Four surprises for the Canes this fall:

1- Freshman WR Travis Benjamin has shown incredible speed, taking 1-yard throws and converting them to 60-yard TDs.

2 -  Sophomore FS JoJo Nicholas has elevated past veterans to become a starter.

3 - Freshman FB John Calhoun has been impressive battling junior-college transfer Pat Hill. 

4 - DE Steven Wesley has taken advantage of injuries at the position.

Four disappointments for the Canes this fall:

1 - DE Allen Bailey's injury. The redshirt freshman is - by all accounts - a stud. Hopefully he can return for the opener.

2 - Kicker Jake Wieclaw, who had a record-setting prep career in Illinois, was supposed to contriubte immediately as a freshman but is apparently losing his battle vs. sophomore Matt Bosher.

3 - Brandon Washington did not make the grade and has to go to prep school. Hopefully, the Canes will get him in school in January because they need offensive lineman.

4 - Randy Shannon, maybe. I will be upset if Shannon does not play Brandon Harris and DeMarcus Van Dyke at corner, Sean Spence and Arthur Brown at linebacker, Marcus Forston, Allen Bailey and Adewale Ojomo on the D-line, Aldarius Johnson, Travis Benjamin and Richard Gordon at receiver/tight end. None of those talents are currently listed at first-team