Alabama State's Coach Barlow says NFL can wait

Photo: Coach Reggie Barlow interviewed for Denver Broncos receivers coaching postion on Monday in Denver.

Reggie Barlow said Tuesday that he expects to return as Alabama State's head coach next season and will not accept a possible job offer from the Denver Broncos. Barlow spent Monday in Denver interviewing with head coach Mike Shanahan for a job as the Broncos' receivers coach, but said Tuesday that he didn't think now was the best time to make the jump to the NFL.

"Do I ultimately want to coach in the NFL? Yes," Barlow said. "But I just don't think right now is the time for that. I've brought in some good coaches here, and I sat in a lot of living rooms and made promises to kids. It's a very, very tough decision. But I think I'm content here at Bama State. That's what I told my wife. That's what I've told (ASU officials)."

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Alabama State University President Resigns

Photo: Alabama State University 11th president, Dr. Joe A. Lee will be stepping down on May 31, 2008.

Montgomery, AL - Alabama State University President Joe Lee has announced plans to resign after a sometimes tumultuous seven years at the school's helm. Lee's announcement yesterday at a scheduled board of trustees meeting caught most of the trustees, administrators and alumni off-guard.

Lee says he will resign May 31st. He did not disclose any future plans. Trustee Herbert Young says he had no idea Lee was going to resign. Trustees voted to move quickly and gave board chairman Elton Dean the authority to begin forming a search panel. Dean says he expects to start the committee within the next week.

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Alabama State's Barlow Announces 19 New Hornets

Photo: Head football coach Reggie Barlow, Alabama State University.

Offensive and defensive line form core of signing class

Montgomery, Ala. - Alabama State head football coach Reggie Barlow announced 19 student-athletes have signed national-letters-of-intent to play football for the Hornets. "I am very excited by this class," Barlow said. "We added a lot of talent to our team, and made ourselves much deeper at some very important positions."

12 of the signees are either offensive or defensive lineman, a point Barlow emphasized.

"We really wanted to improve our team on both sides of the ball," Barlow said. "We have good players returning, but we were able to bring in a great deal of size and talent with this group."

The Hornets are only losing seven starters from last year's team, which for Barlow means he'll have two things going for him: experience and competition.

"That (competition) is always great," Barlow said. "The guys here are working very hard with Matt Turner, our new strength and conditioning coach. So I expect them to be in great shape and ready to go. And they should be, because the new players coming in here will be definitely committed to challenging for playing time right away."

The Hornets open spring football practice on March 11.

2008 Alabama State University Football Signees

Jerome Adams WR 6'0 185 St. Jude Montgomery, Al
Explosive receiver that picked up almost 2,000 yards during dynamic high school career. 43 receptions for 733 yards and 9 touchdowns as a senior. Back-to-back All-State selection. Led state with 9 interceptions on defense - including three for touchdowns - as a junior. Also, made All-Metro as a basketball and baseball player.

Charles Alford DL 6'1 218 Valdosta Valdosta, Ga
Speed rusher terrorized quarterbacks in one the nation's most competitive high school conferences. Accounted for 9 ½ sacks as a senior and 18 in his career. Named 1st team All-Region as a senior. Honored by coaches as most dedicated player.

Nicholas Andrews WR 5'9 170 Maplesville Maplesville, Al
Dynamic wide receiver with game changing ability. Outstanding prep career included more than 2,500 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns. Also had 21 interceptions - including two for TDs - on the defensive side of the ball. 4-sport star whose accomplishments include 1,000 points in basketball, North-South All-star in baseball and second place as a long jumper in the state track meet. Maintained a 3.9 grade point average. Younger brother of current ASU receiver John Andrews.

Brandon Butler DE 6'2 230 Northview Dothan, Al
Dominant pass rushing defensive end from traditional powerhouse Dothan-Northview. Selected as team captain and team defensive most valuable player. Bryant-Jordan Award nominee. Turned down scholarship offer from Louisville to attend Alabama State.

Kynjee Cotton DL 6'0 260 Daphne Daphne, Al
Powerful pass rusher that piled up six sacks and 63 tackles as a senior. Picked to the Mobile Press-Register All-Region and the Alabama North-South all-star team. Led team to two region titles and an appearance in the state championship game. Tied strength record set by former Alabama star Kenny King with 625 pound squat. Nominated as Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year.

Christopher Dunning OL 6'2 315 Pine Forest Pensacola, Fl
Team captain on Florida Class 3-A state runner-ups. Anchored an offensive line that produced three of the top 10 rushers in the region. Named 2007 Pensacola News-Journal Super Senior and All-State, as well as played in the North-South Florida All-Star game.

DreQuay Everett OL 6'1 260 Peach County Fort Valley, Ga
Leader on dominant offensive line that captured back-to-back state championships, and three consecutive region titles. Team was top offensive unit in the region, averaging more than 40 points and 430 yards per game. Outstanding student as well as athlete.

Christopher Forney OL 6'3 280 Hightower Houston, Tx
Tough lineman whose quickness and strength will allow him to play inside or at tackle. Excelled against some of the nation's top talent. Equally adept at run and pass blocking.

