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News Nuggets, 11.15.03
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Saturday TV capsule: N.C. State at Florida State

ABC Television, 3:30 p.m.
N.C. State (7-3) at No. 13 Florida State (8-2)

Opening Line: Florida State by 14.
Series Record: Florida State leads, 16-7.
Last Meeting: 2002, N.C. State, 17-7.

WHAT TO WATCH:

Florida State needs a win to wrap up its 11th ACC title in 12 seasons and bounce back from its 26-10 loss to Clemson last week. The Seminoles' should have little trouble scoring against the Wolfpack's weak passing defense, though they only managed a late TD against Clemson's middle-of-the-pack squad. QB Chris Rix, who has committed 23 turnovers in his nine losses as a starter, will start for the Seminoles. He has two excellent WRs in Craphonso Thorpe and P.K. Sam. Rix should be able to gain confidence against the Wolfpack's defense, which is allowing opponents to complete 62 percent of their passes and average 302 yards per game. If the game becomes a shootout, however, N.C. State is well-equipped. QB Philip Rivers is among the nation's top pro prospects, throwing for 330 yards per game and completing 72 percent of his passes. He has 25 TD passes this season, too. RB T.A. McLendon also keeps defenses from flooding the zone against Rivers. Although he's been slowed by a knee injury this season, he's also had moments when he shined. Last week against Virginia, McLendon became the first player in school history with more than 100 yards receiving and rushing in the same game.

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES:

Rix has thrown 31 career interceptions and could surpass Gary Huff's school record of 42 during the 1970-72 seasons. ... Florida State coach Bobby Bowden has a Division I-A-record 340 wins, but is also closing in on 100 losses. Bowden is 340-98-4 during his 38 seasons as a coach. ... Former Florida State assistant Chuck Amato is 2-1 against his old mentor since taking over at N.C. State, making the Wolfpack the only ACC foe to beat the Seminoles more than once.

Snapshot of the Heisman chase

A look at some of the contenders for the Heisman Trophy:

Pittsburgh WR Larry Fitzgerald: Has set two NCAA records this season, for consecutive games with a touchdown catch (15, dating to last season) and most touchdown catches as a freshman and sophomore (29). An acrobatic talent with soft hands and the leaping ability of a high jumper, Fitzgerald leads Division I-A in receiving yards per game (142.4), total yards receiving (1,282), touchdown catches (17) and scoring (11.3).

Oklahoma QB Jason White: Entered the season hoping just to stay healthy after his previous two seasons were cut short by knee injuries. He's done a lot more than that. White leads the country in passing efficiency and has thrown for 32 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. White is a big reason why the Sooners lead the nation with 48.3 points per game and have topped 50 a school-record six times.

Mississippi QB Eli Manning: Looking to do what neither his older brother, Peyton, nor his father, Archie, could do by winning the Heisman. Manning is a big reason why the Rebels are 6-0 in the SEC for the first time since 1962. Manning has thrown for 2,881 yards and 23 TDs.

Virginia Tech RB Kevin Jones: Ran for a school-record 241-yards and four touchdowns against Pitt to move into the Heisman race. But the Hokies' second loss of the season will hurt his chances. Jones is seventh in the country with a 122.7 yards per game.

Michigan RB Chris Perry: Leads the nation with 1,313 yards rushing and all running backs with 1,574 yards rushing and receiving. His 15 touchdowns trail just four players in the country. Perry ran a school-record 51 times for 219 yards in Michigan's 27-20 win over Michigan State on Nov. 1.

Texas Tech QB B.J. Symons: Leads the country with 485.9 yards per game, nearly 120 more than the closest competitor. But Mike Leach's gets much of the credit and Symons could finish with five losses if he can't beat Texas or Oklahoma the next two weeks.

Southern California QB Matt Leinart: Has put up better numbers than his predecessor Carson Palmer, who won the Heisman last year. Leinart has thrown for 2,366 yards and 24 TDs in his first year as a starter.

Signing Day nets three for Lady Pirates

East Carolina's women's basketball team has inked three players to national letters of intent, second-year coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener announced on Friday.

The new recruits sport solid credentials and will join the Lady Pirates for the 2004-05 season.

Shakira Clarke is ranked as the number one player in Toronto, Ontario, and Canada by Double Exposure Scouting Services, noted the announcement. She chose East Carolina over Colorado, Illinois, Michigan and Michigan State.

Nicole Days is the 43rd ranked power forward by All-Star Girls report. As a McDonald All-American nominee, she averaged 21 points and 13 rebounds as a junior at Pender High School. Days chose East Carolina over UNC-Wilmington, Auburn, James Madison and Appalachian State.

Raeshawn Mobley is ranked as the 4th best player in the Washington, D.C., metro area. The All-Star Girls report ranks her as the 19th best wing player and the 88th best player overall in the country. She chose East Carolina over Marshall and West Virginia.

Read a more comprehensive story on ECUPirates.com...

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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