The "unofficial" meeting place for intelligent discussions of Divisions I and II Sports of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC).
America's #1 blog source for minority sports articles and videos. The MEAC, SWAC, CIAA, SIAC and GCAC colleges are building America's leaders, scholars and athletes..
Showing posts with label Coach Joe Taylor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coach Joe Taylor. Show all posts
One of the state of Florida's most historic football games, The Florida Classic between Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman is this weekend at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
This year's game has added significance, as Bethune Cookman enters 10-0 for the first time in school history, having already clinched a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title at 7-0 in the league. The Wildcats have a chance to finish the regular-season unbeaten for the first time.
Bethune-Cookman would also earn an automatic berth in the FCS playoffs if they win. It would also earn that honor even if it loses if South Carolina State beats North Carolina A&T next week.
One of the teams that is still in the hunt to tie B-C for the league title is Florida A&M, which enters 7-3 overall but 6-1 in the league. The Rattlers have won five straight games, including a 17-12 win over Hampton University on Saturday in Tallahassee.
The football season has come to this for Florida A&M. Sudden death against Bethune-Cookman for at least a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship.
The Rattlers got this far after sputtering early in the season, but for the second game behind redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Trainor they live for one more chance to stay in the league championship race. Hampton kept threatening to deny FAMU, but in the end the Rattlers' defense was too stingy, securing a 17-13 victory in front 10,306 at Bragg Stadium.
Florida A&M's defense made plays when it mattered and took advantage of Hampton's eighth-ranked scoring offense en route to a 17-12 victory at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
The Hampton University Pirates (5-5, 4-3 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) turned up the defense pressure in the second half but could not overcome the pressure from the Rattlers' defense. The Pirates only managed six points in the second half, and couldn't erase an 11-point halftime deficit.
The first two throws of the game could not have been tighter spirals. Yet both of them still ended up on the turf as Rattler wide receivers let the ball hit them in the hands before it fell incomplete. But trust is built on the practice field, not on Saturdays. So FAMU quarterback Austin Trainor kept firing away to his receivers.
Kevin Elliot, Isaac West and tight end Max Purcell combined for five drops on the afternoon, but each made a contribution to the team that bailed out their freshman quarterback. West and Elliot led FAMU with four receptions and accounted for 104 of the team's 156 passing yards.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — — Dyrii McCain sat in the back of the end zone with his hands on his head, panting, in part amazement and mostly frustration as yet another game slipped away from his Hampton football team. McCain and Donte Davis were the targets of a last-second heave from quarterback David Legree as the Pirates tried to ruin the Florida A&M football season for the second straight season.
But before either could come down with the football, the ball was intercepted and the Pirates dropped a fourth straight game, falling 17-12 in a tightly contested Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game that dropped them to .500.
It's do or die football time for FAMU football. If for no other reason, the Rattlers should put every ounce of energy into steamrolling the Pirates for the 0-25 butt kicking they received last season, that knocked them out of an FCS at-large playoff berth.
Hampton has shown they can play with the MEAC's best -- blowing a field goal in the last four minutes at South Carolina State that prevented an upset of the Bulldogs. The Pirates also stayed even with undefeated B-CU (9-0, 6-0 MEAC) for a half last Saturday, before turnovers derailed their attempt to knock the Wildcats from sole possession of first place in the conference race.
The Rattlers entire season is riding on this game and a win provides FAMU with the opportunity to battle B-CU in the Florida Classic (next week) for a share of the MEAC crown.
Game time is at 3:00 p.m., Saturday at Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee. View the game live via the Internet at: FAMCAST.
In the aftermath of a heartbreaking 23-18 loss to Bethune-Cookman University last Saturday, Rose felt disappointed. He was upset. His team had dominated the game going into halftime, only to bear the brunt of five turnovers in the second half. After a five-game winning streak followed by three straight losses, Rose, not surprisingly, has a chip on his shoulder.
