Whether it's seemingly relaxing video games, schoolyard challenges or Division I-A matchups, there are two possible outcomes when Dwone Hicks is in the running.

He'll win, or he won't stop trying until he does.

A prime example came several weeks ago, when Hicks and a friend sat down for a friendly computer game in his room.

"She beat my score, so I stayed up all night trying to beat her score," he said.

	“	He's got the whole package. He's a big back, he's very physical and he'll run through you and not blink an eye. He comes as advertised, and I don't think there's a better back in this league. ”
		— Idaho coach Tom Cable on MTSU's Dwone Hicks

Of course, this is nothing new for Middle Tennessee's star tailback who has already racked up 600 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. This was almost reflex, considering Hicks' ultra-competitive nature was fostered back in grade school.

"I was labeled as the fastest kid in school and everybody came and wanted to race me," Hicks said. "I always tried to race them until I beat them. It makes me feel good to say I'm the best, that I'm the strongest and that I'm the fastest."

While Hicks lives his life with a win-at-all-costs attitude, his confidence should not be mistaken for cockiness.

He understands that Middle Tennessee's 5-0 start in 2001 has been due in large part to a multi-dimensional offense that relies on QB Wes Counts and the passing attack just as much as the ground game. Often the consistently dominating performances Hicks churns out are overshadowed when a teammate has a breakout game.

This scenario occurred last Saturday in Middle Tennessee's win over Idaho, a 70-58 thriller that resembled a high school basketball all-star game. Although Hicks scampered for 169 and two touchdowns in the game, he was trumped by Counts, who threw for 457 yards and six touchdowns.

Despite his high personal standards, Hicks always makes the team his top priority.

"He's really a team guy who can get out there, rush for 40 yards and feel just as good as he would if he rushed for 200," Blue Raiders coach Andy McCollum said.

Unfortunately for Sun Belt Conference teams, those 40-yard outputs don't come often for Hicks. A strong candidate for this year's Doak Walker Award, Hicks leads the nation in scoring (18.4 points per game) and currently places 12th in rushing (120 yards per game).

At 5-foot-11 and 225 pounds, he relies on brute strength to overpower defenders. During the offseason, Hicks improved his squat to 700 pounds and now bench presses 375, although he said he could elevate that mark to 385 or 390.

"He's got the whole package," Idaho coach Tom Cable said. "He's a big back, he's very physical and he'll run through you and not blink an eye. He comes as advertised, and I don't think there's a better back in this league."

Hicks, who grew up idolizing Walter Payton and the Chicago Bears, already has the NFL on his radar screen. He made a legitimate push for the pros during his sophomore season, when he finished as the nation's third leading scorer and 16th highest rusher.

One potential problem for Hicks, however, remains out of his control -- the opposition. While other top tailbacks such as UCLA's DeShaun Foster and Northwestern's Damien Anderson face top-notch defenders every week, Hicks butts heads with some of the worst defensive teams in Division I-A. Case in point is Middle Tennessee's last opponent, Idaho, which ranks dead last (115th) in total defense, allowing more than 530 yards per game.

Hicks is aware of his unique situation and is quick to point out how Steve McNair, who played at Division I-AA Alcorn State, "didn't get a shot at the Heisman (trophy) because of his opponents." He acknowledges that playing for the best team in a weak league could overshadow his numbers.

But McCollum is quick to defend his star runner, pointing out that Hicks has performed well against reputable teams.

"As far as his stock goes, all you have to do is watch him play," McCollum said. "He did the same thing (last Saturday) as he did against Mississippi State last year (13 carries for 116 yards and one TD), but I don't hear people talking about that."

Although his name has recently popped up in several major sports publications, Hicks takes the best-back-you've-never-heard-of label in stride. He often enjoys the extra attention in the media and on campus -- but there are times when his patience is put to the test.

"Last week this girl came up to me on campus and said 'Why did you only get one touchdown,'" Hicks said. "It took everything in my power for me to bite my tongue."

Around the Sun Belt Conference

Arkansas State
While there were few positives coming out of its 35-17 loss to Mississippi, Arkansas State learned one key lesson -- give the ball to Jonathan Adams. The senior tailback ran for 170 yards and one touchdown on 30 carries. "It's been our objective to get his hands on the football," Indians coach Joe Hollis said. "But objective and commitment are two different things, and on Saturday we were committed to get him the ball." … A large crowd of 22,368 packed Indian Stadium for last Saturday's game. "It was the best atmosphere we've ever had at a ballgame since I've been at ASU," Hollis said. "I feel certain that the people who came to the ballgame were entertained and let's face it, we're in the entertainment business here somewhat." … Arkansas State's QB tandem of Josh Driscoll and Elliot Jacobs combined for 151 yards and one touchdown on 9-of-15 passing.