Saterro Hardy LB 6'0 220 Eufaula Eufaula, Al
Sure tackler who was a member of the state's most electrifying defensive units. Can cover sideline-to-sideline. Has speed and savvy to play multiple positions on the college level.

David Hate, Jr. OL 6'2 290 Rutherford Panama City, Fl
Anchored offensive line with superior run blocking skills. Named All-County in 2006 and 2007. Also awarded All-District in junior and senior seasons. Earned All-Nike Camp honors at Florida State in 2007. Voted team's most valuable offensive lineman in 2007.

Bernard Key DB 6'0 195 University of Memphis Montgomery, Al
Impressive athlete that will make immediate impact in the defensive backfield. Regarded as potential "shut-down" cornerback. Returning home to Montgomery; had excellent high school at Sidney Lanier high school.

Jake King K 5'11 185 Tyler Community Tyler, Texas
Extremely accurate place kicker. Made 12-13 field goal attempts and 21-22 extra point attempts in 2007. Excellent in kickoffs, with ability to directionally place the ball.

Lionel Mapp OL 6'7 360 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, Ga
Massive size allows him to simply overwhelm defenders. However, is athletic enough to handle outside speed rushers at left tackle position. Rejected several offers from FBS (formerly Division 1-A) for Alabama State.

Donovan Masline DB 5'8 160 Raines Jacksonville, Fl
Speedy, ball-hawking cover corner who totaled 10 interceptions in 2007. Showed versatility by returning four kicks for touchdowns. Named to the All-Gateway Conference and All-Northeast Florida teams. Honored as a student-athlete of the month by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame's "Play it Smart" program.

Timothy Moore OL 6'3 285 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, Ga
Center and leader of offensive line. Fires off ball extremely quickly and is a student of the game. Has thorough understanding of each offensive lineman's responsibilities, allowing him to coordinate and change protections.

Courtney Senior OL 6'4 320 Edgewater Orlando, Fl
Huge offensive lineman named All-Central Florida, All-Florida District and All-Academic teams. Described as a powerful blocker who creates "daylight" for runners. Played tackle in high school, but talented and mobile enough to move inside as well.

Aaron Wheeler OL 6'4 305 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, Ga
Will immediately challenge for starting right tackle. Powerful and agile, especially in the run game. Outstanding athlete for his size, and can play number of positions.

Jakari Wilcoxson DE 6'4 250 East Gadsden Quincy, Fl
Explosive pass rusher who earned All-County honors in 2006 and 2007, picking up six sacks and 11 tackles for loss during his senior season. Equally strong again the run, Wilcoxson totaled 55 tackles in 2007. Also earned 1st team All-Big Bend in talent rich north Florida.

Vernon Williams LB 6'1 180 Gadsden Gadsden, Al
Hard-hitting linebacker that wreaked havoc on opposing defenses. Totaled an amazing 113 tackles in senior season. Strong blitzer that made 20 sacks in 2007. Also forced four fumbles.

Alabama State wrecked by PVAMU Smith's 35 points

Photo: Chari Smith, junior, 6-3 guard from Los Angeles, CA and Mt. Sac JC had a WNBA night against the Lady Hornets.

Montgomery, AL - The Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers (14-7, 9-0 SWAC) have swept the first half of conference play after coming away with a 93-82 win over the Alabama State Lady Hornets (7-13, 3-6 SWAC).

After to pulling to within one point at 45-44 in the second half of play, the ASU Lady Hornets fell behind double digits at the 15:21 mark of the half at 56-46. Prairie View A&M would let Alabama State get no closer than six points from that point as they went on to capture their eleventh consecutive victory.

Chari Smith had a career night, putting up 35 points on 13-of-18 shooting from the floor. She tallied a double-double also contributing 14 rebounds. Candice Thomas scored 19 points on 5-of-10 shooting while Gaati Werema chimed in with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field.

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Alabama State Hornets outgun PVAMU Panthers

The Hornets opened up a 25-point lead midway through the second half and coasted to a 98-86 win, improving to 12-7 overall and 8-1 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. "This was a good win for us," ASU coach Lewis Jackson said. "We played well for portions of the game, but we also have some things to work on."

First on Jackson's list is getting his players to put games away when they have the chance. "When we got up by 25, the guys thought the game was over," Jackson said. "We made a substitution there to get some guys a breather and we just lost all aggression. We spent the rest of the game going through the motions. And that's not going to get it done. We need to have that killer instinct."

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Coach unhappy, but Alabama State Hornets beat Texas Southern

Photo: Senior Joel Bosh, 6-7/185 forward, Dallas, Texas, Dallas Lincoln H.S., scored 15 points along with Junior guard Andrew Hayles to lead the Hornets.

Following Saturday afternoon's game against Texas Southern, Alabama State head coach Lewis Jackson wasn't pleased. He criticized his Hornets' defensive effort, talked about their noticeable lack of intensity and stressed the importance of getting better. All around the SWAC, Jackson's fellow coaches are rolling their eyes.