His 11-year old son, D.J., didn't give him a chance to lick his wounds.
As each quarter expired without a score by Florida A&M, what was transpiring on the football field gradually became very surreal. Hampton University kept running and running until it racked up 341 yards rushing in a game that ended with the Rattlers' first shutout in a conference game in more than two decades.
This Saturday will be the last time the seniors on the Florida A&M football team take the field in Bragg Memorial Stadium as the Rattlers take on the Pirates of Hampton University. FAMU is in the hunt for a MEAC championship and post-season play, while the Pirates come to Tallahassee looking to play spoiler.
Florida A&M University has been fined $5,000 by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for violation of conference rules regarding bands and spirit groups during football contests.
The violation occurred during the Rattlers homecoming football contest against Morgan State on Oct. 31. The Florida A&M band, famously named the Marching 100, exceeded permitted performance time during the halftime break, causing the host football team to be penalized 10 yards for delaying the start of the third quarter.
ESPNU and the Battle Presented by AT&T shows the world of HBCU band battles with the Florida A&M Marching 100 battling the Bethune Cookman Marching Wildcats. Watch the rivalry, dedication, perseverance shown by this behind the scenes look at being an HBCU band member. Who will win the Florida Classic and the infamous 5th Quarter? Who survives and who quits? The Battle - Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Greensboro, N.C. - Redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Trainor has never been shy about saying he could take the Florida A&M football team to a possible Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship.
He got off to a good start Saturday in his first collegiate start, carrying the Rattlers to a 22-19 victory in overtime over North Carolina A&T. Trainor, who just two years ago was playing for North Florida Christian, spent the afternoon at Aggies Stadium mixing his booming passes with the bulldozing running of Philip Sylvester. What the duo accomplished, along with two big interceptions by linebacker Brandon Hepburn, kept alive FAMU's chance at the MEAC title. It improved to 6-3, 5-1 in the MEAC with two games remaining.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — One heck of a chess match unfolded Saturday afternoon at Aggie Stadium. Joe Taylor sent his Florida A&M Rattlers to checkmate Alonzo Lee's North Carolina A&T Aggies. At the end, the Rattlers captured Lee's king, 22-19, even though it took overtime.
No surprise there that the football game played out the way it did. Joe Taylor knows Alonzo Lee and vice versa. They went at each other with a sense of purpose — Lee looking for a win and Taylor looking for something spectacular from the redshirt freshman he decided to start at quarterback over Martin Ukpai.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Despite its losing record coming into Saturday's game, North Carolina A&T has been getting impressive individual performances each week. The list includes former Lincoln High School standout D'Vonte Graham.
Never mind that at times he has to cope with homesickness. Graham has been the most efficient player in the secondary for the Aggies. Coming into the game Graham was tied for the most interceptions in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with four. In addition to 11 tackles, he also has eight pass breakups. He picked off Florida A&M's Austin Trainor twice Saturday.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Trainor will start today for the Florida A&M football team against North Carolina A&T. FAMU coach Joe Taylor said late Friday night that Trainor, a North Florida Christian graduate, is getting the start while Martin Ukpai works through personal issues. Taylor denied rumors that Ukpai had withdrawn from a class and became ineligible to finish the season.
Even with North Carolina A&T having a 1-8 record, Florida A&M coach Joe Taylor wasn't just spewing out some quotable lines for the media during his weekly news conference when he tried to explain how dangerous the Aggies are. "I know what type of guy he is," Taylor said, referring to Aggies coach Alonzo Lee. "He is not a quitter and his team won't quit."
One of the first calls that Oye Ojo received soon after he sustained a broken foot in his first college football game came from his high school coach Jarrod Hickman. The conversation wasn't long but Hickman said enough to lift the spirits of his disappointed protege.
"I was listening because I knew he knows what he is talking about," said Ojo, a redshirt sophomore safety on the Florida A&M football team. "The first time that I was injured (in high school) he was there for me so I knew he would give me good advice."
