News Nuggets, 08.17.03
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Pirates' final open practice touches all bases

GREENVILLE [ECU SID] — About 300 fans got a final preseason look at emerging aspects of East Carolina's 2003 football team on Saturday as the Pirates devoted their last public practice session to a situational scrimmage that lasted 90 minutes-plus.

The wide range of scenarios, designed to simulate game-like circumstances, gave ECU's coaching staff a broad snapshot of the team's progress on offense, defense and the kicking game.

First-year head coach John Thompson liked what he saw in comparison to a scrimmage earlier in the week.

"That was a lot of progress from Wednesday," Thompson said. "Our execution was better, but we obviously have to complete more passes. Our offense stuck it in in goal-line situations, and our defense came back and did some real good things.

" We probably set a record for kicks in a scrimmage, but got a great evaluation. We wanted to put all those guys under the gun. We'll go back and really study all of that and we hope to find a kicker out of it."

Fans hoping to witness the ongoing battle for the starting quarterback job were disappointed as Desmond Robinson, who is vying with fellow junior Paul Troth for the role, sat out the scrimmage with a minor leg injury. The move was precautionary in nature and Robinson would have been available to play if it had been an actual game day, according to staff members.

Troth, who started, and redshirt freshman James Pinkney took the majority of snaps. Troth completed 7-of-20 for 86 yards while Pinkney was 6-of-13 for 93 yards and two touchdown passes. Patrick Dosh, a transfer from Florida who is ineligible to play in 2003, also saw limited action.

A good portion of the practice was spent on goal-line situations and field goal kicking. Five ECU kickers battling for a job attempted 16 field goals, all from 38 yards or longer. The group made seven of those.

The Pirate defense had several big plays, including eight sacks. Sophomore linebacker Chris Moore led the unit with two sacks and two additional tackles for losses. Senior safety Travis Heath and senior linebacker Kent Nealy each forced a fumble.

Redshirt freshman Ryan Dougherty boomed punts of 58 and 43 yards, solidifying his push to become the starting punter.

One day after the announcement that All-Conference USA running back Art Brown would miss the season with a knee injury, the Pirate running game focused on true freshman Robert Tillman. Tillman averaged 6.3 yards per carry, with 12 attempts for 76 yards to lead all rushers.

Junior college transfer Kevin Fain had 28 yards on 10 attempts, although most of his carries were in goal line situations, while senior Dominique Hatcher carried 10 times for 17 yards. Junior Marvin Townes, who rushed for 304 yards last year, sat out but is expected back next week.

Except for team meetings, the Pirates will have the day off today and move back to their residences after checking out of the local hotel that has been team headquarters for the first 10 days of the preseason. They will return to the practice fields on Monday for another two-a-day schedule.

AP poll identifies Horned Frogs as Top 25 material

FORT WORTH, TX [TCU SID] — Texas Christian will enter the 2003 football season ranked 25th in the country, according to the Associated Press pre-season poll released on Saturday. The Frogs received 95 points to rank between Oklahoma State (156) and Florida (79).

It's the second time in the last four years that TCU will enter the season ranked by the AP voters. The Frogs began the 2000 season in the 20th spot and moved as high as ninth before finishing 21st with a 10-2 record. Prior to 2000, TCU had not been ranked in the pre-season poll since 1960.

The Frogs are one of only two Conference USA schools to receive recognition in the poll. Southern Miss collected three points to rank 43rd.

Oklahoma is the top ranked team in the country, according to the poll, with 32 first place votes and 1,573 points. Defending national champion Ohio State is second after receiving 27 first place votes and 1,532 points.

TCU finished the 2002 season at No. 22 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll and 23rd in the AP rankings. The Frogs logged a 10-2 record, gained a share of the Conference USA title and defeated Colorado State in the AXA Liberty Bowl.

TCU opens it 12-game 2003 regular season on Labor Day, Monday, September 1, with a nationally-televised contest at Tulane. ESPN will carry the contest as a part of a C-USA day-night doubleheader beginning at 7:00 p.m.  The network will telecast a noon game pitting Cincinnati, who shared last season's league title, against visiting East Carolina.

Associated Press 2003 Preseason College Football Poll

Rank School (Firsts) Points Final '02 rank

1. Oklahoma (32) 1,573  5
2. Ohio State (27) 1,532  1
3. Miami (2) 1,484  2
4. Michigan (2) 1,329  9
5. Texas 1,322  6
6. Auburn (1) 1,300  14
7. Kansas State (1) 1,221  7
8. USC 1,126  4
9. Virginia Tech 1,046  18
10. Pittsburgh 952  19
11. Georgia 928  3
12. Tennessee 766  NR
13. Florida State 737  21
14. LSU 736  NR
15. Maryland 705  13
16. N.C. State 678  12
17. Washington 643  NR
18. Virginia 557  22
19. Purdue 468  NR
20. Notre Dame 439  17
21. Wisconsin 350  NR
22. Arizona State 248  NR
23. Colorado State 205  NR
24. Oklahoma State 156  NR
25. TCU 95  23

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Florida 79, Nebraska 68, Oregon St. 68, Penn St. 56, Texas A&M 40, Alabama 33, Colorado 27, Arkansas 26, Missouri 22, Fresno St. 21, Mississippi 20, Minnesota 18, Oregon 10, Boise St. 10, Air Force 8, Iowa 8, Miami (Ohio) 5, Southern Miss 3, Hawaii 2, Boston College 2, Washington St. 2, West Virginia 1.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2003 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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