Huval Named To Rimington Trophy Watch List

Andre Huval

Huval started every game last season, to help the Ragin Cajun’s to a great season after defeating San Deigo State in the New Orleans R&L Carriers Bowl.

Andre Huval, who helped anchor the UL offensive line by starting every game in 2012, has been named to the 2012 Rimington Trophy Pre-season Watch List.  The award is given annually to the top center in the country by the National College Football Awards Association.

“I am very proud of this accomplishment for Andre because he has worked awfully hard to get this type of notice,” UL head coach Mark Hudspeth said.  “This is just the first of many big things that I expect from Andre and the rest of the Cajuns this year.”

Huval, a 6-1, 305-pound junior from Scott, La., adeptly made the transition from guard to center last season.  He led all Ragin' Cajuns offensive linemen in 2011 by playing 925 of the 936 offensive snaps during the year, including every down in 11 of UL’s 13 games, and finishing third on the squad with 19 knock down blocks.  He was named the team's recipient of the Awardmasters Academic Excellence Award.

A graduate of St. Thomas More High, Huval played a key role in the Cajuns becoming just the second team in school history to accumulate over 5,000 yards of total offense in a season as quarterback Blaine Gautier set single season records for passing yards (2,958), touchdowns (23), completion percentage (.628), passing efficiency (153.60) and total offense (3,444).

The Rimington Trophy is named after former Nebraska All-American Dave Rimington, who is the only player in college football history to receive the Outland Trophy twice, doing so in both 1981 and 1982.  It has been handed out every season since 2000, helping to raise more than $2 million for the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which is committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis and has raised over $100 million for CF Research.  Esiason and Rimington were teammates together with the Cincinnati Bengals from 1984-87.

Bentley Taken By Detroit In The NFL Draft

CB Dwight "Bill" Bentley 

University of Louisiana senior cornerback Dwight "Bill" Bentley has been chosen by the Detroit Lions with the 85th overall pick of the third round in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Bentley is 33rd UL-Lafayette player selected all-time in the NFL Draft and the first since defensive end Hall Davis was tabbed by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round (149th pick) in 2010.

“I am very happy for Dwight because his selection tonight is the result of hard work and total dedication to making himself the best player that he can be,” Ragin' Cajuns head coach Mark Hudspeth said.  “He was instrumental in the turn around that this program enjoyed this past season and I look forward to watching him play on Sunday’s this fall.”

Bentley, a 5-11, 173-pound defensive back from Pahokee, Fla., was named the co-MVP of the UL defense this past year after ranking fifth on the squad with 71 tackles (53 solo).

A first team All-Sun Belt choice, he started 45 career games at UL, including all 13 this past season.  He totaled 232 tackles (183 solo) and seven interceptions in his career.

Bentley intercepted three passes in 2011, including two in the season opener at Oklahoma State.  His 38-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Cowboys was one of two touchdowns he scored in 2012.

One of three Sun Belt players taken on the second day of the draft, Bentley joins Arkansas State linebacker Demario Davis (3rd round, 77th pick by Jets) and FIU wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (3, 92, Indianapolis) as the league's draft choices.

Bentley will be given a chance to start for the Lions this fall.  

South Alabama offers Simpson his 1st Scholarship

B.J. Simpson at High School Game

The wait is over, B.J.Simpson who was wondering if he would ever get an college football scholarship offer before the summer vacations begin and he did.

On (May 8 ) Orlando Lake Highland Prep athlete B.J. Simpson received his first football scholarship offer from the University of South Alabama Jaguars.

Simpson is a versatile 6-foot-1, 185-pound rising senior who is ranked No. 45 in the Orlando Sentinel's 2013 Central Florida Super60.

Simpson has been one of the top Lake Highland Prep performers since he was a freshman, but injuries have taken a toll on his playing time with the Highlanders.  

However it did not stop Simpson, He did manage 108 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries as a running back in 2011. He's hoping for bigger and better things during his final season, he would have to stay on the field without injuries to accomplish his goal.

Lake Highland Prep will rely heavily on his versatile skills. Simpson will play running back, slot, wide receiver, Wildcat quarterback and then safety on defense.

As for South Alabama, Simpson knows very little about the Mobile, Ala., school, but said he will begin investigating as quoted to the Orlando Sentinel. He is, however, very much aware that the Jaguars will be going NCAA Division I-A next season and joining the Sun Belt Conference in 2012, which is the affilliation for all other USA sports.