LeDawn Gibson, the former head coach of the Winter Haven girl's basketball team, is no stranger to exceeding expectations. During her first season as the head coach of the Florida A&M women's basketball team, she coached the Lady Rattlers to a victory over then-favored Coppin State in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament.
In her second season, despite a heavily depleted roster caused by injuries, she led the team to an 18-11 overall record, its best win total since a 17-win season in 2003. The season included victories over out-of-conference opponents South Florida and Florida.
Season Opener: Nov. 12, 2010 - At University of Arkansas, 12 noon, Little Rock, AR
Safety Anthony Shutt went out with a minor injury. Cornerback Qier Hall was cramping, while defensive back Curtis Holcomb was still hobbling from an old ankle injury. That was just last Saturday against Morgan State for Florida A&M. Each unit has been hit, but no unit was hit as hard all season with injuries as the secondary last week.
When Jerral Stewart blew a coverage that allowed a Morgan State touchdown, the Florida A&M cornerback shrugged it off as just another situation that he'd have to overcome. On the ensuing Bears possession, Stewart snagged an interception that he returned for a touchdown. He felt a bit of redemption.
Florida A&M University is going the way of the heavyweights of college athletics in hopes of cashing in on its name and tradition in athletics.
The university announced Tuesday that it has signed a three-year agreement with International Management Group for the mega marketing company to encourage Corporate America to spend some of its advertising dollars with the school. The partnership is believed to be the first between IMG and a school in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Florida A&M University officials on Tuesday announced a multi-year deal with IMG College that will put at least $250,000 (annually) of extra revenue in the athletics department.
IMG College, a division of IMG Worldwide, is considered the leader in developing integrated licensing marketing and multimedia opportunities for collegiate brands across a regional and national platform. The company has a partnership with the NCAA and its 88 championships, leading conferences and universities.
Florida A&M center Shelley Anthony heard enough about linebacker Brandon Jackson to know that he'll be the main player who could cause havoc for the Rattlers' offense, although he couldn't readily recall his name.
"We've got to block, whoever he is," Anthony said during Tuesday's team press conference. "What's his name, Jackson?
The Battle Presented by AT&T – an inside look at the HBCU (Historically Black College and University) Marching Bands from Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M – will air five 30-minute shows during four straight weeks, every Thursday from Nov. 4 to Nov. 25, on ESPNU. The shows reach into the training, discipline, heart and soul that make up HBCU bands. The bands train rigorously day-in and day-out for the football games and rivalries that date back decades as part of the HBCU culture.
It wasn’t so much about Homecoming or even coming home for the Florida A&M football team. Nope, Saturday’s 31-17 victory over Morgan State was more about who stayed home for the Rattlers.
From an unlikely star who simply held his ground and made the game’s biggest play to a homegrown Rattler who ignited the crowd with another electric ...
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Morgan State rallied from 14 points down, and was driving for the go ahead score but the Bears made a costly mistake.
With the ballgame knotted at 17-17, Delonte Williams had his pass intercepted by Jerrell Stewart who returned it 37 yards for a touchdown with 7:17 left in the game. Philip Sylvester added the dagger in the form of an 89 yard touchdown run, and now the Bears Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title shot hopes seem dim.
Defensive back Jerral Stewart knew he had blown the coverage the moment that Chuka Okakpu went airborne. Okakpu landed in the end zone with a touchdown that put Morgan State back into the game against Florida A&M.
The Bragg Stadium crowd of 30,459 fans went quiet. Stewart went back to the sidelines with a burning desire. He felt he had to have some redemption — not just for himself but for the FAMU seniors who will not play another homecoming game.
It's hard to talk about the talents of Philip Sylvester without mentioning his speed. That was trademark when the Florida A&M running back burst onto the scene in 2007. It was also on full display Saturday afternoon as the senior used his trademark to average 10.1 yards per carry.
