Soccer Sports News & Betting

While Rick Neuheisel insisted there are no “moral victories” for the UCLA football team. He still gave the Bruins good grades for effort and improvement.

UCLA played Fresno State on even terms before losing 36-31 on Saturday.

“We certainly have things to improve on, but we’re eager to do just that, improve,” Neuheisel said Monday. “The effort was such that it could have easily been a victory.

“We’re not into moral victories at UCLA, I don’t mean to intimate that. But I do see us going in the right direction.”

Tailback Kahlil Bell, who returned to the lineup against Fresno State after missing two games with a sprained ankle, agreed.

“The goal is to win and we didn’t, but we did a lot of good things,” said Bell, who carried 20 times for 73 yards and scored on runs of 1 and 7 yards against the Bulldogs. “We put 31 points up on the board, finally had some touchdown drives, something we hadn’t done in the previous weeks.

“With a young team, you need things like that to build off, take a step up and keep on climbing.”

The Bruins, off to a 1-3 start that includes an 0-1 Pac-10 mark in their first year under Neuheisel, host another struggling conference foe, Washington State (1-4, 0-2) on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl.

Neuheisel, asked what he found most encouraging about UCLA’s latest performance, quickly replied, “Our running game was much better.”

The Bruins, who gained a not-so-grand total of 156 yards on the ground in their first three games, netted 234 against Fresno State.

“Kahlil being back in the game helps us, not only from a talent standpoint, but certainly with the attitude that he brings with him,” the coach said. “Kahlil is kind of like that guy in the Monty Python movies who gets his arm cut off and says, `flesh wound.”‘

Freshman Derrick Coleman rushed for 86 yards on 10 carries against the Bulldogs, but lost a critical fumble late in the game.

One area in need of improvement, Neuheisel said, is third-down efficiency on both sides of the ball.

UCLA’s offense went 2-for-9 on third down against Fresno State, which was 6-of-14 against the Bruins’ defense.

“We play a lot of great snaps on defense,” Neuheisel said. “We’ve got to play better on third down. We have three to four big plays a game that are killing us.

“Usually, as is always the case, it’s one guy getting out of position and all of a sudden, there’s a huge play.”

Neuheisel’s first three games at UCLA were a roller-coaster ride that now seems to be leveling out a bit. The Bruins upset Tennessee in the opener, then were humbled in a 59-0 setback to BYU that was the school’s worst defeat in 79 years. That was followed by a lackluster performance in a 31-10 loss to Arizona.

“Now we just need to kind of punch the door down and find ways to win,” he said.

Bell believes that’s coming.

“We’re missing a lot of guys right now, but we’re coming back from injury and we’re getting better and we’re going to get this rolling,” the senior tailback said. “We’re going to get this thing turned around.”

From the moment Arizona State 2008 schedule was released. The Georgia game loomed as a springboard into the national spotlight for the Sun Devils.

An unthinkable loss to UNLV pulled the plug on the spotlight, and it has given the third-ranked Bulldogs’ visit an entirely different meaning.

The Sun Devils hope to restore their confidence and erase perceptions that they can’t handle weighty expectations. After opening the season at No. 15 in The Associated Press Top 25, Arizona State tumbled from the rankings this week.

“This is an opportunity for our team to win a big game,” quarterback Rudy Carpenter said. “It’s a big opportunity for myself to help our team win a big game, which we haven’t been able to do, which is something that I would love more than anything in the world. This game is huge for our confidence.”

The UNLV loss was embarrassing. But the schedule has given the Sun Devils (2-1) a chance to bounce back quickly. With Georgia coming to town and No. 1 USC ahead, Arizona State still controls its destiny.

“Although we didn’t play well (against UNLV) - that’s an understatement - there are a lot of things left to play for,” ASU coach Dennis Erickson said.

For Georgia (3-0), the rare ramble into the desert represents a potential trap. This is the first meeting between the schools.

A week ago, the Bulldogs survived a typically bruising Southeastern Conference battle, defeating South Carolina 14-7 in Columbia. Next week, No. 9 Alabama comes to Athens.

Saturday’s victory was Georgia’s 10th in a row, its longest streak since it won 11 consecutive games in 1982.

