This Week in the SEC


Posted Sep 16, 2002


Here is your source for previews for this upcoming week's games in the SEC.

AUBURN TIGERS at MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS
6:45 p.m. (C) * ESPN * Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field (52,884) * Starkville * Thursday, Sept. 19

AUBURN (2-1, 1-0 SEC)
Head Coach: Tommy Tuberville (Southern Arkansas, '76)
Overall/Yrs: 48-36 (.571)/ 8th * AU/Yrs: 23-16 (.590)/ 4th
National Rankings: RV - ESPN/USA Today; RV - AP
Formations: Offense - Pro Style * Defense - 4-3
Internet Web Address: www.auburntigers.com

Individual Statistical Leaders
Rushing: So. TB Carnell Williams [45 for 331 yards; 7.4 avg.; 5 TDs] (2) [T23]
Passing: Sr. QB Daniel Cobb [33-56-1; 58.9 pct.; 413 yards; 1 TD] (6)
Receptions: Sr. WR Marcel Willis [12 for 133 yards; 11.1 avg.; 0 TDs] (8)
Scoring: So. TB Carnell Williams [5 TDs; 30 points] (T1) [T17]
Tackles: Sr. LB Mark Brown [30 TT (10-20); .5 TFL (-2)]

MISSISSIPPI STATE (1-1, 0-0 SEC)
Head Coach: Jackie Sherrill (Alabama, '66)
Overall/Yrs: 176-102-4 (.633)/ 25th * MSU/Yrs: 71-57-2 (.555)/ 12th
National Rankings: N/A
Formations: Offense - Multiple I * Defense - 50
Internet Web Address: www.mstateathletics.com

Individual Statistical Leaders
Rushing: Sr. RB Dontae Walker [25 for 70 yards; 2.8 avg; 2 TDs]
Passing: QB Kevin Fant [15-26-0; 57.7 pct; 336 yards; 3 TDs]
Receptions: Sr. WR Terrell Grindle [6 for 173 yards; 28.8 avg; 1 TD] and So. TB Fred Reid [6 for 57 yards; 9.5 avg; 1 TD]
Scoring: Sr. TB Dontae Walker [2 TDs; 12 points] and So. TB Fred Reid [2 TDs; 12 points]
Tackles: Sr. LB Mario Haggan [30 TT (14-16); .5 TFL (-1)]

Series History
Record: AU leads 51-22-2 * Last: AU, 16-14 (10/6/2001 at Auburn)
Notes: Auburn and Mississippi State have split the last ten games ... In games played in Starkville, the Tigers hold a 7-4-1 advantage ... The Bulldogs have won three out of the last five games played in Starkville by a combined score of 55-28 ... MSU's Jackie Sherrill is 7-5 against the Tigers, while Auburn's Tommy Tuberville is 3-4 against Mississippi State ... Mississippi State is 25-41-2 in SEC openers, and have lost their last two ... Last year, Auburn running back Casinious Moore ran for 160 yards and a touchdown, and Damon Duval kicked a 47-yard field goal with 18 seconds left to give the Tigers the 16-14 victory ... Jackie Sherrill is 4-3 against Tuberville coached teams ... Six out of the last 12 meetings have been decided by a touchdown or less, including the last three contests ... The two teams have met every year since 1955.

VANDERBILT COMMODORES at OLE MISS REBELS
11:30 p.m. (C) * JP Sports * Vaught Hemingway Stadium (60,580) * Oxford

VANDERBILT (1-2, 0-1 SEC)
Head Coach: Bobby Johnson (Clemson, '72)
Overall/Yrs: 61-38 (.616)/ 9th * VU/Yrs: 1-2 (.333) / 1st
National Rankings: N/A
Formations: Offense -2-Back Set * Defense - 4-3
Internet Web Address: www.vucommodores.com

Individual Statistical Leaders
Rushing: Jr. QB Jay Cutler [16 for 162 yards; 10.1 avg.; 3 TDs]
Passing: Jr. QB Jay Cutler [32-59-5; 54.2 pct.; 308 yards; 2 TDs] (9)
Receptions: Sr. WR Dan Stricker [10 for 188 yards; 18.8 avg.; 2 TDs]
Scoring: Jr. QB Jay Cutler [3 TDs; 18 points] (2)
Tackles: Sr. LB Hunter Hillenmeyer [32 TT (20-12); 4 TFL (-12); 1 Sack (-6)]

