Short Yardage

YA GOTTA LOVE THIS GUY
UNLV freshman tailback Dominique Dorsey is listed in the Rebels' media guide as being 5'8", 165 pounds, but even that's generous. He's closer to 5'7", 153. Dorsey's first collegiate kickoff return went for 87 yards against Northwestern, and he continues to lead the nation with an average of 46.7 yards per return. Last season, despite becoming the California high school career rushing leader (7,761 yards, 118 touchdowns at Tulare Union High), Dorsey listened to one recruiter after another tell him he should be a cornerback. Only four schools offered him the chance to remain at tailback: Arizona State, Fresno State, Pittsburgh and UNLV. Dorsey picked Rebels coach John Robinson and his running backs assistant, John Jackson, because they'd had Heisman Trophy winners Charles White and Marcus Allen at USC. Robinson uses Dorsey as a change of pace to 5'11", 190-pound junior Joe Haro. Dorsey has come off the bench to rush for 301 yards and three touchdowns, including 180 yards in last Saturday's 27-12 victory over Nevada, the Rebels' first win in five games. Robinson praises Dorsey's ability to make tacklers miss. As Rebels opponents are quickly learning, you can't hit what you can't see.

DRAFT BAROMETER
An NFL scout assesses 6'4", 220-pound Oregon senior quarterback Joey Harrington (left), who threw three touchdown passes and ran for three others in a 63-28 victory over Arizona last Saturday:

"He's almost Manning-like in his field presence. Excellent decision-maker. Good touch. When he throws, he rarely puts his team in danger because he gets the ball where only his guy can catch it, not the defensive back. I don't see him as a top 10 pick because I don't think he has the hose to make all the downfield throws, but I like the maturity he's shown with all the hype around him this year. He's definitely a first-round player. You can win with him."

HEAD TO HEAD
Boston College tailback William Green vs. Virginia Tech rover Kevin McCadam

The 6'1", 217-pound Green, who rushed for 105.8 yards a game last season while sharing the tailback job, has blossomed into a more productive rusher as a junior. He's averaging 142.6 yards per game, fifth in the nation, and has scored seven touchdowns, while carrying the ball 28 times per game. The Eagles gained 213 yards rushing in a 48-34 loss to Virginia Tech last year, but this fall the Hokies lead the nation against the run, allowing 39.4 yards per game. Virginia Tech comerbacks Ronyell Whitaker and Larry Austin are so good that McCadam, a 6'1", 215-pound senior, spends most of his time as the eighth man in the box. A stalwart run-stopper, he's third on the team in tackles with 28.