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Wednesday, April 23, 2003

By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Leigh Bodden, who has worked out for three teams in the past two weeks, has a chance to become the first player from Duquesne University to be selected in the NFL draft in 52 years.

Bodden, a 6-0, 195-pound cornerback whose 28 career interceptions is second all-time in NCAA Division I-AA, was timed at between 4.38 and 4.46 by the Steelers, San Diego Chargers and Washington Redskins.

The Dukes haven't had a player drafted since two-way back Ralph Longmore was taken in the 19th round by the New York Yanks in 1951. Of 43 players who have gone from Duquesne to the NFL, guard Al DeMao was the last, from 1945-53 with Washington. He recently was named one of the 70 greatest all-time players in the history of the Redskins.

There were four players from Mid-Major I-AA drafted last spring, and one who played in the NFL in 2002.

Bodden isn't the only Duquesne football player who has piqued the interest of NFL scouts. Josh Rue, a 6-3, 245-pound fullback from Gateway, opened some eyes with his athletic ability at a Pro-Testing day last month at Duquesne. Rue, who dropped out of school this year after he didn't meet NCAA continuing eligibility standards, rushed for 916 yards (7.5 yards per carry average) and 12 touchdowns and had four sacks as a defensive end in 2001.

Another player from a district school who could be drafted is Clarion offensive lineman Reggie Wells (South Park High School).

Duquesne football

The Dukes will play 10 games in 2003, five against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference teams and five against non-league opponents. The MAAC has been reduced to six teams because Fairfield, Canisius and St. John's dropped their football programs. The non-league games are Bucknell, Penn and Morehead State on the road and Robert Morris and Butler at home. Penn is the defending Ivy League champion.

The MAAC champion will meet the champion of the Northeast Conference in the ECAC Classic Nov. 22 at the home site of the MAAC.

Zimmerman stars

Tony Zimmerman, a former star quarterback at Duquesne, is off to a torrid start with the Quad City Steamwheelers of Arena Football League2. He has completed 57 of 99 passes for 871 yards and 19 touchdowns and has thrown only one interception in three games. The Steamwheelers (1-2) are coached by Rich Ingold, who played quarterback at Seton-LaSalle High School and IUP.

Division II baseball

Slippery Rock (33-8), winner of six in a row and in first place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West with a four-game lead, is 10th in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll and 11th in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper for its highest in-season ranking in school history.

Junior catcher Joe Pascarella is PSAC West player of the week and leads the Rock with a .405 average. Other top hitters are Joe Neidrick (.403) and Alan Reichl (.391, with 7 home runs and 44 RBIs, both team highs).

Division III softball

Bethany (26-6), winner of 16 in a row and ranked 19th in the National Fastpitch Coaches poll, is favored to win its fifth consecutive Presidents' Athletic Conference championship this weekend at Bethany. The Bison feature twins Rachael and Amy Schafer,, seniors from Perry Traditional Academy. Rachael is 11-3 with an 0.83 ERA. Amy is a catcher with a team-high .415 average.

Tee time

Clarion's Matt Guyton shot rounds of 72 and 78 for a 6-over 150 to be a medalist in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference golf tournament at Hawk Valley Golf Club.Clarion finished second behind Millersville.

Take it to the mat

Edinboro's Matt King, a junior from Connellsville who earned All-American honors this season at 165 pounds, is the PSAC athlete of the year, and Edinboro's Tim Flynn is coach of the year.