIAMI (OHIO): The Commodores comfortably beat Miami of Ohio. Quarterback Chris Nickson threw for 86 yards and ran for 138 yards (257 yards total offense). The win was the largest margin on the road for Vandy since 1991. Senior receiver George Smith is out recovering from a foot injury. The Commodore defense held Miami (Ohio) to only 95 yards rushing. Junior defensive back D. J. Moore picked off his eighth career pass to set up a score, returned a punt 91 yards to set up another and made a key sack on third- and- long in the first half.
HAWAII AT FLORIDA: Coach Urban Meyer said both quarterbacks John Brantley and Cam Newton will play Saturday. Four running backs-Kestahn Moore, Chris Rainey, Emmanuel Moody and Jeffrey Demps—are ready. Linebacker Brandon Spikes (foot) will not play and junior Ryan Stamper will replace him. Omar Hunter, another freshman defensive tackle, has practice for several consecutive days. Defensive end Justin Trattou has been held out due to a concussion. Starting center Maurkice Pouncey has been limited by a sprained ankle, but he will play. Receiver Percy Harvin will not play. In sets with an extra cornerback, Joe Haden will play the nickel and freshman Janoris Jenkins will start outside. Haden and Wondy-Pierre Louis will start at corner and Major Wright and Ahmad Black will get the nod at safety. Meyer said defensive end William Green, who is 218 pounds, will play. Redshirt freshman safety Bryan Thomas was back at practice after missing camp with a cyst on his knee. Defensive lineman Torrey Davis is back with the team, but will not play Saturday. Defensive tackle John Brown has been unreliable and performed poorly in practice. He also is recovering from a broken bone in his hand. Lawrence Marsh is expected to start at tackle along with Terron Sanders or Matt Patchan (pectoral muscle) who practiced this week. Troy Epps will also start. If the Gators play a 3-3-5 formation, then Marsh will line up with ends Carlos Dunlap and Jermaine Cunningham. Keys for the Gators: Use the playmakers even without Harvin and Cornelius Ingram; establish the run (Moody will get several carries) then throw the ball; rotate plenty of defensive line players; the secondary needs to meet the Hawaii challenge and focus in order to get a comfortable win.
Hawaii’s new coach is Greg McMackin. The Hawaii receivers are inexperienced. David Veikune is a pass rush specialist, but only four defensive starters return. Their best linebacker is Solomon Elimimian, who had 141 tackles last year. Hawaii was the second best defensive in the WAC last season. JUCO transfer Brent Rausch will start at quarterback, but he has a sore arm. Greg Alexander might see some action at quarterback. Tyler Graunke, who many thought would be the starter, left the team in August for personal reasons. The Hawaii offensive system is a lot of short quick passes. Former Nease High receiver Rick Taylor will not make the trip due to a pulled groin. A great story line would have been June Jones saying Tebow was a product of the system while promoting Colt Brennan for the Heisman, but Jones is the head coach at SMU,
GEORGIA SOUTHERN AT GEORGIA: Will quarterback Matthew Stafford continue his accuracy improvement? Will the offensive line jell? How many of the young running backs and receivers step up? Will the Bulldog defense have trouble containing the Georgia Southern offense? Chris Little, a third team left guard will miss the season after having surgery on a broken foot. Knowshon Moreno (shoulder) and Caleb King (hamstring) are both out of their non-contact jerseys. Linebacker Akeem Dent will play despite a hip pointer. The offensive line will probably be center Chris Davis, guards Cordy Glenn and Vince Vance and tackles Kiante Tripp and Josh Davis. Freshman center Ben Jones could also see playing time. Defensive lineman Kade Weston (sprained MCL) is the only new injury. Offensive lineman Clint Boling, linebacker Darius Dewberry and fullback Fred Muzenmaier are all suspended for the game.
Georgia Southern coach Chris Hatcher is in his second year. GSU will make the trip without eight suspended players including two starters. The quarterbacks are Lee Chapple, a redshirt freshman and sophomore Antonio Henton. Senior Raja Andrews caught 38 passes last year. GSU led Division I-AA last year averaging 326 yards rushing. Defensive end Larry Beard is the best in the Southern Conference.
APPALACHIAN STATE AT LSU: Saturday’s game has been moved from a 4 P.M. kickoff to an 11 A.M. start due to Hurricane concerns. The big question is will Andrew Hatch take control at quarterback? Will Jarrett Lee play after returning from back spasms? Will the Tiger line of scrimmage be dominant? Can Demetrius Byrd and Brandon LaFell overpower the ASU secondary? How will offensive coordinator Gary Crowton get receiver/kick returner Trindon Holliday into space? Senior Charles Alexander is back at practice after struggling with a hamstring. He is returning from a torn ACL that cost him most of last season. Last year, LSU was supposed to open against Appalachian State, but the Tigers couldn’t pass up a chance to start the season on television against Mississippi State. Instead ASU scheduled their opener against Michigan.