OLE MISS (2-1, 0-0 SEC)
Head Coach: David Cutcliffe (Alabama, '73)
Overall/Yrs: 25-14 (.641)/ 4th * UM/Yrs: 25-14 (.641)/ 4th
National Rankings: N/A
Formations: Offense - Multiple Pro * Defense - 4-2-5
Internet Web Address: www.olemisssports.com

Individual Statistical Leaders
Rushing: Sr. RB Robert Williams [47 for 264 yards; 5.6 avg.; 3 TDs] (7)
Passing: Jr. QB Eli Manning [65-118-2; 55.1 pct.; 740 yards; 7 TD] (5)
Receptions: So. SE Bill Flowers [16 for 198 yards; 12.4 avg.; 2 TD] (3) [36]
Scoring: So. K Jonathan Nichols [2-5 FGs; 13-13 PATs; 19 points] (8)
Tackles: Sr. DB Chris Knight [23 TT (21-2); 1 TFL (-3)]

Series History
Record: OM leads 42-32-2 * Last: OM, 38-27 (12/1/2001 in Oxford)
Notes: Ole Miss has won eight of the last nine meetings, including a 38-27 victory last season in Oxford ... Eli Manning completed 23 of 40 passes for 286 yards and four touchdowns in leading the Rebels to victory last year ... Ole Miss holds a 19-3 advantage in games played in Oxford ... David Cutcliffe is 2-1 against the Commodores ... This series is the 15th most played rivalry in SEC history (76 games) ... The two teams have met every year since 1970.

NORTHWESTERN (LA.) STATE at GEORGIA BULLDOGS
1 p.m. (E) * Sanford Stadium (86,520) * Athens

NORTHWESTERN (LA.) STATE (2-0, 0-0 Southland)
Head Coach: Scott Stoker (Northwestern State, '91)
Overall/Yrs: 3-0 (1.000) / 1st * NWS/Yrs: 3-0 (1.000) / 1st
2002 Schedule: 8/29-DELTA STATE (W 35-7); 9/7-at Southern (W 30-20); 9/14-at Delaware State (W 34-14); 9/21-at Georgia; 10/5-ELON; 10/12-SOUTHWEST TEXAS; 10/26-at Nicholls State; 11/2- SAM HOUSTON;11/9-at Jacksonville State; 11/16-McNEESE STATE; 11/23-at Stephen F. Austin
Conference: Southland (Division IAA)
National Rankings: N/A
Formations: Offense - Pro I * Defense - Multiple 4-2-5
Internet Web Address: www.nsudemons.com

Individual Statistical Leaders
Rushing: So. RB Derrick Johnese [51 for 217; 4.3 avg; 5 TDs]
Passing: Sr. QB Ben Beach [21-35-1; 297 yards; 60.0 pct; 3 TDs]
Receptions: Sr. WR Devon Lockett [8 for 160; 20.0 avg; 1 TD]
Scoring: So. RB Derrick Johnese [5 TDs; 30 points] [20]#
Tackles: Sr. LB Roy Locks [22 TT (11-11); 12.5 TFL (-83); 7.5 Sacks (-57); 1 FR]

GEORGIA (2-0, 1-0 SEC)
Head Coach: Mark Richt (Miami, '82)
Overall/Yrs: 10-4 (.714) / 2nd * UG/Yrs: 10-4 (.714) / 2nd
National Rankings: 8th - ESPN/USA Today; 8th - AP
Formations: Offense - Pro Style * Defense - Multiple 4-3
Internet Web Address: www.georgiadogs.com

Individual Statistical Leaders
Rushing: Jr. RB Musa Smith [50 for 208 yards; 4.2 avg; 0 TDs] (4) [31]
Passing: So. QB David Greene [23-40-1; 236 yards; 57.5 pct; 1 TD] (8)
Receptions: So. WR Fred Gibson [9 for 144 yards; 16.0 avg; 0 TDs] (5)
Scoring: Jr. PK Billy Bennett [3-3 FGs; 5-5 PATs; 14 points] (6)
Tackles: Sr. LB Boss Bailey [21 TT (15-6); 1.5 TFL (-3); 1 sack]

