Arkansas Sports 360.com - July 2008 - (Page 28) ConferenCe Southland Bears Will Battle Cowboys in Deep Southland By Mark Burke MC N EE SE S TAT E H A D No trouble with its Southland Conference opponents in 2007. The Cowboys finished the regular season with a perfect 11-0 record, including 7-0 in SLC contests, before falling in the first round of the NCAA Division I Football Subdivision playoffs, a 44-15 defeat to Eastern Washington. The Cowboys have 49 letter winners — including seven offensive starters and five defensive starters — back for 2008, making them a solid choice to repeat. The University of Central Arkansas surprised a few people, compiling a 6-5 record in the Bears’ first year with a full slate of conference games and finished just one win away from sharing the SLC crown with McNeese State. The Cowboys defeated the Bears 41-14 in Lake Charles, La., in the final week of the regular season to win the league title outright. McNeese State also finished ranked 11th in the final Top 25 poll. UCA, though, returns most of last season’s team, including SLC offensive Player of the year quarterback Nathan Brown, and will once again be a strong contender. While the Cowboys may have a target on their back, there are no doubt plenty of teams lurking. The SLC appears to be deeper in 2008, and last year’s middleof-the-road teams such as Sam Houston State, Nicholls State and Texas State expect to compete for the conference’s top spot this time around. There’s a major change upcoming and a new face, both involving Lamar. Ray Woodard, a 20-year coaching veteran with 12 years of college experience, was selected to be at the helm for Lamar in May. Earlier this year, Lamar students approved a fee that would help fund the return of a football program dormant since 1989. The sport will make its return in 2010. Headlining the players to watch in 2008 is Sam Houston State quarterback Rhett Bomar, a transfer from the University of oklahoma who saw his first SLC. All eight SLC schools have NCAA SLC action last season. Bomar is among Division I Bowl Championship Series the 26 quarterbacks named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm watch list and is the opponents on their 2008 schedules. That only one from the NCAA Division doesn’t necessarily predicate blowouts I Football Subdivision. He either. Northwestern State passed for 2,209 yards and nearly scored a major upset 10 touchdowns last season in last season against a BCS nine starts for the Bearkats. school, falling 38-31 to ole The Johnny Unitas Golden Miss. Arm Award is presented five Players That’s just one of the To Watch annually to the nation’s top examples that no doubt makes Rhett Bomar, QB, the SLC a strong conference. senior collegiate quarterback Sam Houston State Stephen F. Austin found by the Johnny Unitas Nathan Brown, QB, itself in the cellar last season, Golden Arm Educational Central Arkansas going 0-7 in league games. Foundation Inc. Ladarius Webb, DB/RS, However, things are looking The Bomar-led Bearkats Nicholls State up, as last year’s young are one of the up-and-coming Brant Linde, DB, team has gained valuable teams in the SLC that could McNeese State experience. finish at or near the top. Byron Lawrence, RB, How things transpire in They’ll host McNeese State Northwestern State 2008 is yet to be seen. The for their homecoming game oct. 18. However, a Sept. 20 battle with chance at having more than one team in the national playoffs — which was the case Kansas, winners of the 2008 FedEx last season — is much greater now in what is orange Bowl, highlights the schedule. an increasingly improving conference. m Playing larger schools isn’t a rarity in the T he Chesapeake Ener gy Football Tour 11 campuses. 15 days. Over 5400 miles. Only one show brings you complete Razorback coverage and all the inside scoop on Arkansas’ opponents. Drivetime Spor ts University of Tulsa Monday, August 4th University of Arkansas Tuesday, August 5th University of Alabama Wednesday, August 6th Mississippi State University Thursday, August 7th live from: University of Kentucky Thursday, August 14th Ole Miss Friday, August 8th LSU Monday, August 11th Auburn University Tuesday, August 12th University of South Carolina Wednesday, August 13th University of Florida Friday, August 15th University of Texas Monday, August 18th Weekdays 4pm-7pm KABZ-FM KAGL-FM KDRS-AM KFFA-AM 103.7 93.3 1490 1360 Little Rock El Dorado Paragould Helena KGPQ-FM KNAS-FM KNWA-AM KREB-AM 99.9 105.5 1600 1190 Monticello Nashville Harrison Bentonville KSAR-FM KTLO-FM KTTG-FM KXJK-AM 92.3 97.9 96.3 950 Salem/Cherokee Village Mountain Home Mena Forrest City 28 ArkansasSports360.com July 2008 http://ArkansasSports360.com
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