Southwest College Sports Notebook

Bill Burns, chairman of the search committee for the director of athletics position at North Carolina State, said Wednesday that SMU AD Jim Copeland's name has been submitted to the committee, but he has not yet been interviewed.

Burns said other candidates have been interviewed and the committee will likely meet once before submitting a list of three names to North Carolina State chancellor Marye Anne Fox for review.

– Rana L. Cash

Ga. Tech bows out

ATLANTA – The Black Coaches Association Classic, postponed Sunday night by heavy rains and severe lightning, might be played Dec. 1 at Virginia Tech. But the Hokies' opponent, Georgia Tech, says it won't take part in it.

Tech's Dorris sits

LUBBOCK – Texas Tech wide receiver Derek Dorris missed his third consecutive practice with a separated shoulder and is questionable Saturday against Utah State.

The senior was injury in the second half of last week's 24-3 victory over New Mexico. If Dorris is unable to play, freshman Jamall Broussard or redshirt freshman Mickey Peters would start.

Tech also most likely will be without offensive right tackle Jason May, who continues to rehabilitate from off-season knee surgery.

Tech officials, meanwhile, say they have sold roughly 32,000 tickets for this weekend's non-televised game and expect a crowd of about 40,000. The Red Raiders' opener drew an announced turnout of 42,238 at 50,000-seat Jones SBC Stadium.

– Bart Hubbuch

UT full of fullbacks

AUSTIN – Texas coaches expect to rotate sophomore Matt Trissel of Teague, sophomore Chad Stevens and redshirt freshman Brett Robin at fullback this season. Each brings something different to the field.

Trissel (6-0, 235) is a former high school linebacker who is valued by coaches for his fearless, rocking blocks.

Stevens (6-4, 245), first cousin of Dallas Cowboys tight end David LaFleur, is a former tight end who will often motion from the backfield into a two-tight end set.

Robin (5-11, 190) is almost fast enough to be a tailback. Coaches hope to feature his speed in passing situations.

– Chip Brown

UNT's Kennedy to play

DENTON – Freshman defensive tackle Brandon Kennedy, The Dallas Morning News' Defensive Player of the Year from Terrell, is expected to see playing time in the season opener against Baylor on Thursday.

Kennedy missed about a week of two-a-days with an injured elbow and only returned last week.

– Richard Durrett

Luker's future

SMU coach Mike Cavan said he has discussed the possibility of redshirting backup quarterback Kelan Luker with Luker and the coaching staff but has not made any decisions.

"It is something we've addressed ... but we'll go through a few games and make a decision if we need to do that," Cavan said.

If a backup is needed to replace starter Josh McCown, Cavan said it would be a "toss-up" between Luker and David Page.

– Rana L. Cash

UNT could host

DENTON – Tom Burnett, associate athletic director of the Sun Belt Conference, said North Texas is a strong candidate to host the 2002 and 2003 conference basketball tournaments. The decision on a host site is expected to come by the end of the year.

– Richard Durrett

Baylor lands guard

Fort Bend Willowridge guard Kenny Taylor said he has committed to sign with Baylor's men's basketball team during the early signing period in November. – Dan Noxon

Double duty at A&M?

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M could unveil its first two-way player in at least 10 years on Saturday when the Aggies face Notre Dame.

Lonnie Madison, a backup tight end, was moved to defensive end this week to bolster depth problems. A&M coach R.C. Slocum says Madison will likely be the first reserve defensive end in the game – but, Slocum said, Madison's defensive duties haven't disqualified him from duty on offense.

– Al Carter

– Charlie Smith

Back to full speed

FORT WORTH – TCU tailback LaDainian Tomlinson said he is finally feeling back to full speed in practice a week after returning from an eight-day absence due to a strained Achilles.

"I felt it at the end of practices, especially,'' Tomlinson said of how the layoff hurt him. "It wasn't that I couldn't finish, but I was tired.''