South Alabama has only had a football team since 2009, playing in NCAA Division I-AA.

Three Western Kentucky's Players Sign Pro Deals

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers had one of the most improved season in the Sun Belt Conference last season. However some praised them and some didn’t. Western Kentucky has a right to hold their heads up as stars and future stars. Time has proven that this team can play and be competitive in FBS and Sun Belt Conference play. 

Coach Willie Taggart celebrates with team after a win.

After a perfect season for the Hilltoppers, some Hilltoppers move on to the next level. After finishing the season 7-5 second in the Sun Belt Conference behind the Conference Champions ASU, the Western Kentucky

Hilltoppers football program was down after it was snubbed from postseason play. Multiple WKU seniors were still called upon for the opportunity to play at the professional level.

Here is a list of those players that has signed with NFL in 2012, let’s begin with Derrius Brooks. He was undrafted in the 2012 NFL drafts; however Brooks has now signed a free agent deal with the Cincinnati-Bengals. Brooks a wide-receiver finish 5th at Western Kentucky with 48 tackles and leading the team with four interceptions, and made second in the Sun Belt Conference. Brooks is a native of Forston, Ga.

Let’s look at Bo Adebayo another WKU star, the defensive lineman did make it in the 2012 drafts, he has since been picked up and now signed with the CFL (Montreal Alouettes), Adebayo also has been invited to the Detroit Lions mini- camp.

Adebayo saw action in all 12 contests as a senior recording 31 total tackles and 8.5 tackles for a loss.  Adebayo also made his presence felt during WKU's matchup with then-No. 1 LSU, when he trapped the Tigers' quarterback in the end zone for a safety in the third quarter to cut the Tiger lead to 21-9. 

Last but not least, WKU’s Bobby Rainey has also signed a free agent professional deal with the Baltimore Ravens. Rainey used a dominant performance down the stretch to become the school's single season and career rushing leader. Rainey also finished with the school's single season record for carries and finished fifth in the nation in total yards per game.

Rainey also finished the 2010 and 2011 campaign as the national leader in carries and in the top five in rushing yards.

Now that these awesome three players has landing the a deal with a professional team, they can now showcase their talent even the more. It want be easy but their confidence can take them where ever they want to go. 

Arkansas State lands 12 on Phil Steele’s Preseason

ASU has talent to defend it's conference crown.

The defending Sun Belt Conference champion Arkansas State football team has landed 12 players on Phil Steele's 2012 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Team, including first-team selections Ryan Aplin at quarterback and Josh Jarboe at wide receiver.

Aplin, a senior quarterback, is a two-time first-team All-Sun Belt choice and was named the league's Player of the Year in 2011 after leading the Red Wolves to an undefeated run through conference play and to the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Aplin was also recently named the Sun Belt Conference's 2011-12 Student-Athlete of the Year.

Aplin has shown that he is experienced and maybe even be ready to enter the pro’s after his senior season.

Jarboe completed his junior season at wide receiver in 2011 with 54 receptions for 730 yards and two touchdowns to earn second team All-Sun Belt Conference honors. His 54 receptions were the seventh most in school history and his receiving yards ranked as the 10th highest.

In addition to their two first-team selections, the Red Wolves also placed five players on the second team, three on the third and two on the fourth. A-State's 12 total selections tied the fourth most in the league with Troy, while Florida International had a league-high 18 choices followed by Louisiana-Lafayette with 16 and Western Kentucky with 14.

Earning a spot on the second team for A-State were senior wide receiver Taylor Stockemer, senior offensive lineman Zack McKnight, senior linebacker Nathan Herrold, senior defensive back Chaz Scales and sophomore defensive back Andrew Tryon, who made the team as a kick returner. Herrold was a second team All-Sun Belt Conference choice last season and Stockemer made the squad as an honorable mention pick.

ASU's third-team selections included sophomore running back Frankie Jackson, junior defensive lineman Ryan Carrethers and junior kicker Brian Davis. Junior college transfer Ishmail Hayes made Phil Steele's fourth team at defensive end, as well as sophomore linebacker Qushaun Lee.

Troy looking to bounce back in 2012

Troy University has been a powerhouse of the Sun Belt Conference for quite some time. In 2011 head Coach Larry Blakeney and his team experienced disappointing losses and their worst season ever going 3-9.

