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News Nuggets, 09.15.06
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Amato post-Akron comments fueling reactions

North Carolina State football coach Chuck Amato opened a can of worms when he implied his team's 20-17 loss to Akron last Saturday happened, in part, because the Zips can accept players who initially did not meet NCAA minimum academic eligibility standards, according to a report in the Jackson (MS) Clarion-Ledger.

"(Akron) is in a conference that allows non-qualifiers in school, non-qualifiers," Amato told reporters Monday. "Ya'll need to look that one up to write stories.

"The Boise States, the Fresno States, the Louisvilles � before the new rules now � that can allow non-qualifiers in school ... You know what kind of players non-qualifiers are usually? They're inversely proportional to what their grade-point average is. They can make a big difference."

It's a charge that Southern Miss � N.C. State's opponent this Saturday � has heard in the past, and one that upsets Golden Eagles coach Jeff Bower.

Under Bower, USM has had 12 consecutive winning seasons and appeared in eight bowl games in the past nine postseasons.

But some have suggested the success has come, in part, because the USM roster is studded with partial- or non-qualifiers, talented players who could not gain admission to other programs because of deficiencies in their high school transcripts or standardized test scores.

"People ought to know the facts and know the truth," Bower said.

Partial qualifiers meet a portion of the NCAA's academic requirements. They are allowed to practice and receive financial aid but not play in games in their first year. Non-qualifiers are not allowed to receive athletic financial aid or participate with the team in their first year.

Two non-qualifiers are on USM's roster are receiver Chris Johnson and defensive end Shadler Manning. From 2002-06, USM has played four partial qualifiers � offensive guard Travis Cooley, twins Kevis and Trevis Coley and linebacker Naton Stewart.

The institutions named by Amato responded quickly to his comments.

According to The Herald-Sun of Durham, Boise State has no non-qualifiers on its roster this year. Louisville has two. Fresno State has not taken a non-qualifier since 2002.

The Akron Beacon-Journal said the Zips had six non-qualifiers in 2005 and three this season.

N.C. State's conference, the Atlantic Coast, does not allow non-qualifiers. The Southeastern Conference allows its schools to take eight non-qualifiers in a given academic year, four in men's sports � but no more than two in football.

Conference USA has no league-wide policy, permitting each school to set its own guidelines, but USM athletic director Richard Giannini intends to propose legislation at the C-USA spring meetings that would restrict the number of non-qualifiers that could be signed in a year's period.

"I think not only does that send a statement, but it also makes for a hard, fast rule that we can share with other institutions," Giannini said.

Stabbed N. Colorado punter watches team

The Greeley (CO) Tribune reported on Thursday evening that Northern Colorado punter Rafael Mendoza attended practice with the team for the first time today, three days after reserve punter Mitch Cozad allegedly stabbed him in his kicking leg.

Mendoza stood on the sidelines on crutches and talked with head coach Scott Downing. He also met with his personal doctor and team doctors. Team officials have not said how long he will be out.

Mendoza issued a statement that said he will not answer any questions about the stabbing pending investigation of the incident and his return to school.

"I would like to wish my team good luck this weekend in their game against Texas State,� Mendoza said in the statement. �My biggest concern right now is getting healthy enough to return to school and to my team. I want everyone to know I am doing well and recovering.�

Cozad faces charges of second-degree assault for stabbing Mendoza on Monday night in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 2700 block of Crescent Cove Drive. Cozad started his college career at Wyoming.

Mendoza was treated and released from North Colorado Medical Center on Monday.

Downing hinted on Wednesday he expects to be without Mendoza for about two weeks. Police described Mendoza�s wound as one inch in width and three-to-five inches in depth.

Pirate volleyball topped by Thundering Herd

East Carolina's volleyball team fell 3-1 to Marshall on Thursday night in the opening match of the 2006 ECU Classic. The match was the first in Conference USA play for both teams.

Marshall (6-6, 1-0 C- USA ) won 30-28, 30-26, 23-30 and 30-26, according to a release from ECU's athletic media relations department.

Kelley Wernert had 18 kills, five digs and two solo blocks. Stephanie Turner led the Pirates defensively with 14 digs, while setter Heidi Krug tallied 53 assists.

The Pirates face Wisconsin-Green Bay at 7 p.m. tonight at Minges Coliseum in day two of the ECU Classic.

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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