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16 I SIGNAL TuesdayJ August 28, 2001 The time is now to chop the 'Noles Atlantic Sun schools get ready for some football Jeff Klein Colin Martz Associate Sports Editor question, but there are four games Sports Editor rookie when it comes to football. With only their starting quar on the 'Noles schedule that could cmartzCcv.gsusignal.com The Bulldogs, entering their sec terback and wideout coming back, When Florida State joined the realistically end in defeat. Home ond season in I-AA, return many the offensive staff has its work cut Atlantic Coast Conference in games against #13 Georgia Tech With the fall season quickly key members from a squad that out. On the defensive side, all 11 1992, most college football ex and #2 Miami and visits to #1 approaching, Georgia State athlet went 7-4 last year. In their final starters return, making the Bulldogs perts believed they would domi Florida and #18 Clemson place ics will soon begin competition in season before becoming a mem hopeful that their Southland League nate the conference for years to Florida State's distinctive records soccer, volleyball, and cross coun ber of the new Big South Con opponents will have a tougher time come. But 70-2? I don't think any in jeopardy. try. But for seven other schools in ference, GWU has been picked scoring than last year. one predicted such annihilation. A mid-September home date the Atlantic Sun Conference, fall as the best of the I-AA indepen The 'Noles have been the Harlem with Georgia Tech will be the first means football. dents. New league brings Globetrotters of college football. test. Tech has come close to up Although the conference does Head coach Steve Patton optimism in Jaxville However, this dominance isn't setting the 'Noles the past two not exist for football, over half the welcomes back 19 starters from limited to the ACC. Bobby seasons, and is determined to end schools in the Atlantic Sun do last year's team, as the Bulldogs After three seasons as an in Bowden's Florida State teams that losing streak this year. field football teams, forcing them look to achieve their fifth straight dependent in Division II, the Jack have gone 254-55-4 in his 25 Miami upended Florida State to find other leagues to affiliate winning season. The Bulldogs' sonville Dolphins will begin the years as head coach. They have last year and will be loaded when with their programs. 2001 schedule will feature tough 2001 season as a new member of been in the top 25 for 216 straight they come to Tallahassee Oct. games early on against Elon and the Pioneer League, bringing new polls, dating back to 1989. More 13th. The Hurricanes have a new Central Florida looks to Virginia Union, plus contests hopes and goals to the private impressively, the last 99 polls they coaching staff, but still boast break through against Atlantic Sun rivals school's campus. have been in the top 10. Not to Heisman hopeful Ken Dorsey and Samford and Florida Atlantic. Although the program was 3- Perhaps the most well-known mention an unprecedented 14 con tremendous talent at all skilled 8 last season, 20 starters are re program is Central Florida, which secutive years finishing in the As positions. Trojans anxious to turning, giving the Dolphins their is based in Orlando. After the suc sociated Press top 5. The game at Death Valley begin a new era most experienced team ever. All cess and notoriety brought to them This year, though, uncertainty against Clemson is going to be the 11 defensive starters are back by quarterback Daunte Culpepper Beginning next season, the is at an unfamiliar high. Until first road test for the young Semi- from a team that was 13th in in the late 1990s, the program has Atlantic Sun will have two mem 1998, no sophomore had ever noles. Clemson is a tough place takeaways in the country last sea been started at quarterback for a to play, and with a high-powered looking for a conference to bers in Division I-A football, as son with 32. Bowden-coached Seminole team. offense, an upset is definitely pos call home ever since its move to Troy State prepares to make the With the new affiliation in the Division I-A in 1996. Taking the snaps in 2001 will be sible. jump in 2002. This season, how Pioneer League, the Dolphins' Last season, the Golden ever, the Trojans will be compet a redshirt freshman, Chris Rix, Traditionally, the 'Noles fin schedule will include conference Knights turned in a 7-4 record, ing in their "transition" year, whose last real game was in high ish the year against their powers Davidson and Drake. school. Backup Anquan Boldin is archrivals from Gainesville. This their second-best since moving to meaning that they will not be a Jacksonville will also travel to out for the season, leaving true year, however, it will not only be I-A, including a 40-38 win over full-fledged member of I-A, but Miami to face Florida Atlantic in will count as a I-A game and to freshman Adrian McPherson as a rivalry, but a road matchup Alabama at the Crimson Tide's Pro Player Stadium. the top quarterback reserve. An against the preseason favorite to homecoming. ward bowl eligibility for oppo other weapon was lost when win it all. For 2001, Central Florida has nents. Gamecocks look to wideout Robert Morgan was also Don't mention this to ACC put together the most challenging Troy State is no stranger to avoid distractions lost for the season, leaving a once- coaches, though. The 'Noles still schedule in school history, with success after transition. After win deep receiving corps dangerously received 64 of the 70 preseason road games at Clemson, Arkansas, ning two Division II national titles Finishing 4-6 last year, Jack thin. votes to win the conference for a Virginia Tech, and Tulane. in the 1980s, the program moved sonville State would already have into I-AA in 1993 and was imme a lot of work to do to be competi While the defense will be as 10th consecutive year. But, you Starting out on right good as the past few seasons with pretty much have to vote Florida diately competitive. The Trojans tive in 2001. But with even more Darnell Dockett and Michael State number one until someone foot key for Owls made the playoffs seven times in distractions this season, improve eight seasons, plus two appear ment may be tough to come by. Boulware, the offense will be ex else proves it on the field At the other end of the spec ances in the national semifinals. The biggest story on campus tremely inexperienced. Gone from Since Florida State joined the trum is Florida Atlantic, which For the 2001 season, the Tro is the imminent use of female last year's national runner-up and conference, there has been little will begin its first season this jans have put together one of the kicker Ashley Martin this season. into the NFL are Chris Weinke, doubt who would end up cham week. The school has former Mi toughest schedules in the nation. Coach Jack Crowe has already Travis Minor, Jamal Reynolds, pion. This year there is some. ami and Louisville hfead coach After opening at Nebraska this promised to let the Sharpsburg, Tommy Polley, Marvin Minnis, Florida State is (gasp!) vulner Howard Schnellenberger in week, Troy State will also face Ga. native kick extra points dur and Tay Cody. These key losses able. charge, and optimism is abundant Mississippi State, Miami, Mary ing games, giving her the chance coupled with a tough schedule and They might not win 10 on the Boca Raton campus. land, and Middle Tennessee State. to be the first female player ever inexperience at quarterback gives games. They might not win the The Owls will begin their After a 10-2 championship season to score a point in an NCAA foot several teams an opportunity to ACC. They might fall out of the program as a Division II indepen in I-AA's Southland Football ball game. beat Florida State. top 10. They might (gasp!) lose dent but are hoping to move up to League, the Trojans will have Also on the minds of the Now, 1 am not saying Florida four games. I-AA, and later I-A, in the near their work cut out for them as they Gamecocks will be the upcoming State is going to be 6-5 and in the But beware, because next future. The school has scheduled look for respect in I-A. departure to the Ohio Valley Las Vegas Bowl, but the chances year could be different. Programs seven of its 11 games this season of an 8-3 season are much higher like Florida State, as we college Conference. The school voted in at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Changes abound at the spring to join the conference than 1 can ever remember them football fans like to say, don't re hoping to attract a fan base in its being. Ten wins is not out of the build, they reload. Samford in all sports, leaving the inaugural season that it is hoped Southland and Atlantic Sun after will remain for many years to After a disappointing 4-7 sea six years. Site of Oklahoma State crash come. son in 2000, the Samford Bulldogs Among the games next GWU hoping to are looking to revamp their offense.