Appalachian State has won the Division I-AA national title three straight years and might make it four. ASU quarterback Armanti Edwards is one of the better quarterbacks on any level. App State is eight deep at receiver. All three returning linebackers—Pierre Banks, D J Smith, and Jacque Roman--have over 100 tackles. Right tackle Anthony Williams is an All-American and left tackle Daniel Finnerty and left end Tony Robertson were honorable AA. Less than a handful of 300 pound play are on the ASU roster.
MISSISSIPPI STATE AT LOUISIANA TECH: How soon will redshirt freshman tailback Robert Elliott be pressed into action? Can quarterback Wesley Carroll continue his maturing process? Who is going to step up along with receiver Jamayel Smith? How will the defense that returns seven starters such as linebacker Jamar Chaney and defensive back Derek Pegues and held opponents to less than 17 points- or- less contain Patrick Johnson. Defensive tackle Derek Sherrod has missed a couple of days of practice due to an infected foot. He is questionable for Saturday’s game. If he can’t play, then Mark Melichar will sub. Coach Sly Croom said seven freshmen would make the trip. Offensive coordinator Woody McCorvey returned to practice after undergoing surgery last week. Smith, the leading returning receiver, will not start the opener due to tendonitis.
Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley is in his second year of coaching. Tech has some good defensive players in corners Quinn Harris, Weldon Brown and safeties Antonio Baker and Deon Young. Tailback Patrick Jackson is 1,200 yards away from breaking the school rushing record. The quarterback is former Georgia Tech transfer Taylor Bennett. Five starters return to a defense that allowed 425 yards and 30 points per game last season. Eight starters return on offense.
WESTERN ILLINOIS AT ARKANSAS: How will the coach Bobby Petrino era begin? Will the young defense with leadership from senior linebacker Elston Forte grow up some in the first game? Will quarterback Casey Dick show improvement in the Petrino scheme? His brother, Nathan, has assumed the backup role. How healthy will cornerback Jerell Norton be for the game? The first depth chart of 48 players included 20 freshmen. Three true freshmen—receiver Jarius Wright, linebacker Jelani Smith and free safety Elton Ford—are listed as starters. Senior linebacker Elston Forte is likely to not play due to an undisclosed injury.
WIU tailback Herb Donaldson is on pace to become the all-time leading rusher. The Leathernecks return 20 starters. Sophomore quarterback Matt Barr is back after going 5-5 last season. All American linebacker Jason Williams led his team in most categories. All three starting lineman-Clinton Barley, senior Josh Galloway and Victor Visoky-return. WIU lost to LSU, 35-7, in 2003. The Leathernecks had virtually no passing game last year.
LOUISIANA-MONROE AT AUBURN: All eyes are on the Auburn spread formation. Will offensive coordinator Tony Franklin play both quarterbacks Chris Todd and Kodi Burns? Coach Tommy Tuberville has yet to pick a starter, but he added that both quarterbacks will play. How will the Tiger defense with Sen’Derrick Marks and Antonio Coleman react to ULM quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster? Receiver Robert Dunn has been demoted to fourth string for violating a team rule, but he will still return kicks.
Lancaster is one of 16 starters that return. The trio of receivers Marty Humphrey, Darrell McNeal and LaGregory Sapp all return. Defensive lineman Alaric Coleman has started 24 games in two years.
MEMPHIS AT OLE MISS: The Rebels have won the last three games in the series. How will the Houston Nutt era begin? How will quarterback Jevan Snead react in his first game? Will the Ole Miss defensive line be healthy enough to make a difference? Three once injured defensive players—lineman Reid Neely, starting nose tackle Ted Laurent and linebacker Allen Walker—are all healthy enough to play. Ole Miss leads the series 45-10. The Rebels won by two points at Memphis last year. Defensive tackle Jerrell Powe will likely play in his first game Saturday. He is second team behind Marcus Tillman. There are 5,000 tickets remaining for Saturday’s game. Five running backs are listed on the depth chart led by Cordera Eason. Brandon Bolden and Enrique Davis are tied for the backup spot.
