Southern quarterback Austin Howard is the face — and voice — of the program

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- If there has been one constant in the lead up to Southern’s season opener against ULM this Saturday, it has been quarterback Austin Howard barking at someone.

Sometimes he does it with a grin, other times his brow is furrowed — but it happens all the same, and the key is the regularity with which it occurs.

Howard, entering his third year as Southern’s starting quarterback, has made it a point to be a vocal leader of his team this season. He sees it as a necessary duty of the starting quarterback. His coach, Dawson Odums, sees it as a natural progression for a natural leader.

“I always talk to him about taking the next step — in life, as a quarterback, as a leader,” Odums said. “Our life is broken down into a bunch of small steps. When you come in as a freshman, that light bulb is not as bright. You’re feeling your way around, learning unfamiliar territory.

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Southern U: Notes: Chennis Berry to coach from the press box agaist ULM, Trei Oliver from the sidelines

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern coach Dawson Odums has a very simple philosophy when it comes to deciding where his coaches are going to be on game day.

“My philosophy is that if you’re a high-energy coach and a passionate coach, go to the box,” Odums said. “If you’re low key … and calm demeanor, be on the sideline.”

It makes sense then that offensive coordinator Chennis Berry will take his exuberance to the press box Saturday against ULM, while the more reserved defensive coordinator Trei Oliver will be on the sidelines.

It may not always be that way, but that’s how Odums wants to try things for the opener.

“We’re going to try the first game one way, and if there’s some problems in communication, the next game you may flip it,” Odums said. “I think it’s a trial and error, I think it depends on the individuals you have, where they’re comfortable at, and it’s also about who is relaying the communication to the players.

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QB Williamson brings maturity, leadership to Hampton offense

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Jaylian Williamson writes daily in a journal that he talks about turning into a book. Suggested title: “Rollercoaster Ride: My College Football Story.”

“I’ve had so many ups and downs,” he says with an easy smile that turns to shaking of his head at the memories. “My mom was talking to me about it the other day. She said, ‘You can withstand anything. Anything.’ She’s right. You hit me; I can handle anything.”

The ride is headed up now – again. Winning the quarterback job at Hampton – again. Playing Saturday at Old Dominion – again. Playing in front of friends from his days as Oscar Smith’s state championship-winning quarterback – again.

“I have people calling me all the time, ‘You ready? You ready?’ I’m just soaking it all in,” he said. “I feel like this year is the most relaxed time I’ve had in five years, the most excited I’ve been.”

Hampton coach Connell Maynor named Williamson the starter early in fall camp, but competition for the job never stopped. It probably won’t. One reason is Williamson’s stature: an advertised 5-feet-10 that leaves doubters aplenty.

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A post-season trip is a major goal for NCCU

DURHAM, North Carolina -- North Carolina Central football has the chance to become the first team in program history to win three straight conference championships.

But while hoopla and high expectations surround the players and coaches, a small dark cloud hovers in the background.



It’s 2014: The Eagles were on the road at conference opponent Morgan State. On paper, the matchup was a no-brainer, but that’s why they play the game. NCCU lost 21-20 after leading 20-7 in the fourth quarter. NCCU wound up in a five-way tie for the title. Morgan won the tiebreaker and advanced to the NCAA Division I- FCS playoffs.

It’s 2015: The Eagles led two-time champion Bethune-Cookman by 19 points, but the Wildcats rallied to go ahead by two. On its last drive of the game, NCCU was within field goal range, but the kick was blocked. This time, there was a three-way tie for first, and bitter rival N.C. A&T got the tiebreaker and headed to the inaugural Air Force Celebration Bowl.

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B-CU Wildcats’ big wish: maintain success

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida --The Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats have had at least a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship for the past four years; they are looking to extend that streak in 2016.

The Wildcats are now expected to compete for a conference title every season. “The bar has been set high, and we want to continue to reset it and succeed,” coach Terry Sims said. “It’s a pressure game, and you want to be able to react to pressure in a positive way.”

Sims was named MEAC Coach of the Year in 2015 in his first season as head coach of B-CU. He had spent the previous five seasons as an assistant coach with the team and said being a head coach for the first time was “a little bit challenging, but I was up for the challenge.”

B-CU is replacing quarterback Quentin Williams, who graduated. The Wildcats led the conference in passing offense last season.

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For starters, it's Delaware Blue Hens vs. Delaware State Hornets

NEWARK, Delaware – No wonder Delaware and Delaware State so relish the start of the 2016 football season Thursday night.

Each is coming off a season in which victories were rare.

The Blue Hens’ four equaled their fewest since 1967. The Hornets managed just one win, tying for their worst performance in the last 17 years.

But both enter 2016 with high hopes.

Delaware expects to have the talent to take it to the NCAA FCS playoffs, once a frequent landing spot but now a place from which the Hens have been absent since 2010.

Likewise, Delaware State has not limited its aspirations as it takes aim for a spot in the Celebration Bowl, which matches the MEAC and SWAC champions.

Those objectives collide at UD’s Delaware Stadium, where the state’s two FCS teams kick off at 7 p.m.

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New stadium, new coach highlight TSU-Prairie View game

COURTESY PVAMU ATHLETICS

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- It's always an event when Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M meet on the football field for the annual Labor Day Classic. Other than playing for a SWAC championship, this would be the most significant game for both teams.

This year's version has added importance when the rivals kick off at 5 p.m. Sunday in Prairie View. The Panthers will be showcasing their new $61 million, 15,000-seat football stadium, and the Tigers will begin anew under coach Michael Haywood.

"Our guys are going to be excited also because this is a new era for us," said Haywood, a former player at Notre Dame who last was a head coach in 2010 at Miami (Ohio). "It's an opportunity for us to show how much we've changed in a short period of time.

"We are thankful to open up versus Prairie View because they are one of the best teams in our conference. It will set a landmark on where we are as we start the 2016 season. It will be a physical contest for 60 minutes. The physicality of the game will be something that you've never seen before between TSU and Prairie View.

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