Battle for fullback heats up for Rattlers

If Florida A&M football coach Joe Taylor had to name his starting fullback today, Ronald Jackson would be atop the depth chart. But that isn't stopping the next two players in line from mounting a fierce competition to at least make the process interesting during FAMU's spring practice. Kory McCloughen and Jonathon Smith are trying to make a statement for the role as Mykel Benson's replacement. Smith is coming off being idle last season when he had to sit out while recovering from an ailment that robbed his body of protein. McCloughen has given up waiting behind snapper Jay Culpepper.



They both understand the position isn't one that will get them a lot of attention, unless they have a phenomenal year. They do know it's a position that comes with the huge responsibility of getting the all-important short yardage, though. Benson got his assignment done most times. He had 19 carries for 63 yards and even scored four touchdowns that helped FAMU win pivotal games. There is more to the job, which Smith understands.

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Babb runs for two touchdowns; Hunter returns an INT for score

Neither the offense nor the defense dominated during the Savannah State football team's first scrimmage of spring practice Saturday morning at T.A. Wright Stadium. "It's a great sign," SSU interim head coach Julius Dixon said after the Tigers' 75-minute scrimmage in cold and windy conditions. "And the reason being, we're trying to emphasize competition." Defenses typically develop faster than offenses during spring drills and fall camp, so Dixon was excited to see offensive coordinator Alan Hall's spread offense produce three touchdowns.

Dixon, who also serves as defensive coordinator, was equally pleased to see his defensive unit intercept quarterback A.J. DeFilippis three times, including for a touchdown. SSU did not keep score or statistics. SSU struggled with fumbles, bad snaps, offsides penalties, dropped balls and receivers running incorrect routes. "We had too many mental errors out here today," Dixon said. "We want to try to stomp those out as soon as possible."

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JSU's Washington shows flashes of old form‎

Sam Washington sprang off the corner and bullied his way past an offensive tackle to sack quarterback Dedric McDonald in Jackson State's first scrimmage of the spring last Saturday. It was a familiar sight in 2007 and '08 when he recorded a combined 11 sacks. Everyone around the program was concerned when the defensive end was diagnosed with a pinched nerve in his back and had to miss all of 2009. Not only was the team losing a preseason All-SWAC selection, but it was the same injury Washington had in 2006.

Saturday's performance made the coaching staff breathe much easier. "He was able to beat any lineman he wanted to any time he felt like it," defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes said. "If there was any doubt before that, it was soon erased." Washington, a senior, has been cleared by doctors to fully participate in the spring sessions and coaches have allowed him to participate at his own discretion. He's not taking every snap, but his presence is apparent.

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Pettaway says A&M will be a winner again‎

With returnees, new recruits, coach says Bulldogs will be better

A day after school officials informed him that he would return for the 2010-2011 season, Alabama A&M men's basketball coach Vann Pettaway vowed Tuesday that he would do everything in his power to turn the Bulldogs into a winner again. "I want to thank the administration, from the president's office on down, for having the confidence in us to give us an opportunity to turn it around," Pettaway said. "This is my school and I'm going to do everything I can to move our program forward."

Pettaway's contract was set to expire on May 31 before school officials decided to retain him. His future came into question after the Bulldogs finished the regular season 11-15 overall and 8-10 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Alabama A&M was eliminated in the first round of the tournament for the fourth time in five years after falling to Alabama State earlier this month. It was A&M's fourth straight losing season and sixth in the last eight years.

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No-quit Grambling streaks into Monroe‎

First year Coach James Cooper has the Grambling State Tigers on a early season win streak.

The Grambling State baseball team was the coldest team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference at the beginning of the season. Now the Tigers may very well be the hottest After starting the season 0-9 Grambling has won eight of its last 12 games. The hot streak began in early March with two-game sweeps of Jarvis Christian and Alabama State, and continued with 2-1 series victories over a pair of SWAC foes. Grambling took two out of three games against Texas Southern, and followed by taking two out of three against Prairie View A&M this past weekend.