When their teams play that poorly, they lose. ASU was on the good end of an 81-68 game at the Acadome. ASU (11-7, 7-1) shot nearly 60 percent from the field, almost 65percent from behind the 3-point line and outrebounded TSU 30-19.

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Alabama State on road to face TSU and PVAMU

Photo: Alabama State University head men basketball coach Lewis Jackson.

There will be no easy games for the Alabama State basketball team from here on out. The Hornets won't catch any team off-guard. They won't face any uninspired opponents. And they won't be able to sleepwalk through any games. This is what happens when you win five of your first six conference games and outscore your fellow SWAC opponents by an average of 14 points per game.

"We know the target is there," ASU head coach Lewis Jackson said. "Teams always want to knock off the No. 1 team. And that's us right now. We know that the other teams in the conference will be gunning for us. We've been fortunate enough to win some games and get to the top."

For ASU women's coach Freda Freeman-Jackson, pushing seems to be all she's doing lately. Following the loss of forward Tanika Jackson to a season-ending knee injury (the fifth ASU player to be lost to a knee injury this season), the Lady Hornets have struggled badly.

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Football scheduling mix-up costs Alabama State Hornets

Photo: Alabama State University Hornets Interim Athletic Director Ron Dickerson.

Alabama State interim athletic director Ron Dickerson likes to map his days out weeks in advance and hates surprises. Unfortunately, his school's 2008 football schedule -- which Dickerson finalized months ago -- is in shambles now with the discovery of two games both scheduled for Sept. 6, 2008. It will now cost the university several thousand dollars to resolve the problem.

Part of the problem stems from the Southwestern Athletic Conference's decision in spring of 2006 to go from a nine-game mandate within conference -- meaning every SWAC team was forced to play each other -- to a seven-game mandate.

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It is great to see that FAMU is moving away from the classic games. The Rattlers are already committed to two of the largest--the Florida Classic with Bethune Cookman and the Atlanta Football Classic with Tennessee State. We would prefer to see FAMU play the Florida FBC teams like Miami, Central Florida, South Florida and Florida that can pay the $350,000-$400,000 market rate guarantee for an FCS game.

South Carolina State is playing at Central Florida and Clemson this season. Norfolk State is playing at Kentucky and Delaware State is playing for the second consecutive season at Kent State. It's all about the money for MEAC programs and a few are moving in the right direction in scheduling games with the FBC teams for the big payouts and the higher grade competition.

Alabama State remains SWAC leader with win over SU Jaguars

Alabama State showcased all the facets of why the Hornets are the top team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in beating second-place Southern, 59-44, in a nationally televised showdown Monday night. And most of all, Alabama State showed how tough the Hornets can be.

With 7-foot-1 center Chief Kickingstallionsims limited to 11 minutes by foul trouble, starting forward Brandon Gordon (ankle) limited to five and senior reserve forward Richard Lott (back) not even dressing, Alabama State still dominated at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

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SU Jaguars to face Alabama A&M

For a team in the thick of a tight Southwestern Athletic Conference race, being successful on its longest home stand of the season is high on the list of important musts in order to win that race.

The Southern men’s basketball team (6-11, 4-2 SWAC) has three consecutive home games, beginning tonight, when Alabama A&M (4-11, 1-4) visits at 4 p.m. today at the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Still ahead: SWAC-leading Alabama State (8-7, 4-1) at 7 p.m. Monday in a game that will be televised on ESPNU and Alcorn State (3-16, 2-4) at 4 p.m. a week from today. SU is then idle on Monday, Feb. 4.

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Freshman Lumpkin steps in to ASU starring role

Photo: Erica Lumpkin, 5-10 freshman forward, Selma High School, Orrville, Alabama, Major: Early Childhood Education.

When Erica Lumpkin signed with Alabama State last year, the plan was to bring her in, let her ease into playing time and give her a chance get comfortable before any big expectations were placed on her shoulders.

That was the plan. Until reality set in.

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ASU runs away from UAPB in 69-40 win

Montgomery, Ala. - When Alabama State head coach Lewis Jackson looked down his roster before the season, he had high hopes for his squad.

But despite the talent and versatility he envisioned, he knew it would take time for all of the new players to mesh with the returnees. How long, he wasn't sure. But after a 69-40 dismantling of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Monday night, the answer may be sooner, rather than later.

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MEAC/SWAC Sports Clipboard: ASU and FAMU makes progress

by beepbeep, MEAC/SWAC Sports Mainstreet

Alcorn State University has indicated that they have received 30 applications in response to the posted vacancy to replace the fired head football coach, Dr. Johnny Thomas. The interim athletic director, Wiley Jones said the search committee is made up of nine people associated with the university and they are expected to have a short list ready by next week.

The Braves, who finished 2-8 this past season are expected to have a new coach hired before the end of the month. Jones said that three and no more than five names will be presented to Alcorn State Interim President Malvin A. Williams for his consideration.

Jones said the committee’s first choice would be someone with Division I coaching experience but that is not a requirement. “We haven’t made any decisions yet,” Jones said. “We’re looking at everybody. No one has been eliminated.” Thomas finished with an overall record of 48-61 and a SWAC record of 34-41 in his 10 years at the helm of the Alcorn State program.