Memphis offensive lineman Brandon Pearce and receiver Duke Calhoun (6-4) are on the preseason all-conference team. Carlos Singleton is 6-foot-8. Junior college transfer Arkelon Hall takes over at quarterback. The defensive line is a veteran group led by senior Clinton McDonald. Defensive back Brandon Patterson led the team in picks last year with three. The Rebels have to account for Michael Grandberry who has set the Tiger record for kickoff returns. Former Miami defensive coordinator Tim Walton has the same position for the Tigers.
ALABAMA VS. CLEMSON IN ATLANTA: The Tide returns nine on offense and five on defense. Will the Tide’s young defense be able to stop the Clemson offense? Will the thin linebacker corps make a difference? Can quarterback John Parker Wilson begin to show improvement under new offensive coordinator Jim McElwain? Will tailback Glenn Coffee be able to become a complete player? Alabama’s offensive line with Andre Smith and center Antoine Caldwell is good enough to give Wilson time to throw on the inexperienced Clemson linebacker corps and open some holes for Glen Coffee and Terry Grant. One of the big matchups in the game is Alabama nose tackle Terrence Cody against Clemson center Thomas Austin. If Clemson has to double-team Cody, then the Tiger coaches will have to make some other adjustments. The Tide will attempt to stop James Davis and C J Spiller and allow quarterback Cullen Harper to beat them. Receiver Brandon Gibson has been suspended for the first two games for a NCAA secondary violation.
Clemson’s secondary returns all four starters including Michael Hamlin. James Davis and C J Spiller are in their third season together. The big question for Clemson is the offensive line. Freshman defensive end sensation Da’Quan Bowers could be a factor if he is healthy. A decision should come down Friday on whether or not linebacker DeAndre McDaniel can play after being charged with assault and battery on his girlfriend.
KENTUCKY AT LOUISVILLE: Will quarterback Mike Hartline be able to take the reins after the departure of Andre Woodson? Can receiver Dicky Lyons get off to a good start? Kentucky broke the Cardinals four game winning streak last year. The Kentucky defense could be stout with defensive end Jeremy Jarmon, linebacker Braxton Kelly and cornerback Trevard Lindley.
Louisville will depend on the strength of the defensive line to compensate for losses in the secondary and at linebacker. Senior tackles Earl Hayman and Adrian Grady are two of the best players on the line. The new defensive coordinator is former Michigan assistant Ron English. Maurice Mitchell and L D Scott return at end. Brock Bolen is the team’s top returning rusher. Louisville quarterback Hunter Cantwell has the advantage at quarterback.
TENNESSEE AT UCLA: How will the new Vol offense operate under quarterback Jonathan Crompton and offensive coordinator Dave Clawson? How will the Vol defensive line hold up? Will tailback Arian Foster’s bone bruise be healed enough to play? Could tight end Brandon Warren make a difference? Will the trio of Lucas Taylor, Austin Rogers and Josh Briscoe take the pressure off of the running game? Defensive tackle Donald Langley and defensive back Brent Vinson will not make the trip due to academic problems. Langley is the biggest loss because of a lack of depth on the defensive line. Linebacker Gerald Williams is still waiting on an online class to clear. He has missed four days of practice.
UCLA has a new coach in Rick Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow. Quarterback Kevin Craft struggled Friday with three straight picks in practice. Linebacker Reggie Carter is the leading returning tackler. The strength of the defense is up the middle with Carter, and tackles Brian Price and Brigham Harwell. Alterraun Verner is the leader of the secondary, but the rest of the defensive backs have one college start. UCLA wants to take the Tennessee run game away and force Crompton to beat then in his first start. Senior running back Kahlil Bell gained 800 yards last year. The offensive line has only two returning starters.
ACC NOTES
SOUTHERN CAL AT VIRGINIA: The Cavs are hoping to open the season better this year as opposed to the last two years when they were drubbed by Wyoming and Pitt. Virginia might pass the ball more this season with strong receivers such as Kevin Ogletree, who caught 52 passes as a sophomore. Senior tight end John Phillips (6-6, 250) is expected to have a strong season. Cary Koch, a Tulane transfer, could also be a factor in his senior season. Peter Lalich is expected to start, but senior Scott Deke and Marc Verica are in the mix. Coach Al Groh has not tipped his hand as to a starter. Cedric Peerman and Mikell Simpson are back for the Cavs.
The Trojans are strong in the defensive back seven. Linebackers Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga are All American candidates. Kevin Ellison and Taylor Mays are one of the best safety tandems in the nation. There are concerns on the offensive line and there is not a go-to receiver even though Arkansas transfer Damian Williams is emerging. Quarterback Mark Sanchez, despite a knee injury, should get the majority of snaps. USC has won five straight openers by a combined score of 198-54 over teams such as Arkansas, Virginia Tech and Auburn. Coach Pete Carroll practices the 1’s vs. the 1’s so the players can get used to the speed of the game and opens practice so that there is an adjustment to fans being in the stands.