Like many SEC teams, the Bulldogs rarely venture out of their familiar humid corner of the country. This is Georgia’s longest regular-season road trip since 1960, when the Bulldogs went to Los Angeles and lost to Southern California 10-3.

“I think everybody’s excited about an opportunity to play a Pac-10 team and just see what it’s like to get out in another stadium that we’ve not ever been in,” coach Mark Richt said Wednesday on the SEC coaches teleconference. “It’s great for our fans too.”

Those fans hope to turn Sun Devil Stadium into a dawg house. After Georgia quickly sold its allotment of more than 7,000 tickets, and a request for more was denied, Bulldogs fans began buying ASU season tickets to ensure themselves seats for this game. By some estimates, there could be as many as 15,000 black-and-red supporters in the 71,706-seat stadium.

Georgia’s beloved mascot, Uga VII, will be among them. He made his debut against Georgia Southern Aug. 30 in Athens.

When full, Sun Devil Stadium can be a loud venue, but it’s not a particularly intimidating one for talented visitors. Since 2000, Arizona State is 2-10 against ranked teams at home.

Last year, No. 11 Southern California blitzed Arizona State 44-24 in a much-anticipated Thanksgiving night game, and by game’s end the crowd resembled a gathering for the USC spring game.

Georgia might be every bit as talented as those Trojans were. But the Bulldogs’ offensive line is inexperienced and remains a work in work in progress.

“We’re about like last year, trying to find the right combination and learn how to play against these kind of defenses, so it’s been tough,” Richt said.

Still, Georgia will try to control the line of scrimmage, and the Sun Devils expect to see a healthy dose of tailback Knowshon Moreno, who averages 6.7 yards per carry. Last week, a UNLV team that ranks 78th nationally in rushing romped for 120 yards against ASU in the second half.

With tailback Keegan Herring slowed by a hamstring injury, Arizona State ranks 91st nationally in rushing. But the Sun Devils rank ninth in passing, and they hope to copy the success South Carolina had late in last week’s game.

The Gamecocks seemingly threw the ball at will in the final quarter. But the Bulldogs’ defense came up with the critical play - an interception by free safety Reshad Jones at the Georgia 3 with 13 seconds to play. Arizona State will need Carpenter, a senior who is 23-11 as a starter, to have a big game. At a school with a long line of star quarterbacks, Carpenter is among the career leaders in most statistics.

“I think the main thing with Rudy is just his high level of production for such a long time,” Richt said. “He’s not a guy who’s had just one good year. He’s had more than one good year. He’s one of the top five passers in America today.”

Notre Dame has a chance to move closer to glory.

A year after finishing with just three wins, the Fighting Irish have a shot at being 3-0 for the first time since 2002 and second time since 1996.

They beat Michigan 35-17 last week after opening with a lackluster win against San Diego State at home, setting up a road test Saturday against Michigan State.

“The confidence level of the team has gone up,” Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis said. “After this last game, it’s gone up a whole bunch.

“But now they’re going on the road for the first time against a smashmouth team that likes to play physical football.”

Like the Irish, Michigan State (2-1) is hoping to establish itself as a respected team with a win in the rivalry that dates to 1897.

“This is definitely one of those games that you have to win to say you had a successful season,” Spartans running back Javon Ringer said. “This is a must-win game for us.”

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio tries to avoid building up one game, but acknowledges it’s tough to do that this week.

“You don’t want to make any game an end-all game, but there is a different buzz when you’re playing Notre Dame,” Dantonio said. “It’s always a game that gives you national exposure, and this year it can take us to 3-1. There’s a big difference between that and 2-2.”

Michigan State opened with a seven-point loss on the road against California, then routed Eastern Michigan and shut out Florida Atlantic at home.

The Spartans plan to give Ringer the ball early and often, just as they have so far this season. He leads the nation with nine touchdowns and 104 carries, including a career-high 43 last week, and ranks third with 498 yards rushing.

Weis insisted, however, that Michigan State does not have a one-dimensional offense.

“The thing that gets you, when you start working the statistics, is the balance between the rushing and their passing,” he said. “They’re averaging 193 yards rushing in a game, 196 yards passing in a game.”