Grambling (8-13 overall, 4-2 SWAC) visits ULM tonight for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch, and hosts Arkansas Pine-Bluff for a three-game conference series this weekend.

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Rebuilding effort begins at Southern

United and confident, the Southern men’s basketball team rolled into Hammond on a cool, breezy December night, ready to build on a bit of success. The Jaguars were coming off their best effort of the young season: a five-point home win over the University of New Orleans that was supposed to serve as a blueprint for the rest of their schedule: Work hard, play defense, rebound, and win games down the stretch.

But four days later, when the bus pulled up the University Center, a blowout awaited. From the opening tip, Southeastern Louisiana ripped Southern apart. The Jaguars changed defenses. They took timeouts. They tried different players. Nothing worked. By halftime, Southern trailed by 18 points. By the final buzzer, a small but happy crowd cheered as two walk-ons came off the bench in the final few minutes in a 94-48 disaster. It only got worse from there.

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TSU's new offense will stress run before pass

TSU head coach Rod Reed.















Mike Jones etched his name in Tennessee State's record books catching the ball, but he plans to re-energize the Tigers' offense emphasizing the run. Jones, a Division I-AA All-American in 1981 and 1982 who holds many of the school's receiving records, returned to TSU as offensive coordinator when former defensive coordinator Rod Reed replaced James Webster as head coach in December. The Tigers begin spring practice today with a chief objective to improve the offense, which ranked 97th (274.6 yards) in the Football Championship Series and failed to score more than one touchdown in four games.

Jones, who had 200 catches at TSU and 165 in six NFL seasons, said he learned to appreciate a quality running game during his coaching career, which included nine years in NFL Europe, a year at Liberty University, a stop in the XFL and last year in the CFL (Toronto). "Go back over my history in coaching and you'll see I probably ran it more than I threw it,'' Jones said. "I had some coaches with me in NFLEurope who felt the run game was very important and when I played (in the NFL) at Minnesota and New Orleans they ran it quite a bit. I developed an appetite for it as well."

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FAMU quarterback race heats up at scrimmage

2010 Rattlers Spring Football Practice

Not every question that coach Joe Taylor might have had about his Florida A&M football team was answered, but he came away from Saturday's scrimmage satisfied with the execution in all three phases. Quarterbacks Eddie Battle, Austin Trainor and Martin Ukpai each took turns directing the offense, which had quite a challenge moving the ball on the ground as the defense repeatedly made huge stops. The defense had an interception and at least three fumble recoveries and made the morning tough for running backs Philip Sylvester and Eddie Rocker.

Jerell Stewart made a strong case to be the man who replaces record-setting returner LeRoy Vann on special teams, and kicker Trevor Scott was on point with his booming kicks through the uprights for field goals. "I was really excited about some things that I saw," Taylor said. "I think some things that we are doing are really going to help us with the offense. The only thing I was concerned with was after we finished the kicking game, I thought we just had too much noise. I thought we lost some discipline at the end. When you lose your discipline your performance level automatically goes down."

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N.C. A&T scrimmage a real hit parade

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Alonzo Lee made his reputation as a defensive coordinator long before N.C. A&T hired him as its head coach last year. So it should come as no surprise the Aggies' first-team offense couldn't score a touchdown against the second-team defense at the Blue vs. Gold spring game Saturday afternoon at Aggie Stadium. And the first-team defense? It shut out the second-team offense, thanks to Marquis Sutton's interception in the end zone with 35 seconds left.

Patrick Courtney kicked 32- and 37-yard field goals to lead the first-team Blue to a 6-0 victory over the Gold in an intrasquad scrimmage that featured more tackles for losses (15) than completed passes (11). Scrimmage or not, a lot of those tackles were of the pad-popping variety. "We're going to fight defensively. That's my bread and butter," Lee said. "I don't believe in tacklers; I believe in hitters. If you're banging that (running) back, by the fourth quarter he's starting to tip. If you're just tackling him, he's still going to be running his butt off in the fourth quarter."

