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News Nuggets, 09.09.06
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

UAB focuses on covering Aundrae Allison

The UAB football team continued its preparations Thursday for today's Conference USA opener with East Carolina, according to a release on the UAB athletic website. Kickoff at Legion Field is set for 7:00 p.m.

The Blazers worked out for approximately 90 minutes, having to cut the practice short by just a few minutes because of thunderstorms that had moved into the area.

"We about got through it," said head coach Watson Brown. "We missed about seven minutes, so we got most of it in."

Practicing in the rain was not necessarily all bad for the Blazers, as Brown knows that his team will likely have to play in wet conditions at some point.

"It's hard for us to practice in the rain, because here, you get thunder and lightning with it," he said. "So, we threw four or five wet balls and handled them. I think that's good, because we're going to play in rain. The field was a little wet in Oklahoma early in the game."

UAB has spent part of its practices this week working on defending the East Carolina passing game that is potent with quarterback James Pinkney and receiver Aundrae Allison. Allison caught 83 passes last season and led the conference in receptions per game.

"We want to know where he (Allison) is at all times," said Brown. "He lines up a lot of different places and the ball goes to him every so often, so we want our players to know where he is."

Though Pinkney and Allison have formed an impressive combination, Brown believes the Pirates have been effective on the ground as well.

"Anytime you play a team that can do both, you better not just defend the pass," said Brown. "You'll get yourself in trouble. We've worked hard with the kids this week and we'd love to take one of those options away from them, but that's not easy to do. They're very dangerous at passing the football."

Ga. Southern mourns death of Erk Russell

Georgia Southern University is mourning the passing of Erk Russell, one of America�s most successful college football coaches, who died suddenly Thursday in Statesboro.

The cause of death is yet to be determined. Russell was 80, according to a university statement.

Russell, who coached the Eagles to three NCAA Division I-AA championships, led the team from 1981-89, after spending 17 years as one of the nation�s top defensive coordinators at the University of Georgia.

�The entire Georgia Southern community is deeply shocked and saddened by Erk�s passing,� said university president Bruce Grube. �Just yesterday, he spent the afternoon with this year�s team, giving our young players a moment they will treasure for the rest of their lives.�

Shelby named to ECU women's hoops staff

Bett Shelby has been named director of women's basketball operations at East Carolina, coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener announced Friday in university athletic media relations release.

Shelby graduated from Greensboro College in 2006 with a B.S. degree in sports and exercise studies with a concentration in coaching. She was a two-year letterwinner at Greensboro, leading the Pride to a 43-15 record, two regular season championships, two USA South Tournament championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances.

Shelby was also a two-year member of the cross country team, earning all-conference honors both seasons. Prior to her arrival at Greensboro College, Shelby spent two years at UNC-Wilmington, where she was a member of the Seahawks basketball team.

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.

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