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News Nuggets, 01.02.04
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Trojans set stage for debate for the ages

PASADENA — Now there's nothing left to do but wait after top-ranked Southern California all but assured itself a piece of the national championship Thursday with a 28-14 thumping of No. 4 Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

The Trojans say they're No. 1 — and few will disagree. All that remains is the final tally of votes early Monday.

MVP Matt Leinart threw three touchdown passes and caught another to lead USC past the Wolverines with a performance so persuasive that voters almost certainly will leave the Trojans atop The Associated Press poll no matter what happens in Sunday's Sugar Bowl.

The AP's No. 1 team has never dropped in the rankings after winning its bowl, and it doesn't look as if it will happen this time, either.

``I think we just won the national championship,'' jubilant USC coach Pete Carroll said. ``I think it's clear that we did everything we needed to.''

While the Trojans are primed to win their first title in 25 years, they would have to share it. Voters for the USA Today/ESPN coaches' poll are obligated to crown the winner of the BCS championship game between No. 2 LSU and No. 3 Oklahoma.

USC had 42 of the 65 first-place votes in the most recent AP poll and lobbied at least one more voter to its side. Tony Barnhart of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said he plans to move the Trojans to No. 1 in place of LSU in the final poll. ``Given everything that has happened this year, split polls are the correct outcome,'' Barnhart said.

The Trojans were left out of the Bowl Championship Series title game because of a weaker schedule, but they felt right at home in front of a sellout crowd of 93,849.

Not everyone, though, considers them the nation's best team. Oklahoma All-American defensive tackle Tommie Harris offered a mostly sarcastic congratulations.

``Good. They won the Rose Bowl,'' he said. ``They can be No. 1 as long as we can be national champs.''

The Trojans last won a share of the title in 1978, when they also beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl to win the coaches' poll, while Alabama took the AP title. USC hasn't won the AP championship since 1972.

Billikens pick campus location for new arena

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University announced recently that it will build its new arena on campus, along Laclede Avenue, west of Compton Avenue. Construction will begin following the completion of fundraising; $40 million is needed to begin the project. Currently, the University has commitments of $10 million in private donations toward this goal.

Locating the arena on campus offers uncustomary conveniences for SLU students and a competitive edge for the Billikens basketball teams. The new arena will be a short walk from the newly renovated Busch Student Center and from most resident halls. It will be located in the Billiken Sports Center, which is home to SLU's soccer, baseball and softball facilities. With its smaller, more intimate setting, the new arena will provide a true home court advantage for the Billiken basketball programs.

The selected location is visible from Interstate 64-40. With 50 million motorists driving past the arena location every year, SLU planners believe the visibility of the arena from that thoroughfare,offers an opportunity for attracting benefactors and corporate sponsors.

The 13,000-seat arena is designed to be a multi-purpose campus events center and the project is projected to cost approximately $70 million.

Schottenheimer takes another turn coaching in Senior Bowl

MOBILE — San Diego Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer will direct the North team in the Senior Bowl.

It will be the fourth time Schottenheimer has coached in the game. He also took on the job in 1990, '91 and '97 while coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.

East Carolina offensive tackle Brian Rimpf, a three-time All-Conference USA performer, will play for the South in the game, before turning his focus to preparing for the NFL combine in Indianapolis in February.

The Senior Bowl, which is Jan. 24, pits college all-stars from the north and the south against one another and is generally regarded as a showcase for players to gain the notice of the many NFL executives, coaches and scouts who observe the practices leading up to the game and the game itself.

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Bowl wrapup for C-USA teams

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16
New Orleans Bowl
Memphis 27, North Texas (Sun Belt) 17
(ESPN 2) 7:00 pm

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18
GMAC Bowl
(14) Miami (OH) (MAC) 49, Louisville 28

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23
PlainsCapital Fort Worth Bowl
(16) Boise State (WAC) 34, (19) Texas Christian 31
(ESPN) 7:30 pm

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Hawaii (WAC) 54, Houston 48 (3 OT)
(ESPN) 8:00 pm

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31
AXA Liberty Bowl
(25) Utah (MWC) 17, Southern Miss 0
(ESPN) 3:30 pm

All times Eastern.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2004 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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