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Show DAILY HERALD CS . Wednesday, August 27, 2008 COLLEGE FOOTBALL r" . m rn -- n"TTrM --m . MWC rence. meet, is another candidate. Marcus Smith and Travis .. Brown were big assets to the ' offense last year, quarterback Donovan Horterie said. But the same things were said about those guys that are ; being said about the guys we have now." Bruising tailback Rodney Ferguson returns, seeking his sea-- , third straight 1,000-yar- d son, and hell be eager to prove himself after being academi- cally ineligible for the bowL His replacement, Paul Baker, ' had 167 yards rushing in that ' game. New Mexico must break in an inexperienced offensive line and find a successor to kicker John Sullivan, who led the nation and set school and con-- , ference records with 29 field goals last season. Long, a former New Mexico quarterback, still calls his own defenses, though he promoted assistant Troy Reffett to the title of defensive coordinator ' after Osia Lewis left for the same position at UTEP. The Lobos return a strong pair of cornerbacks in DeAn-dr- e Wright and Glover Quia Forterie, now a junior, is coming off a big year where he had 3,006 yards passing and 15 touchdowns. A part- time starter as a freshman, he boosted his record to 12-- 4 with a career-hig- h pass- tog effort in.the New Mexico THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. . . - Is there a positive to losing 26 seniors? Not really, but when asked during the MWC weekly teleconference, Troy Calhoun found one, From a leadership and character standpoint, it gives the young guys a chance," he said. . COLORADO STATE - n With themarquee game of the week, Ute coach Kyle Whittingham is confident in the health of his quarter- back, Bryan Johnson is 100 cent," he said. There is no pain in the shoulder, so that is a dead issue." Utah will take on Michigan in the Big House, a game that will be televised nationally on ... in Denver. But to mind. .. . . told the guys that some. of them would get the chance to play on Sunday, the first- year head coach said. I guess ABC. this does give them a chance. . . . 1 . Joe Glenn hates turnovers, Chuck Long is an optimist, but loves Ohio coach Frank ' His Aztecs are only faring- - , 'Solich. Glenn talks as though he ing back three starters on offense but he sees the po-.and Solich go way. back,. ; tentiaL , calling Solich a personal Look at the bright side, he friend, said. If we have everything But what really got Glenn excited was a simple ques- going at the end of the year, tion about turnover margin, we have everyone coming back." The Cowboys were last in Long will be starting with a the Mountain West Confer-- . freshman quarterback, Ryan , ertce last year in turnover . , margia Lindley. "Ryan reads defenses very ;; well," Long said. - He comes from a great passing background run; ning the spread in high school," . . UTAH WYOMING s," . .. SAN DIEGO STATE .. 109-ye- ar . ... - coach Steve Fairchild doesn't . first conference championship since 1964, so its got to be in the next year or two,'.. Long drew laughs when he said that last part, but its clear New Mexico doesn't pay much attention to pre-season forecasts that usually favor other schools. This year, BYU is picked to win V ; the league, We have a few guys who played last year who are ready to take on the challenge, terie said. "We just have to go out and work on controlling ; what we can control by work-alm- a ... ing hard every day. 46-ye- . . .. of the Democratic National Long said, When we recruited him, I thought he could be a guy who might lead us to our . c unlv ;'i!! The Rebels are facing an Aggie team that lost 10 games last year but Won its " final two; They were doing's lot of .; the same things, they Were ' just doing them better M the end of the season, said UNLV head coach Mike Sanford. The Rebels will face an un-known commodity in USlTs new quarterback, Sean Set-a- s zer. The Rams will be playing on Sunday this week because seem r : I. : .' Bronco Mendenhall is fin no danger of underestimating this week's opponent, Northern Iowa of the Foot- ball Championship Subdivi- sion. "They are coached as well any team in our league, Mendenhall said when the Panthers where compared to Appalachian State. ,. BowL red-lett- er I . IYU 354-ya- rd He gets better every year," with turnover problems was last tothb MWC in 2007 in turnover