The Orlando Sentinel from Orlando, Florida • C6

C6 Orlando Sentinel FINAL THURSDAY, KNOXVILLE, Tenn. Tennessee wide receivers coach Frank Wilson has found himself drilling a different lineup of players almost every week. had players missing because of injuries. Others were booted from the team because of discipline issues. Others left on their own accord.

Somehow still managed to help turn a depleted receiving corps and an interception-prone quarterback into one of the Southeastern most formidable passing threats. stayed to the course and continued to work hard and developed as a group as a Wilson said. young guys had to step up at times and make plays and be accountable, and they Through the first four games of the season, Jonathan Crompton had only seven touchdowns compared with eight interceptions and an average 160 yards passing per game. Since then, Crompton has averaged 245.5 yards per game and thrown 16 touchdowns compared with two interceptions. The Volunteers (5-5, 2-4 SEC) now rank third in the league in pass offense with an average 226.6 yards by air per game.

Their 24 passing touchdowns rank second. all knew we could do junior wide receiver Denarius Moore said. knew we had all the talent we needed, but we just needed to put it together. We needed guys to get healthy and get on the same page in this new Vols air it out on offense By Beth Rucker THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Conference USA owns unique postseason power. Most bowl committees sign agreements determining their spot in line to pick teams.

For example, the Capital One Bowl in Orlando has first pick of Southeastern Conference and Big Ten teams that do not earn spots in Bowl Championship Series games. Conference USA, however, has managed to dictate the fate of most of its schools. The Liberty Bowl has first pick of Conference USA teams and typically takes the league champion, but the conference office gets to choose which teams go to the remaining five C-USA bowl games. Conference USA commissioner Britton Banowsky said the league accepts requests from the bowl committees and then makes the final call on which teams are assigned to each bowl game. He said C-USA will send teams to games within their region whenever possible.

want to make it easy for our he said. With the map in mind, a look at the Sentinel Conference USA bowl projections: St. Petersburg Bowl Date: 8 p.m. Dec. 19 on ESPN Tie in: C-USA vs.

Big East Projected matchup: UCF vs. USF Buzz: Could the St. Petersburg Bowl really resist restarting the UCF-USF rivalry, guaranteeing a sellout? The only way this happen is if the Bulls fight facing UCF or St. Petersburg push to replace USF with an out-of-town team whose fans would book more hotel rooms. Auto Zone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn.

Date: 5:30 p.m. Jan. 2 on ESPN Tie in: C-USA vs. SEC Projected matchup: East Carolina vs. Auburn Buzz: East Carolina boasts a strong defense and improving offense, which should lift the Pirates to their second consecutive C-USA title.

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl in Honolulu Date: 8 p.m. Dec. 24 on ESPN Tie in: C-USA vs. WAC Projected matchup: SMU vs. Fresno State Buzz: SMU coach June Jones, who had a long and successful tenure at Hawaii, has already made it clear he wants to take the Mustangs to the island.

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas Date: Noon Dec. 31on ESPN Tie in: C-USA vs. Mountain West Projected matchup: Houston vs. Air Force Buzz: Houston and Air Force have earned national attention as two non-BCS programs on the rise, making this an interesting matchup. Carries New Orleans Bowl Date: 8:15 p.m.

Dec.20 on ESPN Tie in: C-USA vs. Sun Belt Projected matchup: Southern Miss vs. Troy Buzz: Bowls typically avoid rematches, but last Southern Miss-Troy game was exciting and a lot of Golden Eagles fans would snap up tickets to the game played a few hours from the campus. EagleBank Bowl in Washington, D.C. Date: 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 29 on ESPN Tie-in: vs. ACC Projected matchup: Marshall vs. Middle Tennessee State Buzz: Army will not be bowl eligible, so C-USA takes its spot. Marshall and UAB need one more win to be eligible, but the Herd has the easier schedule.