Florida A&M University Lady Rattlers Basketball Head Coach Debra Clark is headed for the NCAA Tournament in 2008. If the first seven games are any indication, Coach Clark and the 7-0 FAMU Lady Rattlers will overcome every adversity placed in their path to reach this goal.

First, before the season begin, Clark lost 2007 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference All-Rookie performers Secrett Anderson and Marke Freeman, due to transfer. No problem, as two players don't define the success of the FAMU progam. Then Coach Clark had to have surgery to remove her thyroid on November 14. Again, no problem as her trusted assistant coaches and the Lady Rattlers were successful in defeating Albany State (76-73) and Savannah State on the road 71-54 to raise the season record to 4-0.

More importantly, Coach Clark signed to a national letter-of-intent Ashley Hampton, a senior forward with St. John Lutheran, who is a top basketball player in the Ocala, Florida region. Hampton will be a very important piece for the 2008-09 Lady Rattlers program. All of these events occurred while the coach was out recovering from her surgery.

Then Clark returns and runs over Bethune Cookman on the road 78-65; uses Stetson for a home scrimmage with a final score of 54-37; and then clobbers a good Jacksonville Dolphin squad at home 66-57 for a 7-0 record. The Dolphins are no scrub team having beaten Miami and Florida on the road for a 6-3 season record.

The Lady Rattlers are off to their best start ever and the 7-0 record ties the 1983-84 FAMU women team coached by Mickey Clayton.

The Lady Rattlers are going to Tampa on Saturday to play South Florida on Sunday at the Sun Dome. New FAMU athletic director Bill Hayes will get a homecoming of sorts when North Carolina Central University Eagles comes to Tallahassee on December 15. Then its Florida Gulf Coast at Gaither Gym on December 17 to close out 2007.

In the MEAC Standings, the FAMU Lady Rattlers are in a three way tie for first place with North Carolina A&T Lady Aggies and Morgan State Lady Bears with one victory in the conference.

So, who are the stars on the Lady Rattlers team that finished 2006-07 with a 16-16 record?

Photo: FAMU Guard Joslyn Jackson, 5-7 senior guard,
Marietta, GA McEachern HS leads Lady Rattlers in scoring.

Starting guards Joslyne Jackson and Deidra Jones are scoring 16.5 and 14.8 points per game, respectively. Jones is snatching 8.0 boards. Stephanie Foster is scoring 12.3 per game and our girl, Q'Vaunda Curry is hitting an average of 9.7 points and 43 percent of her 3 point shots. Taniyah Dawson is averaging 30 minutes per game and 6.2 points, with 3.2 steals and 4.3 assists. Forward Denise Tate and center Thyeis Halley are clocking 24 and 16 minutes each game and 5.3 points each. Tate is pulling down 9.3 rebounds to lead the team. Forward Kirsten Stallings, center Melissa Daniels, guards Evette Young and Jarquella Woods have played important minutes as they develop the needed bench depth for the Lady Rattlers.

The entire Lady Rattlers team is listed below and their schedule for 2007/08. This team is worth the price of admissions, so go out and see them play when they come to your area, HBCU sports fans.

NO NAME HT POS Year Hometown Last School
1 Jarquella Woods 5-1 G FR Columbus, GA Hardaway HS
2 Deidra Jones 5-10 G JR Powder Springs, GA McEachern HS
5 Evette Young 5-6 G RS JR Sunrise, FL Ft. Lauderdale HS
11 Taniyah Dawson 5-7 G JR Mesquite, TX Poteet HS
15 Chelsea Pennick 5-11 G FR Orlando, FL Orlando Christian Prep
20 Q'Vaunda Curry 5-6 G SR Quincy, FL East Gadsden HS
21 Joslyne Jackson 5-7 G SR Marietta, GA McEachern HS
22 Devin Williams 5-9 F FR Sarasota, FL Sarasota HS
23 Stephanie Foster 6-0 G/F JR Columbus, OH Brookhaven HS
25 Leanne Randall 6-0 G FR Fayetteville, N.C. Trinity Christian Prep
31 Melissa Daniels 6-3 C JR Jasper, FL Hamilton Co. HS
35 Kirsten Stallings 6-0 F SO Memphis, TN Ridgeway, HS
40 Denise Tate 6-1 F JR Cleveland, OH Glenville HS
42 Thyeis Halley 6-1 F/C SR Cleveland, OH Lakeland CC
44 Brandi Hollingsworth 6-2 F/C FR Columbus, GA Pacelli HS

Coaches

Debra Clark - Head Coach
John Clark - Assistant Coach
Niki Washington - Assistant Coach
Melaney Denson - Assistant Coach