margin . . ; Wyoming coach when asked about the Cowboys'f roblem AIRFORCE . . dlfillii. Joa Gleuqi : Around the MWC .. ' . . are flying under the radar this year with all the focus on . BYU and Utah They could make a run arid win an their games, toa : . interceptions and fumble the ball. But that wa last year and this is this year." ' Long realizes the Frogs . Dean of the Mountain West coaches. Thats what reporters are calling New Mexicos Rocky Long these days. From when the league started, Im the only coach who's still around, Long explained. I don't know if that's a good sign or a bad sign. It must be good, considering the coach signed a new f iveyear contract last week. The new deal pays Long about $750,000 annually, a healthy boost from his former salary of $439,000. . Then again, Long was apologizing the next day for his program's trouble with the NCAA infractions committee, which cut five scholarships to penalize New Mexico in an academic fraud investigation We win go with the process and put this behind us. We have to make sure it never happens again, said Long, who wasn't accused of any wrongdoing. Stick around long enough and youll probably see a little of everything. As the Mountain West marks its 10th season since breaking from the Western nuAMocited pm AthleticConference, Long is the only coach among the orig- - New Mexico coach Rocky Long looks on during the second inal right schools still working quarter of a game against Colorado State in Fort Collins, , Colo., on Oct 28, 2006. the same sidelines. LaVeU Edwards retired, ... ' . immeasurable an leaving New Mexico returns 12 to ball doormat for decades legacy along with his name ' starters six on each side on the stadium at BYU. The unprecedented success. balL a of Lobos the a but have reached The Its young triple option offense remains at talented group that plays two Air Force, but Fisher DeBerry bowl game in five of the past nonconference hung up his whistle a year ago. six seasons, beating Nevada 230 in the hometown New John Robinsons revival at games, facing Texas A&M and Mexico Bowl last December to Arizona in Albuquerque. UNLV didnt work out. Ted Much of the preseason talk Tollner is history at San Diego end a drought without has focused on how the Lobos a postseason win. State. Same goes for Utah's will replace the most produc- It capped a landmark 9--4 Ron McBride, and Joe Glenn is season, just the fourth time in tive receiver tandem in school Wyoming's third coach since the Mountain Wests birth. ' the program's history history, now that Marcus So when Sonny Lubick was that New Mexico won nine .. Smith and Travis Brown have asked to step down at Colors-- games.... finished their eligibility. ... The top returning receiver do State after last Season, that Ah. but theres always ah-is formerwalk-oRoland other season, and Long and left Long by himself . the Lobos must start all Over That 's a great group of Bruno, who caught 21 passes this falL Most preseason fore-- in six starts last season. Jer- Long sakL casts predicted New Mexico jnaine McQueen, who placed Long has staying power fourth in the 100 meters at last for a reason. He has taken his will rank in the middle of the mater a college foot- Mountain West, fourth or fifth, spring's Mountain West track t uyyrr, iLilTIOrS. .Vou just can't throw vt fastest team in bur confeTim Korte r ' Continued from Cl . V - "the "Uggh, turnovers, Cowboy coach groaned. "You just cant throw interceptions and fumble the balL But that was last year and this is this year."--- . announce THE . ASSOCIATED PRESS ... Auburn ; AUBURN, Ala, tailback Brad Lastar called iq his bank the other day looking for his account balance. Instead, he got the question: "Whos the starting quarterback?" If only his account included ' $1 for every time thats come up, Coach Tommy Tuberville . said Tuesday inquiring fans will likely have to wait until the lOthnnked Tigers opener Sb ' ,y night against for an answer. Junior college transfer Chris Todd and soohomore Kodi nuAMociatedPwM Bams or vice versa both Auburn quarterbacks Rod Bum; left and Chris Todd woifc out during practice on Ayg. 2. Auburn coach Tommy TfaberviUe said he expect to play in the game. Bothsay they have no idea probably wont name a starter until gametime on Saturday. I . .. when theyll find out who gets j to take the first snap. reinstatement committee later Tuberville said the