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News Nuggets, 08.21.06
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Irish 'bump' into possible NCAA infraction

The South Bend Tribune has reported that Notre Dame is checking into whether some of its athletes may have inadvertently violated an NCAA rule by participating in "bumps" during a local sports talk television show.

A bump is a short piece of tape coming in or out of a commercial. In the bumps in question, the Notre Dame athletes said to the effect, "You're watching 'Sports Dogz' on WSBT."

WSBT-TV news director Meg Sauer said the student-athletes she was asked about by senior associate athletics director John Heisler were basketball players Luke Zeller and Kyle McAlarney as well as All-America football player Tom Zbikowski — all of whom did bumps for the show in the past year. ND athletes apparently have been doing bumps on the show for several years.

"I've spoken with John Heisler several times tonight," Sauer said. "I was shocked to hear it was a problem. We're certainly not going to hold up the process of the investigation."

The NCAA became involved when Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reporter Michael Rothstein witnessed a WSBT sports reporter filming Irish running back Darius Walker doing a bump for the new "Irish Sports Report'' TV show after practice earlier this week. "Irish Sports Report'' debuts Sunday in the old 11:30 p.m. Sunday time slot of "Sports Dogz.''

Tribune sports reporters will be regular guests on "Irish Sports Report'' as they had been on "Sports Dogz.'' The Tribune and WSBT-TV are both owned by Schurz Communications.

After witnessing the bump and talking to WSBT's Todd Bella, Rothstein then called the NCAA to see if it was a violation.

"We're looking into it," was Heisler's response. "I have no idea what (Rothstein) is talking about. But it's no different than anything else. If someone says there's an issue, we report it to our compliance people."

The case is reminiscent of one involving former Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart, whose appearance in a promotional spot for ESPN last December violated an NCAA rule. The USC quarterback had his eligibility quickly restored without missing a game.

The Trojans reported the violation to the NCAA and petitioned for Leinart's reinstatement. According to the NCAA's Kent Barrett, Leinart's actions were "unintentional and inadvertent. This was the type of thing where it was obvious the student-athlete was not attempting to become an endorser of a network."

There may be some gray area in that Leinart's situation was a promo shown outside the show and the "Sports Dogz" bumps are contained within the confines of the show and are never shown to promote the show itself.

Barrett told ESPN that athletes may take part in practice and team and school activities while reinstatement petitions are considered by the NCAA.

Offense produces in ECU's second scrimmage

East Carolina's offensive units combined to score three touchdowns and three field goals during the Pirates' second intra-squad scrimmage of preseason camp Saturday afternoon at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, according to a report from the university's athletic media relations department.

Similar to last week's simulated contest, senior starter James Pinkney led all signal-callers by guiding the No. 1 team to four scores in seven possessions, which included an 11-yard TD pass to junior receiver Phillip Henry and a seven-yard scoring run by junior Chris Johnson.

Redshirt freshmen Rob Kass and Brett Clay also led the Pirates to a touchdown and field goal, respectively, while splitting time with the No. 2 units. Kass connected with junior receiver Michael Hickman on a 16-yard strike to account for the only other touchdown in the contest. Including sophomore quarterback Patrick Pinkney, the quartet accounted for 368 passing yards on 32 completions.

After being whistled for a total of 14 penalties a week ago, East Carolina was flagged only three times during the contest. In fact, the Pirates were stopped only once on the offensive side of the ball during the 126-play game.

"The main thing we tried to do today was get the two's a lot of work," head coach Skip Holtz said. "A lot of the freshmen that we have in the two-deep need as many scrimmage reps as we can give them. I think we got them almost 70 today."

Senior starting cornerback Kasey Ross recorded the defensive unit's only take-away with an interception of a James Pinkney pass midway through the 19-possession scrimmage.

Johnson, sophomore Dominique Lindsay, senior Brandon Fractious and sophomore transfer Brandon Simmons carried the bulk of the work load in the backfield, combining on 33 of the team's 58 carries and 187 of the unit's 204 rushing yards.