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN AT MIAMI: The Canes won, 52-7, on the strength of nearly 200 yards passing from quarterback Jacory Harris and almost 225 yards rushing. Tailback Shawnbrey McNeal rushed five times for 45 yards. Eight different receivers caught passes. Tailback Graig Cooper returned a punt 60 yards for a score.
Projected starters Eric Moncur (sports hernia) and Allen Bailey (pec muscle) have been cleared but may not be ready to play until the Florida game. There are 13 true freshmen on the first and second team depth chart. Quarterbacks Robert Marve and Harris are not far apart. Running back is a real strength for the team with Graig Cooper and Javarris James and short yardage downs might be easier with fullback Patrick Hill and John Calhoun. Receivers are a good mix of veterans—Sam Shields, Khalil Jones—and youth—Travis Benjamin, Laron Byrd and Jermaine McKenzie. Tight ends Dedrick Epps, Chris Zellner and Richard Gordon might be some of the more improved players on the team. The offensive line starters-Jason Fox, Orlando Franklin, Xavier Shannon, Reggie Youngblood and Joel Figueroa are solid, but the backups are question marks. The defensive line is full of freshmen so Antonio Dixon and Eric Moncur need to play well. Linebackers are a real plus with Glen Cook, Daryl Sharpton and Colin McCarthy. Sean Spence will play a lot. There are a lot of question marks in the secondary such as starter Bruce Johnson being counted on for an entire year.
Coach Randy Shannon has suspended seven players—Marve, fullback Eric Houston, safety Randy Phillips, long snapper Chris Ivery, receiver Kayne Farquharson, running back Damien Berry and defensive end Adewale Ojomo. None of the suspensions were due to players being academically ineligible.
Marve, who was suspended for an incident last Oct. 31 when he broke the mirror on a car trying to flee police, blamed himself for the suspension. The charges were dropped in March. Shannon didn’t tell Marve of the suspension until last week. Still, Shannon said Marve will start the Florida game.
BOSTON COLLEGE AT KENT STATE: Quarterback Chris Crane has an adequate arm, strong frame and quick feet. Freshman Josh Haden (5-8, 190) has been given the running backs role. He is an excellent receiver. Jeff Smith (5-9, 198) and Razzie Smith (5-10, 177) will get some carries since Haden might not be able to run the ball 25 times per game. The offensive line has been reshuffled. The defensive line is very good with B J Raji and Ron Brace, but the unit will be better if Max Holloway and Kaleb Ramsey develop. The kicking game has struggled.
DELAWARE AT MARYLAND: Jordan Steffy beat out Chris Turner and Josh Portis down the stretch of camp to earn the starting quarterback position. Coach Ralph Friedgen said there will be a package for Portis to take advantage of his athleticism. It will be important to get the ball to Darius Heyward-Bey. Ralph Friedgen has said that 80% of the West Coast offense has been implemented. The defense is a 3-3-5 with a linebacker heavy scheme.
Delaware advanced to the Division I-AA national title game last year. The quarterback battle is between Ohio State transfer Robby Schoenhoft and freshman Lou Ritacco.
JACKSONVILLE STATE AT GEORGIA TECH: The Yellow Jackets ran for nearly 350 yards in the win over Jacksonville State. Running back Jonathan Dwyer gained 113 yards on 10 carries and Roddy Jones gained 60 yards on three carries. He also led the team in receiving with two catches for 50 yards. Starting quarterback Josh Nesbitt was 4- of- 7 for 82 yards. Freshman quarterback Jaybo Shaw was 3- of- 3 for 49 yards and ran for 51 yards. Jax State quarterback Ryan Perrilloux threw for 89 yards and ran for 54 yards.
Tech has 75 freshmen or sophomores on its roster. Of the 44 players on the two-deep chart, 26 are freshman or sophomores. There’s only one senior, offensive lineman Andrew Gardner, in the starting lineup. The defensive line with tackles Vance Walker, Darryl Richard and Michael Johnson are the strength of the defense.
WAKE FOREST AT BAYLOR: The Demon Deacons secured a comfortable win at Baylor. Quarterback Riley Skinner was 27- of- 36 for 220 yards and three scores. Wake rushed for 157 yards. Josh Adams gained only 18 yards. Miami transfer Kirby Freeman was only 4- of- 11 for 31 yards with two picks.