Notre Dame also strives for balance and hopes quarterback Jimmy Clausen puts together a strong performance after two uneven ones. Clausen has completed 56 percent of his passes for 384 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions in the first two games.

His teammates are giving him opportunities to succeed, preventing opponents from sacking him after giving up an NCAA-record 58 sacks last season.

Michigan State defensive tackle Justin Kershaw has observed a much better quarterback on film than the one who played in last year’s 31-14 loss to the Spartans.

“He looks a lot more comfortable,” Kershaw said. “He’s throwing the ball and moving around better than he did. It seems like he’s commanding the offense better, too.”

Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer hasn’t improved his production from a year ago, completing just 44 percent of his passes with only one touchdown and two interceptions. Dantonio likes Hoyer’s chances to come through with a clutch performance if he doesn’t get sacked much or turn the ball over a lot.

“The team that protects its quarterback and doesn’t turn the ball over is probably going to be successful,” Dantonio said.

It also might help to be on the road. Since 2001, the visitors have won every game in the series.

“That’s a good thing then, right?” Weis joked.

Close games have been a trend, too.

Michigan State’s lopsided win last year was the only game that wasn’t decided by a TD or fewer points in eight years. In six of those games, the go-ahead score came late in the fourth quarter or overtime.

Players and fans on both sides - and some who simply watched the game without a rooting interest - likely will remember the last matchup in East Lansing.

Michigan State blew a 16-point lead in the fourth period, falling behind on an interception return for a score with 2:53 left, sealing the collapse with another turnover on its final drive.

“It was one of the most memorable games that I’ve been a part of,” Notre Dame receiver David Grimes said. “Had a great ending.”

The Irish won their next seven games before getting routed by USC and LSU.

Now, they’re winning again.

“This is the next step on the curve,” Weis said. “You can sit there and say, `OK, now what are you going to do? You’ve had some moderate success, what are you going to do with that success?”‘

Bobby Bowden isn’t sure his 24th-ranked Florida State team deserves that rating yet. But expects he’ll find out Saturday against No. 18 Wake Forest.

Bowden’s young Seminoles climbed into The Associated Press poll at No. 24 after scoring 115 points in overwhelming Championship Subdivision foes Chattanooga and Western Carolina to start their season.

“I was surprised we even broke the Top 25,” Bowden said. “We’re not ready for that yet.”

And Wake Forest?

“Ain’t nobody laughing at Wake Forest now,” Bowden said about the one-time Atlantic Coast Conference patsy that has won 22 of its last 29 games while Florida State is 16-13 over the same period.

Florida State and Wake Forest have met 26 times through the years, but Saturday will be the first time both teams are ranked when they match 2-0 records.

“This is one of those games where you really don’t have to say much to your players,” Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe said. “This is one of those deals where the motivation will kind of take care of itself.”

Wake Forest, which has won the last two meetings with the Seminoles, is at No. 18 on the strength of wins over Baylor and Mississippi, extending its winning streak to five games dating back to last year

And Bowden, who shares the lead in all-time major college coaching wins at 375 with Penn State’s Joe Paterno, worries that his inexperienced club may not be up to Saturday’s challenge.

“Their maturity level and ours are nearly at opposite ends,” said Bowden.

He’ll get all-purpose receiver Preston Parker and defensive tackle Budd Thacker back from suspensions. The Seminioles, though, will remain shorthanded with several players, including some starters, suspended until next week for their parts in an academic cheating scandal.

Florida State will have three freshmen and a pair of sophomores starting on the offensive line against Grobe’s veteran defense.

“That scares me to death,” Bowden said.

Sophomore quarterback Christian Ponder makes his third start for Florida State with the highest quarterback efficiency rating in the ACC while Wake Forest’s Riley Skinner, a three-year starter from Jacksonville, has a 70.1 career completion percentage, the best in league history.

Skinner’s favorite target, D.J. Boldin, is the younger brother of former Florida State star Anquan Boldin. Another former Pahokee High School star from South Florida, Alphonso Smith, is generally regarded as the league’s best defensive back.

Right off the bat it would seem the Demon Deacons have an advantage in the kicking game with Sam Swank, a Jacksonville kid who is perfect on his field goal and extra point kicks as he goes after the ACC’s all-time scoring record. Florida State’s situation remains unsettled with veteran kicker Graham Gano down with an injury.