Date Opponent / Event Location Time / Result

11/01/07 at Valdosta State ! Valdosta, GA 5:00 p.m. ET
11/09/07 at Georgia State Atlanta, GA W, 60-58 (F)
11/13/07 vs. Mercer Tallahassee, FL W, 78-57 (F)
11/14/07 vs. Albany State Tallahassee, FL W, 76-73 (F)
11/20/07 at Savannah State Savannah, GA W, 71-54 (F)
12/01/07 at Bethune Cookman @ Daytona Beach, FL W, 78-65 (F)
12/03/07 vs. Stetson Tallahassee, FL W, 54-37 (F)
12/06/07 vs. Jacksonville @ Tallahassee, FL W, 66-57 (F)
12/09/07 at USF Tampa, FL TBA
12/15/07 vs. North Carolina Central Tallahassee, FL 2:00 p.m. ET
12/17/07 vs. Florida Gulf Coast Tallahassee, FL 5:00 p.m. ET
01/02/08 at Florida Gainesville, FL 2:00 p.m. ET
01/04/08 vs. Savannah State Tallahassee, FL 7:00 p.m. ET
01/12/08 at Howard @ Washington, D.C. 2:00 p.m. ET
01/14/08 at Hampton University @ Hampton, VA 6:00 p.m. ET
01/19/08 at Morgan State @ Baltimore, MD 2:00 p.m. ET
01/21/08 at Coppin State @ Baltimore, MD 5:30 p.m. ET
01/26/08 vs. Maryland Eastern Shore @ Tallahassee, FL 2:00 p.m. ET
01/28/08 vs. Delaware State @ Tallahassee, FL 5:30 p.m. ET
02/02/08 at Winston-Salem State @ Winston-Salem, N.C. 2:00 p.m.

02/04/08 at South Carolina State @ Orangeburg, S.C. 5:30 p.m. ET
02/09/08 vs. North Carolina A&T @ Tallahassee, FL 2:00 p.m. ET
02/11/08 vs. Norfolk State @ Tallahassee, FL 5:30 p.m. ET
02/16/08 vs. Morgan State Tallahassee, FL 2:00 p.m. ET
02/18/08 vs. Coppin State @ Tallahassee, FL 5:30 p.m. ET
02/23/08 at Maryland Eastern Shore @ Princess Anne, MD 2:00 p.m.
02/25/08 at Delaware State @ Dover, MD 5:30 p.m. ET
03/01/08 vs. Winston-Salem State @ Tallahassee, FL 2:00 p.m. ET
03/03/08 vs. South Carolina State @ Tallahassee, FL 5:30 p.m. ET
03/06/08 vs. Bethune Cookman @ Tallahassee, FL 5:30 p.m. ET

MEAC Tournament:TBA
NCAA Tournament: TBA

Some Names are just funny--or are they if you have to spell it for the 6 millionth time.

If you have been a long time Florida A&M University sports fan, you may recall a basketball player that played guard at FAMU with center Jerome James (NBA New York Knicks) during the 1995-96 season. The fellow name is Mapp--Scientific Mapp. No, I'm not kidding and his brother played basketball for Virginia and his name is Majestic Mapp. Well, we found a few more this morning that are surely the best names in college hoops history.

Alabama State University currently has a 7-1/265 starting junior center from Boyton Beach, Florida that has our vote for the most unique name in sports history but the guy can play basketball and is a force in the middle. When was the last time the SWAC had a seven footer that could actually play? Yes, it has be a while. Here is our list:

Photo: Alabama State University basketball junior center Chief Kickingstallionsims

1. Grlenntys "Chief" Kickingstallionsims Jr., Alabama State University
(Goes by "Chief Kickingstallionsims") with his given first name being Grlenntys, whose name means “Strength of Fallen Rocks.” He is a member of the Navajo nation. Chief transferred from Stetson University (Deland, Fla) to Alabama State University and is playing his first season for the Hornets. He is a graduate of Blanche Ely High School.

2. Scientific Mapp--5-10 starting guard on 1995-96 FAMU men basketball team with current NBA Knicks center Jerome James. No, he did not major in Geography.

3. Majestic Mapp, Virginia/West Georgia --brother of Scientific Mapp.

4. God Shamgod, Providence College

5. Pops Mensah-Bonsu, George Washington

6. Dikembe Mutombo, Georgetown

Photo: FAMU Basketball senior center Akini Akini

Florida A&M current 6-10/231 senior center "Akini Akini" is a tremendous student-athlete, so we are going to cut this brother some slack and leave him off our list because he has the same first and last name. Akini Ferdinand Akini is married and a native of Cameroon majoring in construction engineering. He is an excellent Rattler!

2007 Magic City Classic: Battle of the Bands- ASU Hornets vs. AAMU Bulldogs

A record crowd of 68,593 came to Legion Field this past Saturday to enjoy the battle between the Bulldogs and the Hornets in the Magic City Classic. Alabama A&M University won the football game 13-9 and the winner of the battle of the bands is still undecided. You pick the winner of that contest...

Alabama State University Marching Hornets and Stingettes


Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon and White Band and the Dancing Divas


AAMU Band vs. ASU Band, The 5th Quarter - Magic City Classic 2007, Part I


ASU Band vs. AAMU Band, The 5th Quarter - Magic City Classic 2007, Part II

Prairie View beats ASU Hornets for first time in 76 years

Photo: Prairie View's Chris Gibson runs past Alabama State's Adrian Hardy during the game Saturday at Cramton Bowl.