The ACC have enough eligible teams to fulfill its commitment, opening the door to Middle Tennessee State. QB Brett Hodges looks to lead UCF into one of the 6 possible conference postseason bowl games. JACOB SENTINEL UCF-USF could heat back up Thursday spotlight: Conference USA bowl picture By Iliana SENTINEL STAFF WRITER Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez says the process of filing forms that log hours players devote to football was corrected as soon as he learned it happening. Rodriguez declined further comment Wednesday because of an ongoing NCAA investigation. An internal audit released Monday discovered the football program failed to file the forms that track how much players workout and practice as a tool to comply with NCAA rules.

The office of university audits sent Rodriguez a memo on July 24, stating that forms from the 2008 regular season had not been submitted. The Detroit Free Press citing anonymous players, reported a month later that Michigan exceeded NCAA limits regarding practices and workouts. LeFevour sets mark in win Dan LeFevour threw four touchdown passes, ran for a fifth score and became the all-time leading passer in Mid-American Conference history as he led visiting Central Michigan (8-2, 6-0) to a 35-3 victory over Ball State (1-9, 1-5). Thermilus powers Buffalo Brandon Thermilus rushed for two touchdowns and caught another to lead visiting Buffalo (4-7, 2-5) over Miami (Ohio) (1-11, 1-7) 42-17. Quick hits Star RB Jahvid Best hopes to return for season finale after being sidelined by a frightening fall and concussion.

Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin says freshman DB Nyshier Oliver, who was cited for shoplifting on Nov. 7, was punished internally. Nevada Duke Williams has been suspended for game at New Mexico State after he was arrested over the weekend for being a minor in possession of alcohol. Louisiana Tech DB Chad Boyd has been given a half-game suspension for a flagrant foul that called during last game against LSU. The game between No.

5 Cincinnati and No. 8 Pittsburgh that will determine the Big Bowl Championship Series representative will be televised by ABC at noon on Dec. 5. Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said wide Randall Cobb (bruised shoulder) is questionable at best for the showdown with Georgia. wire reports Around the nation Rodriguez: Log process fixed Inside your Sunshine State teams By Jeremy Fowler e-mail: Twitter: Blog: orlandosentinel.com/ swampthings Next game: vs.

Florida International When, TV: 12:30 p.m., PPV By Andrew Carter e-mail: Twitter: Blog orlandosentinel.com/ choppingblock Next game: vs. Maryland When, TV: noon, Raycom USF next: vs. Louisville, Saturday FAU next: at Troy, Saturday FIU next: at Florida, Saturday B-CU next: vs. FAMU, Saturday FAMU next: vs. B-CU, Saturday By Shandel Richardson e-mail: Twitter: Blog: sunsentinel.com/ umblog Next game: vs.

Duke When, TV: noon, ESPNU Coach Urban Meyer said not ready to entertain his talented junior future and how many players he could lose ayear early. The Gators have seven juniors by count, including potential first-rounders such as CB Joe Haden and DE Carlos Dunlap certainly give it any thought until after the Meyer said Wednesday. Meyer name the seven, but the list probably includes TE Aaron Hernandez and OGs Mike and Maurice Pouncey Florida already is losing QB Tim Tebow LB Brandon Spikes WR Riley Cooper KR Brandon James and LB Ryan Stamper all seniors. Recruiting makes junior departures difficult. have to get seven to fill those Meyer said.

all those early commitments, kind of hanging Quick hits Freshman LT Xavier Nixon impressed teammates in his first start against South Carolina. was pretty confident in everything we were RT Marcus Gilbert said. Meyer said concerned with helmets flying off during games after numerous incidents with Spikes and Cooper. Tebow is one of five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award given to the top senior quarterback. The Gators need to improve their field-goal kicking because all know coming down the Meyer said.

Yes, Alabama. Junior classes future could cause concern One day after USA Today published a story in which Ann Bowden supported her husband and publicly called for Florida State to fire Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden got the guts to do Florida Gov. Charlie Crist also came out in support of Bowden. Appearing at a news conference on Wednesday alongside Bowden to promote the National Child Identification Program, Crist, an FSU alum, said he was in support of Bowden remaining the FSU head coach for another year. Crist said Bowden was good for Florida State and for college football.