And for the first time Florida State will be playing someone of its own caliber.

“It’s going to tell you something,” Bowden said.

“You’d feel a lot better going into this game if you’d played a biggie and won,” Bowden said. “But I’d have hated to play a biggie and lost.”

Now the biggie is here.

Appalachian State is atop the mountain again in college football second tier. But the three-time defending national champion Mountaineers’ perch could be threatened Saturday night at James Madison.

The Dukes might be the most dangerous team in the Colonial Athletic Association, the best conference in the Football Championship Subdivision, and they have a score to settle.

Top-ranked App State has beaten CAA teams in the championship to win its last two titles, and is the only team preventing the conference from complete domination.

Delaware won the title in 2003, James Madison won in 2004 and Massachusetts and Delaware have lost in the last two championship games. With five CAA teams ranked among the top 10 in several FCS polls this season, App State and the CAA could meet again down the road.

JMU, Richmond, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Delaware are all in the top 10 considered title contenders.

But for Saturday night, all eyes will be on Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, where the memory of an NCAA playoff game given away twice by the Dukes in 2007 still stings plenty.

“The buzz up here in Harrisonburg is crazy right now, just because of the way we ended the season last year,” Dukes quarterback Rodney Landers said. “It’s amazing. Everywhere I go throughout town and on campus, people are stopping me, asking about the game and telling me how excited they are about watching it and being in attendance. Our fans are pumped.”

Revenge, they hope, will be especially sweet.

Last year, the Dukes failed to convert a fourth-and-1 from their own 32 late in their first-round game against the Mountaineers, who then scored to take the lead with 1:10 to play.

James Madison then drove all the way to the App State 9, but fumbled the ball away while trying to center it for a short field goal try and Appalachian State recovered and hung on.

Mountaineers quarterback Armanti Edwards, who scored the go-ahead touchdown last year, assumes the stunning finish won’t be forgotten under the lights on Saturday night.

“Most of us were there in that game last year and (saw) what happened, so we know they’re coming after us from the get-go,” he said.

The agony lingered for months, Dukes coach Mickey Matthews said.

“Without a doubt, it’s the toughest loss I’ve ever suffered as a head coach, as any kind of coach,” Matthews said, adding that it took months for him to even watch the game tape.

“If anyone that was in that stadium that day would have gone through what we did in the last 30 seconds to lose that game the way we did, it was just painful to look at,” he said.

The Mountaineers are just as eager to put the game in the past, coach Jerry Moore said.

“I would say the same thing is true for both of us - we’re going to find out a little bit more about what kind of a football team we really have,” Moore said. “I think when you get to the level that both of us are at, you look forward to playing in ballgames like this.”

Mike Leach has suggested he may shake up his receiving corps. When No. 11 Texas Tech goes against Massachusetts on Saturday night.

But it wouldn’t be to fool the Minutemen, the second Football Championship Subdivision opponent Texas Tech has faced in nonconference.

Leach made no secret of his displeasure with receivers who dropped eight passes in last week’s 43-7 win over SMU. No more than five passes get dropped in practice when nearly 300 balls are thrown, Leach said.

“If we were (ranked) first right now, it wouldn’t matter. My thoughts would be the same,” Leach said. “If we were last, my thoughts would be the same. You do the best you can. If I felt like that was the best we could do, then we’d be fine.”

Massachusetts’ pass defense looks good on paper - 169 yards per game.

But the Minutemen (2-1) have never faced anything like Graham Harrell (417 yards passing per game), All-American receiver Michael Crabtree and Texas Tech’s Air Raid. And Texas Tech has been getting good work out of its running game, with nine rushing TDs.

“Their running backs are excellent speed guys with great quickness,” Minutemen coach Don Brown said. “They’ll slip in there and hurt you with the zone schemes if you just completely defend one side of the ball. So they will keep you honest with the run game.”

It’s the first meeting between the schools.

“They are going to throw a lot of unexpected stuff at us,” Texas Tech offensive lineman Hamby said. “With this type of team they could throw anything out there. They are real wiry and real fast.”