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Defense dominates in S.C. State Spring Game‎

The defending two-time MEAC Champion Bulldogs will open the season September 4 when they make the short trip to Atlanta to face ACC champion Georgia Tech.

The old adage “every dog has his day” proved true Saturday for South Carolina State Bulldog defensive lineman Joe Council. It’s been a quiet three seasons for the Walterboro native since his transfer from East Carolina. But, during Saturday’s Spring Game at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, Council made plenty of noise with his aggressive play up front in helping the Blue (defense) pull away from the Garnet (offense) 24-13.

Though three players (linebacker Dawan Thompson, defensive back Titus Graham and linebacker Rashad Hampton) had one more tackle than Council’s six, the constant pressure and havoc he caused drew praise from the coaching staff and helped set the tone for the Blue.

“My coaches kept believing in me and kept telling me to concentrate on the little things and I started doing that and started seeing what they were talking about,” Council said. “Coach (David) Blanchard and (Coach) Adams, they believed in me and told me what I was doing wrong. I kept working, kept at it and had a good day.” “Joe is growing up a little bit,” S.C. State head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough said. “It’s good to see because we need those guys defensively to get going.”

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Coach Shirley Walker honored by Mississippi House‎ of Representatives

Shirley Walker was fired from Alcorn State University on May 16, 2008, after 30 years coaching the Lady Braves basketball team. She finished with a 492-336 career record, winning 11 SWAC championships. However, her final years were tarnished by NCAA sanctions in 2006, for multiple NCAA violations.

LORMAN, MS — Former Alcorn State women’s basketball coach Shirley A. Gibbs-Walker was already a coaching legend in the state. But now she has the stamp of approval from the Mississippi House of Representatives. Walker was honored by the House on Tuesday, where a resolution was passed honoring Walker’s accomplishments on and off the basketball court. "I was very surprised,” Walker said of receiving the honor. “It was breathtaking and it brought back some wonderful memories."

In Walker’s 30-year tenure at Alcorn State, the Lady Braves won 11 regular season SWAC championships, seven SWAC tournament championships and participated in the NCAA tournament three times. Walker, an Alcorn alumnus, won 492 career games and was named SWAC Coach of the Year 10 times. In addition to her accomplishments as head coach, Walker also played an important role as a member of several different NCAA committees.

As a member of the NCAA Division I Basketball Committee, Walker worked to help secure an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament for the champion of the SWAC tournament. "A lot of people don’t know about that,” Walker said. “I’m the one that worked hard and opened the door for SWAC women’s basketball to have an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament."

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NIT: JSU Issues Final Decision On Phillip Williams Incident at Mississippi State

Jackson State head men’s basketball coach Tevester Anderson has announced that sophomore guard Phillip Williams will not receive an athletic scholarship for the 2010-11 season. Williams’ athletics aid will not be renewed because of his actions during Jackson State’s NIT opening round game against Mississippi State. Anderson stated that Williams will have an opportunity to work his way back onto the Tigers team, but he will have to pay his own way.

“Phillip is a good young man who did a bad thing. He has not been a problem since being a member of our team,“ said Anderson. “However, I run a quality program and we will not tolerate any action that will tarnish the reputation of the University or the athletics department.

"Earlier this season I told everyone on the team that if you do anything that will negatively affect the program, then I will take your scholarship."

The Southwestern Athletic Conference has already suspended Williams for the opening game next season. Jackson State finished the season with a 19-13 overall record and a 17-1 SWAC mark. The Tigers won the SWAC regular season title. JSU’s 13 game winning streak was tied for fifth place, the longest streak under Anderson.



JSU Athletics Media Relations

La Salle hires Howard University Grad as women's basketball coach

Prince George's County, Maryland native Jeff Williams has been named the head women's basketball coach at La Salle University.