Come this fall the Troy Trojans will be looking to rebound with explosive fire on the field as they look to take back their crown as the SBC powerhouse. It want be easy for the Trojans, they have to face four other rising powers within the SBC in Arkansas State the 2011 defending conference champions finishing their season 10-3, Arkansas State is now coached by former Auburn offensive coordinator and now head coach Guz Malzahn. Troy will also face Louisiana-Lafayette a team which rose up and made it to their first post season bowl appearance under head coach Mark Hudspeth and won, and then you have Florida International who also has a rising star in a football coach Cristobal.  We cannot even count out a team that had it first winning season since being in FBS play in Western Kentucky and came in second in conference play last season under head coach Willie Taggart.  

Troy has been working hard to accomplish their goals for this fall, by taking up their matters in spring drills and practices. Blakeney is not letting up on his players; he knows that they must be developed to play a winning game.

This spring the offense exploded during spring practice, an offense that looked like the old days. QB Corey Robinson will once again be the star on offense for Troy this coming season, in spring practice Robinson found some key receivers to receive his balls in Jamel Johnson, Eric Thomas, Chip Reeves and Chandler Worthy.

In two spring scrimmages there were a total of 16 touchdowns, and all but one came from the offensive side. The team players and assistant coaches and coordinators also know that it going to take help from the teammates to win games. The Trojans will  also be preparing for non-conference games and which one has become an in-state rivalry with UAB. Blakeney has been quoted saying,"After spring ball is over, it's not over," Blakeney said. "If you're not getting stronger, you're getting behind. We don't need distractions. We need the football team to be the best citizens around. "We've got to get a Master's degree in our defense and we've got to know what to do. For us to be successful offensively, Corey Robinson has to have another great year."

Troy defense will also need to step it’s game, they will be getting some help from linemen- Braylon Williams, Xavier Melton, Derrek Upshaw and cornerback Zach Miller all JC transfers.

Troy want be without running back experience, they will be returning Shawn Southward, D.J. Taylor, Chris Anderson and T.J. Mitchell all seniors. Daron White a redshirt freshman has also showed that he is ready to take the field.

A Look at some of Troy Player Makers

LB Tyler Roberts -- The redshirt freshman made plays all spring as the backup at the Bandit linebacker position -- a hybrid defensive end spot that can blitz or drop into coverage.

C Andrew Phillips -- The rising senior dropped some weight and took command of the starting center spot this year after serving as the backup last year. The center position is crucial for Troy's offense, as he's basically the quarterback of the offensive line.

WR Jamel Johnson -- The junior college transfer picked up right where he left off when he played as a freshman at Troy in 2010, emerging as the top receiver during spring drills.

This year's team will be much more experienced than last year's, and probably deeper and better equipped to handle injuries sustained by the team last season. If the Troy can succeed past Arkansas State, UL-Lafayette, and Florida International, they should be able to regain that crown. However if the Trojans lose to ASU, FIU, ULL and even Western Kentucky, South Alabama a new in-state and conference rival, and Florida Atlantic then they have something to worry about.

 
Confidence still hold strong in the Troy Trojans.

Louisiana-Monroe looking for a winning 2012 season

Coach Todd Berry and Company has been working during the off season, especially during spring practice to develop the Warhawks for a possible winning season this fall. It want be easy for the Warhawks  as they have a tough opening schedule in the month of September. Louisiana-Monroe has not had a winning season since moving up to the FBS (formerly I-A) level in 1994, and that time could be changing in 2012.

The Warhawks have the offensive firepower to accomplish the breakthrough and be a contender in the Sun Belt Conference. The keys to improving on last year's 5-7 record will be surviving the first month of the schedule and finding answers on defense to play well in the SBC. The Warhawks are looking to return 8 on offense and 5 on defense.

The Warhawks will begin the 2012 season facing touch non-conference competition. They open on Sept. 8 in Little Rock against Arkansas, which is not coach by former assistant John L. Smith, followed by a trip to 2010 national champions Auburn. A home game against Baylor and trip to Tulane which will feature the first month of play. The schedule later features a home game against new Sun Belt Conference member South Alabama on Oct. 27.

As for the defense, coach Todd Berry and his staff spent most of the spring taking a close look at many of his younger players, who are going to have to grow up and grow up fast. The Warhawks held out many true freshmen last year with an eye toward developing them for 2012, will it work maybe. I will believe in on the field experience at least one game, so that the players can get a feel of the game in action.

Three sophomores -- Otis Peterson at corner, Cordero Smith at safety, and Joey Gautney at end -- and a redshirt freshman, Gerrand Johnson at nose tackle -- will go into the fall No. 1 on the unit's depth chart, seems interesting.