Tech’s defense had a big day against the Mustangs with five interceptions. Daniel Charbonnet set a Texas Tech (3-0) record with three picks. They’ll be up against Liam Coen, ranked No. 20 in passing (863 yards and nine touchdowns) in the FCS.

After play UMass, the Red Raiders have a week off before the Big 12 schedule starts.

“We look at the games the same. No one is different, anybody can be beaten on any given day,” Red Raiders safety Darcel McBath said. “We take everybody just as serious as the last guy or Texas or OU. You can be beaten any day, so we’re taking them very serious.”

Leach’s criticism after the win over SMU shows there is plenty of room to improve, offensive lineman Brandon Carter said.

“Everyone makes their mistakes; you can only grow from them,” he said. “All you can do is go out there the next day in practice and fix the problem. We have to fix our problems, quarterbacks, defense, everyone has to fix their problems.”

Brown said Harrell’s poise gives him an edge in eluding a strong rush. Turnovers could end up being crucial, he said.

“He knows where to go with the ball and will take his deep shots,” Brown said. “When you have those (turnover) opportunities, you have to make them count.”

Brown will be looking for a third win over a Football Bowl Subdivision team. When he coached Northeastern, he beat Connecticut (30-27 in 2000) and Ohio University (31-0 in 2002).

“We have our hands full, and we’re going to have to play our best game to date to even give ourselves a chance,” Brown said.

Friday Big 12 Conference Capsule.

CONNECTICUT 31, BAYLOR 28

EAST HARTFORD, Connecticut Donald Brown scored on a three-yard run in the fourth quarter to give Connecticut a 31-28 victory over Baylor.

Brown, who rushed for 151 yards on 34 carries, capped a four-play, 29-yard drive with 6:04 left. Entering as the nations second-leading rusher at 188 yards per game, he also scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter for Connecticut (4-0).

The Huskies effort offset a great performance by Robert Griffin, who completed 14-of-28 passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns for Baylor (2-2). The freshman added 46 yards on 23 carries, including a two-yard TD run in the third quarter that gave the Bears a 21-17 lead.

UConns Tyler Lorenzen was 13-of-23 for 124 yards with two interceptions. The quarterback also had eight rushes for 73 yards, including touchdown runs of seven and 34 yards.

—-
Top 25 Schedule.
All Times EDT

(Subject to change)

Saturday, Sept. 20

No. 3 Georgia at Arizona State, 8:15 p.m.

No. 4 Florida at Tennessee, 3:30 p.m.

No. 5 Missouri vs. Buffalo, 2 p.m.

No. 6 LSU at No. 10 Auburn, 7:45 p.m.

No. 7 Texas vs. Rice, 7 p.m.

No. 9 Alabama at Arkansas, 12:30 p.m.

No. 11 Texas Tech vs. Massachusetts, 7 p.m.

No. 12 South Florida at Florida International, 5 p.m.

No. 13 Ohio State vs. Troy, Noon

No. 14 BYU vs. Wyoming, 3 p.m.

No. 15 East Carolina at N.C. State, Noon

No. 16 Penn State vs. Temple, Noon

No. 17 Oregon vs. Boise State, 3:30 p.m.

No. 18 Wake Forest at No. 24 Florida State, 7 p.m.

No. 19 Kansas vs. Sam Houston State, 7 p.m.

No. 20 Utah at Air Force, 4 p.m.

No. 23 Clemson vs. South Carolina State, 1 p.m.

No. 25 Fresno State at Toledo, 8:15 p.m.

You don’t have to tell Clemson coach Tommy Bowden about South Carolina State players. After all, Bowden tried to get a bunch of them to join the Tigers.

“Those are guys we’re very familiar with, very talented,” Bowden said.

The 23rd-ranked Tigers (2-1) play their first game against South Carolina State (2-1), a Football Championship Subdivision team picked to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Bulldogs’ roster is filled with players who have Clemson connections:

-Defensive end Xavier Littleberry transferred from Clemson.

-Defensive back Philip Morris and linebacker Julius Wilkerson signed with the Tigers but then went elsewhere.

-Tailbacks Will Ford and Travil Jamison and quarterback Malcolm Long were recruited by Clemson.