His 88-yard touchdown run up the far sideline, blowing past the Morgan State secondary, with 3:04 remaining in the fourth quarter capped off an afternoon where he ran for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Ukpai remains calm despite different field positions
No matter where Florida A&M got a drive started Saturday afternoon, quarterback Martin Ukpai refused to flinch. Twice during the Rattlers' 31-17 victory over Morgan State, Ukpai had to get the offense started from inside its own 5-yard line.
"You always want to have the same attitude no matter where," Ukpai said. "You always want to maintain composure and run big plays. The only thing I thought about was making sure we got the play off."
Chris Sands' mind was made up this past summer. He just wasn't sure exactly when he'd get the tattoo. Not just any tattoo, mind you. It had to have some significance. He settled on a rattlesnake, imprinting it in his skin on his huge right shoulder.
Call it baptism as a Rattler, but please don't call it a fad. Not this tattoo because this one has huge sentimental value for Florida A&M's 6-foot-8, 315-pound offensive lineman. He wanted it because it stood for ....
Pamela Tolson, director of media relations at Florida A&M University, said this year's homecoming was one of the most memorable. "It's truly been a great week," she said during Saturday's game. "Just look at the stadium — it's filled to capacity and there are people still walking around outside." "Everyone knows there is no homecoming like a Rattler homecoming — and...
READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.
Kirk Franklin and the FAMU Gospel Choir 10/30/10, "How Great is our God."
A small rose garden at the entrance of Bobby Lang's home seems a fitting prelude to the tranquility inside. There are no wall-of-fame mementos of the many championships his teams won when Lang coached track and field at Florida A&M University.
Yet hours of conversation reveal the years of accomplishments Lang enjoyed in a coaching career that spanned more than four decades, including the years he spent as a multi-sport coach at FAMU High. Talk long enough with Lang, and he will touch on being the offensive line coach under four different FAMU coaches before becoming Rudy Hubbard's defensive line coach. FAMU Rattler relishes homecoming as a chance to give back to her alma mater
I hail from the university that sits on the highest of Tallahassee's seven hills. Yes, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. It was my school of choice. To this day, I proudly say I'm so glad I'm from FAMU!
I'm sure you've seen in the Tallahassee Democrat that this week is homecoming. It was always a good time while I was a student — with all the parties and entertainment events going on. Now that I've graduated, homecoming has become more important to me, because it means the Rattlers are returning home. It's the time for me to see all my friends who I haven't seen in a year or longer. It'll be like a big family reunion.
The first day of practice this week had been completed for more than 30 minutes and quarterback Martin Ukpai was still on the field with a handful of Florida A&M players from the offensive unit. When they were done tossing balls and making catches, they huddled in a close circle. Ukpai had a lot to say, being very animated as he went through specifics of plays. His mannerism resembled the way he took charge of the offense in Saturday's game against Norfolk State.
Florida A&M University’s 2010 homecoming has gone into full swing starting with events on Saturday. This year’s theme is: Lights, Camera, Action: The Reel Rattler Spirit. The schedule of events for homecoming is as follows:
Friday - Homecoming Convocation in Gaither Gymnasium from 10:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Keynote speaker is FAMU alumna Sonia Myles, director for Global Printed Packaging Purchases for Proctor and Gamble Company.
2010 MORGAN STATE FOOTBALL Game 8 Saturday, October 30 – 3 p.m. (ET) Morgan State (4-3, 3-1 MEAC) at Florida A&M (4-3, 3-1 MEAC) Florida A&M Homecoming Tallahassee, Fla. – Bragg Memorial Stadium Live Coverage) Radio: WEAA Radio (88.9 FM) in Baltimore, Md. Rob Long (Play-by-Play). Live Stream: www.morganstatebears.com Rattlers TV:http://www.famu.edu/famcast/ Rattlers not new to playing crucial homecoming game
Running back Philip Sylvester can joke about it now, but when Florida A&M lost its 2008 homecoming game to Morgan State, it dealt the Rattlers' postseason hopes a huge blow.
