Nevada tabbed to go to Hawaii

By Darrell Moody

Appeal Sports Writer

The college football season is right around the corner, and already predictions are being made on where teams will finish in the regular season and what teams will go to what bowls.

Nevada, which is expected to be picked third in the Western Athletic Conference, has been tabbed to make the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl and play UCLA, acording to Mark Schlabach of espn.com. If that happens it would be Nevada's fourth straight trip to a bowl game.

Schlabach has also tabbed Fresno State, the WAC favorite, to appear in the New Mexico Bowl and face host New Mexico. The Web-site also has Boise State tabbed for the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl against Maryland.

After this season, the bowl landscape will change a bit for WAC schools. The ACC, starting in 2009, will no longer send a team to the bowl in Boise.

According to Dave Chaffin, WAC assistant commissioner, the bowl has yet to get another conference on board for the annual game.

"The Mountain West has expressed interest," Chaffin said. "We're always wanting to play them."

The Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, according to Chaffin, has a different look this year. The Pac-10 takes over the spot formerly held by Conference USA. Chaffin indicated that the agreement with the Pac-10 could last at least to the 2009-10 season, but that no agreement has been signed yet.

ON THE LISTS

- Fresno State quarterback Tom Brandstater and New Mexico State's Chase Holbrook are still alive for the 2008 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award presented by Transamerica Insurance and Investemnt Group.

The award takes into consideration the play of the nominated players, off-the-field values, citizenship, scholastic achievement and leadership. The winner will be announced on Dec. 5.

Brandstater threw for 2,654 yards and 15 scores for the Bulldogs last season, and Holbrook completed 3,866 yards and 26 scores for the pass-happy Aggies.

- Four WAC players " Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson, Tech defensive back Antonio Baker, Tech defensive tackle D'Anthony Smith and Hawaii linebacker Solomon Elimimian " have been named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy which is annually given to the top defensive player in the nation.

Elimimian is the top returning tackler in the WAC, while Baker is the top secondary tackler returning.

TURF REPLACED

Boise State is replacing the turf on its famed blue playing surface, and it should be done before the Broncos' first home game this season.

The Broncos are installing field turf, which is what the school had installed in its indoor facility. The turf was last replaced in 2002.

JAYCEE SHINES IN DEBUT

Former Utah State guard Jaycee Carroll scored 22 points, pulled down seven rebounds and dished out five assists to lead the New Jersey Nets to an 86-74 win over the Orlando Magic in the Orlando Pro Summer League.

Carroll, who started at point guard, went 7 for 13 from the field in 19-plus minutes. Carroll went undrafted, but many pro scouts said that if Carroll showed he could handle the ball, that he could make an NBA team.

NEAL, SMITH GO PRO

New Mexico State forward Sherell Neal signed a pro contract to play with the Visby Ladies Basketball Club in Sweden.

Neal averaged 14 points and 10.2 rebounds a game during the 2007 season.

Former Hawaii star Tanya Smith signed a pro contract with the Townsville Fire of the WNBL, Australia's version of the WNBA.

- Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com, or by calling (775) 881-1281