Alumni report: College season kicks off Thursday

Posted on 02. Sep, 2009 by in '09 Season

The college football season gets in full gear this week with a load of games on the slate.

It all gets going Thursday with three nationally televised games and many more through the weekend. If depth chart projections hold true, the opening weekend of the college football season could hold plenty of opportunity to catch a glimpse of former Plano football standouts.

 

Thursday Games

North Texas at Ball State (ESPNU)
Todd Dodge is attempting to get the ship righted at North Texas and he’ll need a little help from Plano. He’s turning to junior Alex Lott, who finished his career at Plano as the school’s all-time leading receiver before his brother, Kris, obliterated the record. He ranks first among returning receivers in both receptions and yards last season and has been awarded a scholarship this season.

 

Utah State at Utah
Maxim Dinka is expected to get his first shot at a starting role with Utah State this season. The Aggies moved the junior from linebacker to safety, where he starred at Plano as a punishing defender, and he won a starting role in the spring. He was Utah State’s leading tackler in their final intrasquad scrimmage this preseason. Dinka saw action in all 12 games for Utah State last season.

 

 Saturday Games

Alcorn State at Southern Miss
Justin Jordan, a junior transfer, was cleared to practice Wednesday with Southern Mississippi. It is unclear whether Jordan will get a chance to play in the season opener Saturday against Alcorn State, but the junior college All-American was brought in to see significant time at receiver.

 

Florida Atlantic at Nebraska
True freshman Rex Burkhead could be a key player in the success of Nebraska’s season. The Huskers play Florida Atlantic for the first time Saturday and Burkhead will wear No. 22 for the first time. Since high school graduation this fall, he has gone from recruit to second on the depth chart at halfback, behind Roy Helu. But, the health of Helu is a question mark and could lead to a good dose of action for Burkhead in his first game. This much is known: He won’t redshirt and Nebraska expects to use their No. 2 back quite a bit.

 

Georgetown at Holy Cross
C.J. Martin is listed as the backup inside linebacker for Holy Cross. The sophomore could see time in the opener Saturday against Georgetown. He played in three games last season.

 

Nicholls State at Air Force
Aric Flowers is expected to be a leader on the Nicholls State offensive line as a senior. He started eight games at right tackle last season and will return to the starting role Saturday as Nicholls State opens the season.

 

Northwestern State at Houston
Matt Nicholson will start at strongside linebacker for the University of Houston. The Cougars open the season Saturday against Northwestern State. The senior is one of five defensive starters returning to a young team.

 

Texas A&M-Commerce at Southeastern Louisiana
Dan DeVega, a graduate student in his fifth year, has solidified his place as a deep snapper for Texas A&M-Commerce. The Lions (0-1) opened their season last week and travel Saturday to Southeastern Louisiana, where they will be seeking their first win of the season.

 

Sacramento State at UNLV
It is doubtful, but not out of the question that Beau Brence could see time in his first game after a redshirt season. The freshman defensive end was listed third on the depth chart at one of the end positions on the Rebels’ line exiting the spring.

 

Stephen F. Austin at SMU
Blake McJunkin returns to start at center for SMU. The sophomore is expected to make his 11th straight start when the Mustangs host Stephen F. Austin on Saturday. He started the final 10 games as a true freshman last season.

 

 Noteworthy

Harvard
Ryan Burkhead, a true senior, will start at right defensive end for Harvard, but his team won’t play a game until it meets Holy Cross on Sept. 19. The game could possibly feature two Plano standouts on defense: Burkhead for Harvard and C.J. Martin for Holy Cross.

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