Alumni update: Burkhead, Harrell score in openers
Posted on 06. Sep, 2009 by Brian Porter in '09 Season
Rex Burkhead and Greg Harrell each scored a touchdown Saturday for their respective teams and several former Plano standouts had noteworthy performances on the opening week of the college football season.
Two other former Wildcats are awaiting their first action of the season. That could come next week for Justin Jordan as Southern Miss takes on Central Florida. Ryan Burkhead won’t see action at Harvard until the season opener Sept. 19.
Following is a glance at the performances and media coverage of former Wildcats on the opening weekend of the football season:
AUSTIN COLLEGE
Greg Harrell scored the season’s first touchdown Saturday as Austin College defeated Southwest Assemblies of God, 34-7.
Harrell had a 59-yard touchdown reception to put Austin College up, 7-0, late in the first quarter. He finished the game with three receptions for 92 yards.
HOLY CROSS
C.J. Martin recorded a tackle in a reserve role at linebacker for Holy Cross, which defeated Georgetown 20-7 in its season opener.
HOUSTON
Matt Nicholson made a solo tackle and had three assists Saturday as Houston defeated Northwestern State, 55-7, in its season opener. Nicholson was the starter at strongside linebacker and figures into a prominent role with the Cougars this season.
NEBRASKA
Rex Burkhead made the most of his opportunities Saturday as Nebraska opened the season with a 49-3 victory over Florida Atlantic.
The true freshman is the backup to starter Roy Helu Jr. and saw a good dose of action. He carried 9 times for 39 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 9-yard reception.
Burkhead and Cody Green seem to be the future backfield for Nebraska and some observed Burkhead looked like a veteran in his first game. Helu and Burkhead were each noted for their play by Nebraska coach Bo Pelini.
Burkhead had one touchdown and was close to a second pictured here. He was noted for looking a lot like Helu and maybe even inspiring the veteran.
And with the Plano ISD posting an 0-5 record on the gridiron in the first two weeks, Matthew Haag asks where’s Burkhead?
NICHOLLS STATE
Aric Flowers and Nicholls State took a tough loss to open the season as Air Force defeated the Colonels, 72-0, Saturday.
NORTH DAKOTA
Kenny Watkins had three solo tackles Saturday in his first game back in Texas since high school, but North Dakota lost, 38-13, to Texas Tech in its season opener.
But Watkins and Plano East’s Kris Ankenbauer figured to have a large cheering section at the game.
NORTH TEXAS
Alex Lott caught one pass for 13 yards in his first game Thursday as a scholarship player at North Texas, as his team got off to a 1-0 start with a 20-10 victory at Ball State. He’s the leading returning receiver from last season.
SMU
Blake McJunkin’s streak of consecutive starts ended Saturday as Mitch Enright started at center for SMU in a 31-23 victory over Stephen F. Austin State in the season opener. McJunkin saw time as a reserve. He started the final 10 games last season as a true freshman.
SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Justin Jordan was cleared Wednesday by the NCAA to begin practicing with Southern Miss, but didn’t dress in a 52-0 win Saturday over Alcorn State. A junior college All-American last season, Jordan figures into a prominent role with Southern Miss.
UTAH STATE
Maxim Dinka saw action as a reserve in Utah State’s season opener, a 35-17 loss to Utah. He has moved from linebacker to safety.