The scenario is the same this year: FAMU has to beat the Bears on homecoming to keep its hopes alive for a shot at winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. But Sylvester, who will be one of the Rattlers' featured weapons, couldn't help being a little humorous earlier this week about the matchup.
FAMU's homecoming festivities are winding down with this weekend's activities, which include the annual high-stepping parade and the game against Morgan State, while FSU's homecoming is getting ready to crank up. Today (Orange And Green Day)
Homecoming Convocation featuring FAMU alumna Sonia Myles at 10:10 a.m. in Gaither Gymnasium on Wahnish Way on FAMU campus. Call 599-3400.
Block party and concert featuring K. Michelle, Midget Mac, Trina, Webbie and Ice Bergat at 1 p.m. at FAMU Park on West Osceola Street, near the softball field on campus. Free. Coach heads turf initiative
With the football season in motion, Florida A&M is standing 4-3 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, head coach Joe Taylor has put his prime initiative of revamping Bragg Memorial Stadium's football field on pause until the season is over. Artificial turf was initially aimed at being installed by the Oct. 2 game against South Carolina State, but lack of funds from the Got Turf campaign postponed those plans.
However, Taylor is optimistic that the new field will be installed over the summer and in place for the 2011 football season. University Relations confirmed the amount needed is $750,000, and as of August 5, approximately $50,000 had been raised. READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
NORFOLK, Va. – The Florida A&M University Football played the role of spoiler as they defeated Norfolk State, 17-13 on their homecoming, here Saturday afternoon at Dick Price Stadium. Trevor Scott would give FAMU a 3-0 lead as he connected on a 28-yard field goal with 13:09 remaining in the first quarter as the Rattlers recovered a NSU’s Dwight Fluker-Berry fumble on the kickoff. Dante Barnes gave the NSU a 7-3 lead as scored on a 68-yard interception return with 5:54 to go in the first quarter, after the Ryan Estep PAT.
NORFOLK, VA - The Norfolk State football team found a new way to reach the same, tired, result. Betrayed by their defense and penalties, rather than offense and special teams, the Spartans surrendered the winning touchdown with 5:21 left and lost 17-13 to Florida A&M (4-3, 3-1 MEAC) on Saturday.
This one, the fourth straight defeat for NSU (2-5, 1-4), came before 21,118 fans on homecoming, a second straight kick in the gut after a one-point rivalry game loss to Hampton. "This one hurts a lot," senior running back DeAngelo Branche said. "You'll never understand. It's your last homecoming. To lose a game like that..."
Even with the excitement and festivities surrounding homecoming, the Norfolk State Spartans were unable to keep the Florida A&M Rattlers at bay, losing in yet another close game, 17-13.
Both teams came into the game in a must-win situation. NSU was trying to break their three game losing streak; Florida A&M needed a win to stay in the race for the MEAC Championship. The opening kickoff was fumbled by Spartans defensive back Dwight Fluker-Berry, the Rattlers recovered the ball and turned it into a 28-yard field goal by Trevor Scott. Two possessions later, cornerback Dante Barnes returned an interception 68 yards to put the Spartans up 7-3.
NSU notes: It's 3000 yards and counting for Branche Norfolk State running back DeAngelo Branche, who needed 42 yards to reach the 3,000-yard mark for his career, finished with 89 yards on 26 carries. The Maury graduate is just the second Spartan to hit the milestone and the first to do it at the FCS level.
"It was one of my goals," Branche said. "You can enjoy it a little. Even after a loss, an achievement is still an achievement. My name's in the record books. When I leave here, it'll still be here." Doing it on homecoming made it extra special.
NORFOLK, Va. — He didn't get a response from Florida A&M, or any other school that he sent film to in hopes of making their football team. Chris Walley, who piled up all sorts of impressive accolades just a few years ago at North Florida Christian, had all but resolved to just spending the spring semester at home. Pete Adrian, head coach at Norfolk State University, saw something he liked on Walley's video, though.