“I don’t know that we actually got the guys they wanted,” said South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough, long accustomed to words of praise from Bowl Subdivision coaches that often precede matchups with teams out of the former Division I-AA ranks.

Still, the Tigers aren’t taking chances in their slow build-back from a season opening loss to Alabama.

Clemson took its first steps to recovery two weeks ago with a 45-17 win over The Citadel. The Tigers returned to the rankings - the 34-10 loss to the Crimson Tide knocked them out after being No. 9 in the preseason - by defeating North Carolina State 27-9 to open the Atlantic Coast Conference season.

Bowden upped preparations this week, demanding more hitting at practice to toughen up his Tigers for the serious stretch of ACC games after they face South Carolina State.

Clemson tight ends coach, Billy Napier, was a former staffer with the Bulldogs and detailed to Tiger players how talented these opponents would be.

Then again, a lot of Clemson players and coaches are already familiar with South Carolina State’s personnel.

Tiger safety Michael Hamlin gets to play against his brothers, South Carolina State defensive backs Markee and Marquais Hamlin.

Clemson linebacker coach David Blackwell gets to scheme against his older brother, Joe, the run game coordinator for South Carolina State.

Pough was brought back to college coaching in 1997 when Clemson’s offensive line coach, Brad Scott, was the head coach at South Carolina. Pough remained on the Gamecock staff with Scott’s successor, Lou Holtz, until coming to his alma mater after the 2002 season.

Still more connections: South Carolina State’s Long won “Mr. Football” as a senior at Gaffney High in 2006, beating out Clemson backup Willy Korn, who was attempting but failed to lead Byrnes High to a fifth consecutive state championship.

“There’s a lot of cross references with people from these two schools,” SC State’s Joe Blackwell said.

Clemson has not lost a game to an FCS team since the NCAA split Division I in 1978. Only four times in the 21 matchups have the Tigers beaten the lower division club by fewer than 20 points.

For South Carolina State, it may be the wrong time to step up in competition.

The ACC-title favorite Tigers know there’s one last chance to crank up a so-so attack before a long, critical stretch of league games, starting next Saturday against Maryland.

That’s why Bowden turned up the intensity at practice. “If they get hurt, they get hurt,” he said uncharacteristically this week.

Clemson’s rushing attack, featuring James Davis and C.J. Spiller, has yet to click. Spiller has accounted for six of the team’s 10 TDs, but the Tigers rank ninth in the ACC in rushing.

Part of the problem could be an offensive line that will start three redshirt freshmen for the second straight week. Bowden figures the more action the unit sees, the quicker it will begin to meld.

Clemson’s defense also had issues in the first two games. It got pushed around by Alabama, giving up 419 yards, then allowed even more to The Citadel, 427, a week later.

However, the Tigers held North Carolina State to a field goal on offense.

The group figures to get a boost from the return of defensive end Ricky Sapp, out since early in the Alabama game with a knee injury.

The Phoenix Coyotes on Monday acquired defenseman Sean Zimmerman. From the New Jersey Devils for left wing Kevin Cormier.

Originally selected by New Jersey in the sixth round of the 2005 draft, Zimmerman, 21, spent last season with Lowell of the American Hockey League, recording six assists and 47 penalty minutes in 66 games. He also skated in eight games with Trenton of the ECHL.

Cormier, 22, played for Arizona of the Central Hockey League last season, registering three goals and two assists in 23 contests. He was taken by the Coyotes in the sixth round of the 2004 draft.

—-
Ducks QB out 2 to 4 weeks with knee injury.

Oregon quarterback Justin Roper will be out two to four weeks because of a partially torn ligament in his left knee.

Ducks , coach Mike Bellotti said Roper injured his knee late in a 32-26 overtime victory at Purdue on Saturday and that preliminary reports indicate a partial tear of Ropers medial collateral ligament. More tests were expected on Monday.

Roper was picked to start for Oregon (3-0) in the week before the teams opener against Washington when projected starter Nate Costa injured his left knee in practice. Costa had surgery and is expected to miss the season.

The No. 17 Ducks host Boise State on Saturday. The team is expected to use backup Jeremiah Masoli and true freshman Chris Harper at quarterback.