Seems as though UL-Monroe has some good offense, but the offensive live can use some more help, Todd Berry must build the defensive line to win some key games inside of the Sun Belt Conference. If Coach Berry and his Defensive Coordinator must get tough with that defensive line and find some  go them type players, then the Warhawks would be able achieve their first winning season in FBS football.

 Here’s a look at a few key players that will help turn things around for the Warhawks;

QB Kolton Browning 6’1, 196lb (Jr) had a good season last year, but he could have use a little more help, this season he leads a squad of returnees that includes RBs Jyruss Edwards and Centarius Donald and WRs Brent Leonard, Tavarese Maye, and Colby Harper. Three veteran starters -- Josh Allen, Ben Risenhoover, and Jonathan Gill -- return up front.

LB Austin Moss -- With his prior experience -- 11 games at Arkansas in 2009 and last year at Navarro JC in Texas -- Moss was expected to have an immediate impact, and he didn't disappoint. He goes into the fall as a starter.

LB DaCorris Ford -- Ford has not seen much in the way of playing time for much of his career but came out of the spring as a starter on a deep linebacking corps.

DB Tryen Hills -- Hills, from Boutte, La., got three stars from Rivals.com. At 6-1, 180, the has the size to cope with bigger receivers.

DB Linzy Pipkins -- Pickens played only one season of high school football, but he broke up seven passes and had an interception for Mansfield (Texas) High. He is an outstanding athlete with good speed who also played basketball in high school.

DE Kentarius Caldwell returns to an outside spot up front after starting 12 games at nose tackle as a sophomore last year.

ULM looks to be able to move the football because of its depth and talent at the skill positions on offense.

Spring Game Highlights:

In the spring game the Gold downs the Maroon 21-14, Maroon stalled the opening Gold drive after a fumble by running back Mitchell Bailey was recovered by Maroon's Khairi Usher and returned to the Gold 32 yard line. Gold held strong on defense, knocking down a pass from Maroon quarterback Ian McCoig on fourth-and-five inside the red zone.

Gold scored the first points of the game on a 78-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brayle Brown to Bailey down the far sideline.

Maroon kept the chains moving on a third-and-14 play two possessions later. Quarterback Earnest Carrington hooked up with receiver Je'Ron Hamm on a 15-yard out route for the first down. Gold stopped Maroon on a fourth-and-three play from its own 41-yard line when linebacker Michael Johnson burst through the line to sack Carrington to end the drive.

An 8-yard completion to Trevor Lowery on fourth-and-three gave Gold first-and-goal at the Maroon 10-yard line. Two plays later, DeVontae McNeal burst up the middle to pay dirt from five yards out. A Justin Manton extra point extended the Gold advantage to 14-0.

Maroon quarterback Cody Wells connected with wide receiver Colby Harper on a 25-yard post completion to open the fourth quarter. Harper then hauled in a beautiful fade toss from Wells the very next play for a 20-yard touchdown to close the Maroon deficit to 14-7.

Defensive end Darius Lively intercepted a Kolton Browning pass and raced 25 yards for a Maroon touchdown the next defensive series. Conner Fryoux's extra point tied the game at 14-all. The tie lasted all of one play, as Browning responded with a 70-yard scoring heave to wide receiver Brent Leonard to give Gold the 21-14 lead.

Maroon had a chance to tie the game as time expired, but a deep pass from Wells was knocked down by Gold's Vincent Eddie to preserve the victory.

UT-Arlington officially added to the Sun Belt

Once approved by the UT-Board of Regents, which has come this week the Mavericks will join the league in July 2013.

UT-Arlington new College Park Center

The Sun Belt Conference announced the addition of the University of Texas at Arlington today, giving the SBC 12 schools 10 of which play football. Texas-Arlington will be a part of the Western Athletic Conference during the 2012-13 athletic season for only one year.

The Sun Belt Conference’s new alignment will come into effect July 1, 2013. Texas-Arlington sits 30 miles west of Dallas, has 21,000 students and currently competes in the Southland Conference. Jim Baker is the school’s new athletic director, and UTA also has a new basketball and volleyball facility, College Park Center.

The Mavericks men’s basketball team made the NCAA tournament in 2008, the women’s team advanced there in 2005 and 2007 and the volleyball team made it to the NCAA’s Final Four in 1989. UT-Arlington is the second program to depart the failing WAC for the Sun Belt

Conference Commissioner Karl Benson was part of the WAC expansion in adding UT-Arlington and Texas State to the Western Atlantic Conference league, now he has made his third addition to the Sun Belt as the newly installed commissioner.

