MEAC/SWAC/OVC Week in Review

Last week held no surprises from my observation other than a continued drop in attendence at the HBCU stadiums. Not sure if it's a reflection of the product on the field, the match up or game time weather. You know how HBCU fans don't like to get their "outfits" wet. I have a simple solution--just wear the school colors in casual dress down Friday, and leave the Sunday best, gator and lizard shoes in the closet. Liz Taylor, Tommy, Kenneth and their fashion buddies can take the weekend off.

On the football front, McNeese State slammed Savannah State 56 to zip! But 13,912 showed up at Cowboy Stadium and no one left right after half-time. At the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama only 3,951 true Hornets made an appearance to see Alabama State steamroll Division II Edward Water, 38-6. Hey, a win is a win for Coach Barlow. In the OVC vs. SWAC Challenge (just kidding) at A.W. Mumford Stadium, the Southern Jaguars outlasted Tennessee State 21-17, with only 9,300 watching. I suppose the TSU fans were holding back to travel to Atlanta for their annual rivalry beat down with FAMU in the Atlanta Football Classic. FAMU (3-0) is the class of the MEAC with big games ahead with Miami and MEAC Champs South Carolina State. TSU--you are just a tune-up and Rattler bait!

All the Mississippi programs got a licking at the gate and on the field . University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions came to Rice-Totten Stadium in Itta Bena and plummeted Mississippi Valley State 27-7, with only 2,200 in the stands. Coach Totten needs to reserve the U-Haul as there is another story behind the attendance numbers at Valley this season. In the annual Tiger rivalry game, Grambling State knocked out Jackson State 27-17 but only 10,905 bothered to show up at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. We're talking about a JSU program that averaged over 20,000 last season in home games.

Alcorn State was pounded in a "money game" at Central Michigan 48-0 in a no-contest before 18,323 screaming Chippewas. It was the Chips home opener after a big win last week over Michigan State, and their first shutout in 13 years with the Braves doing the honors.

FAMU's All-American, sensational return specialist LeRoy Vann, is the talk of the nation. Vann has run back four returns for touchdowns in the last two games with outstanding play from all of FAMU's special team players.

At O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium the Eagles of North Carolina Central University dropped a double O.T. game to Morehead State 13-10. Only 7,017 Eagle fans left disappointed but encouraged with the way NCCU kept coming back. Texas Southern purchased a win over lowly Texas College Steers (0-4) and beat the Red River Athletic Conference NAIA program 75-6. Only one question--Did the Tigers save anything for the remainder of the SWAC schedule?

Norfolk State got a solid dose of reality in facing #5 ranked William and Mary at Dick Price Stadium. The Spartans were outclassed 27-15 and only 10,005 fans even bothered to watch. It's anybody's guess on how many Spartans and Tribe fans watched "on the radio." Morgan State prevailed over tough Winston Salem State Rams 16-10 at Giant Stadium with 25,604 watching the Whitney Young Classic. There nothing Division II about WSSU scholarship players who are now creating good film for transfer to higher profile programs (next season), as the Rams drop back to the D-II and the CIAA.

All we can say is the Aggies are back--competitive, that is. Hampton kicked the North Carolina A&T Aggiess 24-14, but the AggieNation came out at 13,502 at Aggie Stadium. Give Coach Alonzo Lee time... but this is a dangerous team for the rest of the MEAC to play. Aggie Pride! Watch Out! Delaware and Delaware State got it on in Newark and the Hornets made a game of it. Delaware prevailed 27-17, and their 20,585 fans now know physical football is played in Dover.

And finally, Alabama A&M embarrassed themselves in Louis Crews Stadium in falling to Jacksonville State 45-13. It's bad to get stomped in your home stadium, but it's worst when only 2,906 showed up counting the band, cheerleaders and players. This definitely was a not made for TV game.

Talking about television, LeRoy Vann is becoming a household word. Vann scored on two punt returns for touchdowns leading the FAMU Rattlers in a rout over the Howard Bison 48-10 on a Thursday night ESPNU broadcast. But, where were the Rattler fans? 7,668 True Rattlers showed up along with 17,832 empty seats. Folks, let's get serious. The season is 1/3 over! Let's leave that TV alone and let's go watch some HBCU football at the stadium! HBCU programs need the $$$$$.

-beepbeep