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Cricket-loving South Africans of a certain age hark back to matches against Australia with some hesitation. They remember series in the 1990s when Australia owned world cricket. Not Temba Bavuma. His most vivid recollection is one in which his country was successful.I remember 2008 and watching JP Duminy and the hundred he scored, Bavuma said. I remember how he made a name for himself on that tour. That memory sticks out.Bavuma is part of the generation who have never known losing in Australia, mostly because they have never been here before. Nine of the 16 squad members have not played a Test series in Australia and the other seven have only won. Theirs is a history of heroes and a future filled with hope that the trend can continue.Its a special feeling to be part of a group like this, Bavuma said. There is quiet confidence about the way were going about things.Although South Africa are not the South Africa of the previous two tours, who arrived in Australia fresh off series wins in England, they are a rejuvenated South Africa. They have stopped talking about being in a transition phase and started considering themselves a continuous work in progress, a team that assimilates experience and youth and that can rely on both for big performances.That much showed in the recent ODI series against Australia. Albeit in a different and perhaps less pressured series format Rilee Rossouw and Andile Phehlukwayo stepped up in the absence of AB de Villiers and despite the presence of Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada. Rossouw was rewarded with a place in the Test squad and if he is included in the XI, theres a confidence he will be able to step up.Everybody knows that on any given day, somebody can win the game for the team or put the team in a good position, Hashim Amla explained. As a team, its nice knowing that everybody can contribute and make the play.Amla has played down the importance of looking to the past for inspiration, instead choosing to focus on how the newer players in particular will approach the pressures of the present. Weve passed on our knowledge and told the guys what they could possibly encounter in terms of the wicket, the field, the crowds, the intensity of playing Test cricket in Australia and they are loving it, Amla said. They are very keen. The youngsters are really excited to get the Test series going. For Bavuma, that means embracing the expectation that comes with winning the last two series in Australia and taking the fight to the opposition, something stand-in captain Faf du Plessis has endorsed. I would like to commend Faf on his leadership, Bavuma said. Hes been exemplary. Hes led from the front. Weve spoken about playing a positive, aggressive brand of cricket and hes shown the way. Other guys have followed in his footsteps. It is a collective effort but its mostly guys stepping up when needed.But the big talk may earn South Africa some bruises when they meet an Australian attack just as eager to make an impression as their own. In Bavumas case, the expectation is that he will face a barrage of bouncers because of his (lack of) height. Bavumas stature was the subject of much scrutiny when he was introduced to the Australian press on Monday but he told them he is not afraid of being targeted.If they do start using the short ball, I know have a slight advantage over them because they cant bowl me out that way, he said. Majority of my play is on the back foot so back-foot play does become an area of expertise, as opposed to playing on the front foot.In fact, Bavuma himself is not expecting too many deliveries aimed at his head. I dont actually get a lot of short balls. When we played England last year, they never really targeted me with the short ball when I thought they would. But whatever comes my way, I will be ready for it.Australia also dont seem too intent on putting Bavuma at the top of their priority list and are concentrating on the more experienced members of the South African line-up. In most series, you target the captain, you put a lot of pressure on him and then it does put pressure on other guys, Australia fast bowler Peter Siddle said. We will be trying to put the pressure on Faf and Amla, the two senior guys in that top order. You try put pressure on them and then they have to rely on the inexperienced guys a bit more, that puts pressure on the whole side.And they may be interested to hear that Amla is not fussed about being on their hit-list. Before every series, theres always the same questions. We got asked about David Warner and Steve Smith, Amla said. Theres always going to be two guys you are going to be asked about in the opposition and you are going to say, yeah yeah weve got to get these guys out.Both teams have got really good batters. Weve got to get 20 wickets to win the Test match, theyve got to get 20 wickets to win the Test match so I dont look to much into it. I know in our batting order weve got guys who can make an impact at any stage of the game. Thats a really wonderful thing to have in the team.South Africas real wonder is that they believe they have that, even among their rookies, who they are trusting with building on their legacy in Australia. Dell Curry Jersey . Artturi Lehkonen, Joni Nikko and Ville Leskinen had the other goals for Finland (1-0) while Juuse Saros stopped 28 shots. Tim Robin Johnsgard had the lone goal for Norway (0-2). Cody Zeller Hornets Jersey . 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Mississippi States lopsided loss to Auburn last weekend was an eye-opener for all the wrong reasons.The Bulldogs couldnt move the ball on offense, couldnt stop Auburns power running game and also struggled on special teams.By halftime, Mississippi State had fallen into a 35-0 hole and finished with a 38-14 loss in front of half-empty Davis-Wade Stadium that was certainly one of the lowest points of coach Dan Mullens eight-year tenure at the school.But Mullen isnt in the mood to feel sorry for himself or his team. Mississippi State (2-3) has a short week to prepare for a road game against BYU (3-3) on Friday night.We have faced all kinds of highs and lows in the eight years that I have been here, Mullen said. Ill be honest with you, when you deal with a high, you get back to work. When you deal with a low, you get back to work.And theres plenty of work to be done -- starting with Fridays game against the Cougars -- if Mississippi State wants to make a bowl game for a seventh straight season. BYU is coming off an impressive 31-14 win over Michigan State.Mississippi State needs better play from plenty of people, starting with quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. The sophomore was 17 of 34 passing 181 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against Auburn. He also ran for a team-high 61 yards.But most of his good moments came in the second half when Auburn was already in control of the game.I think more than anything its just execution, Fitzgerald said. We had a good game plan going in but we didnt quite execute what we need to do.Fitzgerald couuld use some help, too.dddddddddddd One promising play was when freshman Keith Mixon snagged a Fitzgerald pass close to the sideline, showed some nifty footwork to stay inbounds, and then ran 37 yards for a touchdown.Mullen said hes seeing a lot of good things on the field, but the Bulldogs are struggling to get 100 percent execution on a given play.If 11 guys do their job every play you have the opportunity to be successful, Mullen said. If 10 guys do their job the right way and one messes up or goes the wrong way, or doesnt use good technique or one of those things, your chance for success drops dramatically.The recent losses have been a jarring setback for a Mississippi State program that has improved dramatically in recent years. Just two years ago, the Bulldogs were the No. 1 team in the country for five straight weeks and a real threat to win the Southeastern Conferences Western Division.That doesnt appear to be the case these days.But Mullen insists his program hasnt lost momentum and has a great future ahead of it. Hes also not ready to give up on the current season.We have had some great years since I have been here, and we will have a lot more great years while Im here, Mullen said. And this year may end up being one of those years. You never know how its going to play out.---Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP .---AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org . ' ' '