PHILADELPHIA - Jeffrey B. "Jeff" Williams, who spent the past seven seasons at the University of Pittsburgh, including the last four as the Associate Head Coach, has been named the Head Women's Basketball Coach at La Salle University, Director of Athletics Dr. Tom Brennan announced. Williams helped guide the Panthers to postseason appearances in the past five seasons, including three straight NCAA Tournament trips with Sweet Sixteen showings in 2008 and 2009. He will be formally introduced at a press conference on Wednesday at 1 PM in the Hayman Center mezzanine.

"I am very excited to begin my head coaching career at La Salle University," Williams said. "I hope to create an exciting environment for our student-athletes. I know it will be a challenge to compete in the Atlantic 10, which boast some of the top coaches and programs in the country. But my vision is to bring La Salle to national prominence. I feel that I have the unwavering support of La Salle President Brother Michael McGinniss, and Director of Athletics, Dr. Tom Brennan. This is the beginning of a new era for La Salle women's basketball and I'm up to the challenge."

Williams has over 20 years of college coaching experience, including the last 16 as a women's basketball coach at Howard (1995-2000), Georgia Tech (2001-03) and Pittsburgh (2003-10). He recruited or coached six players who reached the WNBA, including Pitt All-American Shavonte Zellous, who was named to the WNBA all-rookie team in 2009. Three of his recruiting classes have been ranked in the top 15 nationally and his teams have reached seven NCAA and three WNIT Tournaments.

The 1987 Howard University graduate with a degree in therapeutic recreation, Williams also was an assistant coach for the men's teams at George Mason (1989-93) and South Carolina State (1987-89). As an assistant coach at Howard University and recruiting coordinator, he helped lead the team to four MEAC titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances. His recruiting class during the 1997-98 season was ranked 12th best in the nation..

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Robert H. Jackson: 'Stonewall' was heart of NCCU football

Calgary, Canada - At Robert "Stonewall" Jackson's memorial service last week, many former NFL players made the trip to attend. So did doctors and lawyers and teachers and coaches, all players and students whose paths he helped shape during his 30-plus years at N.C. Central. "There were quite a few people there I hadn't seen in 20-some years," former NCCU defensive back Robert Massey said. "The unfortunate part about all of us coming together is it would have taken a guy like coach Jack to have brought us all back together. I don't know if any other coach would have been able to do that."

Trailblazer. Trendsetter. Teacher. Mentor. Witness to history. Jackson, who died earlier this month at 88, did it all. Jackson fought with Patton at the Battle of the Bulge. He was the first player from a historically black school drafted by the NFL. He touched countless lives as an assistant football coach, teacher and trainer at N.C. Central for 31 years, the touchstone of the football program for generations of players. "He was N.C. Central football," said Joe Simmons, the school's career rushing leader. "He was the first guy you meet on campus. He was one of the firmest guys you'll ever meet and probably the fairest guy you'll ever meet."

The nickname "Stonewall" was bestowed upon him in honour of his stout play at fullback by his high-school coach in Allentown, Pa. It would remain applicable for the rest of his life. After Jackson got home from the war -- he earned three bronze stars with the all-black 183rd Engineering Battalion, crossing the Rhine with General George Patton's Third Army -- he was a four-year starter for North Carolina A&T at fullback and linebacker. The New York Giants took him in the 16th round of the 1950 draft, one pick after the Washington Redskins picked North Carolina's Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice.

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Spring Game: North Carolina A&T Aggies combine football and food‎

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Pick your passion: tailgate or tailback. Food meets football in a daylong exhibition of both at N.C. A&T's annual Blue vs. Gold spring football game today at Aggie Stadium. Parking lot gates will open at 9:30 a.m. for the first Best Tailgate in Aggieland Cook Off grilling contest, which will be judged at 1 p.m. The spring game will kick off inside the stadium at 2 p.m.

