Pac-Tending 09-14-05

"We want to be part of the comeback of the city of New Orleans."

- NACDA [National Association of Athletic Directors] executive director Mike Cleary, commenting on the association's intent to keep its national convention in New Orleans next June.

The Creek continued to be affected and have an effect on the Hurricane Katrina recovery process. Arizona State's game against LSU, moved to Tempe because of the relief efforts being staged by Baton Rouge – LSU's home, has already proven to be a success. Before the game, $300,000 was donated to cover the cost of travel related to the game and with donations from the game expected to add to that total – with a complete total expected later this week or early next week – it could top $1 million.

Meanwhile, at NCAA HQ, the organization's NACDA [National Association of Athletic Directors] arm plans to keep their national convention slotted for New Orleans next June, unless recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina force relocation at that time.

Arizona State

The 18th-ranked Sun Devils lost to LSU, 35-31, to drop to 1-1 on the year. Senior linebacker Dale Robinson was named as the conference's defensive player of the week. Sophomore tight end Zach Miller has an ankle injury and is not expected to play in this week's game against Northwestern.

USC

Starting safety Darnell Bing may not play in this week's game against Arkansas due to a lingering hip injury. Sophomore defensive lineman Chris Barrett is out for two weeks with a left calf strain. The Trojans had a bye last week but retained their top spot in the rankings.

Oregon State

The Beavers defeated Boise State, 30-27, to move to 2-0 on the year and are ranked 40th. Offensive lineman J.C. Ronnfeldt quit the team.

Stanford

The Cardinal won their season opener at Navy, 41-38. Junior receiver Evan Moore was lost for at least two months with a hip injury. Senior safety Trevor Hooper may miss this week's game against UC-Davis with a shoulder injury.

Freshman middle blocker Foluke Akinradewo was named as the Pac-10 player of the week in volleyball.

UCLA

The Bruins defeated Rice, 63-21, to move to 2-0 on the year and are ranked 34th. The grandfather of UCLA running back Maurice Drew suffered a heart attack while watching the game and later died. Drew says he will play in this week's game against Oklahoma. California kicker Kai Forbath gave an oral commitment to the Bruins. Forbath selected UCLA over Notre Dame, California, Oregon and Oregon State.

Washington

The Huskies lost their conference opener, 56-17, to California and remained winless on the season at 0-2.

In men's hoops, Fresno forward Quincy Poindexter is expected to give a verbal commitment to Washington over Connecticut this week.

Oregon

The Ducks defeated Montana, 47-14, to move to 2-0 on the year and are ranked 27th. Freshman running back Jonathan Stewart may miss this week's game against Fresno State with an ankle injury. Junior punter Paul Martinez were named as the conference's special teams player of the week for the second consecutive week.

Track and field assistant coaches Bill Lawson and Rock Light have left Oregon. Lawson became head coach at Kent State and Light will join the staff at Texas Tech.

Arizona

The Wildcats defeated Division I-AA Northern Arizona, 31-12, for their first win on the year and move to 1-1. Senior starting defensive lineman Marcus Smith could miss the rest of the season after suffering a high ankle injury in the win over NAU. JC transfer receiver B.J. Vickers has left the team.

Senior midfielder Nikki David was named as the conference's player of the week in women's soccer.

California

The 15th-ranked Bears defeated Washington in their conference opener, 56-17, to move to 2-0 on the year. Sophomore receiver Robert Jordan was named as the conference's offensive player of the week. Sophomore running back Marshawn Lynch is expected to play in this week's game against Illinois, although he may not start. Defensive lineman Tosh Lupoi is expected to miss this week's game against the Illini with a knee injury.

Senior defender Tyson Wahl was named as the conference's player of the week in men's soccer.

WSU

The Cougars defeated Nevada, 55-21, to remain undefeated on the year at 2-0. California JC defensive back Jameel Dowling from Butte Community College, reportedly gave WSU a verbal commitment, although confirmation of the offer is pending. Dowling is also being recruited by Oregon, Kansas, Arizona and ASU.

The Cougar soccer team lost, 2-1, to 8th-ranked Wake Forest, to drop to 3-2 on the year.

The WSU volleyball team improved to 5-3 on the year with wins over Buffalo, Oral Roberts and Gonzaga against one loss to Idaho.

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