Sunday, September 26, 2010

Week 4: Pretenders vs. Contenders

There were only two surprises this week--Tennessee State and Winston Salem State steamrolling their long time rivals, Florida A&M and Fayetteville State. The wins by Tuskegee and Albany State against higher classification Texas Southern and Savannah State were expected.

The Florida A&M Rattlers put on a nationally televised coaching clinic on how not to play college football against your arch rival. The Rattlers were unable to stop Tennessee State from steamrolling their offensive and defensive lines. TSU proved to be very good at holding and chop blocking, getting several calls by the officials and registering 16 flags for a -136 yards.

The Tigers registered 11 sacks and had an Atlanta Classic rushing record 233 yards by Tigers running back Preston Brown. TSU averaged 6.6 yards per carry, amassing 304 yard on 46 carries for the game.

The Rattlers gained 24 yards on 25 carries, and was limited to 175 yards passing for the game.
What happened to that stable of running backs that the Rattlers were bragging about in August? Three years--and Taylor's Rattlers still cannot stop a smash mouth running team.

TSU first year head coach Rod Reed game plan was simply--prove to us you can stop the run!
Well, the Rattlers clearly flunked the mid-term exam on defense and their starting quarterback, Martin Ukpai, fizzled under the constant pressure of the Tigers' blitzes.

Joe Taylor and his staff had no solutions for the TSU defense. No question, the Rattlers were outplayed on offense, defense and special teams and didn't look anything like a conference championship team.

It gets worst for the Rattlers next week with a home date with MEAC powerhouse, South Carolina State Bulldogs. Expect the Rattlers to receive another pounding, as they disappear totally from the FCS playoff conversation.

TSU played a great game against FAMU and gets the opportunity to do it again to the MEAC next Saturday with 0-4 North Carolina A&T at the Circle City Classic.

Winston Salem State has been the surprise of the season, with its 5-0 start for Coach Connell Maynor. Even with the plays called being intercepted by FSU coaching staff, the Broncos could not stop the efficient execution by the Rams. If the Rams keep rolling, this may become the greatest turnaround in NCAA history.

WSSU finished last season with an 1-10 record, as a provisional Division I member in the MEAC. The Rams are clearly leading the pack in the CIAA after dismantling last season's champions on the road.

Most of our fans and their employers didn't receive the White House press release trumpeting that the recession is over. We all need mo' money. This weekend games with the highest attendance in our conferences were as follows:

1. Atlanta Football Classic, 54,202, FAMU vs. Tennessee State, Atlanta, GA
2. State Fair Classic, 43,754, Grambling vs. PVAMU, Dallas, TX
3. Whitney Young Classic, 34,160, Howard vs. Morgan St., E. Rutherford, NJ
4. Gateway Classic, 22,781, UAPB vs. CAU, St. Louis, Mo.
5. Jackson State vs. Mississippi Valley, 18,020, Jackson, MS
6. North Carolina Central vs. North Carolina A&T, 15,173, Durham, N.C.
7, Coastal Carolina vs. Delaware State, 9,218, Conway, S.C.

One last point.... The MEAC has not beaten any team of significance outside the conference this season. What's up with that?

-beepbeep



MEAC
Tennessee State 29, Florida A&M 18
Bethune Cookman 21, Norfolk State 7
South Carolina State, Bye
Coastal Carolina 34, Delaware State 14
North Carolina Central 27, North Carolina A&T 16
Albany State(Ga.) 28, Savannah State 14
Morgan State 20, Howard 3

SWAC
Alabama A&M 34, Southern 14
Jackson State 43, Mississippi Valley 7
Grambling State 34, Prairie View 17
Tuskegee 21, Texas Southern 14
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 35, Clark Atlanta 19
Alcorn State 41, Alabama State 21

CIAA
Saint Augustine's 53, Lincoln (Pa.) 21
Saint Paul's 27, Livingstone 6
Winston Salem State 31, Fayettville State 14
Virginia State 20, Chowan 13
Bowie State 28, Virginia Union 27
Shaw 31, Elizabeth City State 28

SIAC
Morehouse 30, Lincoln (Mo.) 14
Tuskegee 21, Texas Southern 14
Albany State 28, Savannah State 14
Miles 13, Kentucky State 12
Benedict 35, Stillman 0
Arkansas Pine Bluff 35, Clark Atlanta 19

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