By Josh Moon, Montgomery Advertiser

There have been many firsts in Reggie Barlow's brief tenure as Alabama State's head coach. He would just as soon forget those that came on Saturday.

Offensive problems and the complete lack of a kicking game set the Hornets up. Prairie View A&M, for the first time in 76 years, knocked them down.

Barlow lost his first game at Cramton Bowl and ASU dropped its third straight, 17-6 to Prairie View.

"It's tough when you lose, especially at home," Barlow said. "We just didn't do enough to win. I think we've got good players here, but I think we need to go back, regroup and figure out what we can do better, because we've got to play better than this. This was pretty pitiful."

The Hornets couldn't play much worse offensively.

They had just 251 yards of total offense for the game and only 101 in the second half.

"This is a situation now where we're going to have to go back to the drawing board and figure out what we're doing wrong as coaches," Barlow said. "Maybe we need to stop worrying about what we, as coaches, are wanting from the players and worry more about what's best for those players. Something's got to change, I'll say that."

Again, the ASU passing game struggled.

A combo of Chris Mitchell and Alex Engram completed just 10 of 27 pass attempts for 98 yards and an interception. That included Engram missing six of his final seven passes and Mitchell hitting only seven of his 17 attempts in the game.

"I don't know what the issue is," Engram said. "We certainly want to play better, it's just not happening."

In the meantime, ASU's offensive ineptitude has allowed opponents to pound away at the Hornets' defense early and control the clock. Then they take advantage of a tired defense late in game.

Photo: Alabama State's Joel Raggins is brought down by Prairie View's Yavarian Richardson.

"It is frustrating, because we're losing and that's always going to be frustrating," cornerback Brandon Averett said. "I think we're playing OK as a defense, but as long as the offense is scoring, we could do more."

That's a tough standard, especially considering the way Saturday's game played out.

Up until the final minutes of the third quarter, Prairie View had one successful drive in the game that came on its first possession and resulted in a Brady Faggard 44-yard field goal.

ASU answered that score on its next possession when Jay Peck capped an 11-play, 76-yard drive with a one-yard TD run. With no reliable place-kicker, the Hornets were forced to attempt a two-point conversion, but a Jason Bruce pass fell incomplete.

ASU led 6-3 until the 3:02 mark of the third quarter, when Golden Lions QB Mark Spivey connected with Gabriel Osaze-Ediae on a 14-yard scoring play. That wrapped up a 6-play, 64-yard drive and gave Prairie View a 10-6 lead.

Desperately searching for offense at that point, Barlow pulled his starter Mitchell and inserted Engram. The results were the same. ASU failed to pick up a first down and had to punt. After getting the ball back from the Golden Lions, ASU mounted its only serious threat of the half.

After a 20-yard completion from Engram to Steve Briggs and a couple of timely Prairie View penalties, the Hornets found themselves on the Golden Lions 33, facing third and two. The coaches called a run-pass option play for Engram, who sprinted out to his right and launched a pass toward the end zone and over the head of wideout Fred Ragdale.

Barlow was livid on the sideline. He jerked his headset off and began yelling at pretty much everyone.

"We wanted Alex to turn the ball upfield and get the first down," Barlow said. "I've got to learn to control my emotions a little better and remember that we're dealing with kids here. I just felt like he could've picked up the first down."

Engram later explained to Barlow that he didn't know it was third down. He thought the penalty on the previous play had given the Hornets a first down, and that's why he threw deep.

On fourth down, the coaches gave him another shot. This time, he turned it upfield. And went nowhere.

Prairie View took over on downs and marched down the field for the game-clinching score, a 7-yard Donald Babers run.

Prairie View no pushover for Alabama State University

Photo: ASU RSSr., RB Jay Peck, Columbus, OH

By A. Stacy Long, Montgomery Advertiser

Prairie View, once college football's laughingstock, isn't providing comedy relief anymore.

The Panthers, who play Alabama State today at Cramton Bowl, have a 3-2 overall record -- including a 2-2 mark in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Those two league losses weren't exactly blowouts.

Prairie View lost by 10 at Southern and fell by three against Grambling State.

"Prairie View is the real deal now," ASU defensive lineman Chris Preer said. "They have just as good athletes as anybody. They're competing and they're no pushover team."

The Hornets (4-2, 3-2 SWAC) learned all about Prairie View's resurgence last season when they played at Prairie View and barely pulled out a 10-7 victory. A 45-yard touchdown pass from Alex Engram to Antonio James early in the fourth quarter provided the difference.

The game was scoreless at halftime.

"I always heard people say that Prairie View was pretty sorry back in the day," ASU linebacker Michael Figgers said. "Last year they were pretty good. We were in some trouble down there last year. They're looking real good this year, too. We're going to come out fighting."

Prairie View lost an NCAA-record 80 straight games from 1989 to 1998 -- the second-longest streak is a paltry 44-gamer. That went a long way toward cementing its reputation as a SWAC patsy. But the reborn Panthers opened this season with two straight victories, including a season-opening 34-14 drubbing of Texas Southern.