Both Masoli and Harper have played in all three of Oregons games this season. Masoli, a junior college transfer, has completed 16 of 28 passes for 193 yards and two TDs. Harper has run for 102 yards and two touchdowns, while completing 4 of 6 for 40 yards and a TD.

Bellotti did not immediately pick a starter for the game against the Broncos, but said both would likely play.

Both have strong attributes and bring different strengths to the table, Bellotti said. We can capitalize on their assets.

Oregon had planned on redshirting true freshman quarterback Darron Thomas, but he will be taking more snaps in practice, Bellotti said.

Just two days before Kansas State first road test of the season. Coach Ron Prince on Monday officially announced what the depth chart already revealed as the Wildcats head to Louisville: The defense has incurred several changes in its starting lineup. At defensive line, linebackers and defensive secondary, no position group went untouched as K-State used its longer preparation week to solidify its top talent heading into Wednesdays nationally televised kickoff at Papa Johns Stadium.

Weve accomplished some things in our practices, particularly on defense and in the kicking game, Prince said during his weekly news conference. Weve tried to focus on some of those things that have been giving us issues and made some changes not because anybody is playing poorly but because we feel like some guys have been competing for playing time and we want to promote that as best as we can.

Two-time first-team All-Big 12 defensive end Ian Campbell has moved from the left end spot to the right end position ahead of junior Eric Childs, while 6-foot-6, 264-pound true freshman Brandon Harold, a backup in the first two games, now occupies the left end spot.

Junior newcomer Hansen Sekona has taken over one inside linebacker spot opposite fellow junior newcomer and two-time starter Ulla Pomele, while senior Reggie Walker has moved from the inside to behind senior Antwon Moore at outside linebacker.

Two defensive backs will earn their first starts of the season as well. Junior Courtney Herndon, the National Defensive Player of the Week after his impressive performance during the Wildcats 69-10 rout of Montana State on Sept. 6, has overtaken returning Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year Gary Chandler at strong safety.

Senior Ray Cheatham, who recorded the Wildcats first interception of the season against the Bobcats, has moved ahead of junior newcomer Blair Irvin, who started the first two games and posted a team high-tying six tackles in the season opener against North Texas.

The bottom line? Simple.

Coach is going to get his best 11 on the field and theyre going to evaluate (personnel) and if the performance of some (players) isnt up to what theyre asking for then theyre going to make a change, Campbell said. They have and theyve done what they feel is best and our best 11 out there is going to get the job done. Theyve had reps with us so it isnt brand new.

Prince dedicated a portion of practice during the break to evaluate depth and performance at individual positions before the Wildcats, 2-0, began preparing in earnest to meet Louisville in Wednesdays 7 p.m. kickoff on ESPN2. The Cardinals are 1-1 after bouncing back from a 27-2 loss at home to Kentucky with a 51-10 victory against Tennessee Tech on Sept. 6.

Upon reviewing tape of the Wildcats and Cardinals through two games, Prince said, Theyre still really good and were not sure if we are.

K-State enters No. 6 nationally in total defense (198.0 yards), 10th in scoring defense (8.0) and third in pass defense (104.0 yards) and ranks first in the Big 12 in each of those categories. Prince believes the Wildcats, who rank 32nd against the run (94.0 yard), will face a stiff test against a Louisville rushing attack that enters 68th in averaging 143.5 yards.

Redshirt freshman Vic Anderson hasnt started in either contest, but leads Louisville with 24 carries for 145 yards (6.0 per carry) with one touchdown on the season. Senior quarterback Hunter Cantwell, who started in the Cardinals 24-6 win at K-State in 2006, has completed 53.0 percent of his passes for 355 yards and two touchdowns and three interceptions for an offense that ranks 86th in averaging 328.0 yards per outing.

(Anderson) isnt always listed as a starter, but he is very dynamic and is going to be a very challenging player, Prince said. People tell me this quarterback is very highly regarded outside of the college football world and I can see why. He has an unbelievable release, strength of release and can put the ball down the field. If his release looks a little bit different, all people need to do is look at Philip Rivers. He reminds me of him.

Theyre not only very accomplished and confirmed, but theyre very set on how they want to attack you with their offense.

