Alumni report: Players to watch this week
Posted on 10. Sep, 2009 by Brian Porter in '09 Season
A&M-Commerce vs. Abilene Christian
Dan DeVega will make his closest appearance to home in some time Saturday as A&M-Commerce (0-2) meets Abilene Christian at 5 p.m. in the Harvey Martin Classic at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
He will appear in the game as a deep snapper, though it is unclear if he will play on offense. He is entrenched as the snapper on punts and kicks.
Arkansas State at Nebraska
Rex Burkhead, the all-time leading rusher at Plano, made an immediate impact in his first game as a true freshman.
Rex Burkhead, left, is pictured with former Wildcat player Ryan Campbell after last week's Nebraska victory.
He earned 11 touches in a reserve role for Nebraska (1-0) behind starting halfback Roy Helu Jr. The true freshman had nine carries for 39 yards and a reception for nine yards.
Nebraska will play consecutive home games to open the season, as it hosts Arkansas State at 1 p.m. Saturday. Burkhead’s first appearance in a nationally-televised game will be next week at Virginia Tech.
Central Florida at Southern Miss
Justin Jordan was cleared to begin practicing just three days before Southern Miss’ season opener last week, and so couldn’t be acclimated in time to see action.
Southern Miss (1-0) plays its second of three straight home games to open the season at 6 p.m. Saturday against Central Florida. It is still unclear whether Jordan will be ready to go for the game.
Jordan was a junior college All-American wide receiver last season and figured into a prominent role in the offense this season.
Duquesne at Nicholls State
Aric Flowers will start Saturday for Nicholls State in the team’s home opener. Nicholls State (0-1) will attempt to respond from a 72-0 loss at Air Force in the season opener. Nicholls State meets Duquesne at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Flowers is in his senior season as the returning right tackle. He made eight starts at right tackle last season.
Houston at Oklahoma State
Matt Nicholson had four tackles last week as Houston got the season started with a 55-7 victory over Northwestern State.
Houston (1-0) travels to Oklahoma State at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports Net. It is the first of two games on Houston’s schedule against a Big 12 opponent. After a bye week Houston will host Texas Tech.
North Dakota at Northwestern State
Kenny Watkins opened the season with three tackles last week as North Dakota lost, 38-13, at Texas Tech.
The first three games on North Dakota’s schedule are on the road and all as close as possible to home games for Watkins. North Dakota (0-1) travels to Northwestern State (0-1) at 6 p.m. Saturday and then plays at Stephen F. Austin State the following week.
Ohio at North Texas
Alex Lott figures to have more of a role on offense this week as North Texas (1-0) hosts Ohio at 6 p.m. Saturday. The game will be broadcast on TXA-21.
Lott opened the season with one catch for 13 yards in an upset over Ball State last week. But, Lott was the top returning receiver from last season for North Texas.
Sacred Heart at Holy Cross
C.J. Martin made a tackle in a reserve linebacking role last week as Holy Cross (1-0) picked up a win over Georgetown.
Holy Cross hosts Sacred Heart at 2 p.m. Saturday. Harvard and Plano alum Ryan Burkhead open the season the following week at Holy Cross.
SMU at Alabama-Birmingham
Blake McJunkin saw time in a reserve role for SMU last week after starting the final 10 games of last season as the starter at center.
SMU (1-0) travels to face Alabama-Birmingham at 3 p.m. It is the first of a three-game road stretch for SMU.
Share photos with us of Plano alumni playing college football. E-mail editor@planofootball.com or photoed@planofootball.com.