"The two's are really starting to develop some depth at the tailback position," Holtz added. "I love the five freshmen linemen and the work ethic they bring but they are not ready to be starters. But, they have to always realize that they are just one play away from becoming a starter. They need to be ready both mentally and physically.

"I'm satisfied with the work habits of the team but I'm a coach and I'm impatient," he continued. "I want it to happen now and we are not there yet. I just wish there was a pill to make the freshmen become juniors and seniors."

Senior Lou Groza Award watch list member Robert Lee tallied field goals from 52, 53 and 41 yards out while redshirt freshman Ben Hartman converted 53 and 41-yard three-pointers.

Defensively, freshman defensive lineman C.J. Wilson (seven, one sack), sophomore end Zach Slate (six, two sacks) and senior cornerback Markeith McQueen (six) were among the Pirates' tackle leaders.

The Pirate defense took another hit Saturday as projected starting defensive end Scotty Robinson suffered an apparent knee injury during the second half of the scrimmage. He will undergo additional testing and evaluations Sunday and Monday before his status is fully determined.

Last week, ECU lost one of top linebacking candidates when senior Orlando Farrow went down with the lower leg injury. Farrow may be out for the season.

The Pirates will take a day off from practice Sunday before turning in its final two-a-day schedule of preseason camp Monday morning and afternoon. Monday's practice times are 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and 3:50 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The season opener is at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 2 at Navy.

Herd extends Snyder's contract through 2013

Marshall football coach Mark Snyder's contract has been extended through 2013, according to an announcement by university president Stephen J. Kopp on the Marshall athletics website.

Kopp cited Snyder's commitment to the program and the direction he believes it is headed in making his decision to extend Snyder's contract.

"I have tremendous confidence and respect for Mark Snyder," Kopp said. "I admire his character and work ethic, not only as our head football coach, but also as a leader. He challenges and prepares the young men who come to Marshall University as student athletes to excel on the playing field, in the classroom and in life."

Snyder, a native of Ironton, OH, coached Marshall to a 4-7 record in 2005, his first year with the Thundering Herd. Marshall opens the 2006 season on Sept. 2 at West Virginia.

"I am extremely honored and humbled that the administration feels like our program is headed in the right direction," Snyder said. "We have an outstanding president and athletic director here, and it means a lot for them to show this type of commitment to me and my family. This is my alma mater and my home and, thanks to the administration's belief in us, I know we will be here for many years to come."

Athletic director Bob Marcum said that Snyder, in his first 16 months on the job, has demonstrated all of the necessary qualities to be an outstanding football coach.

"This commitment reflects his ability to lead our football program," Marcum said.

Snyder came to Marshall in April 2005 from Ohio State, where he spent four years as an assistant coach under Jim Tressel. In Snyder's four years with the Buckeyes, OSU posted a 40-11 record and was 3-1 in bowl games.

ECU nipped in women's soccer scrimmage

East Carolina fell to Longwood 2-1 in a women's soccer scrimmage at the new Athletics Complex in Farmville in front of 175 fans on Saturday, according to a university athletic media relations report.

Longwood broke the 1-1 tie in the 73rd minute when Lexi Torrice assisted Anna Gravely. The teams played three 30-minute periods instead of the normal two, 45-minute periods.

The Lancers got on the board first when Brenda Cary got her own rebound and drilled it past a corner post at 35:08. The Pirates' lone goal came by a freshman tandem, when Sarah Kirkley assisted Alexis Foltz, who put the ball in the right side of the net past goal keeper Anne Whitmore.

Amber Campbell and Jen Kurowicki each allowed a goal in net, while Kurowicki made one save. ECU managed six shots, but only two on net.

East Carolina will gear up for its first official game on Friday, Aug. 25 when it travels to Norfolk to play Old Dominion in the start of a three game road trip. At the conclusion of the trip, the Lady Pirates will host Charlotte at 1 p.m. on Sept. 3.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from other sources. Copyright 2006 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:50 PM