UT-Arlington will compete in the West Division of the SBC.

Quarterback Ryan Aplin honored at SBC Banquet

Ryan playing like a pro!

The Sun Belt Conference has named Arkansas State quarterback Ryan Aplin as the 2011-2012 Male Student-Athlete of the Year.

Officials announced that Alpin is one of several student-athletes in the conference being honored for their academic and athletic achievements at a banquet held Tuesday night during the league's annual spring meetings in Destin, Fla.

Aplin helped lead the Red Wolves to an undefeated football conference championship and the GoDaddy.com Bowl as a junior, making him just the third non-senior to ever earn the SBC's Male Student-Athlete of the Year honor.

Aplin will enter his senior season with 16 school records to his credits. During this past spring practice sessions and game, Aplin has shown that he is ready once again in his final year at Arkansas State, that he is a pro-style quarterback.

Sun Belt Conference is meeting this week

What will happen in the Sun Belt this week?

The Sun Belt Conference is meeting this week in Destin, FL and. Athletic directors, university presidents, football coaches, basketball coaches and other representatives of the SBC are all there this week attending the Sun Belt Conference's annual spring meeting.

 

This is an important spring meeting; especially in the mix of all the conference realignments.  The SBC is believed to be discussing the following and maybe more. The anticipated addition of Texas-Arlington, pending approval from that school's Board of Regents, to the conference, which seems to be happening this week.

The possibility of expanding to 14 total members, including 12 that  would play football, partly so that a league-championship game can be staged, and whether that should be done right away, later or not at all. It is believed that WKU President is heading that committee.

Before this week's meetings, the Sun Belt's plans were for each football member to eight conference games only in 2012, 2013 and 2014 no matter how many football-play members the league has, and nine in 2015. Candidates for expansion to 14, including 12 that play football, or 12 in football only in 2013 or 2014 are as follows; Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, Jacksonville State, Lamar, Sam Houston State and let’s not leave out Liberty in (Va).

Whether to add two football-only members into order to get to 12 that play football is also debatable. If the Sun Belt were to do that, New Mexico State a member of the soon to be done WAC could be considered for football only. I don’t far see any other programs making it in to the Sun Belt Conference anytime soon, unless the SBC wanted to form a super conference.

We will watch how all this unfolds this week, and bring you the latest as it develops.

 

UT-Arlington will accept SBC Invitation this week

Texas will have two Sun Belt Conference teams beginning in 2013

News comes down that UT Arlington will accept an invitation to join the Sun Belt Conference as soon as this week, pending approval of the move by the University of Texas Board of Regents, which will take up the motion in a meeting Thursday in Austin.

The board is expected to grant university officials the authorization to accept the agreement and finalize terms for membership, according to a memorandum outlining the meeting. UTA would begin play in the 12-team Sun Belt in the fall of 2013.

The school will not be assessed an exit fee by the WAC. UTA will be required to pay a $300,000 entry fee to the Sun Belt, according to the memorandum, a fee that “will be covered through a combination of athletic department funds and conference revenues payable to UT Arlington pursuant to the New Member Agreement with the SBC.”

“The SBC represents a more stable, equally competitive conference composed of similar institutions with comparable academic quality to UT Arlington,” the memorandum stated.

Rumors have been circulating that UTA, too, would leave for the Sun Belt, Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson was calling those reports “premature.”

Sun Belt officials, according to the memo, initially contacted UTA about membership in April. That contact initiated a number of discussions between the Sun Belt and UTA President James Spaniolo and athletic director Jim Baker, according to the document. UTA is located within the Dallas – Forth Worth media market, which would be a huge benefit for the Sun Belt Conference.

UTA would become the second non-football member of the Sun Belt, joining Arkansas-Little Rock, and the third new member since April. Georgia State, which re instituted its football program in 2010, and Texas State have already accepted invitations.

“Had the opportunity to join the SBC been available a year ago, UT Arlington would have moved in that direction,” the memorandum said.

If UT-Arlington joins this Sun Belt Conference on this week, in 2013 they will not be alone in the Long Star state as conference members. They will indeed have an in state rivalry in all others sports be football in Texas State.

South Alabama Football Enters The Big Boy Arena

QB CJ. Bennett running the ball

13 games to play with SEC, ACC, MWC and WAC teams in the mix. Can Coach Joey Jones and Company produce fruits on the vines?

