The Roost

Duran named second-team FCS All-American

Coastal Carolina tight end David Duran has been named a second-team FCS All-American on Phil Steele's annual list.

Duran ranked second on the Chanticleers in receiving as a junior with 34 catches for 472 yards and two touchdowns this season in his second year with the program after transferring from Michigan State.

The 6-foot-5 tight end was perhaps the team's most consistent receiving option -- in that he seemed to catch everything thrown his way. Of course, with the Chants spreading the ball around as much as they did this season, that didn't always lead to big stat lines for Duran. But he's well deserving of the honor and should be primed for another big year as a senior next fall.

Here's Phil Steele's complete list of FCS All-Americans:

http://www.philsteele.com/FCSINFO/Allconf_Allamerican/2010POSTSSSN/FCSAllAmerican.html

 

Simpson stars for Bengals on Sunday

For everybody who has been waiting to see former Coastal Carolina standout Jerome Simpson get his chance on the field with the Cincinnati Bengals, it came Sunday.

And those who remember watching him as the Chanticleers' all-time leading receiver (161 catches for 2,720 yards and 44 touchdowns from 2004-07) might have had some flashbacks if they caught his performance against the San Diego Chargers.

Featured in the Bengals' offense due to the absence of both Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, Simpson seized his opportunity with six catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns -- a performance that left quite an impression yesterday.

Here's reaction from the Cincinnati Enquirer's Paul Daugherty:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20101226/COL03/312260005/1082/SPT03/Doc-Where-were-Simpson-Caldwell-before-

Holmes named Big South player of the week

Well, that didn't take long.

Senior forward Mike Holmes has been named the Big South's men's basketball player of the week after his first two games in a Coastal Carolina uniform.

Holmes, a 6-foot-8 transfer from South Carolina, earns the honor after playing a key role in two of the Chanticleers' bigger wins this season.

Making his CCU debut last Monday at LSU, Holmes had 14 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench in helping the Chants to an overtime win and their first victory over an SEC team in 17 years. And in his first start Saturday against East Carolina at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Holmes recorded 16 points and seven rebounds while being limited to 19 minutes due to foul trouble. He was especially impressive at the end Saturday, scoring four points in the final 1:19 while also drawing a key charge and securing a big rebound off a missed CCU free throw.

So far, he has been everything anybody could have expected and should have a significant impact on the rest of the season for CCU -- and the Big South, for that matter.

Holmes will play his first true home game at Kimbel Arena night as the Chants (9-2) take on Division III Thomas More at 7 p.m.

| Ryan Young, ryoung@thesunnews.com

Holmes secures eligibility, clear to play

South Carolina transfer Mike Holmes was declared academically eligible Monday and is clear to make his basketball debut for Coastal Carolina tonight at Louisiana State.

Holmes, who was not allowed to fly with the team Sunday because one of his fall semester grades had not yet been posted, is expected to be in Baton Rouge, La., in time for the game.

A 6-foot-8 senior forward who was dismissed from South Carolina's basketball program a year ago for violating team rules, is expected to make a significant impact for the Chanticleers over the remainder of the season.

| Ryan Young, ryoung@thesunnews.com

 

Mike Holmes' status still uncertain for Monday

It was expected that South Carolina transfer Mike Holmes would make his Coastal Carolina debut Monday at Louisiana State, but that is no longer a certainty.

As of Saturday afternoon, the Chanticleers were still waiting for one of Holmes' fall semester grades to be posted by his professor. Until that grade is posted and Holmes is deemed eligible, he is not allowed to fly with the team.

CCU assistant basketball coach Don Hogan said three of Holmes' four grades are in, and he is on track to become eligible if the pending fourth grade meets the necessary standards.

"Grades don't have to be in until 5 [p.m.] on Monday," Hogan said. "A couple of his teachers had been contacted early to see if they could get their grades posted. We had hoped that his grade would be posted yesterday. They're not all posted yet, and if they get posted Monday morning, then he'll get on a plane and fly and play. He can't get on a plane and fly by NCAA rules until he's eligible and certified to play. So that may or may not happen Monday."

The team flys out Sunday, but Holmes could get on a different flight Monday if the necessary grade arrives in time.

"If it happens, great, and if it doesn't happen, then he'll be ready to play when we play East Carolina next Saturday," Hogan said.

Holmes, a 6-foot-8 senior forward, is expected to make a key impact for the Chants this season after receiving significant playing time the last few years at South Carolina before being dismissed from the program for violating team rules.

| Ryan Young, ryoung@thesunnews.com