Ann Bowden, meanwhile, created controversy with her comments that appeared in a USA Today story. She told the newspaper, know, we need the university as much as they need us as much as they need him and his connections and reputation and everything. If they want to pull that trick, just shake the dirt off our feet and go to Europe or go on a long cruise or something. have to fire him for him not to go another year If got guts enough to do it, let them do Asked about his comments at practice on Wednesday, Bowden said, like to stay away from that subject right now if I can. Call Quick hit RB Chris Thompson returned to the team Wednesday.

Thompson had been absent for about a week, including the Wake Forest game, due to the death of his grandfather. Crist supports return Miami could have two key defensive players back for game against Duke. Coach Randy Shannon said linebacker Sean Spence and safety Ray Ray Armstrong are expected to play. Both have been out since the Clemson game with knee injuries. practiced today and they practiced Shannon said.

they got two days, they should be ready to go. I know how much play, but Spence is arguably the top defender. He was last Atlantic Coast Conference defensive top newcomer. Armstrong, a freshman, was the highest rated recruit of the 2009 class. He played in seven games, emerging as a leader in the secondary.

Quick hits Receiver Thearon Collier (ankle) will miss game. caught 13 passes for 209 yards and returned two punts for touchdowns. QB Jacory Harris wore a protective wrap over his thumb during practice, but is still expected to play. Shannon said there is no reason for concern. Despite minor injury, backup QB A.J.

Highsmith said received the same amount of reps in practice as a normal week. Highsmith, who has only played in two games this season, said ready if needed. Duke Coach David Cutcliffe told reporters his team will have a injury The Blue Devils already lost Brandon Harper (toe) and backup QB Sean Renfree (knee) for the season. UM welcomes back Spence, Armstrong USF starting RG Zach Hermann will miss game against Louisville with a neck injury, Coach Jim Leavitt said after practice. Hermann missed last loss at Rutgers, with RT Jake Sims taking his spot at guard and red- shirt freshman Mark Popek making his second career start at right tackle.

Leavitt said the team decided how its starting offensive line will look. And while Hermann is out, Leavitt is optimistic that most of the players injured in the Rutgers loss will be able to play against Louisville. He said junior Carlton Mitchell the leading receiver, "might not" play as he recovers from a high ankle sprain suffered against West Virginia. Quick hits USF: The regular-season finale at Connecticut will have an 8 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

FAU: CB Tavious Polo has seen the film and played in enough games against Troy to know what to expect Saturday. receivers get down the field and are very athletic and are one of the toughest challenges to the secondary this Polo said. Troy (7-3, 6-0) leads the Sun Belt in offense this year, averaging 457.8 yards per game, and the Trojans pass offense (319.6 yards per game) also tops the conference, and that has been because of the play of senior quarterback QB Levi Brown FIU: Panthers have been forced to press freshmen into action thanks in part to numerous injuries. In fact, FIU has played 16 true freshman, trailing only Tulane (17) in Division I-A. Hermann out, Mitchell still hurting By Iliana e-mail: Twitter: Blog: orlandosentinel.com/ knightsnotepad Next game: vs.

Tulane When, TV: 2 p.m., BHSN Coach George is leaning on his 13 seniors to help UCF avoid a letdown following its big 37-32 win over then-No. 13 Houston. The Knights (6-4, 4-2) host struggling Tulane (3-7, 1-5) Saturday. is kind of a trap senior LB Jordan Richards said. time you get a big win, the next week you kind of have an emotional letdown.

The coaches do a great job at keeping us in check and keeping us levelheaded and reminding us of what we have to told his players UCF needs to sweep its final two games to have a chance of playing in the conference title game and the six wins may not be enough to earn one of the six bowl bids. trying to avoid the senior Ian Bustillo said. let everyone think on top of the world now. We have to get back to work and keep on pushing because any given week any team can Quick hits Despite 3-7 record, coach Bob Toledo said his team has not given up. think there is quit in these he said.

really believe that. The mantra is playing for pride and self Jarvis Geathers and Bruce Miller who have 10 sacks apiece, were added to the watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award honoring the top defensive end. During the past 31games, UCF is 16-1when it scores at least 20 points and 1-13 when it fails to. concerned about big letdown Product: OSBroadsheet PubDate: 11-19-2009 Zone: MET Edition: ROP Page: User: mmurschel Time: Color:.