MOBILE, AL – For a new football program such as South Alabama, they will debut their first ever play in Division 1 this fall. This upcoming season will be the real test for a fledging football program, to really determine their strengths, weaknesses and where they are headed.  

Coach Joey Jones has recently been quoted by the Mobile Register that his main concern is that this program has never gone through anything like this, and that this is going to be very new for them. Well coach Jones all I can say is buckle up and prepare for the ride.

Facing the schedules that South Alabama face in the future requires hard work and dedication in the film room, weight room, and the practice field, but most of all Joey Jones and staff with have to develop the players’ minds so that they can be ready and prepared mentally to take on such task. In order to play big boy ball and win big boy games you have to go in with the big boy attitude. And you could come out will a big boy win.

South Alabama face Mississippi State and lead by Coach Dan Mullen, and they will also travel back to North Carolina to take on NC State again, both games are on the road. This will also be the first time South Alabama has played a SEC team, and a face a SEC crowd of fans. And we know the SEC is the toughest league in the country, especially in defense. Many have said that it’s hard for a small program to beat a team like Mississippi State. If you look at last season, MS State barely got by Louisiana Tech. Don’t let the past judge the future.

South Alabama can not afford to go into any games this fall with fear in their spirits. The jaguars must on hold on to the consistency that they can win. South Alabama want only have to face Mississippi State, and NC State but they will have to face tough conference teams, such as the “Trojans” of Troy, AL,, the “Rajun Cajuns in Lafayette, La, FIU of Miami, Fl and the new popular and former SEC Offensive Coordinator Guz Malzahn and the defending conference champions Arkansas State “Red Wolves”. 

If South Alabama can find two good wins within these few teams then the haters and spectators can say “Who let the Jaguars out?” Woo! Woo! South Alabama has an awesome defense in place under Coordinator Bill Clark. Coach Jones has also brought in a new Offensive Coordinator Robert Matthews formerly of Southern Miss and Oklahoma State among others. Mr. Matthews’s most recent stop was a Southern Miss last season. Both programs have been to recent postseason bowl games. Coach Jones was looking for a good high speed offense, he may have found just what he been wanting in Robert Matthews. Quarterback C.J. Bennett and others including the offensive line have adapted to the new offense quickly. The jaguars had a great showcase of that new offense during the spring game. The starting QB helped his red team to a victory in that game.

Coach Jones has really worked hard to develop this team for the Sun Belt Conference and FBS football, even though much work has to been done. It want stop fans, and critics from saying the Jaguars was un-defeated in its first two seasons of football play. Last season’s South Alabama lost four games, two of which was highly expected and some due to mistakes.

I want declare that Coach Joey Jones and Company even the players of South Alabama is a bad team, I can say they are great in many ways and have work to do, to be one day the Champions of the Sun Belt Conference and a mid-major powerhouse of the south.

UT-Arlington May Become New SBC Member Soon

The Sun Belt may announce this week that the Mavericks will be
joining the Sun Belt in 2013.

The Sun Belt Conference is scheduled to meet this week in Destin, Fla., for its annual spring meetings. Sometime during this meeting this week, the SBC board of directors may announce that the league will add UT-Arlington as a non-football member in 2013.
UT-Arlington is expected to become that latest member, giving the SBC 12 total schools and 10 of which play football. Texas-Arlington is a school of 21,000 students 30 miles west of Dallas and 20 miles east of Fort Worth.

The Mavericks also has a new sports arena called “College Park, which was recently built. If added UT-Arlington will play in the SBC West Division.

WKU Has 13 All Sun Belt Team Preseason Selections

Phil Steele names 13 Hilltoppers

A record 13 members of the Western Kentucky University football team were recognized as preseason all-league picks on one of the four teams. Seven of those 13 honorees were first-team selections.

Senior tight end Jack Doyle as well as a pair of offensive linemen - junior Sean Conway and senior Adam Smith - were named to the first-team offense, while senior defensive linemen Jamarcus Allen and Quanterus Smith along with junior linebacker Andrew Jackson earned first-team defensive honors. Sophomore John Evans was the only Hilltopper to appear on the list twice, earning first-team honors as a kickoff returner and third-team accolades as a punt returner.

A third offensive lineman was recognized as sophomore Cameron Clemmons was a fourth-team selection. A pair of defensive backs - senior Kareem Peterson and sophomore Jonathan Dowling - were named to the second and third teams, respectively, while junior linebacker Xavius Boyd earned a spot on the fourth team.

