College Football Notebook- 8-25

The Southland Conference's outdoor track and field championship

has found a home for the next two years after the University of Texas at

Arlington was awarded the 2001 meet on Thursday. Southwest Texas State University secured the 2002 championship earlier in the summer through the Conference's bid process.

Splitting time at OU

Oklahoma sophomore Andre Woolfolk is splitting time this fall between wide receiver and cornerback. Coaches expect to use him in both positions.

Woolfolk is a starting wideout and co-defensive coordinator Mike Stoops

says if Woolfolk spent all his time at defensive back "he'd be our first or

second-best corner. He's that talented because of his size and range."

Woolfolk came up with the lone interception against starting quarterback Josh Heupel in last Saturday's scrimmage.

– Charlie Smith

OSU lineman makes switch to offense

Oklahoma State sophomore Jason Russell spent the last two years as a defensive tackle (one was a redshirt year), but has moved to the offensive side this fall.

"He has a brighter future, a more dominant future, on the offensive line," says offensive line coach Mike Jacobs.

– Charlie Smith

Briefly...

Former Abilene Christian basketball standout Jackie Bucher was selected Woman of the Year for the state of Texas by the NCAA. ...North Texas is ranked No. 2 in the Sun Belt preseason women's soccer poll. The Lady Eagles were picked to finish second behind Denver.

BU coach impressed

Baylor soccer coach Nick Cowell must replace 77 percent of last year's scoring, but isn't ready to concede this as a rebuilding year. Cowell, whose team opens the season Friday at SMU, said senior forward Molly Cameron is back to full strength after missing all of last season with a knee injury. And Cowell has been particularly impressed thus far with freshmen Candace Reilly (midfielder from Keller), Melissa Humke (sweeper from The Woodlands) and Erin Freeman (midfielder from San Antonio St. Mary's Hall).

– Dan Noxon

Tomlinson returns

TCU senior tailback LaDainian Tomlinson returned to practice Thursday after missing eight days with an Achilles strain. Tomlinson, last year's Division I-A rushing leader, went through drills at full speed.

TCU also should have three other starters back early next week: sophomore receiver LaTarence Dunbar (groin), senior tight end B.J. Roberts (hamstring) and senior defensive tackle Stuart Ashley (ankle).

– Dan Noxon

TCU nominees

TCU senior middle linebacker Shannon Brazzell has been named one of 70 finalists for the Butkus Award, given anually to the nation's top linebacker. Senior free safety Curtis Fuller also was named as a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award (top defensive back) earlier this week.

– Dan Noxon

Midland Lee star close to committing

Cedric Benson, Midland Lee's record-setting running back, is close to committing to UT, his coach said.

"His top three are Texas, Texas and Texas,'' said John Edd Parchman, the Rebels coach. "I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he committed soon. It's unofficial, but I think he's close.''

Benson rushed for 3,526 yards last season, the fourth-highest total in Texas high school history. In Week 2 of last season, he had 269 yards on 24 carries against Martin.

– Danny Woodward Stallings sighting

Former Alabama coach Gene Stallings attended UNT's media day on Thursday. Stallings gathered notes on players and coaches in preparation for the UNT-Baylor game in which Stallings will act as a color commentator for College Sports Southeast. The station is broadcasting the game to 700,000 homes in Alabama and Louisiana.

– Richard Durrett

Michigan QB to miss season opener

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan quarterback Drew Henson had foot surgery and will miss the team's season opener on Sept. 2. Henson, a 6-4, 215-pound junior, was injured during practice Wednesday. He underwent surgery at the University of Michigan hospital complex. John Navarre will start in the opener against Bowling Green.

– Associated Press

Coach: USC offered money to recruit player

TWIN FALLS, Idaho – College of Southern Idaho men's basketball coach Derek Zeck said he was offered money to help the University of Southern California recruit forward Jerry Dupree, a 6-7 sophomore. Zeck said on Wednesday that the offer came from USC assistant coach David Miller when Southern Idaho visited the Adidas Double Pump camp July 28-30 at California State University at Northridge.

Paul Goldberg, USC's assistant sports information director, said it was the first time he had heard the allegation. He said USC coaches were barred from discussing any matters regarding recruits.

– Associated Press

Maui brackets set

LAHAINA, Hawaii – Arizona will open the Maui Invitational against Chaminade, the Division II host school for the eight-team field. The tournament will be held at the Lahaina Civic Center Nov. 20-22. The other schools in the top half of the bracket are Connecticut and Dayton.The lower half will have Maryland against Louisville and Illinois meeting UNLV.

The inaugural Women's Maui Invitational will be held this season with Tennessee, the national runner-up last season, meeting Clemson on Nov. 24, followed by Illinois against Alcorn State. The winners and losers will meet on Nov. 25.

– Associated Press

Warren returns to UNT

Linebacker Justin Warren, a junior from Arlington Lamar, has rejoined the

UNT football team. Warren decided, just before two-a-days started, not to play football anymore. However, he came back this week and asked to rejoin the team.

– Richard Durrett

SMU picks captains

UNIVERSITY PARK – Sophomore linebacker Vic Viloria was voted permanent team captain by his teammates. For the first game, seniors Rich Nichols, Jeff Erxleben and Chase Schavrda will join Viloria as captains. Those three captain spots will rotate throughout the season.

Schavrda also has moved into the starting lineup. He missed spring practice after having shoulder surgery and was backing up Warrie Birdwell through fall practices.

"Those four guys are interchangeable," coach Mike Cavan said of his tackles, who include Lute Croy and Chris Post. "They'll roll in and out every few snaps."

Also, running back Kris Briggs (hip injury) returned to practice for the first time since last Saturday's scrimmage.

– Rana L. Cash

A&M in Sweet 16

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA

soccer tournament and finished 17-5-1 last season. Now 11th-ranked Texas

A&M starts back at square one against Central Florida in the season opener

at the Aggie Soccer Complex on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Leading A&M's offense is

returning senior and Herman Award nominee Nicky Thrasher, who led the

Aggies with 21 goals and 52 points last season. The Aggies will host No. 1

North Carolina on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

– Bryan-College Station Eagle