Series History
Record: First Meeting * Last: First Meeting
Notes: This is the first meeting between these two teams ...Georgia is 49-8-4 against Division IAA schools (8-0-1 v. Chattanooga; 9-0-1 v. The Citadel; 2-2-1 v. Davidson; 1-0 v. Duquesne; 0-0-1 v. Fordham; 21-2 v. Furman; 2-0 v. Georgia Southern; 0-3 v. Holy Cross; 1-0 v. Murray State; 3-0 v. Richmond; 0-0-1 v. St. Mary's; 1-0 v. Tennessee Tech; 1-0 v. Villanova) ... Northwestern State is 0-2 against SEC teams (0-2 v. Mississippi State) ... NW State offensive coordinator Darryl Mason was a four-year letterman at Arkansas ... The Bulldogs are looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 1999.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE BLUE RAIDERS at KENTUCKY WILDCATS
1:30 p.m. (E) * Commonwealth Stadium (67,530) * Lexington

MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE (0-2, 0-0 Sun Belt)
Head Coach: Andy McCollum (Austin Peay, '81)
Overall/Yrs: 17-18 (.486)/ 4th * MTSU/Yrs: 17-18 (.486)/ 4th
2002 Schedule: 8/31-at Alabama (L 39-34); 9/7-at Tennessee (L 26-3); 9/21-at Kentucky; 9/28-SE MISSOURI; 10/5-at Arkansas State; 10/19-LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE; 10/26-at Idaho; 11/2-at New Mexico State; 11/16-LOUISIANA-MONROE; 11/23-NORTH TEXAS; 11/30-UTAH STATE
Conference: Sun Belt
National Rankings: N/A
Formations: Offense - Multiple * Defense - 3-3 Stack
Internet Web Address: www.goblueraiders.com

Individual Statistical Leaders
Rushing: So. TB RaShard Lee [11 for 56 yards; 5.1 avg.; 1 TD]
Passing: QB Andrico Hines [16-24-1; 66.7; 165 yards; 0 TDs]
Receptions: Sr. WR Tyrone Calico [7 for 75 yards; 10.7 avg.; 0 TDs]
Scoring: Sr. TB Dwone Hicks [2 TDs; 12 points]
Tackles: Jr. LB Randy Arnold [9 TT (9-0)]

KENTUCKY (3-0, 0-0 SEC)
Head Coach: Guy Morriss (TCU '73)
Overall/Yrs: 5-9 (.357)/ 2nd * UK/Yrs: 5-9 (.357)/ 2nd
National Rankings: RV - AP
Formations: Offense - Multiple * Defense - 4-2
Internet Web Address: www.ukathletics.com

Individual Statistical Leaders
Rushing: Sr. RB Artose Pinner [69 for 344 yards; 5.0 avg; 2 TDs] (1) [20]
Passing: Jr. QB Jared Lorenzen [42-76-1; 55.3 pct.; 589 yards; 9 TD] (1) [11]
Receptions: Sr. RB Artose Pinner [13 for 128; 9.8 avg; 1 TD] (7)
Scoring: Sr. RB Artose Pinner [2 TDs; 12 points]
Tackles: Sr. FS Quentus Cumby [18 TT (10-8); 1 sack (-10); 1 INT; 4 PBU]

Series History
Record: First Meeting * Last: First Meeting
Notes: This is the first meeting between these schools ...Middle Tennessee is 0-2 against the SEC this year, losing to Alabama 39-34 and Tennessee 26-3 ... Middle Tennessee offensive coordinator Steve Campbell and defensive coordinator Steve Davis were both coaches at Auburn. Campbell coached at Auburn from 1988-89, and Davis coached there in 1994. Davis also coached at LSU from 1991-93 ... Kentucky is 4-1 against current Sun Belt Conference teams (1-1 v. Louisiana-Monroe; 3-0 v. North Texas).