A&T will play a traditional intrasquad scrimmage, matching its first-team offense and defense against second-teamers, coach Alonzo Lee said. "It's going to be good, solid competition," Lee said. "You hope that your first team goes out there and takes charge, but that second unit feels like they've got something to prove. They're excited. I know the coaches are excited, and they've been game-planning. It should be fun."

The Aggies are coming off a 4-6 record -- 5-6 including a forfeit over Delaware State -- in Lee's first season as head coach. A&T was 3-31 in the previous three seasons and hasn't had a winning record since 2003.

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SCSU wraps up football practice today with Spring Game‎

South Carolina State Bulldogs All-MEAC linebacker Marshall McFadden returns from a season of inactivity due to a broken wrist.

From a team standpoint, head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough saw Friday’s practice as being just as important as today’s Spring Game.“We got enough done to make sure that we didn’t waste a day and that’s what we were trying to get done,” he said. “We wanted to get a good solid day’s work and I thought we got that done.”

While today’s 2 p.m. controlled scrimmage at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium is an opportunity for fans to get a slight “sneak preview” of the 2010 edition of the two-time defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions, Friday’s session allowed the team to put the finishing touches on spring practices. With the work behind them, the Bulldogs look to put on a strong showing before the home fans.

“Saturday’s game is now more just a culmination of activities,” Pough said. “It’s not nearly as important as the practices that led up to Saturday. It’s more an opportunity for our fans to come out and see us play a little bit and kind of see themselves.”

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Delaware State Announces 2010 Football Schedule‎

DSU Hornets open the 2010 MEAC schedule with perennial conference powerhouse Florida A&M University Rattlers, at Alumni Stadium on Sept 11.

Dover, DE -- An appearance in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and five home games highlight the 2010 Delaware State University football schedule, announced March 26 by Director of Athletics Derek Carter. The 11-game slate kicks off with a battle against Southern University of Baton Rouge, La., in the Sixth Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Sunday, Sep. 5 in Orlando, Florida. The contest at Orlando's Citrus Bowl Stadium will be televised on an ESPN network, which will be announced, along with the kick off time, at a later date.

"This is a great opportunity for our university to participate in an outstanding event," said Carter. "I'm sure the experience will be cherished by our student-athletes, alumni and fans for years to come. We invite the entire DSU family to join us in Orlando for the game and other event activities." The will be Delaware State's first appearance in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, which features a top team from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference against a member of Southwestern Athletic Conference. Southern will be making its second appearance in the challenge.

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Delaware State University Hornets 2010 Football Schedule

Sept. 5 vs. Southern in MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando, Fla.
Sept. 11 FLORIDA A&M*
Sept. 18 OPEN
Sept. 25 at Coastal Carolina
Oct. 2 HAMPTON*
Oct. 9 at Bethune-Cookman
Oct. 16 N. CAROLINA A&T* (homecoming)
Oct. 23 at Morgan State
Oct. 30 S. CAROLINA STATE*
Nov. 6 N. CAROLINA CENTRAL
Nov. 13 at Norfolk State
Nov. 20 at Howard

Times to be announced later.

All home games in all CAPS.
* -MEAC games

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Artificial turf time at SU's Mumford Stadium?

Stump Mitchell had never seen A.W. Mumford Stadium when he agreed to take over as Southern football coach. When he got there, he quickly learned why some mockingly call it “Mudford.” On some mornings, when the sun rises over the eastside stands and rain hasn’t fallen in awhile, the field looks like a sea of emerald green. But on most mornings, after moderate rainfall and a smattering of cleat prints ... well, is this for college football or for farming?

That’s why Mitchell said he’d like to see artificial turf at Mumford. Though he said he’s trying to raise money for the project, Mitchell concedes it might not happen soon. The athletic department, already with a tissue-thin budget, dropped two sports last year in a money-saving move and instituted a hiring freeze. Then it bought out the final year of Pete Richardson’s contract (Richardson made $200,000 annually). On top of that, it takes more than a bake sale to pay for plastic grass.