"Just from playing them last year, I can see the difference from what I've heard," Preer said. "It's going to be a tough game, but if we prepare well and play our game, I think we'll come out on top."

Preer believes last year's close call had as much to do with ASU's bad attitude as with Prairie View's good play.

"A lot of guys had the mentality last year that Prairie View is sorry and that's an easy win," he said. "Not anymore."

And anyway, Alabama State has its own losing streak to deal with.

The Hornets won their first four games, rallying in the fourth quarter for each victory. But they stumbled two weeks ago and fell 21-2 to Southern University. Last week, they lost 32-20 at Jackson State.

"As a head coach, the thing I was most disappointed in was our sense of urgency as a team," ASU coach Reggie Barlow said. "I didn't think we had the sense of urgency that I was looking for. That's on me.

"I have to do a better job of selling that to our assistant coaches, our players, everybody in our program, even the secretary. I need her to step it up. We'll get it."

Jackson State scored on two of its first three possessions and improved on that in the second half. The Tigers had four scores the first five times they touched the ball.

Erik Haw rolled through the Hornets for 159 yards and three touchdowns, including a 66-yarder in the fourth quarter that sealed the win.

"The last couple of weeks, we've been starting off a little slow," Figgers said. "Before, we always come up with a big play and someone lights that match to get us going, but we haven't had that the last two weeks.

"I'm sure we'll get things back together. It hasn't been a big problem, just a play here and there and we're back in the ballgame."

Jackson State totaled 285 yards rushing on Alabama State, which allowed an average of less than 110 yards rushing its first five games.

"It hurts, especially when a team isn't supposed to do that," Preer said. "Taking nothing from Jackson State, but we're a lot better than what the score showed and the stats. We have to get back to what we do best, playing Hornet ball."

The Hornets don't feel they were that far away in either loss.

"We could easily be 6-0," Figgers said. "There's no team that has been better than us. We've just had a couple of slipups. We'll be back to normal.

"We're going to get everything back this week."

Praire View A&M University Marching Storm and the Black Foxes

Prairie View A&M at Alabama State

Alabama State Sports Information

The Match-up

Teams: Alabama State (4-2, 3-2 SWAC) vs. Prairie View A & M (3-2, 2-2 SWAC)
Series: ASU leads 20-1
Kickoff: 1 p.m. at Montgomery's Cramton Bowl
Tickets: $15 in advance; $18 on day of the game

After two tough losses, the Alabama State Hornets return home for a Saturday afternoon match-up with the Prairie View A & M Panthers. The Hornets fell to Jackson State 32-20 on Saturday. ASU seem poised for another magical 4th quarter comeback when Alex Engram hit Fred Ragsdale hit for a touchdown to pull within 23-20. However, JSU tailback Eric Haw answered with a 66-yard touchdown run to seal the game.

For ASU, Jay Peck continues to lead the SWAC in rushing. He has 600 yards on 132 attempts, and averages 100 yards per game. Redshirt-sophomore linebacker Rechard Johnson is also making a name for himself. After spending the 2006 season as an understudy to All-American Chris Dupuy, Johnson is now 4th in the SWAC in tackles with 56.

In the 1990s, Prairie View lost a record 80 games in a row. To quote ASU head coach Reggie Barlow, "this isn't your father's Prairie View team." Henry Frazier II has the Panthers as 3-2 overall, and 2-2 in the SWAC--good enough for 3rd in the western division race. The two PVAMU losses were by 3 to Grambling and 10 to Southern.

PVAMU quarterback Chris Gibson accounts for just over 100 yards of offense per game, but has made several big plays for his team. Linebacker Zach East is leads the SWAC and the NCAA in tackles. After two tough losses, the Alabama State Hornets return home for a Saturday afternoon match-up with the Prairie View A & M Panthers.

ASU is 20-1 versus Prairie View all-time. The Panthers sole win came back in the teams' first match-up in 1931.

Keeping it simple makes JSU defense hard to handle

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

It's been said before by football coaches that strategy on the field is much like chess, with teams making adjustments based on the opponent's previous move.

But you won't hear Jackson State defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes make that claim. To him, chess is way too complicated to be compared to football.

"With my defense, I want them to be thinking more checkers and less chess," Hayes said. "Football's not that hard of a game on defense. You have some base formations and rules, but from there you rely on your athleticism and instincts."

And with that strategy in mind, Hayes and head coach Rick Comegy have built a defense that's simple, allowing players to fly around the football field with wild abandon. So far it's worked - JSU (2-2 overall, 2-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) is giving up just 16.5 points per game and a SWAC-low 229.5 total yards per game.

The Tigers host Alabama State (4-1, 3-1) at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Defensive ends Daniel Brooks and Marcus Benard, along with linebacker Marcus Jamison, most typify the "hit first, think later" approach. Benard - a junior college transfer from Michigan - has been particularly effective, with 24 tackles, including 5 1/2 for a loss and a team-high three sacks.

"When I came to Jackson State, I told the coaches that I might look like a lunatic out on the field," Benard said. "But at the same time - I know what I'm doing. You've got to be a little nasty to play the defensive line."

