Profiles in Courage: Little Guys Prep for Opening Week Mismatches

This is little guy versus big guy.

This is Charleston Southern at No. 1 Florida.

This is Louisiana-Monroe at No. 2 Texas.

This is combined triple-digit underdogs believing they can be Appalachian State over Michigan. This is not about being party-poopers or raining on parades. This is about creating memories, cashing in, and embracing the opportunity when the college football season opens next week.

"No one expects us to put up much of a fight, but that hasn't fazed us at all," Charleston Southern quarterback A.J. Toscano told FanHouse. "We are looking forward to the game and seeing where we are at, compared to the best."

The best, at least out of the gate, are the Gators. The defending national champions have hit the field with hopes of winning a third title in four years. They return nearly every starter from last year's team and have survived possibly their most difficult summer workouts and preseason practices in coach Urban Meyer's five years in Gainesville. Complacent? No way.

The Longhorns are loaded with talent, too. They are also fueled by last year's last-second loss to Texas Tech, a defeat that unraveled a 12-1 season and knocked them from the Big 12 title game and an opportunity to play for a national championship. Coach Mack Brown directed his team to forget last year. Forget? Texas seniors made a pact not to shave during training camp.

"We are preparing to beat them - that how we are thinking about it," ULM quarterback Trey Revell told FanHouse. "We all realize that we have to show up with our 'A' game, or it might not be pretty. This is what gets you through the summer, through camp, knowing that you are going to play Texas."

When asked about his impressions of the Longhorns' defense, Revell didn't hesitate:

"Big.

"Fast.

"Texas."

UF and Charleston Southern, of the little Big South Conference, are meeting for the first time. In fact, the Gators last played a Big South member, Presbyterian, in 1945 and are looking for their 20th consecutive season-opening victory. Fast forward to last Thursday, when Toscano, a redshirt junior, was named the team's starting quarterback following a Buccaneers' scrimmage.

Toscano, the program's fourth starting quarterback over the past four years, said the team enjoyed its best offseason workout attendance and performances.

"Playing the No. 1 team in the nation, you have no choice but to work hard," said Toscano, who played in one game last season before taking a medical redshirt.

"On film, they are big and fast and they have a lot of athletes. All we can do is play our game and we have a good game plan. I am hoping for the best. All of us are going in there to compete. I am not going in there expecting to be blown out."

Toscano and the Bucs, 7-5 a year ago, will operate out of the shotgun. They averaged 23.1 points and 292.8 total yards per game last season. Charleston Southern opened 2008 at Miami, losing 52-7, but it ended the year with four consecutive victories.

Toscano, who was raised in California and grew up idolizing NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, admits he's looking forward to facing the Gators and seeing Tim Tebow operate. For budget-minded fans, the Bucs, who feature 41 players from Florida, are receiving $450,000 for their trouble.

"If our offense can function and move the ball against them, that's a great bar for us to set and see where we are for the season," Toscano said. "Tebow? Who wouldn't want to see him play; he's a fun guy to watch. Again, this is an opener that's going to be a real test of our character, our heart, our mental toughness."



Revell can relate.

The redshirt junior, a former all-state prep player from Florida in football and baseball, made the most of his opportunities last season. He completed 14-of-28 passes for 129 yards, throwing the game-winning touchdown pass against Troy. The strong-armed Revell's ability to throw has given the Warhawks, who installed the no-huddle offense in spring practice, hope of an improved offense.

"We are going to be throwing the ball, so it's going to be nice," said Revell, a 6-foot-4, 225-pounder.

"We can do everything from the same positions, running the ball and throwing the ball. The key is getting everyone to the line, getting everyone set and getting everybody on the same page. It's going to be loud (at Texas Memorial Stadium), so that's going to be a challenge as well."

Texas fan will surely remember their team barely escaping Arkansas State in the 2007 season opener, 21-13. The Warhawks, 4-8 last year, tumbled to three SEC opponents - Auburn (34-0), Arkansas (28-27) and Ole Miss (59-0). In order to be successful this season, ULM has to improve on defense, which ranked second to last in the Sun Belt Conference in rush and pass defense.

It goes without saying Revell is excited to see how the Warhawks perform against one the nation's top teams, not to mention critique the game of his counterpart, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy. McCoy is a Heisman Trophy candidate along with Tebow and returning Heisman winner, Sam Bradford of Oklahoma.

ULM's roster also features 19 players from Texas, making it a homecoming of sorts for many 'Hawks.

"Why not match yourself up against the best and see what you can do," Revell said.

"Last yea,r we were crushed by Ole Miss, and that team was something serious. They were so big and so fast. Texas is one of those teams that you have to be ready for. We really worked hard over the summer. As a team, you have to see what you are capable of doing against top-ranked opponents. It's going to be tough, we know that.

"But it's also a great opportunity for us."

This is little guy versus big guy.