down-to- The thing about Kodi is hes N.C, Skip Holti and East Caro- - Murphy said. They said the e call last night was a mistake, bna agreed to a new contract rejected his appeal as well with-competition is s good still in the learning mode, he out letting Mauk make his pitch said. Chris has been in this of- - Tuesday that will last through ' that they had not ruled. The thing. It hasn't been that both fense since diapers. Hes been the 2013 season. Athletic direc-- staff had decided to sleep on it. in person, he went to court. Mauk filed a lawsuit on tor Terry Holland said the con- - The apology was sincere." have done bad or both have running it forever. Without NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Aug. 13 and got a temporary tract contains changes to his done great, he said. Its a big separation, I think it's ' to The restraining order from Hardin great on Kodi's part to be able incentive and bonus structure. ; Osburn said in an just that both have been very to catch up and leara Chris has and should encourage Hokz to Associated Press that Murphy's County Judge WRIiam Hart The consistent The players rally account of the phone calls was case was put on hold when the around both of than. been a big part of that. Chris stay with us a long, long time. Holland said specifics of It's a great situation for us. has been helping him out. accurate, and that the staff was NCAA staff allowed Mauk to submit more information on his still considering the matter. Both will be hungry to play, That's another key point far . Holtzs new deal cant be re-leased until the contract is ap- Mauk has been turned down case. He is not allowed to prao- and I want it that way, I want a fingering quarterback battle: them both to be very com- - ' Making sunk doesn't divide the proved by the schools board of three times by the NCAA in his tice with the Bearcats while the trustees.- attempt to get another season case is considered petitive but I also want both of team into opposing camps. Tit- Holtz has led the Pirates to berville said he asked the seniors of eligibility. Mauk contends them to know they're on the for their opinion when they came consecutive winning seasons same team." I demon to start for Va. Tech, injuries cost him playing time and bowls for the first time The competition is so close at Wake Forest and Cincinnati Taylor rodshirting: At Blacks- to his house late last week for a In December TuberviUe said the starter could steak dinner. He said leadership He was one of the biggest ' burg, Va., Sean Glennoa will be since boil down to the first will be a key factor in 2006, he signed an extension Virginia Techs starting quar-surprises of last years cd-terback this year while sopho- dozen or so scripted the decision, v through 2011 worth $4 35 mil- - lege football season, making X" lion over five seasons, more Tyrod Taylor redshirts. a remarkable comeback from Both contenders plays and who is best For the long term and for the severe injuries. He dislocated suited to run them. say teammates have 1 his passing shoulder and broke good of the program, this is in In the meantime, I NCAA says its stil considering approached them our best interest," Hokies coach and said they should Mauki appeal: At Cincinnati, the his arm in the season opener the contenders who Frank Burner said Tuesday. have battled through- be the starter. They NCAA said Tuesday that RsstOT for Wake Forest in 2006. XT Mauk transferred to Cindn- out spring and fall have to be guarded considering quarterback Ben Cory Holt win begin the sea- son as the nominal backup, but Mauks latest appeal for more nati for his graduate studies, NOTEBOOK in their response. practices can just We knew whats playing time, contrary to what it rehabilitated his shoulder, won Taylor would be likely to play work and wait. 1 if Giennon couldnt. The deci- the starting job and led the told his lawyer a day earlier. best for the team, guess weH find sion is one Taylor supports, Bearcats to a breakthrough Bums said. "We cant let this out vtfm everybody ebe finds Lawyer Kevin Murphy re- season. He threw for 31 touch-- BeamersakL ceived a phone call Monday out, Todd said. Yall know just divide the team at all between downs and 3,121 yards even as much as I know, so well see; me and Chris. Weve got to stay night from an NCAA repre- "Tyrod wanted to redshirt still was and his we are trying to do what him