Last season, Skinner completed 72% of his passes, but only threw for 12 touchdowns and 13 picks. He wants to decrease his picks considerably. Fourteen starters return. Running back Josh Adams also comes back to improve on his 953 yards last season. Cornerback Alphonso Smith, who returned three picks for scores, returns.
VIRGINIA TECH VS EAST CAROLINA IN CHARLOTTE: Redshirt senior Sean Glennon has been named the starting quarterback. Sophomore Tyrod Taylor who played last season had decided to redshirt unless Glennon is hurt. Fifth year senior Cory Holt is presently the No. 2 quarterback. Glennon has virtually a new receiving crew to work with this year.
East Carolina coach Skip Holtz is concerned about the kicking game. ECU has a good enough defensive line to get some pressure on Glennon. The Pirates were No. 4 nationally in turnover margin last year.
MCNEESE STATE AT NORTH CAROLINA: The Tar Heels are expected to be much improved on defense. Linebackers Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter are improved. Trimane Goddard and Deunta Williams are quality safeties. The secondary, receivers and the offensive line are primarily upperclassmen.
McNeese State has won five of seven conference titles. They were 11-1 last year. They run a spread offense with quarterback Derrick Fourroux, a two-year starter, who has 26 touchdowns.
FLORIDA STATE: Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher said he will likely use two quarterbacks early on in the season. In Monday’s scrimmage, tailback Antone Smith (three carries for 130 yards) shined for the running backs, but Tavares Pressley fumbled twice, and freshmen Ty Jones (didn’t play with groin injury) and Jermaine Thomas, who has his academic issues cleared up, struggled. Josh Dobbie is virtually the only tight end available due to transcript issues for freshmen Ja’Baris Little and Bo Reliford. Tight end Caz Piurowski is suspended for the first three games. The offensive line, especially Joe Tonga, played well in the scrimmage. Defensive lineman Justin Mincey has been cleared academically. Pressley was carted off the field Thursday is out for the year with a torn ACL. Defensive lineman Emmanuel Dunbar (back) is out of the hospital after being taken off the field in an ambulance earlier in the week.
BIG 12
U-T CHATTANOOGA AT OKLAHOMA: The Sooners have won 18 straight at home. This game will be no different. Quarterback Sam Bradford will get a lot of work and the offensive line will be dominant. Tailback DeMarco Murray is healthy.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC AT TEXAS: Coach Will Muschamp is revamping the secondary. Texas is still trying to figure out who is the primary tailback. It could be Vondrell McGee. The depth chart shows a fullback and some tight ends, but the Longhorns are more dangerous with playmakers on the field such as John Chiles. Much was said during the preseason about the team not playing hard so a fast start would help Texas. Duane Akini is back in the role of kick blocker. The coaches would love to see junior linebacker Sergio Kindle live up to his potential. Quarterback Colt McCoy didn’t throw a pick in camp.
FAU: Nine defensive starters return. Quarterback Rusty Smith is one of the better quarterbacks in his conference. FAU was No. 3 in turnover margin last year.
ILLINOIS VS. MISSOURI IN ST. LOUIS: Mizzo returns 10 players on defense that played in the Cotton Bowl. Quarterback Chase Daniel should be able to complete a lot of passes on the Illini secondary despite all-conference candidate Vontae Davis. Receiver Jeremy Maclin and Arrelious Benn are worth the price of admission.
Three keys for Missouri: Make Juice Williams win the game with his arm not his legs. Protect quarterback Chase Daniel. Get the ball to Maclin.
Illinois has two all-conference candidates in Will Davis and Davis. The Illinois offensive line could be dominant at times.
WESTERN MICHIGAN AT NEBRASKA: One of the keys to the game is the Bo Peleni defense talking away the quarterback Tim Hiller’s short passing game. Running back Marlon Lucky will split some time with a bevy of backs including Roy Helo, Jr. Nebraska finished next to last in run defense in the nation last year so look for dramatic improvement. Cornhusker quarterback Joe Ganz averaged 466 yards passing in his last three games last season.
Western Michigan is expected to contend for the MAC title. WMU could take advantage of the Cornhusker offensive line with a lot of blitzes. Miami transfer Doug Wiggins, who will not play until next season, has helped the scout team immensely.
BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR MYCLAYSUN IN ORANGE PARK, FLA. HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM, SAMSPORTSLINE.COM AND GATOR BAIT MAGAZINE. HE CAN BE HEARD ON SPORTS RADIO 1010 XL.
E-MAIL BRENT AT brentbeaird@comcast.net
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