Based on this 2009 video of the A.W. Mumford Stadium Expansion, you get a clear view of the brown areas on the Jaguars playing field from the Luxury Suites.

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Southern University's Cador likes new format for SWAC‎

After 25 seasons of coaching baseball within the Southwestern Athletic Conference, Roger Cador has learned, again and again, that road trips within the league sometimes come with unique obstacles. After all, some of the SWAC’s smaller hometowns don’t offer much in the way of fine restaurants, comfortable hotels or even video-rental stores, much less an open movie theatre. This weekend, in fact, the Southern baseball team will spent four more innings in Pine Bluff, Ark., than it has in previous years.

And Cador is actually happy about it. The up-and-down Jaguars (5-8, 3-0 Western Division) visit Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-10, 1-5) for three games, including a doubleheader that begins at noon today. Today will mark the second time the Jaguars play a two nine-inning games in a doubleheader — a new experience this season for SWAC teams. Before, conference series began with a pair of seven-inning games on Saturdays, then finished with one nine-inning game on Sunday. The SWAC changed its format during the offseason, opting for nine-inning doubleheaders on the first day.

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WNIT: Miami runs past North Carolina A&T

Senior Lamona Smalley ends A&T basketball career on a very high note with two historic post season wins and the MEAC regular season conference championship. The Lady Aggies ends the year at 23-11 (14-2 MEAC).

Miami Hurricanes reach WNIT quarterfinals

The North Carolina A&T basketball team came into its game against the University of Miami in the Women's National Invitation Tournament with the reputation as a fast-paced, never-slow-down team. UM had an answer for that. The Hurricanes laced up their sneakers and decided to run with the Aggies. In fact, they ran right past them 84-77 in front of 982 fans at BankUnited Center on Thursday night. While UM was celebrating and smiling at the end, A&T was left breathless and gasping -- and with its season over.

Next up for Miami (20-13) is a quarterfinal game at 2 p.m. Sunday against Providence (19-14), which defeated Maryland 77-64 on Thursday night. "An unbelievable basketball game," UM coach Katie Meier said of defeating A&T. The victory marked the first time Miami has won three postseason games. Meier had no doubts about what she was going to do against A&T. ``We were going to run,'' she said.

Lady Aggies suffer season-ending loss in Miami

The N.C. A&T Lady Aggies' early defensive struggles in the first half helped advance the Miami Hurricanes to the fourth round in their 84-77 victory in the Women's National Invitational Tournament. Miami hit 10 3-pointers for the game and expanded the lead to as much as 15 points shooting over 80 percent in the first half. A&T did cut the deficit to five points on multiple occasions in the second half, but had trouble stopping Miami's transition break in the final minutes. The Hurricanes held standout freshman, Amber Calvin, to just 13 points on a 4-17 shooting performance for the game. Calvin left the game in the final minutes with a knee injury.

Jaleesa Sams led all Aggies with 20 points and nine rebounds. The loss marked the end of a historic 2-game postseason winning streak, which is the longest for any historically black college in NCAA Division I postseason. It also brought two stellar careers to an end with Ta'Wuana Cook and Lamona Smalley both finishing among the school leaders in points and rebounds respectively. The other seniors playing in their final game included Tyronnica Alford and Shantar Waddell. A&T seasons ends at 23-11.

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Ex-Citadel standout gets fresh start with S.C. State‎

ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- Two years ago, Asheton Jordan was the top freshman running back in the Southern Conference with a promising future ahead of him at The Citadel. On Saturday, the Stratford High School product will play in South Carolina State's Garnet and Blue spring game with an eye toward securing a starting spot on coach Buddy Pough's team next fall. It's a fresh start for the 6-0, 206-pound Jordan, who spent last season on S.C. State's scout team after transferring from The Citadel, where he rushed for 711 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman in 2008.

South Carolina State University Bulldogs Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough: "Any time you follow a guy who is the leading rusher in the history of your conference, that's pretty heavy stuff," Pough said. "But I think Asheton has got a shot."