"He's able to do what he has to do," Adrian said. "He gets his checks on and off and that's a good thing." The call came and Walley had just enough time to get into classes a few days before the spring session began. He won the quarterback job.
NORFOLK, Va. — With just over 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Florida A&M football team trailing by three points, the situation became one of mind over matter for running back Philip Sylvester and quarterback Martin Ukpai.
What transpired for the next 5:13 Saturday afternoon was a remarkable performance with Sylvester rushing for 42 yards during a 98-yard drive that propelled the Rattlers past Norfolk State 17-13 in a must-win game at Dick Price Stadium. The Spartans had scored the go-ahead points on a field goal near the end of the third quarter, creating a desperate situation for FAMU.
NORFOLK, Va. — For the second consecutive weekend, Florida A&M faced a team that has a Big Bend quarterback under center. Of course, FAMU coach Joe Taylor has been paying attention to the talent of Antonio Bostick and Chris Walley. Bostick is quarterback at Savannah State, while Walley plays the same position at Norfolk State.
Taylor talked as if he doesn't want to make those kinds of misses in the future. His recruiters are already on the trail of some of the top players in the area, Taylor said, with some of them making early commitments. "We are just trying to make sure we get ours," said Taylor, who is prohibited by NCAA rules from naming names any players who have committed to join the program next season. READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.
Coach Joe Taylor has been hinting for more than a week that he would put the rest of the season in the hands of his running backs. On Saturday, senior Philip Sylvester and LaVante Page proved that Taylor might be on to something as they led a ground attack that carried Florida A&M to a 31-0 victory over Savannah State.
The victory was a prelude to a five-game stretch that the Rattlers must win to keep a meaningful place in the conversation about playing in the postseason.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - For a time Saturday afternoon the Savannah State football team was living on the edge. The game against Florida A&M was in front of them if the Tigers could string together some first downs. But the Tigers (0-7) fell off the precipice following touchdowns on the Rattlers first two possessions of the third quarter. A manageable 10-point halftime deficit became insurmountable one as Savannah State fell 31-0.
Right beneath the press box, where there is usually a lot of ruckus, it was eerily quiet for the first quarter. The shakers were near silent. No whistles blew like they usually do. Folks were wondering about their Florida A&M football team as former West Gadsden star quarterback Antonio Bostick got a nifty drive going before the Savannah State Tigers had to punt.
"I will cheer for you; hold that line," a lonely voice bellowed from the crowd just below the press box. "Hold that line."
Two possessions were all it took to wipe away a dissatisfying first half. Despite dominating in every statistical category Florida A&M led Savannah State just 10-0 at the half due to eight penalties, clock management issues and offensive ineffectiveness on third down.
The miscues even permeated to the officiating as an inadvertent whistle from the officials prevented FAMU from scoring what would have been a 90-yard punt return by T.J. Lawrence with two minutes remaining in the first half.
As long as three months ago, coach Joe Taylor has been predicting that before the season is done, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference will turn out to be one of the most competitive among all Division I-AA.
Taylor was making his case again a few days before Saturday's matchup between Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State. Both teams went into the game with unbeaten records, but it's the Wildcats' 4-0 record that seems to validate Taylor's argument.
Saturday: Oct. 16 - Florida A&M Rattlers vs. Savannah State Tigers Where: Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee, FL Time: 3:00 p.m. 3 PM Game Broadcast - Internet TV: http://www.famu.edu/famcast/
For awhile last season, defensive line coach George Small wondered about nose guard Nicolas Hollinghead's desire. Small wanted to see a little more energy from the 6-foot-4, 284-pound redshirt junior. "I don't know how much he was committed to it," Small said. "I don't know if it was because of those older guys who were in front of him, but he just didn't really press it like I thought he would."