Balancing the ruthlessness of the guys up front is the secondary, which is having a very impressive bounce-back season after struggling in 2006.

All four starters in the secondary - Domonique Johnson, LaBrose Hedgemon, Keith Camp and Malcolm Palmer - have at least one interception through four games. But unlike Benard, they've done most of their damage with patience and precision.

"I think patience just comes more with playing the secondary," Hayes said. "Those guys have been great at holding their positions and picking their spots to gamble. But they're keeping it simple. They stay in a few base formations and make sure their receivers aren't getting any big plays."

Stuck between those two extremes is junior linebacker Marcellus Speaks, who has quickly emerged as the leader of the defense. He leads the Tigers with 32 tackles, including seven for a loss, and is also charged with calling out formations and making sure everybody is in the right position.

"I've really been pleased with the way Speaks has embraced the leadership role on defense," Comegy said. "With Speaks in the middle, it moves everybody to their natural positions and makes us a much better defensive team."

Speaks said his personality is basically a mixture of the entire defense. On one play, he might need to calm down the defensive line and then yell at the secondary on the very next play to provide a spark.

"I like the way our guys are playing," Speaks said. "The emotional guys are up front and it gets a little more conservative as you move to the back. But everybody understands their role and we have a balance of attitudes. We'll need that if we want a SWAC championship."

Comegy expects a 'hungry' ASU

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

THE JSU GAME
What: Jackson State vs. Alabama State
When: Saturday, 3 p.m.
Radio: JSU Network (WOAD-1300 AM)

While Jackson State enjoyed its off weekend, its next opponent - Alabama State - wasn't having much fun, getting whipped 21-2 by Southern U.

It was the Hornets' first loss of the season and the first setback of Reggie Barlow's head coaching career.

Alabama State (4-1 overall, 3-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) might not be undefeated anymore, but JSU coach Rick Comegy said he expects the Hornets to be an even tougher opponent because of the loss.

"Almost every team needs some adversity to make them stronger," Comegy said. "Now Alabama State's going to come back hungry. Both teams will understand how crucial this game will be."

Jackson State (2-2, 2-0) took Friday and Saturday off before returning for film study on Sunday.

"It was good to get some rest and let the guys take care of some personal business," Comegy said. "I like our attitude. We know we're entering a crucial stretch."

TIGHT END AS IS

With each passing day, it becomes less likely that tight end Marcel Frost will return from a leg injury suffered last spring.

"I just hate to bring him back for a handful of games when we don't know if he'll be able to help us," Comegy said. "It's not fair to (Frost). I'd love to have him back, but it looks like we'll have to wait until next season."

In Frost's place, freshman Cedric Dixon and sophomore Antoine Ott-Terrell have split time.

Ott-Terrell made his first two catches of the season on Saturday against MVSU.

NO RECENT DOMINANCE

JSU has a 26-8-1 all-time record against Alabama State, but the Hornets won six in a row from 2000-2005 until the Tigers broke through with a 19-14 win last year in Mobile.

10,000 fans show for 1st Rocket City Battle of Bands at AAMU

Photo: Miles College Purple Marching Machine Band

Johnson High wins Battle of the Bands

In 1st Rocket City event, school beats Butler and Lee; AAMU, Alabama State, BCU, Miles College and Texas Southern University compete.

By PATRICIA C. McCARTER, Huntsville Times

Johnson High School - already known as one of the best marching bands in North Alabama - got some extra bragging rights Sunday evening when it won the first Rocket City Battle of the Bands, edging out its local rivals Butler and Lee.

The high school bands got to perform before an audience of nearly 10,000 people at Louis Crews Stadium at Alabama A&M, as well as before five university bands. The event was part of A&M's annual homecoming festivities.

"It's been an amazing day," said Johnson High senior Kiara Horton, captain of the dance team. "That's a big crowd. But when I dance, I don't see anyone. It's like a blur. I'm in my own zone."

Event organizer Derick Moore, who runs AFG Enterprises in Atlanta, said he and partner Yasin Shahid wanted to put on the show at A&M because of their history with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Moore said he attended A&M and graduated from Alabama State University, and he played percussion in both marching bands; Shahid is an A&M alum who played saxophone in the band.

Photo: Bethune Cookman University Marching Wildcat Band

Other colleges represented at Sunday's Battle of the Bands besides their alma maters were Bethune Cookman College, Texas Southern University and Miles College. "It was an excellent, excellent event," Moore said when the battle was over. "We utilize the premier college bands, the feature bands for the HBCU schools. There were no losers."

Officially, there were no winners of the colleges, either. Moore explained that it was an exhibition - not a contest - for the four-year schools.

A&M will end the weekend with money in its pocket. Moore said, the event will yield up to $15,000 for the local college's band instrument fund.

"We plan to do it again next year, but even bigger," Moore said. "We spoke to athletic director Betty Austin, and she said she'd like to have us back."

Johnson High's dance captain hopes to be back, too.

"I'll definitely come back to see my alma mater compete," Horton said. "And maybe I'll be on the field dancing for one of the colleges."