In the FCS Huddle: SWAC spring football notebook

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – The West is best in Southwestern Athletic Conference football.
At least until the East champion changes it.

The West Division representative has defeated the East Division champion in five straight SWAC championship games, and in 11 of the 14 meetings since the game was started in 1999 (West champ Texas Southern later vacated its 2010 title).

Arkansas-Pine Bluff is the defending champ after beating Jackson State, 24-21, in last year's title game.

STORY LINES

Having to replenish the offensive and defensive lines in the same season is never easy on a team, but that's the challenge facing the defending SWAC champions at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Jackson State will look for the offense to carry the team as the defense rebuilds its line. Quarterback Clayton Moore is the returning starter, but redshirt freshman LaMontiez Ivy was one of the more touted recruits in the FCS a year ago, and this year coach Rick Comegy has brought in Ivy's go-to wide receiver from high school, Daniel Moore.

Another East Division member, Alabama State, will try to take the next step after tying for the last two titles but losing the tiebreaker for advancing to the SWAC Championship Game. Coach Reggie Barlow's Hornets, who last made the title game in 2010, is playing a full season in its new stadium for the first time and have a new defensive coordinator in Kevin Ramsey.



READ MORE