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LDS
Football Update: NCAA Division I Edition
by Kelly L. Martinez
A
couple of weeks ago, I attended my sons' Cub Scouts pack meeting
and it was noisier than the crowd at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Who
knew kids could raise the decibel level to such heights? The experience,
however, helped me realize we haven't done anything in the way of
tracking the LDS collegiate football players' progress this season
at Meridian. With that in mind, here's how some of them have been
doing ... and please feel free to let me know of any that I've missed.
I'm sure there's plenty.
 A
Wild Cat
The University of Kentucky's Aaron Boone (#13 - picture left) is
having quite a season. Through last week's game against Mississippi
State, Boone has made 31 catches for 521 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Boone caught a season-high 7 catches against Arkansas, on Oct. 19,
for 102 yards and a touchdown as the Wildcats defeated the Razorbacks,
29-17. Boone is also fourth on the team in scoring with 42 points.
He has even made one unassisted tackle.
The Wildcats
(6-3, 2-3) will face 14th-ranked LSU (6-2, 3-1) this Saturday, Nov.
9, in a key SEC matchup.
Bear
Claw
Mark-Christian Jensen (#14) connected on field goals of 27 and 50
yards in Cal's losing effort at Oregon State on Oct. 26. California
(5-4, 2-3) will travel to 24th-ranked Arizona State (7-3, 4-1) this
Saturday, Nov. 9, in a pivotal Pac-10 contest.
Holding
strong (no pun intended)
Kirk Chambers (#67) has started 31 consecutive games at left offensive
tackle for Stanford since returning from his mission in 2000. This
Saturday, Nov. 9, the Cardinal (2-6, 1-4) will host Pac-10 rival
USC (6-2, 4-1), which is currently ranked 9th in the polls. The
game will be regionally televised by ABC.
Though his team
is struggling this season, he is optimistic about the future. “Next
season’s looking pretty good,” he said. “If things
fall into place the right way, we should be pretty competitive.”
 Tuck
Everlasting
The University of Alabama-Birmingham's Kirk Tuck (#68) has come
a long way from his early days at UAB when he sold peanuts in the
Wal-Mart parking lot to earn money for tuition. Tuck was offered
a football scholarship from Illinois State when he graduated from
Pelham (Ala.) High School in 1999, but he was determined to prove
that he could play at the Division-I level. Odd jobs during the
off-seasons, coupled with hard work on the field, helped Tuck land
a scholarship during the fall of 2000. He entered that season as
the third-string center, but injuries propelled him into the starting
role -- a position he has held ever since.
UAB (4-4, 3-1)
will host Southern Mississippi (5-3, 3-1) on Saturday, Nov. 9, in
an important Conference USA clash. Also on the Blazers' roster is
backup quarterback Jeff Tippetts, who has yet to compile any stats
this season.
Husky
Hoofer
With a 36.6 yard per punt average this season, including a season-high
56-yarder, University of Washington punter Derek McLaughlin (#17)
will finish this season before leaving on his mission. The Huskies
(4-5, 1-4) will host Oregon State this Saturday, Nov. 9, in yet
another Pac-10 face-off.
Utah
Ubiquity
Not to completely overlook the many LDS collegiate football players
playing in Utah, take a look at the following sites and take your
pick:
BYU,
Utah
State and Utah.
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© 2001 Meridian
Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
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