Two more specialists earned preseason all-league honors as junior punter Hendrix Brakefield was named to the second team and junior Antonio Andrews was selected as a fourth-team kickoff returner.

WKU is coming off its most successful season as a Football Bowl Subdivision member in 2011, rebounding from an 0-4 start to finish the year 7-5 and take second place in the Sun Belt Conference standings with a 7-1 league record. The only loss for the Hilltoppers down the stretch came in mid November at then-#1 LSU.

The Toppers return 48 lettermen and 19 starters in 2012. That group includes a 22-member senior class, with seven of those seniors already holding their degree from WKU.

This is a big improvement for Western Kentucky with all these returning players WKU should make some noise this season in the Sun Belt Conference. My hat is off to head coach Willie Taggart.  

Sun Belt and Conference Realignment

Before the deadline is over this year for adding new programs the Sun Belt Conference still have the opportunity of adding two more programs to make a twelve team league for a Football Conference Championship Game.

As of today since they have added two programs and have lost two, this is what the Sun Belt Conference’s football league will look like in 2013: Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, Georgia State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Middle Tennessee, South Alabama, Texas State, Troy, Western Kentucky a ten team league that’s solid. The SBC is comprised of its geographic area from Texas up to Kentucky and down to Florida.

The question still remains to be answered, and a answer could come this week when the Sun Belt Conference is scheduled to meet in Florida for its annual spring meeting May 20-23. What many are waiting to hear is whether the SBC is will be willing to expand its footprints to North Carolina, New Mexico State and even the State of Virginia. If the SBC board decides to expand it footprint, who would they pursue in this conference realignment. Would it be Appalachian State of Boone, NC, Liberty of Virginia, and New Mexico State out west, or they can stay within their footprint and add Georgia Southern or Lamar to the conference.

Once upon a time New Mexico State was a part of the Sun Belt Conference, now it is interesting to see what happens as former commissioner for New Mexico State and now new SBC commissioner Karl Benson do for former league member New Mexico State. Will be work to give them a new FBS home, or leave them in the cold? Take notice that Texas State recently joined the SBC, which Karl Benson played a big role in them joining the WAC, which he was the former commissioner at the time. Texas State was in the WAC along with New Mexico State, and has not even played a full conference schedule or season in the WAC and leaving for the Sun Belt.

I personally think it would be great for the SBC to add New Mexico State out west, to give Texas State a close to home rivalry. Also Lamar would be a good fit in Beaumont, TX as an in-state rivalry for Texas State. Now new SBC commissioner Karl Benson is on record saying that he would like to see a new SBC conference expanded to 12 teams that would stage a Conference Football Championship Game, upon his hiring as the conference commissioner early part this year.

Is there anyone else in the Sun Belt Conference in favor of a conference championship game?  Yes, UL-Lafayette AD Scott Farmer has made it known that he would like to see a conference championship game in football according to a report in the Advertiser in Lafayette.  Commissioner Benson has been in talks with league schools about the expansion for a conference championship game. “We’d like to have a conference championship game,” Louisiana-Lafayette AD Scott Farmer told the Advertiser. “But we know [Benson] is also meeting with the CEOs and presidents of the schools.”

The CEOs of the conference will hold their annual spring meeting next Tuesday in Florida. At that time, Benson has said that recent conference movement will be evaluated and a plan for the Sun Belt’s “next step” will be formulated. If the presidents, chancellors and CEOs wanted to move forward with the 12-team idea, Benson told the Advertiser, “it would be very doable, based on the pool of football programs that are out there.”

Also quoted in the Advertiser:  “While we have shown that we are going to be a proactive player in conference expansion and realignment, we will continue to not disclose publicly any specific institutions that we may or may not be pursuing,” John McElwain, the Sun Belt’s Associate Commissioner of Communications wrote.

Well this week the spring meeting will take place for three days, and we should know whether Commissioner Karl Benson and the Sun Belt Conference will continue to stir up the news in conference realignment by adding two more teams to get to a twelve team league.

Do You Know Appalachian State?

Do you know or have you ever heard of Appalachian State? Do you know who their coach is and how many games they ever won? Does Appalachian State have the market to be in the FBS?

In case you don’t know,  Appalachian State is located in Boone, NC. The Mountaineers average attendance last season would have ranked second in the Sun Belt and they have invested $50 million into facility improvements in 2009. The Mountaineers are 85-24 over the past eight seasons and the Mountaineers are 207-83 in its football program, history.  Appalachian State’s football is lead by head coach Jerry Moore.

