Conference USA

Sporting News, The, Nov 16, 1998 by Tim Doherty

BIG GAME: The winner of Saturday's game between Louisville (5-4, 2-2) and East Carolina (5-4, 2-2) will clinch a winning season and make itself bowl-eligible. Southern Miss (5-4, 4-1) seems to have the inside track for a Humanitarian Bowl bid, but that's no guarantee. The Golden Eagles have Memphis and Nevada left to play, and there's no certainty the bowl would take them over Louisville or East Carolina, teams that could sell more tickets.

LOOKING AHEAD: For only the second Saturday of the season, all eight teams will be playing a conference schedule, meaning stakes will be raised. That's true for unbeaten Tulane, which travels to West Point, N.Y., for a game against 2-6 Army. The Green Wave, who allowed 454 yards to Memphis last Saturday, might have their hands full with the Cadets' wishbone. But Army probably will be unable to handle Tulane's passing attack, which has posted at least 40 points in five games.

CAMPUS STROLL: Cincinnati RB DeMarco McCleskey rushed for 234 yards against East Carolina, the third-highest total ever allowed by the Pirates.... East Carolina RB Jamie Wilson scored three touchdowns--one rushing and two receiving--in the Pirates' 24-21 victory over Cincinnati.... Southern Miss freshman RB Derrick Nix rushed for 129 yards against Houston, the fourth time in five games Nix has topped the 100-yard barrier. His 778 rushing yards are the most ever posted by a Golden Eagles' freshman.... Houston WR Orlando Iglesias tied a school record with 11 receptions, good for 155 yards in the Cougars' loss to Southern Miss.... Tulane WR JaJuan Dawson made 10 receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns. QB Shaun King, who threw for four touchdowns and ran for another against Memphis, topped the 7,000-yard passing mark for his career.