This past spring, the light came on for Hollinghead, who played just two seasons at Cocoa High School before coming for FAMU. He recommitted to putting in the hours in the weight room and worked on his technique to the point that he was unbeatable for the starting nose guard position coming out of spring camp.
Near the end of the match, Belinda Hehncke-Biney reminded her North Carolina Central teammates that they have to "watch 35 coming in." That was Lorrin Rucker, who was punishing on the front line for Florida A&M to help the Rattlers defeat the Eagles 3-0 Sunday afternoon at the Lawson Center. It was FAMU's fourth straight win.
Rocker had 10 of her 13 kills through the first two sets. She watched most of the third set from the sideline, but as soon as she returned to the floor she delivered a kill to put FAMU within four points of completing the sweep.
When coach Joe Taylor adjusts the offense of his Florida A&M football team with a two-back set in an attempt to jump start the Rattlers' offense, the receiving corps can expect to see fewer opportunities for catches while they'll have to do more blocking.
The change is coming at a time when FAMU's receivers are already shorter on the number of catches they had through the first five games last season. They'd like to have more chances for catches, the team's two leading receivers said, but they're prepared to make the adjustment.
If Austin Trainor plays his role with the same confidence and tenacity that he demonstrates during an interview, the former North Florida Christian quarterback should give some kind of effort.
Coach Joe Taylor announced earlier this week Trainor has been promoted on the Florida A&M depth chart to second-string quarterback behind Martin Ukpai. Maybe it's the innocence of being a redshirt freshman, but Trainor responded to the move from third-string as if he was handed the reins.
As Florida A&M offense struggled last weekend to put points on the board, safety Oye Ojo felt a sense of responsibility as the game went on.
The former Florida High standout just wanted to do something — anything defensively — to get the Rattlers in a position to score. That didn't happen, of course. But as a result of his effort, Ojo ended the game with a career-best 12 tackles in the game, becoming the team's second leading tackler. FAMU benefits from added depth » Last season when South Carolina State University made a personnel switch to strengthen its lineup in the finals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tennis championships, Carl Goodman couldn't counter. His Florida A&M team didn't have the depth.
But with an eight-player roster, with the possible addition of another in January, Goodman is already seeing the advantage of having a deeper roster this season. The Rattlers didn't have a single overworked player two weeks ago when they captured the HBCU national championship in Atlanta.
Raise your hand if there was an urge to chuckle after watching the closing part of the MEAC commercial aired during Saturday's tape-delayed showing of the South Carolina State-Florida A&M football game. You know, the part where Commissioner Dennis Thomas says "athletic excellence" about the MEAC?
When it comes to football, the only "excellent" part being exhibited is the 20-game conference-winning streak by the Bulldogs and Bethune-Cookman's dominating 4-0 start. Aside from those two developments, there's truly not much for Thomas...
Well, we have our favorite. South Carolina State was awfully impressive dispatching Florida A&M on the road 19-0. The Bulldogs did settle for four field goal attempts after moving the ball, but given the way they dominated, that’s being a little bit picky. Norfolk State’s likely happy about the result – SC State would have been a beast of a game if they’d had the loss to focus them – but the abilities the Bulldogs displayed are worrisome enough. A tall task awaits the Spartans this week. Also, Bethune is still looking awfully good and Hampton stays unbeaten.
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Maybe you saw the shark in the pool on "CSI:" the other night. Nothing a couple extra pounds of chlorine might solve. Or a 3-3-5 defense.
If a team is still sitting outside The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top 25, it probably will not be making a deep run into the playoffs later this fall. In fact, it would struggle just to make the 20-team field, which consists of 10 automatic bids to conference champions and 10 at-large bids. But that doesn't mean some teams outside the rankings won't make an impact on the playoffs. Whether they get in or not.
In the major FCS conferences, there are some sharks lurking...
Bethune-Cookman would also earn an automatic berth in the FCS playoffs if they win. It would also earn that honor even if it loses if South Carolina State beats North Carolina A&T next week.