Appalachian State has made it known that they are ready to move up to the next level in college football. It is known that Appalachian State is currently seeking a home in the FBS.

After making the announcement to move up to Division 1 football, now the question is
which conference they would call home. Appalachian State has recently stated that they were in active talks with Conference USA, however that league has since added Old Dominion who they were pursuing to make their league a 14 member league. Now does that push Appalachian State out of the picture of Conference USA, maybe and maybe not? Because it is known that Conference USA desire is to be a super conference one day and adding two more teams would get them there. However Appalachian State may now have to pursue the Sun Belt, if Conference USA has closed its doors to conference expansion.

Western Kentucky 2012 Players To Watch

Western Kentucky went 7-1 in Conference play last season!

Quanterus Smith

DL - 6-5 - 251

Senior
Loganville, Ga.r

Earned second-team all-Sun Belt honors … Led the Hilltopper defense with 7.5 sacks on the season and fi nished second with 11 tackles for loss - both career highs...

Had double-digit tackles for loss the second year in a row, with losses totaling 100 yards lost...Played in all 12 games, posting 38 total tackles, including 23 tackles of the solo variety...Had two sacks on two diff erent occasions, with the fi rst coming in week four against Arkansas State...Finished the game with fi ve tackles...His second two-sack performance came against Louisiana-Monroe, as he fi nished with a pair of sacks totaling 15 yards lost, to go along with six total tackles and a career-high four tackles for loss in helping WKU to its fourth consecutive win...Had a sack against Louisiana-Lafayette (10/22/11), to go along with three tackles.

Jack Doyle

TE - 6-6 - 251

Senior
Indianapolis, Ind.

Named 2011 second-team all-Sun Belt…Set career highs in receptions (52) and receiving yards (614) while playing in all 12 regular season games for the fi rst time in his career on the Hill...

Led the Hilltoppers in both receptions and receiving yards for the regular season... Averaged over 50 yards per game receiving and over four catches per game, while going over 100 yards receiving in three diff erent games, putting him over 1,000 yards receiving for his career...Led the Hilltoppers in receiving on seven diff erent occasions...Tied for the team lead with four catches for 35 yards in the home opener against Navy (09/10/11) in week two...Led the Hilltopper off ense the following week with 68 yards receiving off fi ve catches against Indiana State (09/17/11)...Posted his fi rst career 100-yard receiving performance in week five against Middle Tennessee.

Six South Alabama players make Phil Steele

South Alabama Jaguars are getting recognized in their new football program by a well know college football source “PHIL STEELE” . Six South Alabama players have been named to the preseason All-Sun Belt Conference football team by Phil Steele on Friday.

USA Linebacker Jake Johnson and Free Safety B.J. Scott earned second team honors. Also making third team honors are Darius McKellar a transfer from Alabama, also making the fourth team are running back Kendall Houston, Demetre Baker, and JC transfer Wes Saxton.

The young guys has showed their abilities in the last season, Johnson was the Jags' leading tackler last season with 83 total stops. He was also credited with 6.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks as well as a forced fumble, fumble recovery and one quarterback hurry.

Scott, who transferred from Alabama, was the Jags' sixth-leading tackler with 48 tackles. He played just seven games, missing three because of injury. He had no interceptions but produced four pass breakups and a forced fumble.

McKellar is the son of former Buffalo Bills tight end Keith McKellar. He expected to provide South Alabama team with experience, as well as size and strength to an offensive line in need of such qualities. Houston was the team's leading rusher the past two seasons. Last year he rushed for 558 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. He was No. 3 on the team in scoring and No. 3 in all-purpose yards.

Baker was the Jags' No. 1 player in all-purpose yards with 644. The Georgia transfer gained 491 rushing yards and scored a team-high nine rushing touchdowns. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry. Saxton, a transfer from Itawamba, Miss., Community College, had 10 catches for 137 yards and one touchdown for the junior college team last season. He enrolled at South Alabama in December and participated in spring practice with the Jags.

South Alabama will play their last year in FBS transition this fall, and their first full year of FBS and SBC conference play. The jaguar has proven that they are capable of playing with the big boys and come August 30, the jaguars will have that opportunity on the field. This fall the jaguars are schedule to play SEC team ( Mississippi State) and ACC team once again (NC State), the jaguars will also play new Mountain West Conference team (HAWAII) on December 1^st in Hawaii as their last game of the season.

South Alabama opens the season Thurs., Aug. 30 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.