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College football is set to appear on a Nintendo console for the first time in many years with Sega's announcement today. (EA Sports previously announced their NCAA pigskin game for GameCube but apparently have changed their mind for now...) 2001 Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch, record-setting quarterback for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, has signed on as the cover athlete for NCAA College Football 2K3 from Visual Concepts and Sega. Crouch will appear on the game's box art, and he has also contributed his expertise to the game's development process, particularly in how the option is handled.

However, for Nintendo fans outside of Nebraska, the most exciting part of this announcement is probably that NCAA College Football 2k3 is coming to GameCube this fall! There's no specific release date yet, but Sega says it will be out in time for the 2002 college football season, and it appears that all three console versions will be released at the same time. Check out more info, including a preliminary feature list, in the official press release below:

SEGA SPORTS DRAFTS 2001 HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER ERIC CROUCH AS NEW COVER

ATHLETE FOR NCAA COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2K3

Former Nebraska QB Gets Signed By SEGA Sports as Official Spokesperson for

"NCAA College Football 2K3" Just Before the 2002 NFL Draft

SAN FRANCISCO (April 12, 2002) - SEGA Sports(tm), the brand that continues

to set new standards in sports gaming, today announced the signing of former

University of Nebraska quarterback and 2001 Heisman® Trophy Winner Eric

Crouch to serve as the official spokesperson and cover athlete for "SEGA

Sports(tm) NCAA® College Football 2K3." Produced by Visual Concepts, the

development house behind the sports video game revolution and makers of the

acclaimed NFL 2K and NBA 2K series, "NCAA College Football 2K3" will deliver

an authentic college football experience never before seen in sports video

games, in time for the start of the 2002 college football season.

"Eric Crouch took the role of college quarterback to a new level, so

drafting him for the SEGA Sports team was a natural choice. He epitomizes

what SEGA Sports stands for; a commitment to revolutionizing the sport,"

said Tom Nichols, group director of sports marketing, SEGA of America. "Eric

met with the development team to help recreate the look and feel of college

football, including enhancing the option play in our game. With his help and

the many advancements in the game, 'SEGA Sports NCAA College Football 2K3'

will definitely score a touchdown with gamers this season."

Amassing 3,000 yards rushing and 4,000 yards passing during his Nebraska

career, Eric Crouch is one of the most talented quarterbacks to ever play

collegiate football. His athleticism and versatility on the field have

endeared him to Nebraska fans and sports enthusiasts around the country.

Crouch, who is readying himself for the NFL draft, recently participated in

a development session at Visual Concepts in San Rafael, California where he

worked with developers to create new plays, moves and audio for the upcoming

"NCAA College Football 2K3" release. Crouch joins the long line of great

athletes who have graced the covers of SEGA Sports titles such as tennis

stars Venus Williams and Serena Williams, 76ers luminary Allen Iverson, and

Yankees All-Star slugger Jason Giambi.

"I'm so glad to have been drafted onto the SEGA Sports team," Crouch said.

"College students are known for spending a lot of time playing video games

and I was no different during my career with the Cornhuskers. We played

'NCAA College Football 2K2' at home, in the locker room and on the road,

which is why it's so exciting to be able to contribute my expertise to the

next version - 'NCAA College Football 2K3.'"

"SEGA Sports NCAA College Football 2K3" features enhanced gameplay

mechanics, new "college look" player models and a comprehensive Legacy Mode

which allow gamers to assemble a football program from the ground up -

creating the most authentic college football simulation off campus. "SEGA

Sports NCAA College Football 2K3" also offers all 117 Division 1-A teams, 25

Bowl Games, a full-fledged Heisman Trophy race and enhanced in-stadium

effects - creating a truly electrifying college football experience. With

these and many other new features, "SEGA Sports NCAA College Football 2K3"

brings the gamer closer to the college gridiron than ever before.

"SEGA Sports NCAA College Football 2K3" will be available at retailers

nationwide this Fall for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system,

the Nintendo GameCube(tm), and the Xbox(tm) video game system from

Microsoft® at a suggested retail price of $49.95. This game will be rated

"E" for everyone.