Virginia Tech Likely First Opponent

USC has finalized a deal to open the 2004 season in the Black Coaches Assn. Football Classic and probably will play Virginia Tech, a USC athletic official confirmed Tuesday.

Daryl Gross, a senior associate athletic director at USC who handles football scheduling, said he signed a letter of intent with the BCA for the Trojans to play a powerful nonconference opponent, “with the understanding that we would play Virginia Tech.”

Gross said he was awaiting confirmation from BCA officials, but acknowledged the game would be played Aug. 28 in Giants Stadium at East Rutherford, N.J., or FedEx Field near Washington, D.C., and would be broadcast on ESPN.

The addition of Virginia Tech gives USC a 12-game schedule in 2004 when most teams will be playing only 11 regular-season games.

The Trojans’ also play nonconference games at Brigham Young on Sept. 4, and at home against Colorado State on Sept. 11 and against Notre Dame on Nov. 27.

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Junior end Kenechi Udeze was selected to the Sporting News’ All-American team.

Udeze, who has 13 1/2 sacks, was selected last week to the Football Writers Assn. of America’s All-American team.

Receiver Mike Williams and offensive tackle Jacob Rogers, first-team selections to the FWAA team, were second-team picks by the Sporting News.

Udeze, Williams and Rogers are part of a Trojan contingent that leaves today for Orlando, Fla., for a televised awards show.

Williams is one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, which will be presented at the show to the nation’s top receiver. Williams has 87 receptions for 1,226 yards and 16 touchdowns.

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Safety Darnell Bing was selected to the Sporting News’ freshman All-American team.

Bing is fourth on the team with 60 tackles and has two interceptions.

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Williams and quarterback Matt Leinart are thought to be among those being considered as finalists for the Heisman Trophy.

Today is the deadline for Heisman voters to cast their ballots.

Finalists will travel to New York for the award ceremony that will take place Saturday in the Yale Club.