FLORIDA GATORS at TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
3:30 p.m. (E) * CBS Sports * Neyland Stadium (104,079) * Knoxville

FLORIDA (2-1, 0-0 SEC)
Head Coach: Ron Zook (Miami (OH), '76)
Overall/Yrs: 2-1 (.667) / 1st * UF/Yrs: 2-1 (.667) / 1st
National Rankings: 10th - ESPN/USA Today; 10th - AP
Formations: Offense - Multiple * Defense - Multiple, 4-3
Internet Web Address: www.gatorzone.com

Individual Statistical Leaders
Rushing: Sr. RB Earnest Graham [45 for 331 yards; 7.4 avg.; 5 TDs] (3) [T23]
Passing: Jr. QB Rex Grossman [53-102-4; 52.0 pct.; 730 yards; 3 TDs] (7)
Receptions: Sr. WR Taylor Jacobs [15 for 325 yards; 21.7 avg.; 2 TDs] (4) [47]
Scoring: Sr. RB Earnest Graham [5 TDs; 30 points] (T1) [T17]
Tackles: Sr. LB Byron Hardmon [40 TT (25-15); 2 TFL ; 1 INT]

TENNESSEE (2-0, 0-0 SEC)
Head Coach: Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee, '72)
Overall/Yrs: 97-20 (.829)/ 11th * UT/Yrs: 97-20 (.829)/ 11th
National Rankings: 4th - ESPN/USA Today; 4th - AP
Formations: Offense - Multiple * Defense - 4-3
Internet Web Address: www.utsports.com

Individual Statistical Leaders
Rushing: So. TB Cedric Houston [23 for 180 yards; 7.8 avg.; 3 TDs] (6)
Passing: Jr. QB Casey Clausen [46-62-2; 74.2 pct.; 501 yards; 2 TD] (2) [22]
Receptions: So WR Tony Brown [15 for 152 yards; 10.1 avg.; 0 TDs] (1) [T11]
Scoring: So. TB Cedric Houston [3 TDs; 18 points] (3) [T37]
Tackles: Fr. LB Kevin Simon [16 TT (11-5); 2 TFL (-5); 1 FR]

Series History
Record: UT leads 17-14 * Last: UT 34-32 (12/1/2001 in Gainesville)
Notes: The winner of this game has represented the Eastern Division in the SEC Football Championship Game every year except 1992 and 1997 ... Either Florida or Tennessee has competed in every SEC Championship Game ... Tennessee leads 10-6 in games played in Knoxville ... The last 12 meetings have seen these teams ranked in the top 15 ... The last four games in the series have been decided by an average of 2.75 points per game ... Six of the last eight meetings have been decided by a touchdown or less ... Phillip Fulmer is 3-7 against the Gators ... In 1998, Tennessee played it's first overtime game against Florida, defeating the Gators 20-17 ... Ron Zook was Tennessee's defensive backs coach from 1984-86 ... He also faced the Vols as a coach for Florida from 1991-95 ... The visiting team has won the last two meetings.

SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI GOLDEN EAGLES at ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
6 p.m. (C) * ESPN2 * Bryant-Denny Stadium (83,091) * Tuscaloosa

SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (3-0, 0-0 C-USA)
Head Coach: Jeff Bower (Southern Miss, '75)
Overall/Yrs: 76-52-1 (.594) / 11th * USM/Yrs: 76-52-1 (.594) / 11th
2002 Schedule: 8/31-JACKSON STATE (W 55-7); 9/7-ILLINOIS (W 23-20); 9/14-MEMPHIS (W 33-17); 9/21-at Alabama; 9/28-at Army; 10/12-at South Florida; 10/19-CINCINNATI; 10/30-at TCU; 11/9-at UAB; 11/14-LOUISVILLE; 11/23-at Tulane; 11/30-EAST CAROLINA
Conference: Conference USA
National Rankings: RV - ESPN/USA Today; RV - AP
Formations: Offense - Multiple/One Back * Defense - 4-3
Internet Web Address: www.southernmiss.com

Individual Statistical Leaders
Rushing: Sr. RB Derrick Nix [64 for 482; 7.4 avg; 7 TDs] [2]
Passing: So. QB Mickey D'Angelo [44-74-1; 59.5 pct; 612 yards; 3 TDs] [30]
Receptions: Sr. WR LeRoy Handy [17 for 227; 13.4 avg; 0 TDs] [25]
Scoring: Sr. RB Derrick Nix [7 TDs; 42 points] [4]
Tackles: So. LB Michael Boley [33 TT (20-13); 4 TFL (-14); 1.5 Sacks (-11)]