Meanwhile, Prince believes he has learned much about certain players through two games and during the break. He believes he will learn even more after the Louisville game, which is the Wildcats first mid-week contest since 1994.

Guys like Courtney Herndon have improved enough to the point that their play on the field would dictate they have to be in the mix a little bit more. Weve started to do that, Prince said. Weve got some players that are very close to being able to break into the lineup. They just have to be able to get some game snaps. This game will be a good indicator for guys like Brandon Harold, Hansen Sekona, Courtney Herndon and others to see where theyre at exactly. We believe theyre going to play well in the game and thats why weve made those moves.

The good news is we have guys like Ray Cheatham who are competing and who have been here for a while, who are giving the guy in front of him (Irvin) a good run for it. As long as we have that kind of competition well be an improved team and well do well in the games and will continue to improve through the year, which is what we need to do. Going forward, its just one of the things were committed to doing and we need to have that kind of defensive depth at the end of the year.

Herndon, who returned a fumble 43 yards for a touchdown, blocked a punt that was recovered in the end zone for another score and intercepted a pass to set up another touchdown to go along with four tackles against Montana State, said his promotion was a cut-and-dry procedure.

It feels good, Im not going to lie, but I know Gary Chandler is working his butt off and watching film to get his spot back, Herndon said. Im trying to work to keep (the spot). Its just competition. Coach said Ive made more plays than him and he hasnt made plays. Thats what Im going off of.

Prince believes Harold demonstrated he could be solid at defensive end regardless of alignment in the set.

In the 3-4 or 4-3 you still have the same concerns about guys that can rush the passer and guys who can hold up against the combination blocks, Prince said. You like to have a guy that, when he faces a single block, he can win. What weve seen so far is when Brandon gets that single block he can handle it.

Walkers move to add depth at outside linebacker gives the position another veteran pass rusher and a proven battler in run support. Prince indicated the shift wasnt entirely new as Walker saw time at one outside spot in certain packages as one of the defenses more versatile talents. Prince also said the move would be permanent unless something dramatic happens.

Were improving at the inside linebacker position, Prince said. With the loss of Josh Berard (ACL injury and out for the season) and Chris Patterson (off team), this gives us another veteran player outside and another veteran player, particularly in this type of game, where the running game could be a pretty heavy emphasis. Plus, it helps us to keep some guys fresh and gives us a pretty solid rotation.

Walker, who has started in 18 games, said he has adapted to the change after initially meeting the proposition with some apprehension.

At first I had some questions about it, but now after Ive started playing it, Im more of an outside linebacker, anyway, he said. Its kind of easier and it fits me. I have responsibilities but I can just play my game amore and can rush the passer. Im really happy about that.

Moore said he expected some personnel changes, but embraces the overall competitiveness he felt among the unit during preparation for the game.

Things change through out the year, he said. We have a lot of competition throughout the team. Its really hard for one person to keep a spot because the other person is just as good as you, if not better. Thats why everybody has to play almost perfect in the game and practice just as hard.

Moore believes the defenses intensity could lead to positive results as the Wildcats seek their first non-conference victory on the road since 2005.

I dont think I can explain how excited I am, Moore said. Im just ready to go down there and defeat Louisville and come back feeling good about it.

PRINCE SAYS VALENTINE SHOWING EXPERIENCE
A K-State rushing attack that ranks 45th nationally (171.0 yards) will get a big test against Louisvilles No. 5-ranked rush defense (48.0 yards), which has allowed just 96 total yards and one touchdown on the ground.

Prince said junior newcomer Keithen Valentine, the 5-foot-8, 197-pounder who has 25 carries for 114 yards and one touchdown in two starts, remains ahead of true freshman Logan Dold and redshirt freshman Justin Woods entering Wednesday.

In fact, Valentines dedication as a blocker could reap added playing time.

Keithen is moving ahead of the others, which youd expect for an older guy to do, Prince said. Other than that, (the depth at the position is) pretty much the same. Well go in and find out. His blocking and pass protection has been more consistent. Blocking against rushing people isnt exactly one of the top things they signed up for and hes handled that quite well and has taken a lot of pride in it and Ive very pleased with his attitude toward things.

Basically, well just see more of Valentine.