Idaho
The Vandals set several new NCAA records in their 70-58 loss to Middle Tennessee on Saturday night. Idaho's 58 points was the highest total scored by a losing team, and the 760 yards of total offense the Vandals racked up was also the most a loser has ever accumulated. The teams' combined total of 128 points set a new NCAA scoring record, shattering the previous mark of 124 put up by Oklahoma and Colorado in October 1980. … Playing his second game in place of injured star QB John Welsh, backup Brian Lindgren set new Idaho records for completed passes (49), pass attempts (71), passing yards (637) and total offense (657). Lindgren led his team back from a hefty first-half deficit to break the Idaho record for total yards, a mark previously set in 1993 when the Vandals put up 716 yards against Weber State. … Wideout Chris Lacy had another impressive performance against Middle Tennesse. Lacy was Lindgren's No. 1 target, hauling in 15 receptions for 221 yards and two touchdowns.

Middle Tennessee
After tossing six touchdown passes against Idaho, Blue Raiders QB Wes Counts became the school's career leader in touchdown passes. Counts, who now has 44 career scoring strikes, surpassed the mark of 41 set by Teddy Morris in the mid-1960s. Counts also passed for a school-record 459 yards, his sixth career game with more than 300 yards. … While his team enjoys an eight-game winning streak, Middle Tennessee coach Andy McCollum also has something to smile about. Last Saturday night's win over Idaho pushed McCollum's career coaching record to 14-13, the first time he has been above the .500 mark. … After failing to catch a pass for the first time in 25 games against Louisiana-Lafayette on Sept. 29, Middle Tennessee WR Tyrone Calico rebounded by snatching five passes for a career-high 160 yards and three touchdowns. It was Calico's fifth career game with more than 100 yards receiving.

New Mexico State
Senior cornerback Tony Lukins was named Sun Belt Conference defensive player of the week and special teams players of the week after a performance against Tulsa that could only be labeled as one of a kind. Besides racking up nine tackles, two sacks, two passes broken up and a critical forced fumble, Lukins tied a Division I-A record by returning two kickoffs for touchdowns. Lukins began with an 89-yard scoring return in the first quarter and followed that with a 100-yard runback to begin the second half. His 189 yards set a new school record for most kickoff return yards. … After recording a shutout against Louisiana-Lafayette on Sept. 29, the Aggies held Tulsa to only seven points last Saturday. The two-game total is the lowest since New Mexico State held Northern Arizona and Tulsa to a combined 10 points during a stretch in 1967. … After racking up 193 yards of total offense half against Tulsa, Aggies' QB K.C. Ezminger boosted his career yardage total to 5,664, displacing Joe Pisarcik for second place on the school's all-time total offense list.

Louisiana-Monroe
Despite their 19-17 win over North Texas, the Indians did little to help themselves last Saturday. Louisiana-Monroe was flagged 11 times for 111 yards in the game. … The 51-yard pass from QB Andy Chance to WR Mack Vincent was Louisiana-Monroe's longest gain since its last win against Division I-AA Nicholls State on Sept. 16, 2000. … After sputtering in the past few games, Louisiana-Monroe's kicking game got on track against the Mean Green -- sort of. Placekicker Daniel Francis had been 0-3 on extra points until he launched one through the uprights in the first quarter. However, Francis could not maintain his aim, missing his next extra point attempt.

North Texas
After falling last Saturday to Louisiana-Monroe, North Texas fell to 0-5 for the first time since the 1982 season. "The frustrating thing is that we're moving the ball better than we have since I've been here," coach Darrell Dickey said. "But we're just killing ourselves with turnovers, penalties, missing a field goal or not scoring a touchdown when we have to chance to." … Mean Green running back Kevin Galbreath racked up 100 yards on 21 caries against Louisiana-Monroe. It was the third time Galbreath ran for triple digits in his five games at North Texas. … Tight end Jeff Muenchow picked a fine time to haul in his first collegiate touchdown reception. Muenchow snagged a one-yard pass from QB Scott Hall to cap the Mean Green's opening drive. It was the first time North Texas had scored on its first possession.

Louisiana-Lafayette
FS Kyries Hebert racked up a team leading 11 tackles in last Saturday's 63-27 loss at Arizona State. With five tackles in his next game, Hebert will move into second place on the school's all-time list for tackles by a defensive back. … It's safe to say Jonathan Knott was all tied up for most of last Saturday night. Knott kicked a career-high 48-yard field goal in the first quarter, and later added a 45-yarder. Knott also took over the punting duties for Louisiana-Lafayette, launching five boots for an average of 35.6 yards. … While his numbers in last Saturday's game may not show it, sophomore QB Jon Van Cleave drew praise from at least one spectator - Ragin' Cajuns coach Jerry Baldwin. "Jon made significant improvement against Arizona State. He completed only 19 of 44 but had nine balls dropped. He's reading defenses better, and showing more poise and leadership skills out there on the field."