"It was tough to see them play every day last year and to just be running scout team," Jordan said before a recent spring practice. "I was glad to help the team get as far as they did, but I'm ready to be out there playing now." Jordan and S.C. State's other running backs have huge shoes to fill with the departure of Will Ford, who rushed for 1,032 yards and eight TDs a year ago while leading S.C. State to a 10-2 record, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title and a berth in the FCS playoffs. Ford is the all-time leading rusher in MEAC and S.C. State history.

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ESPN's "Outside the Lines" visits Savannah State University

SSU's Dr. Claud Flythe, Vice President for Administration is the architect behind the Tigers successful move from Division I Independent to membership in the MEAC.

A crew from ESPN's investigative program "Outside the Lines," including reporter Jemele Hill, visited SSU on Tuesday and Wednesday. ESPN interviewed administrators and coaches about ex-football coach Robby Wells, who accused administrators of racism and lies in his Feb. 11 resignation letter. SSU golf coach Art Gelow said ESPN interviewed him for 15 minutes about the validity of Wells' accusations.

SSU Vice President for Administration Claud Flythe said ESPN was unaware of Wednesday's "MEAC Celebration" until it arrived on campus Tuesday afternoon. The crew filmed SSU's baseball game Tuesday against Charleston Southern, and ended up shooting footage of Wednesday's celebration in Tiger Arena.

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Alcorn State releases 2010 football schedule

LORMAN, MS — Alcorn State University released the Braves’ tentative 2010 football schedule on Tuesday, and head coach Earnest Collins can breath a little easier not only when he sees the teams the Braves are playing, but who they aren’t. Unlike last season, when Alcorn opened its season on the road against Bowl Subdivision teams Southern Miss and Central Michigan — and lost those two games by a combined 100-0 — the Braves will open up the 2010 season at Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 18.

That could change, however, as Collins said the school is trying to find an opponent to come to Lorman and play Alcorn on Sept. 4. Alcorn currently has four games scheduled at Jack Spinks Stadium. If the Braves are able to find an opponent to play them on Sept. 4, that would give them five home games only one year after they played just three games in Lorman. “We’re excited we have more home games this year,” Collins said. “We’d prefer to get a team to come in here on Sept. 4 and then leave the 11th open.”

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Alcorn State Braves 2010 Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time

9/18 Mississippi Valley* Itta Bena, MS TBA

9/25 Alabama State* Alcorn State, MS 2:00PM

10/2 Mississippi State Starkville, MS TBA

10/9 Texas Southern* (Homecoming) Alcorn State, MS 2:00PM

10/16 Grambling State* Grambling, LA TBA

10/ 21Arkansas Pine Bluff* Alcorn State, MS TBA

10/30 Southern University* Alcorn State, MS 2:00PM

11/6 Alabama A&M* Huntsville, AL TBA

11/13 Prairie View A&M* Prairie View, TX TBA

11/20 Jackson State* (Capital City Classic) Jackson, MS 1:00PM

12/11 SWAC Championship Birmingham, AL 1:00PM CT

Still wanted: Playmakers for AAMU Bulldogs

Alabama A&M football coach Anthony Jones went into spring practice looking for playmakers on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Bulldogs sought key replacements at running back, receiver and along the line, while defensively, the big need included pass rushers. With just four practices left, including Saturday's Maroon and White scrimmage, Jones is still looking for playmakers. "We need guys that can make a difference whether it's a tackle on offense or an end on defense," said Jones, whose team will return to practice today after taking off last week for spring break.

"We need guys who are going to make plays and the results will do the talking. I feel like we'll find those guys, but we've got to coach them. "I knew this day was coming. We're just going to have to fight our way through this. We've got some guys that will get a chance to play extensively for the first time and some of our young guys will have to show their mettle. Everybody is going to have to step their game up - players and coaches - for us to have a chance to be successful."

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