shoulder that as and Added Bums: 1 know that not' sentative, though informing strong quarterbacks in paia The Bearcats tied their is in his best interest for him, Im going to be out there and I let our individual things get in the staff had denied Mauks Beamer said. school record with 10 wins, know 111 be playing, so Im not the way of our team goals." request for another season of Giennon began last season While bank employees, fans worried about it. I think were eligibility. Murphy was told that and finished the season with Mauk could talk to the NCAA's their highest ranking at No. 17. as the Hokies' starter, but was and media fret over what the both going to play. final decision will be, defensive reinstatement committee by Then, Mauk set out to get one replaced by Taylor after a slow They do bring different as-start Oennon got a second more season. He tried to con-sets to the fiekL Todd, a onetime end Antonio Coleman said the phone on Thursday, pleading chance midway through the vince the NCAA that he should Texas Tech signee, has more guys on the other side of the ball his case for the final time. season when Taylor Was in- On Tuesday, Murphy said aren't giving it too much thought get mere playing time because experience in systems similar We really dont care," he got another phone can from of the arm and shoulder injuries, jured, and reclaimed the job by , to coordinator Tony FrankDas Coleman said. Were worried When that appeal was rejected, the same NCAA representa- playing wefl. If he sits all year, sp!?ad offense. He might have he argued that he had to redshirt Taylor would have three years In passing. Burns is the about what were going to do tive telling him the staff was an of eligibility remaining after still considering the matter and his freshman season at Wake on Saturday. Well let the of- better runner and scrambler. this season. hadn't ruled, contrary to what Forest because of injury. Lester said each of them can fense handle their business." The NCAA ruled there was he had been told. do both. TifteTvtlfcfiaid both I Lewis back as Indiana QB after "That person called me back insufficient proof of his claims, ; have also shown the ability to I ECUl Holtz agree to new six- ad-li- b and turned him down. When the and apologized profusely," on broken plays. suspension: At Bloom- year contract At GreenviDe, ington, Ind., Keflen Lewis is Indiana's starting quarterback again, winning a chance to lead the Hoosiers to a second straight bowl game despite being suspended for spring practice. Hoosiers coach Bill Lynch said Tuesday th& Lewis will start Saturdays opener against Western Kentucky. Lewis won back the starting job after a monthlong battle with sophomore Ben Chapped, Chappell has thrown only two college passes but inherited the nominal starter's role in March when Lewis was suspended for breaking team rules. Lewis was reinstated last month, but returned to a new nohuddle offense, Louisi-ana-Monr- oe : : . the-wir- . : .. - . , 1999-200- 0. . . Vi ' ' . . 1 . I Patemo picks Clark to start at QB far Penn State! At State Col- lege, fcnn., Daryil dart will start at quarterback for ftim Stale when the 22ndranked Nktany Lions open the season against Coastal Carolina on Saturday, Coach Joe Patemo said Clarks experience and solid preseason gave him the edge over Pat Devlin. .. . . ' I Colorado player gets probation in fight At Boulder, Colo., Colorado tight end Riar Greer was sentenced to two years' probation and 50 hours of community service after pleading guilty in an pus brawL Boulder County Dis- trict Judge Maria Berkenfcotter sentenced &eer on Monday, The Greer avoided a jail term of up to two jTSrs. He pleaded guilty to misde- e assault meanor stemming from a fight on March 14. In exchange, pros- ecutors dropped charges of assault felony second-ire- e and misdemeanor iarassment. The university fcL ' e of judicial affairs ordered Geer to serve another. SfrfoYTs of Vas community service. unfor suspended from the spring semesteDUt will be allowed to play off-ca- third-degre- . th' I NotableguatcCU's not that hard. Irti not that smart." UCLA offensive coordinator Nonfa Pisw to tfae Orange Ccxinty Register, saying new stating quarterback Kevin Craft, transfer from San Diego .State who. moved into tje starting slot when BYU fransfer Sen Olson broke his Toot irt MjfMtfTciJ. shouldnt have any trouble mastering the Bruin offense. |