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C-USA poll pegs Cougars as No. 5 team

Memphis, Louisville preseason favorites; Clay, Cucci land spot 
on C-USA first team

Cougar News Services

Though the Cougars took a giant leap forward in 2003, they still have a way to go before they can vault into the top spot in Conference USA. 

C-USA released its 2004 Preseason Awards last week, complete with a full ranking of C-USA teams, first-team all conference offense and defense and offensive/defensive players of the year. 

UH earned the No. 5 spot in the preseason poll of C-USA coaches, and two Cougars earned spots on the all-conference first teams. Senior defensive end Joe Clay made the first team defense, and senior tight end Stephen Cucci made the offensive team. 

Clay earned second-team All C-USA honors last season after leading the Cougars with seven sacks and 22 quarterback hurries. The San Angelo native also recorded 87 tackles, including 16 for a loss. 

Cucci missed most of the 2003 season with a nagging hamstring injury, but he earned second-team All C-USA honors the year before by recording 12 catches for 173 yards. The NCAA granted Cucci another year of eligibility earlier this year. 

Voters left little space between the top two teams. Louisville, 9-4 in 2003, eked out the top spot with 106 total votes and 2 first-place votes. Memphis, which also went 9-4, took three first-place votes but finished with only 101 total votes. 

Texas Christian received the most first-place votes (4), but finished fourth behind 2003 C-USA champion Southern Miss. Houston received 70 votes and no first-place nods. 

Memphis running back DeAngelo Williams earned the offensive player of the year award, and linebacker Michael Boley of Southern Miss took the defensive honors.
 

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