ALABAMA (2-1, 0-0 SEC)
Head Coach: Dennis Franchione (Pittsburg (KS) State, '73)
Overall/Yrs: 147-71-2 (.674)/ 20th * UA/Yrs: 9-6 (.600)/ 2nd
National Rankings: RV - AP
Formations: Offense - Multiple * Defense - Pressing
Internet Web Address: www.rolltide.com

Individual Statistical Leaders
Rushing: Sr. TB Ahmaad Galloway [44 for 168 yards; 3.8 avg.; 3 TDs]
Passing: Sr. QB Tyler Watts [44-69-2; 63.8 pct.; 582 yards; 2 TDs] (3) [33]
Receptions: Jr. WR Triandos Luke [12 for 122 yards; 10.2 avg.; 0 TDs] (9)
Scoring: So. PK Michael Ziifle [5-8 FGs; 10-10 PATs; 25 points] (5)
Tackles: Jr. R Brooks Daniels [23 TT (17-6); 3 TFL (-4)]

Series History
Record: UA leads 30-6-2 * Last: UA, 28-15 (11/29/2001 in Birmingham)
Notes: Teams have met every year since 1992 ... Alabama has won nine of the last ten meetings ... The Crimson Tide hold a 16-1-1 advantage in games played in Tuscaloosa ... Jeff Bower is 1-10 against Alabama ... Last year, Ahmaad Galloway ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns, and Andrew Zow threw for two touchdowns as Alabama defeated the Golden Eagles, 28-15.

TEMPLE OWLS at SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
7 p.m. (E) * Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250) * Columbia

TEMPLE (1-2, 0-1 Big East)
Head Coach: Bobby Wallace (Mississippi State, '76)
Overall/Yrs: 95-70-1 (.576) / 14th * TU/Yrs: 13-34 (.277) / 5th
2002 Schedule: 8/31-RICHMOND (W 34-7); 9/5-OREGON STATE (L 3-35); 9/14-MIAMI (FL) (L 21-44); 9/21-at South Carolina; 9/28-CINCINNATI;10/12-SYRACUSE; 10/19-at Connecticut; 10/26-at Virginia Tech; 11/2-WEST VIRGINIA; 11/9-at Pittsburgh; 11/16-at Rutgers; 11/23-BOSTON COLLEGE
Conference: Big East
National Rankings: N/A
Formations: Offense - Spread * Defense - Eight-man Front
Internet Web Address: www.owlsports.com

Returning Individual Statistical Leaders
Rushing: Sr. RB Tanardo Sharps [72 for 311; 3.9 avg; 2 TDs] [43]
Passing: So. QB Mike McGann [42-81-6; 51.9 pct; 358 yards; 2 TDs]
Receptions: Sr. RB Tanardo Sharps [13 for 36 yards; 2.8 avg; 0 TDs]
Scoring: Sr. PK Cap Poklemba [3-5 FGs; 7-7 PATs; 16 points]
Tackles: Sr. FS Jamal Wallace [22 TT (19-3)]

SOUTH CAROLINA (1-2, 0-1 SEC)
Head Coach: Lou Holtz (Kent State, '59)
Overall/Yrs: 234-115-7 (.670) / 31st * USC/Yrs: 18-20 (.474) / 4th
National Rankings: N/A
Formations: Offense - Multiple * Defense - Multiple
Internet Web Address: www.uscsports.com

Individual Statistical Leaders
Rushing: Sr. QB Corey Jenkins [57 for 307 yards; 5.4 avg.; 0 TDs] (5) [34]
Passing: Sr. QB Corey Jenkins [35-63-2; 55.6 pct; 465 yards; 3 TDs] (4) [46]
Receptions: Sr. RB Ryan Brewer [13 for 179 yards; 13.8 avg.; 1 TD] (6)
Scoring: Sr. RB Andrew Pinnock [2 TDs; 1 PAT; 14 points]
Tackles: Fr. LB Lance Laury [36 TT (22-14); 2 TFL (-4)]

Series History
Record: TU leads 1-0 * Last: TU, 26-6 (9/29/1933 in Philadelphia)
Notes: South Carolina is 20-25-5 against current Big East schools (5-8-2 v. Miami (FL); 1-3 v. Pittsburgh; 10-7-2 v. Virginia Tech; 4-7-1 v. West Virginia) ... Bobby Wallace is a graduate of Mississippi State. He also was the Bulldogs defensive coordinator (1986) and the defensive backfield coach at Auburn (1981-85).



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